Clarksdale, MS – The Delta Regional Authority (DRA) has announced Gov. Andy Beshear, of Kentucky, as its 2024 States’ Co-Chair. Beshear was elected to serve as States’ Co-Chair by the DRA Board of Governors during its annual Quorum. In this role, Beshear will work directly with the agency’s Federal Co-Chairman on economic development and growth in the DRA region.
“DRA is pleased to have Gov. Beshear serve as our next States’ Co-Chair. I am confident that with his shared leadership, DRA will prioritize investments throughout the entire lower Mississippi River and Alabama Black Belt regions,” said DRA Federal Co-Chairman, Dr. Corey Wiggins. “Together, with our Board of Governors, we will work to ensure equitable and inclusive access to funding opportunities that will result in economic growth across the region.”
The 63rd Governor of Kentucky, Beshear has served the citizens of the commonwealth since 2019. During his first term as governor, Beshear worked to rebuild Kentucky stronger than ever in the aftermath of the global pandemic and two historic natural disasters. He announced nearly $29 billion in private-sector investment – the largest amount secured by any Kentucky governor – and secured nearly 1,000 economic development projects creating nearly 51,300 full-time jobs. He also landed the two biggest electric vehicle battery plants on Earth and secured record-high budget surpluses and record-low unemployment. His other accomplishments include moving major infrastructure projects forward, such as the I-69 project in Western Kentucky, and securing the largest investments in high-speed internet in Kentucky’s history, which will be used to connect every home and business in the state. Now in his second term, Beshear is committed to continuing to move Kentucky forward by working to turn four years of progress into decades of prosperity for generations to come.
“Western Kentucky has seen record investment from the Delta Regional Authority in recent years, and I’m honored to have been selected as the States’ Co-Chair,” said Beshear. “The DRA funds projects that attract new investment and jobs to our region, improving the lives of our people. I look forward to working with my fellow DRA governors, as well as Dr. Wiggins to continue the momentum across the Delta region.”
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