1

Delta Regional Authority

Fiscal Year 2020 Budget Justification

Alabama Arkansas Illinois Kentucky Louisiana Missouri Mississippi Tennessee

Creating Jobs. Building Communities. Improving Lives.
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Alabama Arkansas Illinois Kentucky Louisiana Mississippi Missouri Tennessee
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Board of Governors....................................................................................................................4

Section 1: Budget Scenario.........................................................................................................5

FY 2020 Proposed Budget................................................................................................6

FY 2020 Potential Budget Scenario .................................................................................7

Section 2: DRA Investment Programs.................................................................................... 11

Map of DRA Investments............................................................................................... 12

States’ Economic Development Assistance Program ..................................................... 13

Local Development District Technical Assistance Support ...........................................13

Registered Apprenticeship and Job Training Pilot Program ..........................................14

Workforce Opportunity in Rural Communities..............................................................14

Map of FY 2019 Distressed Counties and Parishes........................................................16

FY 2020 State Allocation Formula and Model...............................................................17

Community Infrastructure Fund .....................................................................................18

Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance.....................................................18

Section 3: Regional Programs..................................................................................................19

Rural Communities Advancement Program...................................................................20

Delta Leadership Institute ...............................................................................................21

Registered Apprenticeship and Job Training Pilot Program ..........................................21

Rural Communities Development Program....................................................................22

Delta Regional Community Health Systems Development............................................22

Innovative Readiness Training ....................................................................................... 24

Appendix....................................................................................................................................25

Regional Development Plan............................................................................................26

Strategic Goals................................................................................................................27

Service Area...............................................................................................................................28

Table of Contents
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Louisiana

Mississippi Missouri Tennessee

Gov. Tate Reeves

Designee: Anne Hall Brashier

Gov. Mike Parson

Designee: Luke Holtschneider

Gov. Bill Lee

Designee: Brooxie Carlton

Alternate: Sen. Brian Kelsey

Board of Governors

Kentucky

Alabama Arkansas Illinois

Chris Caldwell

Federal Co-Chairman

Gov. John Bel Edwards

States’ Co-Chair

Designee: Leslie Durham

Gov. Andy Beshear

Designee: Dennis Keene

Gov. Kay Ivey

Designee: Kenneth Boswell

Alternate: Crystal Davis

Gov. Asa Hutchinson

Designee: Amy Fecher

Gov. J. B. Pritzker

Designee: Brandi Bradley

Alternate: Nikki Budzinski
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Section 1: Budget Scenario
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Delta Regional Authority

Potential Budget Scenario

FY 2020

FY 2020

Potential

FY 2020 Spend Budget

FY 2019 Potential Over (Under)

Approved Spend FY 2019

Source Budget Budget Approved Budget

Federal Appropriations $ 25,000,000 $ 30,000,000 $ 5,000,000

State Assessments 1,096,860 1,197,122 100,262

RCAP (USDA Indirect Appropriation) 3,000,000 3,000,000 -

EDA (PWEAA Indirect Appropriation) 3,000,000 3,000,000 -

Total Federal and State Appropriations $ 32,096,860 $ 37,197,122 $ 5,100,262

(Uses) & Investments

State Economic Development Assistance Program (SEDAP) 12,395,106 12,286,544 (108,562)

Community Infrastructure Fund - (CIF) 10,000,000 15,000,000 5,000,000

Local Development Districts Technical Assistance 544,000 544,000 -

RCAP Grants 3,000,000 3,000,000 -

EDA Grants 3,000,000 3,000,000 -

Special Programs:

Apprenticeship/Job Training 500,000 500,000 -

Administration 2,657,754 2,866,578 208,824

Total Federal Appropriations $ 32,096,860 $ 37,197,122 $ 5,100,262

Administration

Object Class

Federal Salaries $ 330,027 $ 336,412 $ 6,385

Federal Benefits 99,008 100,924 1,916

DRA Salaries 914,398 964,802 50,404

DRA Benefits 274,321 289,441 15,120

Contract Staff 100,000 150,000 50,000

Travel - Federal Staff 35,000 35,000 -

Travel - Non-Federal Staff 100,000 100,000 -

Travel - Monitoring and Compliance 30,000 25,000 (5,000)

