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	Budget Justification Home / Biden-Harris Administration Announces Over $1.6 Million Investment into Alabama Black Belt Region


Biden-Harris Administration Announces Over $1.6 Million Investment into Alabama Black Belt Region October 11, 2023
				DRA’s investment will improve basic public infrastructure, transportation infrastructure, and more in communities across Alabama’s Black Belt regionView this email in your browserLogo**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
October 11, 2023

**FOR MORE INFORMATION:**
Jessica Shappley
662-683-8670
jshappley@dra.gov**Biden-Harris Administration Announces Over $1.6 Million Investment into Alabama Black Belt Region**

*Delta Regional Authority’s investment will improve basic public infrastructure, transportation infrastructure, and support business development and job training in communities across Alabama’s Black Belt region***Clarksdale, MS** – Delta Regional Authority (DRA) is awarding over $1.6 million in investments to six projects in the Alabama Black Belt region through the States’ Economic Development Assistance Program (SEDAP). Funding for this program was made available, in part, by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law signed by President Biden, a key part of his Investing in America agenda to grow local economies from the middle out and bottom up and create more resilient and healthier communities across the country.

The six new investment projects will improve basic public infrastructure, transportation infrastructure, and support business development and job training in communities across the Alabama Black Belt region. These projects are projected to create or retain over 80 jobs and train nearly 40 individuals.

“The States’ Economic Development Assistance Program is one of DRA’s most diverse tools that allow us to expand and invest in the resiliency of the region’s public infrastructure and workforce,” said DRA Federal Co-Chairman, Dr. Corey Wiggins. “As a result of this investment, residents across these five communities will have improved access to infrastructure and workforce development opportunities, helping to improve their quality of life and increase economic prosperity in their communities.”

As one of DRA’s main investment tools, SEDAP provides direct investments for basic public infrastructure, transportation infrastructure, business development with an emphasis on entrepreneurship, and workforce development. DRA coordinates directly with the Office of the Governor for the State of Alabama and the state’s Local Development Districts for program funding implementation.

The following projects received SEDAP funding in Alabama:
The **Cultural and Communal Living Cynosure** project in Selma, Alabama, has been awarded $200,000 to increase the success and well-being of residents in distressed communities.
The **Jackson Pellets Industrial Access Road** project in Jackson, Alabama, has been awarded more than $357,000 to construct a 3,100-foot industrial access road to the Jackson Pellets facility.
The **Selma Tourism Incubator** project in Selma, Alabama, has been awarded $509,000 to develop an Innovative Tourism Hub in Selma’s historic downtown.
The **Town of Hurtsboro Storm Water Collection System Improvement** project in Hurtsboro, Alabama, has been awarded more than $387,000 to repair a storm water collection system to reduce localized flooding.
The **Town of Butler Highway 17 South** project in Butler, Alabama, has been awarded more than $189,000 to correct water main issues and install a fire hydrant on Alabama Highway 17 South.
The **Eufaula-Bluff City Water and Sewer** project in Eufaula, Alabama has been awarded more than $43,000 for sewer, water, and stormwater improvements.Additional information about SEDAP is available at States’ Economic Development Assistance Program – Delta Regional Authority (dra.gov).

###**About the Delta Regional Authority**

The DRA was established in 2000 as a formal framework for joint federal-state collaboration to promote and encourage the economic development of the lower Mississippi River and Alabama Black Belt regions. To fulfill this purpose, DRA invests in projects supporting transportation infrastructure, basic public infrastructure, workforce training, and business development. DRA’s region encompasses 252 counties and parishes in parts of Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee.Learn MoreFacebook icon
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								Federal PartnersThe DRA was established in 2000 as a formal framework for joint Federal-State collaboration to promote and encourage the economic development of the lower Mississippi River and Alabama Black Belt regions. To fulfill this purpose, DRA invests in projects supporting transportation infrastructure, basic public infrastructure, workforce training, and business development. DRA works to create jobs, build communities, and improve the lives of those that reside in the region. DRA’s region encompasses 252 counties and parishes in parts of Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee.DRA’s enabling legislation dictates that at least 75% of DRA’s funds must be invested in economically distressed counties and parishes and isolated areas within non-distressed counties and parishes. In addition, half of DRA’s funds must support transportation infrastructure and basic public infrastructure.
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