The Delta Regional Authority (DRA) today invites DRA communities to submit a Notice of Intent to Apply (NOI) to host a 2023 Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) medical mission.  The deadline to submit an NOI is April 30, 2021, and eligible communities must be located within the DRA footprint of its eight-state region.

The Delta Regional Authority (DRA) today announced ten additional healthcare facilities chosen to participate in the Delta Region Community Health Systems Development – Technical Assistance Program (DRCHSD), which enhances healthcare delivery in the Delta through intensive, in-depth and long-term technical assistance to rural hospitals and medical facilities.

Today, the Delta Regional Authority (DRA) issued a request for proposals (RFP) to solicit responses from qualified contractors to provide website design, development, hosting, and content migration services for www.dra.gov.

The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and Delta Regional Authority (DRA) will hold a medical mission in Lake Providence, LA from July 8-18, 2021.  Through a partnership with DoD and the U.S Military’s reserve forces, DRA supports the Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) program to bring medical, dental, and optical care to Delta residents in need of quality healthcare at no cost to the patients.  

The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and Delta Regional Authority (DRA) will hold a medical mission in Greenville, MS from July 8-18, 2021.  Through a partnership with DoD and the U.S Military’s reserve forces, DRA supports the Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) program to bring medical, dental, and optical care to Delta residents in need of quality healthcare at no cost to the patients.  

The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and Delta Regional Authority (DRA) will host a medical mission in Lake Village, AR from July 8-18, 2021.  Through a partnership with DoD and the U.S. Military’s reserve forces, DRA supports the Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) program to bring medical, dental, and optical care to Delta residents in need of quality healthcare at no cost to the patients.

CLARKSDALE, MS – The Delta Regional Authority (DRA) announced today Missouri Governor Mike Parson has been elected the 2021 DRA States’ Co-Chairman.  DRA’s Board of Governors annually elect a States’ Co-Chairman to work directly with the Federal Co-Chairman on economic development and growth in the DRA region.

CLARKSDALE, MS—Delta Regional Authority Chairman Chris Caldwell today issued the following statement on the passing of Congressman-elect Luke Letlow:

Today, the Delta Regional Authority (DRA) named three Illinois leaders as fellows of the 2021 Delta Leadership Institute (DLI) Executive Academy.  DLI is an extensive, nine-month executive leadership program that brings together public, private, and nonprofit sector leaders from DRA’s eight-state region.  The 2021 DLI class will consist of 30 fellows from all eight DRA states.

Today, the Delta Regional Authority (DRA) named three Tennessee leaders as fellows of the 2021 Delta Leadership Institute (DLI) Executive Academy.  DLI is an extensive, nine-month executive leadership program that brings together public, private, and nonprofit sector leaders from DRA’s eight-state region.  The 2021 DLI class will consist of 30 fellows from all eight DRA states.

Today, the Delta Regional Authority (DRA) named five Louisiana leaders as fellows of the 2021 Delta Leadership Institute (DLI) Executive Academy.  DLI is an extensive, nine-month executive leadership program that brings together public, private, and nonprofit sector leaders from DRA’s eight-state region.  The 2021 DLI class will consist of 30 fellows from all eight DRA states.

Today, the Delta Regional Authority (DRA) named four Missouri leaders as fellows of the 2021 Delta Leadership Institute (DLI) Executive Academy.  DLI is an extensive, nine-month executive leadership program that brings together public, private, and nonprofit sector leaders from DRA’s eight-state region.  The 2021 DLI class will consist of 30 fellows from all eight DRA states.

Today, the Delta Regional Authority (DRA) named four Mississippi leaders as fellows of the 2021 Delta Leadership Institute (DLI) Executive Academy.  DLI is an extensive, nine-month executive leadership program that brings together public, private, and nonprofit sector leaders from DRA’s eight-state region.  The 2021 DLI class will consist of 30 fellows from all eight DRA states.

Today, the Delta Regional Authority (DRA) named two Kentucky leaders as fellows of the 2021 Delta Leadership Institute (DLI) Executive Academy.  DLI is an extensive, nine-month executive leadership program that brings together public, private, and nonprofit sector leaders from DRA’s eight-state region.  The 2021 DLI class will consist of 30 fellows from all eight DRA states.

