Clarksdale, MS – More than $4.3 million in investments has been awarded to three projects across Alabama, Arkansas and Mississippi, thanks to a partnership program between the Delta Regional Authority (DRA) and the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA).
With funds provided through the EDA’s Economic Adjustment Assistance program, the DRA has invested more than $4.3 million toward three projects located in Alabama, Arkansas and Mississippi. As one of the EDA’s most flexible funding programs, the Economic Adjustment Assistance program provides for a wide range of technical, planning, and public works and infrastructure assistance in regions experiencing adverse economic changes that may occur suddenly or over time.
“The Delta Regional Authority is thankful for our ongoing partnership with the EDA, as we work together to create opportunities that will impact communities across our Delta region,” said Dr. Corey Wiggins, DRA Federal Co-Chairman. “As a result of this partnership, a significant investment has been made toward projects that aim to bolster economic development, workforce development and business development opportunities in three communities within our DRA footprint.”
The Economic Adjustment Assistance program assists state and local entities in responding to a wide range of economic challenges through grants that either support the development, updating or refinement of a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) or the execution of activities identified in a CEDS, such as infrastructure improvements, including site acquisition, site preparation, construction, rehabilitation and equipping of facilities. Under this program, the EDA can also fund market and environmental studies, planning or construction grants, and capitalize or recapitalize revolving loan funds to help provide small businesses with the capital they need to grow.
“The Economic Development Administration, in partnership with the Delta Regional Authority, is proud to support economic revitalization projects that benefit communities throughout the Delta region,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Castillo. “These projects will provide traditionally underserved communities in Alabama, Mississippi and Arkansas with the infrastructure and technical assistance necessary to support workforce and business development in their respective communities. We are looking forward to seeing these investments contribute to a stronger, more diversified, and resilient region.”
The latest recipients of the Economic Adjustment Assistance program include:
Alabama
Wallace Community College – Dothan (WCCD) — in collaboration with Wayne Farms – Union Springs, Bullock County Development Authority, and the Bullock County Career and Technical Center — was awarded $661,700 to purchase specialized equipment for a new Regional Workforce Training Center. The equipment will allow WCCD to create and facilitate training and maintenance courses for individuals within Union Spring and Bullock County, as well as develop training to upskill the current Wayne Farms workforce.
Arkansas
Go Forward Pine Bluff was awarded $1.5 million for the development of a food and retail incubator hub, which will support and provide technical assistance to start-up businesses to facilitate independent ventures in three years or less. Funds will be used to defray costs in transforming a vacant warehouse into a restaurant hub.
Mississippi
Higher Purpose Co. was awarded more than $2.2 million to renovate its Higher Purpose Hub, a regional economic opportunity center enhancing the financial, physical and cultural wellbeing of Mississippi Delta residents by centralizing innovative services and amenities. Funds will be used to assist in extensive renovations to the facility and to implement technology that will assist with onsite trainings, cultural productions and business development.
For more information about the Economic Adjustment Assistance program, visit Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance Program – Delta Regional Authority (dra.gov).
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