Travel - Meetings and Public Enagagement 45,000 45,000 -

Professional Services 400,000 450,000 50,000

Insurance Non-Health Related 30,000 30,000 -

Communications and Outreach 20,000 20,000 -

Staff Development and Training 30,000 25,000 (5,000)

Printing and Publications 25,000 25,000 -

Rents, Leases, Supplies & Materials 200,000 220,000 20,000

Equipment 25,000 50,000 25,000

Total Expenditures $ 2,657,754 $ 2,866,578 $ 208,824

3/6/2019 16:25
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Delta Regional Authority (DRA) 

FY2020 Potential Budget Scenario

Introduction

This narrative is presented as justification to the attached FY2020 Potential Budget Spend Plan. 

Participating states within the DRA service area pay 50% of DRA’s administrative costs, less federal 

employee expenses (the Office of the Federal Co-Chairman is funded 100% by the Fed). This 

presentation details the full budget including state assessments and federal appropriations.

Source and (Uses) of Appropriations

The attached budget table indicates the source and (uses) of DRA’s federal appropriations and a detailed 

presentation of its expenditures as follows:

• FY2019 Approved Budget;

• FY2020 Potential Spend Budget Based on Full Authorized Budget; and

• Comparison of FY2020 Potential Spend Budget to FY2019 Approved Budget.

Format and Content

DRA’s administrative budget presentation on the attached table is presented in three sections:

1. “Source – Federal Appropriations and State Assessments;”

2. “Uses-Investments” of the appropriations; and

3. “Administration” – administrative expenses classified at the major object class level.

Explanation of Use of Federal Appropriation

The Uses section describes how the federal appropriations will be expended as follows:

• The States’ Economic Development Assistance Program (SEDAP) allocation and Administrative

costswere increased by$4,891,438and $208,824,respectively. The increase was due to the

requested $30,000,000 appropriation request with most all of the $5,000,000 increase going to 

SEDAP. Special Programs held constant with $500,000 being used for Registered 

Apprenticeship and Job Training Programs. Per congressional mandate, DRA also allocated

fundsto provide technical assistance ($554,400) for 252 counties/parishes) to Local Development 

Districts (LDDs), with no increase.

• The Community Infrastructure Fund would be held constant (by appropriation report language) 

at $10,000,000.

• DRA is also hopeful that its partnerships with USDA (RCAP) and EDA (PWEAA) will remain 

constant in FY2020 with $3,000,000 per program. Projects awarded funding from these 2 

funding streams must follow respective agency guidelines and be approved by the respective 

agencies.
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Administration

Administrative funds necessary to administer the program are presented below:

Federal Salaries, Benefits, & Travel

The Office of the Federal Co-Chairman (FCC) maintained two positions consisting of the Federal CoChairman, the Alternate Federal Co-Chairman. DRA has no control over these expenses.

Salaries $ 336,412

Benefits at 30% 100,924

Travel 35,000

Total Federal Salaries, Benefits & Travel $ 472,336

DRA Salaries—Non-Federal Staff

Non-federal salaries represent 15 positions. DRA left the administrative salary costs constant from FY 

2019 to FY 2020, with the exception of a cola increase.

Total Salaries—Non-Federal Staff $ 964,802

DRA Fringe Benefits—Non-Federal Staff

The effective fringe benefit rate is 30 percent of salaries representing mandated and voluntary salaryrelated expenditures as follows:

• FICA – (Social Security) at 6.2% of salaries up to $127,200;

• Medicare – at 1.45% of salaries (no max);

• SUTA – State Unemployment Tax 3.06% of the first $12,000 of salary per employee;

• Non-elective retirement 11.7% of total salary; and

• Elective retirement (401k) effective rate of 3.2% of employees’ voluntarycontribution

(maximum match of 5%).