Today, the Delta Regional Authority (DRA) named six Arkansas leaders as fellows of the 2021 Delta Leadership Institute (DLI) Executive Academy.  DLI is an extensive, nine-month executive leadership program that brings together public, private, and nonprofit sector leaders from DRA’s eight-state region.  The 2021 DLI class will consist of 30 fellows from all eight DRA states. 

Today, the Delta Regional Authority (DRA) named three Alabama leaders as fellows of the 2021 Delta Leadership Institute (DLI) Executive Academy.  DLI is an extensive, nine-month executive leadership program that brings together public, private, and nonprofit sector leaders from DRA’s eight-state region.  The 2021 DLI class will consist of 30 fellows from all eight DRA states.

Today, 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).  The investment includes two Missouri awardees:  Delta Area Economic Opportunity Corporation and Missouri State University – West Plains.  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.

Today, 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).  The investment includes three Tennessee awardees:  ProGeny Place, Rural Health Association of Tennessee, and theCo.  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.

Today, 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).  The investment includes one Mississippi awardee, Griot Arts in Clarksdale.  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.

Today, 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).  The investment includes three Louisiana awardees:  Nicholls State University, Research Park Corporation, and the University of Holy Cross.  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.

Today, 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).  The investment includes two Kentucky awardees:  Green River Area Development District and West Kentucky Community & Technical College.  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.

Today, 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).  The investment includes two Arkansas awardees:  Restore Hope, Inc. and Southeast Arkansas College.  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.

Today, the Delta Regional Authority celebrates National Rural Health Day by highlighting DRA programs and initiatives working to support access to healthcare for the 10 million residents who call the Delta home.  Since 2018, DRA has invested over $3.3 million on 15 projects to update rural medical facilities and partnered on over $6.3 million in healthcare related workforce development.  

The Delta Regional Authority (DRA), in partnership with the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) and the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Employment and Training Administration (ETA), today announced a $14,587,500 investment into 13 organizations throughout the Mississippi River Delta and Alabama Black Belt to expand the impact of workforce development efforts in a second round of grant funding through the Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC) initiative.

Delta Regional Authority celebrates 15th DLI Executive Academy graduating class.

Delta Regional Authority celebrates 15th DLI Executive Academy graduating class.

Delta Regional Authority celebrates 15th DLI Executive Academy graduating class.

Delta Regional Authority celebrates 15th DLI Executive Academy graduating class.

Delta Regional Authority celebrates 15th DLI Executive Academy graduating class.

Delta Regional Authority celebrates 15th DLI Executive Academy graduating class.

Delta Regional Authority celebrates 15th DLI Executive Academy graduating class.

Delta Regional Authority celebrates 15th DLI Executive Academy graduating class.

DRA soliciting proposals from qualified organizations to examine the state of the labor market and workforce development systems in the Delta and Alabama Black Belt.

DRA’s investment will improve public infrastructure and job training to support economic development in communities across Tennessee.

DRA’s investment will improve public infrastructure, transportation infrastructure, and job training to support economic development in communities across Missouri.

DRA’s investment will improve public infrastructure, transportation infrastructure, and job training to support economic development in communities across Mississippi.

DRA’s investment will improve basic public infrastructure, transportation infrastructure, healthcare access, and job training to support economic development in communities across Louisiana.

DRA’s investment will improve public infrastructure, transportation infrastructure, broadband services, healthcare access, and job training to support economic development in communities across western Kentucky.

DRA’s investment will improve public infrastructure, transportation infrastructure, and job training to support economic development in communities across southern Illinois.

DRA’s investment will improve basic public infrastructure, transportation infrastructure, healthcare access, and job training to support economic development in communities across Arkansas.

DRA’s investment will improve basic public infrastructure, transportation infrastructure, and job training to support economic development in communities across the Alabama Black Belt.

CLARKSDALE, MS – Today, the Delta Regional Authority (DRA) opened the application cycle for the 2020 Delta Workforce Grant Program (DWP).  The program invests federal resources in communities across the Mississippi River Delta and Alabama Black Belt regions particularly hard hit by industrial downsizing, business closures, and job losses as a result of the public health and economic crisis. 

Delta Regional Authority (DRA) Federal Co-Chairman Chris Caldwell today visited with Madisonville Community College (MCC) administration, faculty, students, and industry partners to discuss workforce development in Kentucky’s Delta Region and two MCC initiatives, a lineman training program and an interprofessional healthcare simulation training home.  

