DRA Invests $1.6 Million through Delta Workforce Grant Program
The Delta Regional Authority (DRA) announced a $1,687,013 investment into 13 programs within the Mississippi River Delta and Alabama Black Belt regions through the Delta Workforce Grant Program (DWP). DWP supports programs and initiatives that expand job training and re-employment opportunities, align workforce and economic development strategies, create sustainable talent pipelines, establish or enhance locally/regionally significant public-private partnerships, and support enhanced workforce productivity through innovative programming.
“As our economy continues to recover, it is important to create ecosystems that support industry-driven workforce development,” said DRA Federal Co-Chairman Chris Caldwell. “The awarded programs have committed to building a skilled workforce in the Delta by collaborating with industry partners to develop innovative strategies that will ultimately strengthen the region’s economic outlook.”
Grants ranging from $76,800 to $150,000 were awarded to industry-driven workforce development programs and initiatives in six DRA states. Eligible applicants demonstrated at least one employer partner seeking to hire more skilled workers in a high-demand industry sector and will aid communities particularly hard hit by industrial downsizing, business closures, and job losses as a result of the public health and economic crisis. To complement this funding opportunity, DRA will offer grantees post-award technical assistance to ensure projects are effectively and sustainably implemented.
This year’s DWP grant recipients include:
Restore Hope, Inc. | Little Rock, AR: Restore Hope, Inc. will use DRA funding to establish a recovery-to-work program in White County for individuals affected by substance use disorder. The investment is projected to train 16 individuals for high-demand careers in the metal fabrication industry.
DRA Investment: $130,000
Southeast Arkansas College | Pine Bluff, AR: Southeast Arkansas College will use DRA funding to establish a certificate program in Supply Chain Transportation Technology to prepare program participants for commercial truck licensure. The investment is projected to train 45 individuals for high-demand careers in the transportation and logistics industry.
DRA Investment: $150,000
Green River Area Development District | Owensboro, KY: The Hire to Operate (H2O) project will use DRA funding to support the Kentucky Rural Water Association’s Registered Apprenticeship Program. Apprentices will become certified Water/Wastewater Systems Operation Specialists through Related Technical Instruction and on-the-job training. H2O will elevate the required skills to meet progressing technology standards and create a talent pipeline for local utilities to replenish the qualified pool of operators. The investment is projected to train ten individuals in Henderson, McLean, Union, and Webster counties.
DRA Investment: $150,000
West Kentucky Community & Technical College | Paducah, KY: West Kentucky Community & Technical College will use DRA funding to support its LPN-to-RN Accelerated Bridge program. The program will pair an online preparatory course with a simulation lab and mentoring to improve exam pass rates, helping participants to complete the RN program in as little as one year. This ultimately will alleviate a critical shortage of RNs entering the workforce while also improving employment opportunities, earning potential, and long-term employment. The investment is projected to train up to 45 LPNs with advanced nursing education.
DRA Investment: $106,580
Research Park Corporation | Baton Rouge, LA: Research Park Corporation will use DRA funding to expand Apprenti Louisiana, a nationally recognized registered apprenticeship program. The expansion will develop apprenticeship programs for 13 new employer partners within 57 parishes to meet the growing demand for tech talent across Louisiana. The investment is projected to train up to 48 individuals.
DRA Investment: $149,983
Nicholls State University | Thibodaux, LA: Nicholls State University will use DRA funding to provide enhanced training and support activities to a regional workforce aligned with a state, regional, and community economic development strategy as well as leverage partner resources with grant funding to expand training capacity, create a sustainable program, and increase cybersecurity knowledge. The investment is projected to train up to 147 incumbent, displaced, civilian, and redundant workers in cybersecurity/cyber-defense.
DRA Investment: $150,000
University of Holy Cross | New Orleans, LA: The University of Holy Cross, in partnership with Delgado Community College, will use DRA funding to support the growing food service and manufacturing sector by providing scholarship support for culinary professionals working toward an accelerated Bachelor of Science degree in Culinology®. The investment is projected to train at least 10 individuals.
DRA Investment: $150,000
Griot Arts | Clarksdale, MS: Griot Arts will use DRA funding to provide a 16-week job training program that will establish an internship-to-job pipeline for local employers. The program will reduce the fiscal burden internships create for employers while preparing the future workforce for sustainable careers. The investment is projected to train up to 35 individuals.
DRA Investment: $127,300
Delta Area Economic Opportunity Corporation | Portageville, MO: The Delta Area Economic Opportunity Corporation will use DRA funding to provide apprenticeships, on-the-job training, and agricultural entrepreneurial opportunities to meet the identified workforce needs of the agribusiness and agriculture-adjacent industries. The investment is projected to train up to 50 individuals throughout six counties in Southeast Missouri.
DRA Investment: $150,000
Missouri State University – West Plains | West Plains, MO: Missouri State University – West Plains will use DRA funding to purchase needed equipment for advanced workforce training in robotics. The investment is projected to train 50-75 individuals, including dislocated workers, new entrants in the workforce, incumbent workers, and underrepresented groups such as women, veterans, minority groups, and individuals with disabilities.
DRA Investment: $94,880
ProGeny Place | Memphis, TN: ProGeny Place, in coordination with The GradUS Project, will use DRA funding to enroll domestic violence victims into a newly designed, four-week Food-Based Manufacturing and Distribution industry certification program at Southwest Tennessee Community College. The investment is projected to train 20 individuals.
DRA Investment: $102,410
Rural Health Association of Tennessee | Decaturville, TN: The Rural Health Association of Tennessee will use DRA funding to create a “pre-apprenticeship” program for nursing assistants and nursing aids designed to help alleviate the regional nursing shortage. The investment is projected to train up to 500 individuals.
DRA Investment: $149,060
theCO | Jackson, TN: theCO will use DRA funding to launch the Dev Catalyst Alumni Program, which will support workforce readiness training, develop a portfolio showcase, establish a peer mentorship network, and bridge connections to regional job and internship opportunities in computer science, web development, and data management. The investment is projected to train up to 1,800 individuals.
DRA Investment: $76,800
Additional information about DWP, including important dates and resources, is available at www.dra.gov/workforce.
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