Social Security $ 59,818

Medicare 13,990

State Unemployment 5,508

Medical/Health 66,370

Retirement 143,755

Total Fringe Benefits $ 289,441

Contract Staff

Contract staff represent positions to assist or supplement staff during budget, audit, and year-end closing 

such as bookkeeping, grants & awards close-out, and records archival. The amount budgeted for FY 2020

is $150,000
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Monitoring & Compliance

The Division of Monitoring and Compliance provides independent and objective reviews and 

investigations of the grantees and open projects that utilize the States’ Economic Development Assistance 

Program (SEDAP), Community Infrastructure Fund (CIF), Rural Community Assistance Program 

(RCAP), Delta Doctors, and the Local Development Districts (LDDs) to determine their compliance with 

federal and state laws and regulations that govern theinvestment programs. LDDs are included since they 

act as the project administrators for DRA investments, providing grant-writing and administration 

services during the project duration period (up to 3 years).

Total Monitoring/Compliance (travel) $25,000

Travel—Non-Federal

Travel includes mileage and/or fuel, rental vehicles, hotels, airfare, meals & incidentals, taxis, parking 

fees, etc., consisting primarily of trips to small rural towns, communities, and counties/parishes without 

access to major modes of public transportation (i.e. air/rail) throughout 200,000 square miles, 252 

counties/parishes, and over 500 cities/towns in an eight-state region. DRA’s service area presents 

logistical challenges that often necessitates multiple modes of travel (i.e. air and vehicle travel).

Other staff travel (Airfare, hotels, per diem, mileage) $100,000

Meetings & Public Engagement

Costs relating to travel for board meetings, symposia, and conferences including per diem or POV 

mileage, room rentals, visual aids, and rental of passenger motor vehicles.

Total Meetings & Public Engagement $45,000

Professional Services

Professional services include costs for specialists that provide a specific skill-set not available with 

existing staff or temporary help. These services are time-limited specific projects and consist of:

Policy & research $ 60,000

Legislative affairs 80,000

Website 40,000

Custodial 12,000

Financial Management (GSA) 80,000

Background Checks (DOI) 12,000

Audit 75,000

Legal 41,000

Outsourced IT 50,000

Total $ 450,000

Insurance—Non-Health

Insurance—Non-Health consists of liability, professional, property, inland marine, worker’s 

compensation, automobile, criminal, employee dishonesty, and fidelity insurance asfollows:
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Liability, Crime, Property $14,000

Wokers' Comp 12,000

Auto 4,000

Total $30,000

Communications & Outreach

Communications and outreach consists of costs including advertising, signs, job announcement postings, 

and community outreach.

Total Communications & Outreach $20,000

Staff Development/Training

Staff development/training includes costs for training closely aligned with the basic responsibilities and 

mission of the agency including, but not limited to, program-specific education, management 

development, and leadership training.

Total Staff Development/Training $25,000

Printing & Publications

Printing and publications include costs for printing research publications and others such as Today’s Delta, 

Year-in-Review, DRA Regional Development Plans, DLI Index, and DRA State Strategic Plans, etc.:

Education and collateral materials $ 5,000

Legislative Clipping, streaming 17,000

Internet/social media 3,000

Total Print $ 25,000

Rent - D.C. Office $ 56,500

Rent - Clarksdale Office 49,000

Rent - Little Rock Office 27,000

Rent - Office machines 15,000

Telephones/Fax/W-i-fi, Internet 23,500

Postage 24,000

Office, general/custodial supplies 25,000

Total $ 220,000

Equipment

Computers and network equipment $ 50,000

Total Expenditures 2,866,578
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Section 2: DRA Investment Programs
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DRA Investments (FY 2002 - FY2018)
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States’ Economic Development Assistance Program (SEDAP) 

FY2020 Budget: $12,286,744

Program Briefing:

The States’ Economic Development Assistance Program (SEDAP) is the Delta Regional 

Authority’s primary investment program. Since 2002, DRA has invested over $211 million of its 

own appropriation with more than $4.5 billion in other public and private sector dollars. These 

investments have helped to create and retain more than 60,000 jobs, train more than 53,700 

individuals, and provide more than 400,000 families with access to improved water and sewer 

services. SEDAP investments make a substantial and solid impact in each of the eight states 

represented in the Delta region.