BLYTHEVILLE, AR – Delta Regional Authority (DRA) Federal Co-Chairman Christopher Caldwell and Senator John Boozman today visited with Arkansas Northeastern College (ANC) administration, faculty, students, and industry partners to discuss the Arkansas Delta Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (ADWORC).

CLARKSDALE, MS - Today, the Delta Regional Authority (DRA) announced a $2 million investment to support transportation infrastructure improvements at the Port of Little Rock.

CLARKSDALE, MS – Today, the Delta Regional Authority (DRA) launched the application cycle for the 2020-2021 Delta Leadership Institute (DLI) Executive Academy.  Since 2005, DLI has provided leadership development to more than 500 community leaders from diverse backgrounds, sectors, and industries to strengthen skills development, information sharing, regional collaboration, and improve the economic competitiveness and social viability of the Mississippi River Delta and Alabama Black Belt.

The Delta Regional Authority (DRA) today announced plans to develop the DRA Regional Development Plan IV, a new economic development strategy that will outline the agency’s priorities and actions over the next five years.  This strategic plan will build and expand off the prior plans completed.  The DRA staff will be assisted in plan development by VisionFirst Advisors (VisionFirst), an economic development consulting firm which provides services focused on state, regional, and local economic development strategy as well as location advisory services.

The Delta Regional Authority (DRA), in partnership with the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) and the U.S Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration (ETA), today announced the availability of approximately $29.2 million in a second round of grant funding for the Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC) Initiative.

The Delta Regional Authority (DRA) is hereby providing notice to its Grantees and partner Local Development Districts that they may be able to repurpose remaining balances of their DRA grants in direct support of immediate efforts to combat the COVID-19 crisis in the Grantees communities.  This allowance was provided by OMB memorandum M-20-20, “Repurposing Existing Federal Financial Assistance Programs and Awards to Support the Emergency Response to the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)”, which allows the federal government to marshal all legally available federal resources to combat the effects of COVID-19.

The Delta Regional Authority (DRA) Federal Co-Chairman Chris Caldwell announced today DRA is opening the 2020 application cycle for the States’ Economic Development Assistance Program (SEDAP). 

Delta Regional Authority (DRA) Federal Co-Chairman Chris Caldwell announced today Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards has been named the 2020 DRA States’ Co-Chairman.

Today, the Delta Regional Authority (DRA) released a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking contractual support for a qualified team of strategic planners, meeting facilitators, and writers to assist the agency in development of its new five-year strategic plan, the Delta Regional Development Plan IV (RDP IV).

CLARKSDALE, MS – Today, the Delta Regional Authority (DRA) announced the Delta Workforce Program technical assistance workshops, which will occur in each of the eight Delta states beginning February through April 2020. 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.

CLARKSDALE, MS –Delta Regional Authority (DRA) announced today a $181,931 investment to support Opportunity Zones (OZ) in communities across Arkansas. Opportunity Arkansas, an initiative of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission and Winrock International, will use DRA funds to bring together critical education and outreach to assist the region in developing projects that create jobs and revitalize the state of Arkansas.  Opportunity Arkansas will serve as the Opportunity Zone Investment Hub, focusing on convening education and outreach activities, assisting Delta community leadership with project development, and promoting projects via an online portal to investors inside and outside the states of Arkansas.

30 leaders from across the 8-state Delta region meet in Cambridge, MA for executive leadership training.

CLARKSDALE, MS - Delta Regional Authority (DRA) announced today the hiring of Shawna Blair as Communications Director.  Blair, who formally worked as Deputy Director of the U.S. Senate Periodical Press Gallery, started her role November 18, 2019.

The State of Alabama is sending three leaders from the state to the Delta Regional Authority’s (DRA) Delta Leadership Institute (DLI.) They will join fellows from the seven other Delta states to participate in the 10-month DLI Executive Academy to help further their skills in community leadership, policy development, and regional collaboration to drive economic growth across the Mississippi River Delta and Alabama Black Belt regions.

The State of Illinois is sending four leaders from the state to the Delta Regional Authority’s (DRA) Delta Leadership Institute (DLI.) They will join fellows from the seven other Delta states to participate in the 10-month DLI Executive Academy to help further their skills in community leadership, policy development, and regional collaboration to drive economic growth across the Mississippi River Delta and Alabama Black Belt regions.

The State of Louisiana is sending four leaders from the state to the Delta Regional Authority’s (DRA) Delta Leadership Institute (DLI.) They will join fellows from the seven other Delta states to participate in the 10-month DLI Executive Academy to help further their skills in community leadership, policy development, and regional collaboration to drive economic growth across the Mississippi River Delta and Alabama Black Belt regions.

