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The DRA 2024 Annual Report is now available for review. Take a look at the DRA investments made across the lower Mississippi River Delta and Alabama Black Belt regions during Fiscal Year 2024.
Another record-level investment across the Delta region, DRA invested more than $70 million toward 128 projects that supported critical infrastructure, workforce development and strategic planning across 255 counties and parishes within the eight-state service region.
Matched by nearly $90 million in public and private investments, together, these awards are helping to create and retain more than 9,500 jobs, train approximately 4,400 individuals, and impact over 116,000 families, building stronger, more sustainable communities in a thriving Delta region.
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Celebrating 25 Years of Impact in the Delta Region
This year, DRA will be celebrating 25 years of impact across the Delta region. Founded in late 2000, DRA has worked to strengthen economic opportunity and infrastructure across the lower Mississippi River Delta and Alabama Black Belt regions. Twenty-five years later, we remain steadfast in our commitment to helping our region thrive—investing in communities across eight states and more than 255 counties and parishes.
Over the past four fiscal years alone, DRA has invested more than $218 million across 484 projects—strengthening infrastructure, workforce development, and strategic planning efforts throughout our eight-state region. These investments have positively impacted over 203,000 families, provided workforce training to more than 18,000 individuals, helped create or retain over 40,000 jobs, and leveraged an additional $335 million in outside funding.
To read the full story, click here.
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DRA Hosts Trainings with LDDs in Mississippi
As part of its ongoing commitment to support Local Development Districts across the Delta region, the DRA staff conducted two in-person training sessions this summer in the Mississippi Delta.
In Batesville, Miss., DRA’s programs staff visited the North Delta Planning and Development District to conduct training sessions concerning vital information, guidance, and instruction on both the Critical Infrastructure and Workforce Development programs. In Greenville, Miss., DRA also trained staff at the South Delta Planning and Development District on information regarding Critical Infrastructure programs, offering detailed insights and technical assistance to support project development and implementation.
These sessions reflect DRA’s continued effort of providing in-depth program support and fostering collaboration between local, state, and federal partners to improve infrastructure and workforce outcomes throughout the Delta region.
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The DRA Fourth Quarter Board Meeting has been scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 18. The time and Zoom link will be announced at a later date. Check the DRA Events webpage for updated information.
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States’ Economic Development Assistance Program
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Community Infrastructure Fund
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LDD Community Support Pilot Program
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Upcoming Events and Opportunities
- States’ Economic Development Assistance Program Applications – Aug. 25
- Community Infrastructure Fund Applications – Aug. 30
- 2025 Delta Leadership Institute Graduation – Sept. 10
- Fourth Quarter DRA Board Meeting – Sept. 18
- LDD Community Support Pilot Program Applications – Sept. 26
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DRA in the News
- New water flow will soon come to Reform, WCBI-TV
- Major Funding Boost for Alabama Black Belt Development, WTVG 92.9
- Carrollton getting nearly $1M for water infrastructure improvements, WVUA-23
- Rep. Sewell announces $3M for Black Belt water infrastructure, Alabama Political Reporter
- Madisonville awarded $1.3M to support installation of new public water line, 44News
- City lands state and federal funding for key infrastructure projects, The Jonesboro Sun
- Black River Technical College receives grant for robot welding lab, Talk Business & Politics
- City of Natchez Launches ‘The Miss-Lou Train to Gain Program’ with $300,000 Grant from Delta Regional Authority, Global HR Reporter
- Congressman Thompson Announces over $1.6 Million in Delta Workforce Grant Funds Awarded to Mississippi Second Congressional District, Office of Congressman Bennie Thompson
- Delta Regional Authority Awards Nearly $900K to Northeast Arkansas Workforce Initiatives, Arkansas Business
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