Delta Regional Authority Announces 2012 Community Assistance Program Details

DELTA REGIONAL AUTHORITY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, April 11, 2012


Media Contact: Amanda Richardson
(501) 912-5722, arichardson@dra.gov
Program Contact: Kemp Morgan
(662) 624-8600, kmorgan@dra.gov




Delta Regional Authority Announces 2012 Economic Development Assistance Program


Applications for Projects Invited from 252 Delta Counties and Parishes


MISSISSIPPI RIVER DELTA – - Delta Regional Authority Federal Co-Chairman Chris Masingill along State Co-Chairman, Governor Jay Nixon, and the Board of Governors today announced that the Delta Regional Authority is accepting applications to help Delta communities create jobs and improve infrastructure through the States’ Economic Development Assistance Program (SEDAP) for 2012.


“Working in partnership with the Governors of our eight states, our goal is to help create jobs, build communities, and improve the lives of our people in the Delta region,” said Chairman Masingill. “Through last year's program we were able to invest more than $10 million in Delta communities and leverage a total of $66 million in additional public and private investment. We are excited to again be working with communities to grow the economy and create jobs, honoring the daily sacrifice and commitment of our region’s small business owners, entrepreneurs and communities.”


Interested applicants should contact their Local Development District to begin the application process. A list of Local Development Districts for the eight Delta states is available on the DRA website. Projects are due to Local Development Districts by May 29, 2012. 


The States’ Economic Development Assistance Program may be used to fund projects for basic public infrastructure, transportation infrastructure, business development including entrepreneurship and workforce training. Projects must be located in the 252 counties and parishes served by the Delta Regional Authority. Priority is given to projects that demonstrate innovation and small business, a regional approach, multiple funding partners, and emergency need. 


For program and eligibility guidelines review the States’ Economic Development Assistance Program FY2012 Manual. An automated website to process applications is available via www.dra.gov to streamline the application and approval process for projects.


The Delta Regional Authority is Congressionally mandated to identify and provide investments to help grow the small business and entrepreneurial community in the 252 counties and parishes of the Delta. With 45 Local Development Districts as front-line project managers, these investments by the Delta Regional Authority support job creation and community development projects. In the past ten project cycles, the Authority created over 7,000 jobs and retained nearly the same number of jobs. We leveraged $1.5 billion in private investment with DRA projects and helped 19,000 families gain access to clean water and sewer service.


For more information, please visit: www.dra.gov.