The Commonwealth of Kentucky is sending two leaders from the state to the Delta Regional Authority’s (DRA) Delta Leadership Institute (DLI.) They will join fellows from the seven other Delta states to participate in the 10-month DLI Executive Academy to help further their skills in community leadership, policy development, and regional collaboration to drive economic growth across the Mississippi River Delta and Alabama Black Belt regions.

The State of Missouri is sending five leaders from the state to the Delta Regional Authority’s (DRA) Delta Leadership Institute (DLI.) They will join fellows from the seven other Delta states to participate in the 10-month DLI Executive Academy to help further their skills in community leadership, policy development, and regional collaboration to drive economic growth across the Mississippi River Delta and Alabama Black Belt regions.

Today, the Delta Regional Authority (DRA) announced 30 Fellows selected to participate in the 15th cohort of the Delta Leadership Institute. They will join fellows from the seven other Delta states to participate in the 10-month DLI Executive Academy to help further their skills in community leadership, policy development, and regional collaboration to drive economic growth across the Mississippi River Delta and Alabama Black Belt regions.

The State of Tennessee is sending four leaders from the state to the Delta Regional Authority’s (DRA) Delta Leadership Institute (DLI.) They will join fellows from the seven other Delta states to participate in the 10-month DLI Executive Academy to help further their skills in community leadership, policy development, and regional collaboration to drive economic growth across the Mississippi River Delta and Alabama Black Belt regions.

The State of Mississippi is sending three leaders from the state to the Delta Regional Authority’s (DRA) Delta Leadership Institute (DLI.) They will join fellows from the seven other Delta states to participate in the 10-month DLI Executive Academy to help further their skills in community leadership, policy development, and regional collaboration to drive economic growth across the Mississippi River Delta and Alabama Black Belt regions.

The State of Arkansas is sending five leaders from the state to the Delta Regional Authority’s (DRA) Delta Leadership Institute (DLI.) They will join fellows from the seven other Delta states to participate in the 10-month DLI Executive Academy to help further their skills in community leadership, policy development, and regional collaboration to drive economic growth across the Mississippi River Delta and Alabama Black Belt regions.

The Delta Regional Authority is pleased to announce that six additional rural hospitals will participate in the Delta Region Community Health Systems Development – Technical Assistance Program (DRCHSD) which helps improve healthcare services in the Delta Region through intensive technical assistance to providers in select rural communities, including critical access hospitals, small rural hospitals, rural health clinics and other healthcare organizations. 

Today, the Delta Regional Authority (DRA) announced a $1,500,000 investment into 11 organizations across the Mississippi River Delta region to align workforce and economic development strategies, enhance job training and re-employment opportunities, create sustainable talent pipelines, and support workforce productivity through investments in innovative programming and technology through the Delta Workforce Grant Program (DWP).

Today, the Delta Regional Authority (DRA) made a $1,608,884 investment to strengthen basic public infrastructure to grow the region’s economy and create jobs, DRA Federal Co-Chairman Chris Caldwell announced.

Today, the Delta Regional Authority (DRA) made a $1,195,102 investment to strengthen basic public infrastructure to grow the region’s economy and create jobs, DRA Federal Co-Chairman Chris Caldwell announced.

Today, the Delta Regional Authority (DRA) announced a $340,621 investment to strengthen basic public infrastructure to grow the region’s economy and create jobs, DRA Federal Co-Chairman Chris Caldwell announced today.

Today, the Delta Regional Authority (DRA) announced a $707,390 investment to strengthen basic public infrastructure and flood control to grow the region’s economy and create jobs, DRA Federal Co-Chairman Chris Caldwell announced today.

Today, the Delta Regional Authority (DRA) made a $957,756 investment that will strengthen public infrastructure and train the next generation of workforce to grow the region’s economy and create jobs, DRA Federal Co-Chairman Chris Caldwell and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker announced.

Today, the Delta Regional Authority (DRA) made a $1,116,467 investment to strengthen basic public infrastructure to grow the region’s economy and create jobs, DRA Federal Co-Chairman Chris Caldwell and Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced.

Today, the Delta Regional Authority (DRA) made a $1.2 million investment to support infrastructure development and workforce training to grow the region’s economy and create jobs, DRA Federal Co-Chairman Chris Caldwell and Missouri Governor Mike Parson announced.