DRA works in concert with the Local Development Districts in the region to deliver SEDAP and 

other DRA funding programs. DRA staff recommends project eligibility and priority ranking to 

the Federal Co-Chairman, and Chairman Caldwell makes final determination of those projects. 

During the funding cycle, project selections are completed at the end of the cycle.

These SEDAP investments are subject to Federal Priority Eligibility Criteria, (Catalog of Federal 

Domestic Assistance Number 90.201), and must help to improve:

• Basic public infrastructure;

• Transportation infrastructure;

• Business development, with an emphasis on entrepreneurship; and

• Workforce development.

In fact, at least 50 percent of SEDAP investments are required to be put towards transportation and 

basic public infrastructure projects. Additionally, at least 75 percent of all SEDAP investments 

must be made in counties and parishes that are deemed to be distressed.

Local Development District Technical Assistance Support 

FY2020 Budget: $544,000

Program Briefing:

DRA works closely with our local development districts to administer SEDAP funding and to 

manage SEDAP projects. LDD staff review and certify that each project is legitimate and meets 

the parameters of the DRA program. Ultimately, DRA makes the final determination of eligibility 

for projects; however, LDDs will also acknowledge their role and responsibility as project 

managers for each project and ensure each project is implemented and regulations adhered to in a 

timely manner. In the event an application is deemed ineligible by DRA, the LDD also serves as 

the local economic development agency that should also be knowledgeable of other state and 

federal funding sources. Applicants are encouraged to work closely with the LDD in identifying 

the best available resources for the project.

States' Economic Development Assistance Program
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To compensate the LDDs for the administrative work performed, project administrative fees will 

be paid from the awarded funds. The formula for determining project administration fees is five 

percent (5%) of the first $100,000 and one percent (1%) of all dollars in excess of $100,000. By 

example, a $200,000 award would include $6,000 in LDD project administration fees, thereby 

making $194,000 available for the award.

Registered Apprenticeship and Job Training Pilot Program (RAJ) 

FY2020 Budget: $500,000

Program Briefing:

In June 2017, President Donald J. Trump signed Executive Order (EO) 13801, “Expanding 

Apprenticeships in America,” to promote affordable education and rewarding jobs for American 

workers through the reformation of America’s education systems and workforce development 

programs. According to Section 2 of EO 13801, “It shall be the policy of the Federal 

Government to provide more affordable pathways to secure high-paying jobs by promoting 

apprenticeships and effective workforce development programs, while easing the regulatory 

burden on such programs and reducing or eliminating taxpayer support for ineffective workforce 

programs.” In accordance with EO 13801, DRA proposes to develop the Registered 

Apprenticeship and Job Training Pilot Program to support the Administration’s policy priorities 

by reforming or eliminating inefficient programs in order to implement evidence-based 

workforce development programs that support sector partnerships, earn-and-learn models, and 

demand-driven training and education.

Ultimately, DRA’s Registered Apprenticeship and Job Training Pilot Program will complement 

the U.S. Department of Labor’s workforce development efforts in the 252 counties and parishes 

of the eight-state Delta region. DRA seeks to work closely with the Board of Governors and their 

Designees and Alternates to support each state’s high-growth industries by identifying workforce 

development needs, sector partnerships, and high priority projects. DRA will develop and 

implement the Registered Apprenticeship and Job Training Pilot Program in four phases as 

follows: Phase I – Request for Team Applications, Phase II – Regional Workshops, Phase III –

Grant Program, and Phase IV – Technical Assistance.

