DRA August Highlights

September 9, 2024

"Forward" DRA Monthly Highlights

LATEST NEWS

DOL Awards $49M for Job Training in High-Demand Sectors for Appalachian, Lower Mississippi Delta, Northern Border Regions’ Workers

On Sept. 4, the U.S. Department of Labor, in partnership with the Appalachian Regional Commission, Delta Regional Authority and the Northern Border Regional Commission, announced $49 million in grant awards to prepare workers for good-quality, secure jobs in high-demand industries in their communities. These awards deliver on the Biden-Harris administration’s promise to bring economic opportunity back to places that are too often left out or behind.

The Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities Initiative grants awarded will support 35 projects across 18 states. Of these awards, more than $21 million was awarded to 15 workforce projects across the Delta, which will support projects that promote economic mobility, address historic inequities for marginalized individuals and communities, and enable workers to thrive in their communities.

To read the full story and to view the list of award recipients, click here.

Biden-Harris Administration Awards Over $720,000 in Funding to Address Infrastructure Needs

The Delta Regional Authority (DRA) has awarded more than $720,000 to six communities across Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee in its fifth round of funding through the Strategic Planning Program. Funding for this program is made available by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law signed by President Biden — a key part of his Investing in America agenda to rebuild the economy from the bottom up and the middle out.

“The Strategic Planning Program gives public entities across DRA’s footprint the ability to address long-standing issues and to develop a roadmap for economic growth and revitalization,” said Dr. Corey Wiggins, Federal Co-Chairman. “This investment will better position communities to maximize their economic development and basic public infrastructure opportunities.”

To view award recipients, click here.

DRA, EDA Grant Recipients Recognized During Check Presentation

On Aug. 5, business leaders, community members and friends gathered for a check presentation held in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, recognizing two award recipients of the DRA and U.S. Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) partnership program.

As part of a $4.3 million investment for three projects located across Alabama, Arkansas and Mississippi, Higher Purpose Co., of Mississippi, and Go Forward Pine Bluff, of Arkansas, were recognized as two of the three recipients of the EDA’s Economic Adjustment Assistance program — in partnership with the DRA — which supports technical, planning, and public works and infrastructure assistance in regions facing economic challenges. Go Forward Pine Bluff was presented with $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; and Higher Purpose Co. was presented with 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.

“We are grateful for our ongoing partnership with the EDA to create impactful opportunities for communities within our Delta region,” said Dr. Corey Wiggins, DRA Federal Co-Chairman. “We expect great things from both of these entities, as their projects seek to create economic opportunity and prosperity for those who reside in their communities.”

For more information about this announcement, click here.

Investing in the Delta | Rust College

Check out our newest video of Investing in the Delta! Hear from our grantees at Rust College, in Holly Springs, Mississippi, who expressed their appreciation for an investment of nearly $255,000 for its Rust College Rural AgriTech Program.

Awarded through our Delta Workforce Grant Program, this grant was used to produce viable economic development strategies for small, rural communities; create a sustainable talent pipeline; and establish locally and regionally significant public-private partnerships between underrepresented students, farmers and aeronautical professionals.

DRA will host its fourth quarter board meeting Wednesday, Sept. 11, from 2 – 4 p.m. For those interested in viewing the meeting virtually, click here.

Board Meeting

In August, DRA held its quarterly all-staff meeting in Little Rock, Arkansas. While there, the team toured the Port of Little Rock and learned more about how two investments created a significant economic impact, reaching far beyond the port into Central Arkansas and the Arkansas Delta.

DRA Welcomes Four New Team Members

Four new team members have joined our growing DRA family. Join us in welcoming our newest employees:

Lisa Dunn, CPA, Director of Finance

Tamiya Howard, Critical Infrastructure Program Analyst

Jillian Morrison, Policy and Research Director

Amy Smith, Critical Infrastructure Program Analyst

OCED Announces Plans to Fund up to $400M for Clean Energy Projects in Rural and Remote Areas Across the Nation

As part of the Biden-Harris administration’s Investing in America agenda, the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED) issued a Notice of Intent (NOI) for up to $400 million to spur innovative, community-focused clean energy solutions in rural and remote areas across the United States. This funding—made possible by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law—will support the deployment of a variety of commercially available, clean energy technologies, demonstrating their viability and benefits to rural and remote residents, and ultimately encouraging widespread adoption.

The upcoming investment is part of the Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas (ERA) Program, which aims to fund community-driven projects that demonstrate clean energy systems, deliver measurable and sustained benefits to people who live in rural or remote areas, and build clean energy knowledge, capacity, and self-reliance throughout rural America.

To read the full story and to learn more about this upcoming investment, click here.

DRA and HRSA Partner for Workshop and Meetings

In partnership with the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs – Regions 6 and 7, DRA will be hosting two meetings and a workshop to be held Sept. 10 – 11, 2024, in Sikeston, Missouri.

On Sept. 10, DRA and HRSA will hold two meetings focused on maternal health and health workforce. On Sept. 11, a grants workshop will be held, covering multiple topics, such as federal and regional funding opportunities, the grant application process, and tips for crafting a strong application. Registration is now open for all events.

For more information or to register, visit dra.gov/events; space is limited. To download the flyer, click here.

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

Community Infrastructure Fund

Approximately $30 million in funding is available through DRA’s Community Infrastructure Fund (CIF). Investments support projects that address basic public and transportation infrastructure, as well as flood-control issues for communities within DRA’s eight-state service area. For more information on how to apply, visit Community Infrastructure Fund (CIF) – Delta Regional Authority (dra.gov). Funding for this program was 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.

Applications for FY 2024 Close Tuesday, Sept. 10.

Strategic Planning Program

Approximately $3 million in funding is available through DRA’s Strategic Planning Program. This program gives public entities access to strategic planning funds to address long-standing issues and develop a roadmap for economic growth and opportunity. For more information on how to apply, visit Strategic Planning Program – Delta Regional Authority (dra.gov). Funding for this program is made available by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law signed by President Biden—a key part of his Investing in America agenda.

Applications for FY 2024 Close Tuesday, Sept. 10.