Today, the Delta Regional Authority (DRA) made a $1,270,726 investment that will strengthen public infrastructure and train the next generation of workforce to grow the region’s economy and create jobs, DRA Federal Co-Chairman Chris Caldwell and Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin announced.

Today, the Delta Regional Authority (DRA) made a $2.3 million investment that will strengthen public infrastructure and workforce development to grow the region’s economy and create jobs, DRA Federal Co-Chairman Chris Caldwell and Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards announced.

Today, the Delta Regional Authority (DRA) made a $2,228,104 investment that will strengthen public infrastructure and train the next generation of workforce to grow the region’s economy and create jobs, DRA Federal Co-Chairman Chris Caldwell and Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson announced.

Today, the Delta Regional Authority (DRA) made a $1.6 million investment that will strengthen public infrastructure and train the next generation of workforce to grow the region’s economy and create jobs, DRA Federal Co-Chairman Chris Caldwell and Alabama Governor Kay Ivey announced.

Today, the Delta Regional Authority (DRA) made a $1,630,201 investment to support public infrastructure and business development to grow the region’s economy and create jobs, DRA Federal Co-Chairman Chris Caldwell and Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant announced.

Today, the Delta Regional Authority (DRA) made a $1,481,587 investment to strengthen basic public infrastructure to grow the region’s economy and create jobs, DRA Federal Co-Chairman Chris Caldwell announced.

Today, the Delta Regional Authority (DRA) and the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced a $14,587,500 investment into eight organizations across the Mississippi River Delta region to expand the impact of workforce development efforts through the Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC) grant initiative.

Today, the Delta Regional Authority (DRA) announced a $99,777 investment to support Opportunity Zones (OZ) in rural communities across southern Illinois. Greater Egypt Regional Planning and Development Commission will use DRA funds to develop an OZ investment prospectus for a 16-county region. The prospectus will include demographic and economic indicator data, strategic advantages and assets, and investable opportunities in the designated OZ areas. Other partners in the effort include Greater Wabash Regional Planning Commission, Southeastern Illinois Regional Planning and Development Commission, Southwestern Illinois Metropolitan and Regional Planning Commission, and Southern Five Regional Planning District and Development Commission.  

The Delta Regional Authority is pleased to announce that four additional rural hospitals will participate in the Delta Region Community Health Systems Development – Technical Assistance Program (DRCHSD) which helps improve healthcare services in the Delta Region through intensive technical assistance to providers in select rural communities, including critical access hospitals, small rural hospitals, rural health clinics and other healthcare organizations. 

The Delta Regional Authority (DRA) congratulates four new Tennessee graduates of the Delta Leadership Institute (DLI) Executive Academy who now have the tools to support DRA’s efforts to create jobs, build communities, and improve lives across the Mississippi River Delta region and the Black Belt of Alabama.

The Delta Regional Authority (DRA) congratulates five new Arkansas graduates of the Delta Leadership Institute (DLI) Executive Academy who now have the tools to support DRA’s efforts to create jobs, build communities, and improve lives across the Mississippi River Delta region and the Black Belt of Alabama.

The Delta Regional Authority (DRA) congratulates three new Illinois graduates of the Delta Leadership Institute (DLI) Executive Academy who now have the tools to support DRA’s efforts to create jobs, build communities, and improve lives across the Mississippi River Delta region and the Black Belt of Alabama.

The Delta Regional Authority (DRA) congratulates two new Kentucky graduates of the Delta Leadership Institute (DLI) Executive Academy who now have the tools to support DRA’s efforts to create jobs, build communities, and improve lives across the Mississippi River Delta region and the Black Belt of Alabama.

The Delta Regional Authority (DRA) congratulates four new Mississippi graduates of the Delta Leadership Institute (DLI) Executive Academy who now have the tools to support DRA’s efforts to create jobs, build communities, and improve lives across the Mississippi River Delta region and the Black Belt of Alabama

The Delta Regional Authority (DRA) congratulates the new Missouri graduate of the Delta Leadership Institute (DLI) Executive Academy that now has the tools to support DRA’s efforts to create jobs, build communities, and improve lives across the Mississippi River Delta region and the Black Belt of Alabama.

The Delta Regional Authority (DRA) congratulates three new Louisiana graduates of the Delta Leadership Institute (DLI) Executive Academy who now have the tools to support DRA’s efforts to create jobs, build communities, and improve lives across the Mississippi River Delta region and the Black Belt of Alabama.

