Delta News Round-up

Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin Appointed DRA’s States’ Co-chair for 2019

Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin was appointed to serve as states’ co-chair in 2019 during DRA’s annual quorum meeting of governors in Washington, D.C. on Feb. 23. At the meeting, the governors also approved the FY2019 states funding allocation.

Chairman Caldwell outlined DRA’s investment priorities for 2019 and gave the governors a recap of important initiatives from 2018. In 2018, DRA approved investments of $25.6 million for 90 projects across our eight-state region. Total overall approved investments reached nearly $1 billion, including contributions from public and private partners.

Also in Washington, D.C., Chairman Caldwell and DRA staff provided designees & alternates with key updates on initiatives and programs that enhanced infrastructure development and job growth in 2018 and provided a look ahead to key initiatives for 2019.

Please join us in congratulating our new designee and alternate from Illinois and our new alternate from Alabama, who were appointed to the positions by their state governors. Brandi Bradley will serve as delegate for Illinois while Nicole Budzinski will serve as that state’s alternate. Crystal Davis joins DRA as the alternate for Alabama.

DRA Opens 2019 Application Period for Community Investments

DRA is opening the 2019 application cycle to provide investments through its available funding opportunities. DRA funding programs are tailored to address specific infrastructure improvements, help develop the Delta’s workforce and local industries, and enhance regional economic opportunities.

Organizations and communities can apply online at funding.dra.gov. The application process runs through May 31, and funds are available in DRA’s footprint in Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee.

Communities and organizations are encouraged to work closely with their local development district office, which has staff members trained by the DRA, to assist with the application process.

Information on state-specific funding allocations, funding program eligibility requirements and guidelines, and contact information for local development districts are available here.

DRA Seeks Proposals to Build Upon Delta Leadership Institute

DRA is seeking proposals from institutions of higher education within the Delta region to help the agency build upon its nationally recognized Delta Leadership Institute (DLI) program.

Interested institutions should respond to DRA’s request for proposals (RFP) at www.dra.gov/rfp. The RFP outlines a partnership with DRA to develop innovative service-delivery models and prepare leaders working for future improvements in the region by thinking and acting regionally.

DLI’s mission is to recognize, train and develop participants with the leadership skills needed for the 21 st Century in order to face the global challenges of the future.

For 14 years, DLI has included both an Executive Leadership Academy and active alumni network. The executive academy focuses on regional leadership and topics important to DRA and the region such as economic and community development, workforce training and education, small business development, entrepreneurship and public health.

The DLI Executive Academy trains leaders from diverse backgrounds, sectors and industries to improve the economic competitiveness and social viability of the Mississippi River Delta and Alabama Black Belt. Upon completion of the DLI Executive Academy, participants should have the knowledge and skills necessary to make a direct impact in their local communities and states.

Missouri Workshop Supports Access to Funding Initiative

Federal and state officials will join the Delta Regional Authority at a workshop aimed to help organizations access funding opportunities.

The workshop is a partnership between DRA and the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). The March 28 workshop will be held at Southeast Missouri State University, 388 Henderson Ave., Cape Girardeau, MO.

The workshop will provide important information to help community and faith-based organizations, health care facilities and institutions of post-secondary education apply for federal, state and foundation funding opportunities. Organizations will learn how to create competitive proposals.

Registration is free. Sign up today at: https://deltagrants.eventbrite.com.

Topics will include:

• Details on the federal grant application process
• Commons mistakes and tips
• Federal and state funding opportunities
• Engaging and collaborating with foundations

For more information, contact: HRSAORORRegion7@hrsa.gov.

Upcoming Events:

Click Here To Submit An Event

DRA Newsroom:

• The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is giving funding priority in a key grant program for applications to address opioid misuse in rural communities. Applications can be submitted electronically at grants.gov or in hard copy to: USDA Rural Development Telecommunications Programs, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Room 2844, Mail Stop 1597, Washington, DC 20250- 1597.
• The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development is seeking applications to support businesses and help create jobs in rural Missouri. The Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) program offers competitive grants to public bodies, government entities, and non- profit organizations to assist small and emerging rural businesses and support sustainable economic development in rural communities. Eligible projects must be located in communities with populations of 50,000 or less.
• The Health Resources and Services Administration is accepting applications to award grants through its 2019 Rural Residency Planning and Development program. The grant program helps develop new rural residency programs or Rural Training Tracks in family medicine, internal medicine and psychiatry to support expansion of the physician workforce in rural areas.
• The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is making available $1.5 million for grants that will be distributed to approximately 50 community-based organizations nationwide that will work to address environmental justice issues in local communities. Each recipient will receive up to $30,000 for one-year, community-driven projects that engage, educate, and empower communities to better understand local environmental and public health issues and to identify ways to address these issues at the local level.