Delta Regional Authority to invest $3.2 million in projects across NEA
by February 22, 2022 10:09 pm 784 views
The Delta Regional Authority announced Tuesday (Feb. 22) a $3,239,382 investment that will boost economic development and improve the quality of life for Arkansas communities and residents. The investment will be matched by $7.1 million and will attract an additional $45.8 million in leveraged private investment (LPI) into the Arkansas Delta.
The eight new investment projects will improve water and sewer systems, update transportation infrastructure, and support workforce development in communities across the Arkansas Delta. These projects are expected to create or retain 516 jobs, train 240 individuals, and affect 1,068 families.
“Born and raised along the Mississippi River, I know firsthand how vital the Delta Regional Authority’s ability to bolster community revitalization and economic prosperity within the Delta and Alabama Black Belt is,” DRA Alternate Federal Co-Chairwoman Leslie Durham said. “By strategically investing federal dollars into physical and human infrastructure, DRA helps alleviate the critical needs of the region in order to improve quality of life for our residents and foster future growth. I want to thank Governor Hutchinson and the Arkansas Congressional Delegation for their continued partnership as we work to level the playing field for our citizens.”
Funding for these projects is provided by the States’ Economic Development Assistance Program (SEDAP), which provides direct investment into community-based and regional projects to support basic public infrastructure, transportation infrastructure, workforce training and education, and small businesses development with an emphasis on entrepreneurship, and the Community Infrastructure Fund (CIF), which targets physical infrastructure projects that help build safer, more resilient communities in the Delta region.
“Investing in the basics of infrastructure will help create and retain jobs, boost business and lead to economic development,” Gov. Asa Hutchinson said. “The Delta Region of Arkansas is full of history and potential and this investment will enhance the lives and increase the possibilities in the Delta.”
The following project was funded by CIF:
The city of Osceola will receive $1.014 million in DRA funds to upgrade the Country Club Road Lift Station with a larger adjacent force main to prevent further environmental issues in the system. This investment is projected to retain 40 jobs and affect four families.
The following projects were funded by SEDAP:
The city of Mountain Home will receive $307,000 DRA funds to extend the sewer lines within the city limits to provide four current businesses, a new fire station, and anticipated future development in the project area access to the city sewer. This investment is projected to create two jobs and retain 10 jobs. It will cost in total $414,394.
The city of Stuttgart will receive $282,659 in DRA funds to replace a main drainage culvert under an access road at the Stuttgart Municipal Airport. This investment is projected to retain eight jobs.
The city of Colt will receive $317,100 in DRA funds to provide an additional water storage tank and make necessary improvements to the already existing water storage tank. This investment is projected to affect 64 families and will cost in total $674,951.
The city of Newport will receive $257,162 in DRA funds to construct a parking lot for the Newport Information Technology Training Center. This investment is projected to train 40 individuals and cost a total of $285,013.
The city of Bald Knob will receive $254,062 in DRA funds to raise the top bank elevation of the Wastewater Treatment Plant equalization basin to prevent overflow and avoid a levee breach. This investment is projected to affect 1,000 families and will cost in total $281,662.
The Helena-West Helena/Phillips County Port Authority (Helena Harbor) will receive $745,118 in DRA funds to pave a portion of Helm Road at Helena Harbor that is still gravel. This investment is projected to create one job and retain eight jobs and the total cost will be $765,188.
The city of McCrory will receive $ 62,281 in DRA funds to extend the sewer to the DeltARK facility located at the furthest northwest corner of city limits currently not served by the city sewer. This investment is projected to retain 22 jobs and will cost a total of $68,881.