The Delta Regional Authority (DRA) congratulates three new Alabama graduates of the Delta Leadership Institute (DLI) Executive Academy who now have the tools to support DRA’s efforts to create jobs, build communities, and improve lives across the Black Belt of Alabama and the Mississippi River Delta region.

Today, the Delta Regional Authority (DRA) announced a $127,877 investment to support Opportunity Zones (OZ) in rural communities across the Alabama Black Belt. Opportunity Alabama, a non-profit organization dedicated to connecting capital to catalytic investment opportunities across the state, will lead the initiative in collaboration with public and private partners. This investment will allow Opportunity Alabama to host regional strategy development events, create eligible project pipelines, design community fact sheets, and develop four regional investment prospectuses to help promote the Black Belt’s designated OZ areas to qualified funds.  

The Delta Regional Authority (DRA) congratulates 25 new graduates of the Delta Leadership Institute (DLI) Executive Academy who now have the tools to support DRA’s efforts to create jobs, build communities, and improve lives across the Mississippi River Delta region and the Black Belt of Alabama.

CLARKSDALE, MS – Today, the Delta Regional Authority (DRA) announced a $38,000 investment to support Opportunity Zones (OZ) in rural communities across West Tennessee. The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD) will use DRA funds to create an information exchange database to serve as a marketing tool and interactive resource for interested stakeholders. The comprehensive database will serve as a virtual meeting place for investors, fund managers, property developers, new or expanding businesses, and local stakeholders. TNECD will also use the database to house the latest OZ news and investment activity, serve as a search engine for eligible projects, and provide information on additional financial incentives at the state, county, and municipal level.

CLARKSDALE, MS – Today, the Delta Regional Authority (DRA) and the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) announced a joint award, totaling $650,000, to support industry-led workforce training and entrepreneurship in north Mississippi. This investment will help enhance the offerings of Base Camp Coding Academy, a non-profit organization that trains young adults from Yalobusha, Lafayette, Grenada, Panola, and Tallahatchie counties to become software developers in less than a year. Yalobusha County is one of ten counties located in both the DRA and ARC regions.

CLARKSDALE, MS – Today, the Delta Regional Authority (DRA) announced a $119,000 investment to support Opportunity Zones (OZ) in rural communities across the Acadiana region in Louisiana. The Acadiana Planning Commission (APC), a regional development organization located in south Louisiana, will build upon their regional investment prospectus and use DRA funds to create community-specific prospectuses for seven rural communities in their footprint. Additionally, APC will collaborate with local partners to develop an interactive website to promote the region’s OZ areas and serve as a clearinghouse for prospective business and real estate projects.

CLARKSDALE, MS – Today, the Delta Regional Authority (DRA) announced the four university partners selected to expand and build upon the nationally-recognized Delta Leadership Institute (DLI). DRA will continue its existing partnership with The University of Alabama College of Continuing Studies, Arkansas State University Delta Center for Economic Development, and the University of Louisiana-Monroe. To emphasize the agency’s commitment to providing the Delta’s premier leadership academy, DRA has also selected the University of Arkansas Walton College Executive Education to join the consortium to provide executive leadership education and training to DLI Fellows.

Today, the Delta Regional Authority announced that the agency will be accepting applications for the Delta Workforce Grant Program, an initiative designed to align workforce and economic development strategies, enhance job training and re-employment opportunities, create sustainable talent pipelines, and support workforce productivity through investments in innovative programming and technology.

This week, 25 fellows from the Delta Regional Authority’s (DRA) Delta Leadership Institute (DLI) Executive Academy provided volunteer services at the US Department of Defense’s (DOD) Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) medical mission at Cairo High School in Cairo, Illinois. In partnership with the Delta Area Economic Opportunity Corporation (DAEOC), the Tri-State IRT mission provides no cost medical, dental, and optical services to residents who are uninsured, underinsured, or in need of quality care in Sikeston, Missouri, Barlow, Kentucky, and Cairo, Illinois. Executive Academy fellows assisted members of the armed forces with patient intake and processing throughout their clinical visit. Fellows heard from community leaders and uniform service members on the importance of community partnerships to successfully host an IRT mission as well as the impact of health and well-being to local and regional economic and community development

Clarksdale, MS – Delta Regional Authority Chairman Chris Caldwell today issued the following statement on the passing of Senator Cochran.