Workforce Opportunity in Rural Communities (WORC) Demonstration Initiative

FY2020 Budget: ($500,000)

Program Briefing:

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, administered by the Department of Labor’s 

Employment and Training Administration (ETA), is designed to grow a ready workforce and 

advance economic opportunities, particularly for local areas impacted by economic change and 

for individuals with barriers to employment. The FY 2018 DOL Appropriations Act, further 

described in the Senate Report, made $30,000,000 available to provide enhanced dislocated 

worker training to promote economic recovery in the Appalachian and Delta regions, particularly 

for projects for dislocated workers hard hit by industrial downsizing and closures. The FY 2019 

DOL Appropriations Act also includes funds for the same effort. To address the specific 

challenges facing these regions, ETA, with the support and expertise of DRA, will use the 

authority to fund Dislocated Worker Demonstration projects to award WORC grants to 

successful applicants within the 252 counties and parishes that make up the DRA footprint.
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DRA’s efforts will complement the U.S. Department of Labor’s WORC initiative in the 252 

counties and parishes of the eight-state Delta region. DRA seeks to work closely with the Board 

of Governors and their Designees and Alternates to support each state’s high-growth industries 

by identifying workforce development needs, sector partnerships, and high priority projects. 

DRA will collaborate with ETA by informing eligible entities of the funding opportunity; 

implement pre-application technical assistance through a series of regional workshops; design 

and deliver post-award technical assistance; and engage subject matter experts to support 

applicants and grantees.
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FY 2019 Distressed Counties and Parishes
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Fiscal Year 2020 State Allocation Formula and Model 

Distressed/Non-Distressed Counties

Non-distressed county data over the past eight-years reveals a trend for each state. In total, DRA 

non-distressed areas have been on a steady decline since 2013. The most recent evaluation for 

fiscal year 2019 indicates the number of non-distressed areas are increasing slightly; at 18 in FY 

2017 and FY 2018, increasing to 21 in FY 2019. These indicators point to the weakness of the 

economy in the Delta region. Half of the DRA states have remained somewhat constant over 

time and the other half have experienced this decline in non-distressed areas, as indicated in the 

table below.

Data provided annually by Central Mississippi Planning and Development District

Each year, the realities highlighted by this data will influence the formula used to 1) allocate 

SEDAP dollars to the states and 2) calculate the state assessment dues. As a reminder, the formula 

used by the DRA and approved annually by the Governors of each state, since DRA’s inception, 

have included the following factors and factor percentages:

Factor Factor

 Percentage

Equity Factor (divided equally among eight states) 50%

Population Factor (DRA counties/parishes only) 10%

Distressed Population (DRA counties/parishes only) 20%

Distressed County Area (DRA counties/parishes only) 20%

The model included factors using 2019 Distressed Counties data (based on 2017 Per Capita 

Income from the Bureau of Economic analysis and the average from November 2016 to October 

2018 National Unemployment Rate) to determine each State’s allocated percent of the total 

budgeted for SEDAP.

Program Changes from Previous Year:

DRA is continuously looking to find ways to improve upon the programming and investments it 

makes. Building off the success of the previous year, DRA implemented a more robust technical 

assistance training for every Local Development District in the DRA service area. To be eligible 

to submit projects for SEDAP funding, the LDD must have been through this training that 

highlights how to submit successful projects for consideration. Additionally, DRA undertook the 

task of the updating its SEDAP manual that is used by LDDs in submitting projects. The manual 

is accessible online at dra.gov.
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Community Infrastructure Fund (CIF) 

FY2020 Budget: $15,000,000

Program Briefing:

DRA launched the Community Infrastructure Fund (CIF) to invest an additional $10 million in 

flood control, basic public infrastructure, and local transportation improvements that provide local 

and regional value to Delta communities. CIF provides an opportunity for DRA to make even more 

investments into local infrastructure projects that directly impact economic development prospects 

and immediate community needs. DRA was able to absorb the additional dollars of CIF without 

additional administration dollars needed to provide technical assistance, project review and 

implementation.

EDA Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance (PW-EAA) 

FY2020 Budget: $3,000,000

Program Briefing:

As a part of the Fiscal Years 2016 - 2019 appropriations process, Congress directed the

Economic Development Administration (EDA) of the U.S. Department of Commerce to make $3 

million of its “Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance” (PW-EAA) program 

available to the Delta Regional Authority.

