DRA March Highlights

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.

“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.”

For more information: https://bit.ly/3J4U8RV.

Delta Leadership Institute (DLI) Executive Academy convened its third session in Baton Rouge, La., March 4-7, 2024, where DLI cohort members received professional development training and participated in workshops around workforce development. While in Baton Rouge, DLI participants also attended sessions with local experts and leaders at the Louisiana State University Center for River Studies and Baton Rouge Community College. 

National Economic Advisor Lael Brainard convened White House officials and the federal co-chairs of six regional commissions: the Appalachian Regional Commission, Denali Commission, Delta Regional Authority, Northern Border Regional Commission, Southeast Crescent Regional Commission and Southwest Border Regional Commission. At the convening, Federal Co-Chairman, Dr. Corey Wiggins, discussed the importance of regional commissions and DRA’s priorities, including place-based investments. Learn more about the convening here: https://bit.ly/3TPebsA. 

DRA has awarded nearly $500,000 to five communities across Illinois, Kentucky and Missouri in its third round of funding through the Strategic Planning Program. 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 the third-round strategic planning awards: https://bit.ly/4anxU9T.

In March, DRA expanded its team by welcoming Arlicia Jordan as Communications Manager and Rosalyn McCorkle as Financial Analyst.

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 Accepted on a Rolling Basis

Approximately $17 million is available through the DRA’s States’ Economic Development Assistance Program (SEDAP). Investments support projects that address basic public infrastructure and transportation infrastructure, as well as workforce and business development needs for communities within the DRA region. For more information on how to apply, visit States’ Economic Development Assistance Program – 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.

Final Applications Due: June 25, 2024

Approximately $49.2 million in funding is available through the U.S. Department of Labor’s Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC) Initiative. The WORC Initiative helps workers access high-quality jobs and seeks to address persistent economic distress for people in the Appalachian, Lower Mississippi Delta and Northern Border regions. For resources and more information on how to apply, visit https://bit.ly/3TNqzcv.

Final Applications Due: June 20, 2024