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Biden-Harris Administration Awards Over $600,000 in Funding to Address Infrastructure Needs
DRA has awarded nearly $600,000 to four communities across Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana and Tennessee in its fourth 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 view the fourth-round of strategic planning award recipients, click here.
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DRA Announces New Senior Advisor
DRA welcomes Laura Veazey as its new Senior Advisor, effective May 6, 2024. A resident of Louisiana, Veazey brings 20 years of combined experience in consulting, government relations and external affairs to DRA, while having served in various roles in the public and private sectors.
“We are pleased to have Laura as a new addition to the DRA team,” said Dr. Corey Wiggins, DRA Federal Co-Chairman. “With her impressive background in government relations and external affairs, Laura was a perfect fit for this role. I expect great things from her, as she helps us cultivate our strong partnerships with stakeholders inside and outside the DRA.”
Click here for full story.
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Biden-Harris Administration Announces More Than $2.6 Million Investment into Lower Mississippi Delta and Alabama Black Belt Regions
DRA has awarded more than $2.6 million in investments to two projects in Kentucky and Louisiana through its Community Infrastructure Fund (CIF). 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.
To view the most recent CIF award recipients, click here.
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Applications for the 2025 Delta Leadership Institute (DLI) Executive Academy are now open. An extensive nine-month leadership development program, DLI brings together public, private and nonprofit sector leaders from the Mississippi River and Alabama Black Belt regions to improve economic competitiveness and social viability throughout their communities. For more information, click here.
Applications due: August 16, 2024
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DRA Joins in Celebration of New Airport Sign
On May 2, DRA joined local, regional and federal partners at the Greenville Mid-Delta Airport, in Greenville, Miss., to celebrate the unvieling of a new airport sign. Officials representing the USDA Rural Development, City of Greenville and Washington County Mississippi Ecnomic Alliance where all in attendance, among others.
“DRA is proud to partner with the City of Greenville by investing $2.5 million into the Mid-Delta Airport to bring its facilities up to Department of Defense code standards,” said Dr. Corey Wiggins, federal co-chairman. “A symbol of progress, revitalization and growth, this sign marks the beginning of a series of improvements underway at Mid-Delta Airport — the Mississippi Delta’s only commercial airport.”
DRA’s investment was provided through its Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance Program, a partnership program with the U.S. Economic Development Administration. With this investment, in conjunction with local funding, the renovated airport will help bring economic prosperity to Greenville and to the Mississippi Delta region. For more information, click here.
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DRA, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Defense, City of Henderson, Kentucky, and the Green River Area Development District, will offer no-cost medical, dental, optometry and veterinary care to residents in Western Kentucky this summer through an Innovative Readiness Training medical mission.
Click here to download flyer.
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DRA Takes Tour of Sweet Home Alabama
In May, DRA employees received a first-hand look at progress being made toward DRA projects in the state of Alabama.
Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs Director Kenneth Boswell, who is also a DRA board member, gave Federal Co-Chairman, Dr. Corey Wiggins, and Strategic Partnerships Program Manager Matthew Campbell a tour of DRA-supported projects in the cities of Carrollton, Reform and York.
During the tour, the group visited with Mayor Mickey Walker, of Carrollton; viewed construction of a new water well in Reform; and a road resurfacing project in York. They also stopped by the University of West Alabama to speak with staff. This visit provided a great opportunity for DRA to see the transformative impact its infrastructure investments are making in its communities.
For more information about these projects and others in Alabama, read these articles provided by the Office of the Alabama Governor and DRA.
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Nominate a Rural Innovator
Through the White House Rural Innovators Initiative, the Biden-Harris Administration is proud to uplift stories of extraordinary rural leaders, who are taking action and ensuring their communities thrive for generations to come.
The Biden-Harris Administration invites nominations from the public for Rural Innovators who are making a positive impact in their rural communities. Nominations of individuals of all ages, including youth leaders, are welcome. Nominated individuals could be engaged in either the public and private sectors, including local, state, Tribal and territory governments; non-profits; businesses; philanthropy; or academia.
The nomination form will close on Friday, June 14, at midnight EST. Selected individuals will be recognized as Rural Innovators later this year.
To nominate a Rural Innovator, visit www.rural.gov/rural-innovators-initiative.
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Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities Initiative
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 www.grants.gov.
Final Applications Due: June 20, 2024
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States’ Economic Development Assistance Program
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
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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 Accepted on a Rolling Basis
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Upcoming Events and Opportunities
Reminder of current DRA program details and funding opportunities:
- Innovative Readiness Training, Green River Area Wellness Mission, Henderson, KY – June 15-25, 2024
- Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities Initiative – Applications due June 20, 2024
- States’ Economic Development Assistance Program – Applications due June 25, 2024
- Delta Leadership Institute Executive Academy – Applications due Aug. 16, 2024
- Community Infrastructure Fund – Applications Accepted on a Rolling Basis
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