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DRA 2024 Year in Review
In 2024, across the DRA region, approximately $79 million was invested in our communities through our Strategic Planning, Human Infrastructure, and Critical Infrastructure funding programs, laying the groundwork for a more resilient and prosperous future!
- Strategic Planning: 20 projects, $2.47 million
- Human Infrastructure: 38 projects, $22 million
- Critical Infrastructure: 89 projects, $54.7 million
These investments have already begun creating jobs, improving services, and strengthening communities across the region, setting the stage for long-term economic growth and success.
Here’s to a bright 2025 ahead!
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DRA Announces $1.5 Million Available for 2025 Strategic Planning Program
DRA has announced funding availability for the 2025 Strategic Planning Program, which provides economically distressed communities, persistent poverty communities, and isolated areas of distress in the Mississippi River Delta and Alabama Black Belt regions with the necessary resources to develop plans that address long-standing issues and guide economic growth.
Approximately $1.5 million is now available to help communities identify and develop strategic plans that will address issues such as infrastructure, industry growth, workforce pipelines and small business development for communities within the DRA region. Awards will range from $25,000 to $150,000, with applications being accepted on a semiannual cycle. Funding for the program was made available by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law signed by President Biden — a key part of his Investing in America agenda.
To read full story, click here.
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Federal Co-Chair Wiggins to Participate in Online Discussion Jan. 15
Join DRA Federal Co-Chair, Dr. Corey Wiggins, as he gathers with scholars and other regional commissioners from acrosss the country for a critical dicussion on how federally chartered regional commissions drive infrastructure investments in distressed rural areas on Wednesday, Jan. 15.
Click the following link for more information and how to sign on: https://bit.ly/4jiM5Cb.
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DRA Announces Funding Available for Community Infrastructure Fund
DRA has announced funding availability for the 2025 Community Infrastructure Fund, which supports economic and community development needs throughout the Mississippi River Delta and Alabama Black Belt regions.
Funding is now available to address basic public infrastructure and transportation infrastructure, as well as flood-control issues for communities within DRA’s eight-state service area. Awards will range from $500,000 to $2 million, with grant applications being reviewed on an annual rolling cycle. Funding for this program was made possible, in part, by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law signed by President Joe 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.
To read full story, click here.
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Investing in the Delta | West Central Alabama Area Health Education Center
In 2023, DRA awarded $450,000 in Delta Workforce Grant Program funding to support the Longleaf Outreach Project, an innovative community-based workforce development project aimed to increase the health care workforce pipeline in rural Alabama.
A coordinated effort led by the West Central Alabama Area Health Education Center, this initiative is empowering high school seniors and young adults with the skills and knowledge to address critical mental and behavioral health needs throughout Hale, Marengo and Perry counties. From Youth Mental Health First Aid to training as Community Health Workers, participants are gaining valuable experience while making a lasting impact on their communities.
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Funding Available for HRSA’s Delta Health Systems Implementation Program
The Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) Federal Office of Rural Health Policy’s Delta Health Systems Implementation Program (DSIP) funding opportunity for FY 2025 is open and accepting applications for the program’s two-year period of performance (September 1, 2025 – August 31, 2027). HRSA expects to award five rural health care organizations, up to $400,000 each, to enhance health care delivery in rural areas by implementing projects that will improve financial sustainability and increase access to care. Applications are due March 20, 2025, 11:59 p.m. Eastern.
Eligible applicants include critical access hospitals, small rural hospitals, rural health clinics, tribal health care facilities, and other health care organizations located in a rural county or parish in the Delta region. Applicants must propose projects based on recommendations received from previous technical assistance (TA) provided through the Delta Region Community Health Systems Development Program or another similar TA program within the last five years.
For more information, click Delta Health Systems Implementation Program, or contact Suzanne Snyder, HRSA program coordinator, at ruralhospitals@hrsa.gov.
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Community Infrastructure Fund
Funding is now available through DRA’s Community Infrastructure Fund (CIF). Investments support projects that address basic public infrastructure, transportation infrastructure, as well as flood-control issues for communities within DRA’s eight-state service region. 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. For more information on how to apply, visit Community Infrastructure Fund – Delta Regional Authority (dra.gov).
Applications Accepted on a Rolling Basis
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Strategic Planning Program
Approximately $1.5 million is available through DRA’s Strategic Planning Program. Investments support projects that help communities identify and develop strategic plans that will address issues such as infrastructure, industry growth, workforce pipelines and small business development for communities within the DRA region. Funding for this program was made available by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law signed by President Biden — a key part of his Investing in America agenda. For more information on how to apply, visit Strategic Planning Program – Delta Regional Authority (dra.gov).
Applications Deadline: March 7, 2025 (Winter Cycle)
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Upcoming Events and Opportunities
- Strategic Planning Program Applications – March 7
- MOWA Choctaw Wellness Mission – June 1 – 15
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