Clarksdale, Miss. – The Delta Regional Authority (DRA), in collaboration with the state of Louisiana, recently invested more than $4 million toward 11 projects in Louisiana through its States’ Economic Development Assistance Program (SEDAP) — one of DRA’s main investment tools.
A coordinated effort among DRA, its Board of Governors and Local Development Districts, SEDAP aims to improve basic public infrastructure, transportation infrastructure, business development and job training in communities across DRA’s eight-state service region. This year in Louisiana, 11 projects were selected for SEDAP funding at an investment of more than $4 million. Funding for this program is made available, in part, by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law signed by President Biden — a key part of his Investing in America agenda to grow local economies from the middle out and bottom up and to create more resilient and healthier communities across the country.
“The States’ Economic Development Assistance Program is one of DRA’s most diverse tools that allow us to expand and invest in the resiliency of the region’s public infrastructure and workforce,” said Dr. Corey Wiggins, DRA Federal Co-Chairman. “As a result of this investment, nearly 1,000 jobs will be created or retained and more than 18,000 families across 11 communities will have improved access to infrastructure and workforce development opportunities, helping to improve their quality of life and increasing economic prosperity in their communities.”
For these projects, DRA coordinated directly with the Office of the Governor for the State of Louisiana and its Local Development Districts for program funding implementation.
SEDAP award recipients in the state of Louisiana include:
Town of Waterproof was awarded more than $80,000 for a sewer improvement project that will replace the backup pumps inside of five sewer lift stations, providing additional capacity to meet usage demands from the town’s residents, businesses and detention center while also addressing regulations set by the Department of Environmental Quality.
City of West Monroe was awarded $509,000 to update and improve 770 feet of sewer infrastructure in Downtown West Monroe to help bolster the city’s growth, development and economic sustainability.
Ochsner LSU Health – Monroe Medical Center was awarded more than $304,000 to install a new electrical distribution system to improve the center’s electrical infrastructure, resulting in increased electrical reliability and capacity and expansion of community services.
Town of Maurice was awarded $509,000 to make water system improvements to service the town’s rapidly increasing population, remedy existing public health concerns and violations, and improve residents’ quality of life.
Ouachita Parish was awarded more than $375,000 for an emergency operations center renovation project, a critical infrastructure project that will play a vital role in ensuring effective emergency management and response capabilities in the region.
Town of Marion was awarded nearly $454,000 to repair, rehabilitate and improve a 64-year-old sewer lift station to address poor conditions and health-code violations linked to the existing station and to provide and maintain adequate sewer service for residents.
Town of Lockport was awarded nearly $199,000 to make critical improvements to the sewer and wastewater treatment systems that are foundational to the town’s ability to sustain its rich Cajun cultural heritage, a livable community, and the increasingly important tourism economy.
Village of Plaucheville was awarded more than $218,000 to construct a new water main, which will reduce service disruptions and improve the water system for the entire village.
City of Kaplan was awarded $418,100 to support a sewer system improvement project, which involves a comprehensive rehabilitation of the system to improve the resiliency and functionality of the city’s sewer collection system.
North Desoto Water System was awarded $509,000 to construct a new drinking water booster station to serve the Town of Stonewall, and other surrounding areas, to improve water storage and pumping capacity for the purposes of alleviating pressure on existing undersized stations, ensuring reliable water supply, and supporting new residential and economic developments.
City of Minden was awarded $509,000 for a water main replacement project to guarantee that the city’s distribution system continues to receive sufficient water and to improve the overall reliability, sustainability and fire protection of the system.
For more information about SEDAP, visit www.dra.gov.
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