Delta News Round-up

DRA Invests $1.1 Million in Alabama to Strengthen Economy, Infrastructure

DRA Chairman Chris Caldwell joined Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey earlier this month in Montgomery to announce that DRA will invest $1.1 million to enhance workforce training and development, help create technology jobs and deliver safe drinking water to the state’s Black Belt region. DRA’s investments, along with other public and private partners, will bring a total of $13.4 million in new investments to Alabama.

The investments support vital infrastructure improvements that will strengthen economic development, lead to new jobs, boost workforce training and development, and deliver safe drinking water to improve the lives Black Belt residents. This is just one example of DRA’s commitment to building infrastructure that will make Alabama more competitive.

Summary of DRA’s statewide investments:

• 7 projects
• DRA investments: $1,157,066
• Total investments: $13,421,555
• Jobs created: 300
• Workers trained: 100
• Families affected: 3,052

DRA investments are made through its States' Economic Development Assistance Program (SEDAP), the agency's main federal funding program that invests in basic public infrastructure, transportation infrastructure, workforce development, and small business and entrepreneurship projects.

Mississippi Receives $2.6 Million in DRA Investments

DRA will invest $2.6 million to enhance workforce training, help create and retain jobs and improve water and sewer service for rural families. DRA’s investments, along with other public and private partners, will bring a total of $47.2 million in new investments to Mississippi.

The investments will provide a boost to Mississippi’s economy in key areas such as job creation and retention, and workforce training and development. DRA is investing in critical infrastructure improvements that will enhance economic development efforts in the state and also enhance the safety and health of rural residents.

Summary of DRA’s Mississippi investments:

• 11 Projects
• DRA investments: $2,627,889
• Total investments: $30,756,950
• Jobs created: 116
• Jobs retained: 287
• Families affected: 2,044
• Workers trained: 1,300

Nine of the investments are made through SEDAP, DRA’s main federal funding program that invests in basic public infrastructure, transportation infrastructure, workforce development, and small business and entrepreneurship projects. Two other investments are supported through DRA’s Community Infrastructure Fund (CIF).

DRA Joins Residents in Louisiana and Alabama for Workshops to Promote Health & Wellness Programs

DRA joined residents in Bunkie, LA., and Livingston, AL., this month for workshop to learn more about developing healthy places as an economic development strategy to improve the economic vitality of the communities and the physical health of residents.

Each city was awarded $15,000 to integrate revitalization strategies with health improvement efforts, seeking greater economic stability and improved human health.  

The award is part of DRA’s partnership with the Healthy Places for Healthy People (HP2) initiative to help Delta communities protect the environment and human health by engaging with local partners to reinvest in existing neighborhoods and supportive infrastructure and programs. Other federal partners include the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Total investment in each project will reach nearly $40,000, including the seed grant and planning assistance.

The purpose of the two-day workshop was to assist community members in further defining their vision and strategic goals that will be incorporated into a comprehensive action plan centered on redeveloping the downtown and leveraging community health assets with recent State investments. DRA’s investment serves to support the implementation of the action plan and the continued advancement of community initiatives.

The City of Bunkie, Move Bunkie Forward, and Bunkie General Hospital plan to integrate main street revitalization strategies with health improvement efforts, seeking greater economic stability and to improve the health of residents.  

The City of Livingston and the University of West Alabama will collaborate to develop health and wellness initiatives in downtown Livingston, the Sumter County seat, in an effort to improve access to healthcare and healthy food, provide economic development opportunities, and support downtown revitalization efforts.

HRSA Officials Join DRA Leadership for Summit in Little Rock

Officials with the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) joined DRA Chairman Chris Caldwell and Chief of Staff Brian Henson for a two-day summit in Little Rock to discuss the continued development of health systems in the region.

DRA, through a partnership with HRSA and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, offers the Delta Region Community Health Systems Development – Technical Assistance Program. The program aims to enhance healthcare delivery in the Delta region through intensive technical assistance to providers in select rural communities. Eligible applicants include critical access hospitals, small rural hospitals, rural health clinics, and other healthcare organizations located in the 252 counties and parishes in the DRA region.

The program helps ensure healthier communities and contributes to the sustainable economic growth and helps build a more productive workforce.

Upcoming Events:

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DRA Newsroom:

• Federal agencies involved in the Local Foods, Local Places initiative invite communities to apply for technical assistance for the 2018-2019 cycle. The program helps communities revitalize their economy, improve health and protect the environment. Eligible applicants include local governments, Indian tribes, and nonprofit institutions and organizations proposing to work in a neighborhood, town, or city of any size anywhere in the United States. Larger cities are encouraged to focus on a particular neighborhood rather than a citywide project.
• The U.S. Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for the Delta Health Care Services Grant program, which promotes cooperation among health care professionals, institutions of higher education, research institutions and other entities in the Delta Region.
• U.S. Economic Development Administration Publishes FY 2018 Economic Development Assistance Programs Funding Opportunity
• The U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development program is making available $4 billion in direct loans and $1 billion in grants to help rural communities build or upgrade water infrastructure. Rural community leaders can apply for these funds electronically by using the interactive RD Apply tool. They can also contact their state director to discuss project concepts and to learn more about submitting a successful application.
• Higher Purpose Co. of Clarksdale, MS., will host its third annual #MoneyPurposeSuccess summit designed to help women launch or elevate their business on October 4th from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the business administration auditorium at Mississippi Valley State University. This event will focus on entrepreneurship, financial empowerment and the creative economy.