Delta News Round-up

DRA Announces Technical Assistance for Workforce Development Initiative

The Delta Workforce Program is a DRA initiative designed to support workforce training and education, build long-term community capacity, and increase economic competitiveness across the Lower Mississippi Delta region and Alabama Black Belt.  In partnership with the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Employment and Training Administration (ETA), and the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), approximately $29.2 million in Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC) grants will become available in March 2020 to support workforce training and education in rural communities across the Delta and Appalachian regions. To complement the federal partnership, DRA will make $1.5 million in grants available in Summer 2020 and offer post-award technical assistance to grantees.

Communities and regions that have been negatively impacted by economic transition and recovered more slowly can apply for resources to help build their workforce pipelines and strengthen their economies.  Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to attend one of DRA’s technical assistance workshops. Guided by subject-matter experts and workforce practitioners, these workshops are designed to provide stakeholders with the systems, resources, and tools necessary to develop and implement comprehensive workforce development programs.

Space is limited. Interested participants must RSVP to attend.

The one-day workshop will be held from 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM according to the following schedule:  General Workshop Agenda

DRA Holds Inaugural Delta Workforce Program Post-Award Grantee Technical Training

Delta Regional Authority held its inaugural Peer Exchange Workshop in January 2020 for the 18 project teams awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor-Employment and Training Administration’s Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities initiative and DRA’s Delta Workforce Grant Program.  These funding opportunities were the first of their kind to support industry-driven workforce training and education in rural communities across the Delta region.  Attendees learned best practices, heard from experts in the field of economic and workforce development, and participated in a field experience to Nunez Community College.

Chairman Caldwell Attends White House Briefing on Opportunity Zones for Louisiana Stakeholders

Chairman Caldwell and other federal officials met in January at the White House with community leaders, businesses, and investors to discuss Opportunity Zones in Acadiana and throughout the state of Louisiana.  The White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council Executive Director Scott Turner moderated this panel to discuss ways to bring investments, jobs, business, expansion, and new business development to the region.  Highlighted were ways in which Federal agencies can better partner with Opportunity Zone investors and provide guidance and support necessary for community revitalization to take place.

DRA has invested over $5.6 million of DRA funds and nearly $17 million in additional funding across 23 projects in Opportunity Zones to create 128 jobs and retain over 1900 jobs that will enhance transportation infrastructure, public infrastructure, foster business development in our footprint. 

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Announcements From Our Partners:

• DRA Announces Technical Assistance for Workforce Development Initiative
• DRA Announces $181,931 Investment to Support Opportunity Zones in Arkansas
• DRA Continues Partnership with Harvard Kennedy School for Leadership Development
• Delta Regional Authority Welcomes 2019-2020 Delta Leadership Institute Fellows