Missouri, Tennessee Among DRA Grants, Eastern Arkansas Will Benefit

At least $1.5 million in grants were awarded over a six state area to help with developing workforce training and education, officials with the Delta Regional Authority said Tuesday.

Of the $1.5 million, $623,000 was given to projects in Tennessee and Missouri including a project in the Memphis area that will impact parts of eastern Arkansas.

The project – a $125,000 grant – will be used to “Solve the Skills Gap”, DRA federal co-chair Chris Masingill said during a conference call with reporters.

The money will be given to the Memphis Chamber Foundation to help create a manufacturing council and to do a study in nearby Fayette County to look at workforce needs and job projects.

Three of the projects are based in west Tennessee. One project – for $150,000 – will go toward building a college mentorship program over a nine county area, while another project – for $150,000 – will allow Dyersburg State Community College to work with workforce groups to build skill levels for residents.

The other project involves a $50,000 grant in Haywood County. That grant will help to connect students, adults and disconnected youth with local business and industry, Masingill said.

The Missouri grant – for $148,000 – will help students learn about careers, businesses with workforce recruitment and retention and prepare students for careers in information technology.

Masingill said the workforce training issue is a “very important subject” that will empower people throughout the region. He said the region’s governors and congressional delegations have also played a role in the issue.

Grants were also given to projects in Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi and Louisiana.