Delta Regional Authority Invests $1.3 Million In Arkansas Economic Projects

The Delta Regional Authority will invest $1.3 million into eight projects across Arkansas – grant money aimed at boosting economic development in rural parts of the state. Leaders said the money will help create or retain 1,050 jobs.

The eight projects and funding include:

• $200,000 – Airport hangar construction in Stuttgart. The expansion will help a local airplane parts recycling company add new jobs.
• $196,250 – Sewer rehabilitation in Rison. The money will correct defects in the sewer pond to stop sanctions from ADEQ.
• $256,500 – Big River Steel water & sewer improvements in Osceola.
• $87,875 – Stone County roof replacement project in Mountain View. The money will repair a roof on a county-owned building that houses Excel Boats, a local manufacturer looking to add 5 jobs.
• $118,402 – Parking lot reconstruction in Eudora. The grant will repair and upgrade a city-owned parking lot utilized by Superior Uniform Group.
• $177,720 – Addison Shoe Co. expansion in Wynne. This investment will aid in the purchase of equipment for expansion and modernization of its manufacturing facility. 15 new jobs are expected.
• $100,000 – Rail spur in Marmaduke. The money will be used to construct a rail spur alongside a Union Pacific main line for rail access for two industrial sites with committed industries.
• $256,500 – Clay County road upgrade in Corning. The upgrade and paving of a county road is to be utilized by PECO Foods.

“In this time of extreme competition for jobs and business attraction, these strategic federal investments into the physical infrastructure of Delta communities are necessary to create economic opportunity for the hard-working people of Arkansas and the greater Delta region,” said DRA federal co-chairman Chris Masingill.

DRA said that the $1.3 million in investments will help leverage another $3.7 million in funding for the projects.

The DRA, a federal-state partnership that works in the 252 counties and parishes of the Delta region, makes grant investments in coordination with state and local government input with a focus on infrastructure, transportation, entrepreneurship, workforce education, and health care.

For example, the Clay County road project investment will help with infrastructure related to PECO Foods, a new regional integrated poultry producer in Northeast Arkansas. DRA officials said the road will see as many as 400 tractor-trailers daily with the new facility.