| WASHINGTON, Feb. 23,
2004—Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman today announced
the approval of $1.9 million in grant funds to assist the Delta Regional
Authority (DRA) with transportation, employment, and business development
efforts in an eight state region of the Mississippi Delta. The $1.9 million
includes $830,460 to assist with specific feasibility studies, technical
assistance or construction of 17 business development planning or training
efforts identified by the DRA, plus $1.1 million in funds for specific DRA
policy initiatives. “President Bush is committed
to creation of jobs and economic opportunities in rural communities, including
the Delta Region,” Veneman said. “These grants will remedy
severe and chronic economic distress by stimulating economic development
and fostering partnerships that will have a positive impact on the region’s
economy.”
The Delta Regional Authority (DRA), created by Congress
in the “Delta Regional Authority Act of 2000”, is a federal-state
partnership serving a 240-county/parish area in an eight-state region,
including Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, Tennessee, Arkansas, Louisiana,
Mississippi and Alabama.
Led by a Federal Co-Chairman and the governors of
each participating state, the DRA helps economically distressed communities
leverage federal and state programs, which are focused on basic infrastructure
development, transportation improvements, business development and job
training services.
The following is a list of individual projects being
funded by the Delta Regional Authority:
Winrock Foundation (Ark.) -- $159,000 to assist with
developing market solutions.
Main Street Golconda (Ill.) -- $50,000 to assist with
an economic development plan.
Southeastern Ill. RPDC (Ill.) -- $40,000 to assist with
business planning and training.
Hardin County Main Street (Ill.) - $17,000 to assist
with an economic development plan.
La. Dept. of Ag. & Forestry (La.) -- $50,000 to assist
with a feasibility study.
La. Community Capital Fund (La.) -- $50,000 to provide
with technical assistance.
Louisiana Tech University (La.) -- $41,960 to provide
technical assistance.
Iberville Chamber of Commerce (La.) -- $30,000 to assist
with strategic planning.
Southwest Miss. RC&D (Miss.) -- $13,000 to assist
with a feasibility study.
Coahoma County (Miss.) -- $35,000 to assist with a feasibility
study (ethanol production).
University of Mo. Delta Center (Mo.) -- $150,000 to construct
a service center.
East Prairie (Mo.) -- $20,000 to conduct a storm water
and flood study.
Missouri Dairy Association (Mo.) -- $50,000 to contact
a dairy industry study.
Pemiscot County Port Authority (Mo.) -- $50,000 to attract
business to the region.
Scott County (Mo.) -- $21,500 for an economic development
web site.
Texas County S&W (Mo.) -- $15,500 to develop markets
for farm products.
McNairy County (Tenn.) -- $37,500 for a strategic economic
plan.
The following is a list of the DRA 2003 policy initiatives
funded through this USDA grant:
1. DRA Comprehensive Action Plan for the Region,
2. Transportation Infrastructure Plan for the Region,
3. Pre-Employment Training Program (pilot program in
the Mississippi delta),
4. Training for the Region’s 44 Local Development
Districts,
5. Creation of the “Delta Leadership Institute”
and
6. Civic training for local-government leaders.
For further information on these projects and policy
initiatives, please contact DRA at: http://www.dra.gov/,
1-888-GO-TO-DRA or Fax: (662) 624-8537, 236 Sharkey Avenue, Clarksdale,
MS 38614.
USDA Rural Development's mission is to deliver programs
in a way that will support increasing economic opportunity and improve
the quality of life of rural residents. As a venture capital entity, Rural
Development provides equity and technical assistance to finance and foster
growth in homeownership, business development, and critical community
and technology infrastructure. Further information on rural programs is
available at a local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting USDA's
web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov.
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