The Senate Appropriations Committee based this appropriation policy on its findings that it:

• Supports EDA’s past collaborations with DRA; and

• Encourages EDA to create additional opportunities that leverage and partner with DRA to 

better assist distressed communities in the eight-state Delta region.

The Committee specifically named the PW-EAA to fund DRA-related projects, as this EDA fund 

is used to:

“Advance economic growth by assisting communities and regions experiencing chronic high 

unemployment and low per capita income to create an environment that fosters innovation, 

promotes entrepreneurship, and attracts increased private capital investment."

DRA has numerous objective measures supporting the need for such assistance.

Upon passage and toward those ends, the leadership of both agencies collaborated to provide 

streamlined processes and structures to this new partnership that would ensure the fiscal and 

programmatic integrity of this program.

Community Infrastructure Fund

Public Works & Economic Adjustment Assistance
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Section 3: Regional Programs
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Rural Communities Advancement Program (RCAP) 

FY2020 Budget: $3,000,000

Program Briefing:

Beginning in 2003, Congress designated an allotment of funding from the U.S. Department of

Agriculture-Rural Development (USDA-RD) – Rural Communities Advancement Program

(RCAP) for use by the Delta Regional Authority adherent to the same policies and guidelines of

RCAP under USDA-RD. There are several programs under USDA’s RCAP, all of which are

eligible for DRA funding. To date, DRA has invested in two types of RCAP projects under the

following USDA programs:

• Rural Business Development Grants (RBDG)*: This program is a competitive grant

designed to support targeted technical assistance, training and other activities leading to the

development or expansion of small and emerging private businesses in rural areas.

Programmatic activities are separated into enterprise or opportunity type grant activities.

Eligible applicants are rural public entities including, but not limited to: towns, communities,

state agencies, authorities, nonprofit corporations, institutions of higher education, federally 

recognized tribes, rural cooperatives (if organized as a private nonprofit corporation). RBDG

funds must be used for projects benefitting rural areas or towns outside the urbanized periphery

of any city with a population of 50,000 or more.

*Formerly considered two separate programs: Rural Business Enterprise Grants (RBEG) and

Rural Business Opportunity Grants (RBOG).

• Community Facility Grants: This program provides funding to develop essential community

facilities in rural areas. An essential community facility is defined as a facility that provides an

essential service to the local community for the orderly development of the community in a

primarily rural area, and does not include private, commercial or business undertakings. Funds

can be used to purchase, construct, and/or improve essential community facilities, purchase

equipment and pay related project expenses. Eligible applicants include public bodies,

community-based non-profit corporations, and federally-recognized tribes. Funds must be

used in rural areas with no more than 20,000 residents.

Since 2003, DRA has successfully applied for more than $41 million in RCAP funding, which has 

supported over 300 projects throughout the Mississippi River Delta region. Each year, DRA 

allocates the majority of RCAP funding for agency programs and region-wide projects determined 

by the Federal Co-Chairman. Examples of projects funded in the past include: The Delta 

Leadership Institute and Local Foods, Local Places.

Additionally, DRA allocates the remaining RCAP funds towards projects submitted to DRA by

USDA-RD State Directors from each of the eight states. For example, in FY 2018, DRA has

allocated $40,000 per USDA-RD State Director to fund eligible projects in accordance with RCAP 

guidelines.
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Delta Leadership Institute (DLI) 

FY 2020 Budget: $700,000 (RCAP)

Program Briefing:

The Delta Leadership Institute serves to build leadership skills among Delta residents and foster 

collaboration with partners in the public and private sectors to improve the economic and social 

viability of the Delta as well as the overall quality of life in the Delta region. Currently, DLI is a 

body of fellows and alumni leaders who have participated in the year-long Executive Academy 

program. They focus daily on improving the decisions made by community leaders across the 

Delta. The creation of the Executive Academy and later the Delta Leadership Network was and 

is to create well-informed community leaders who understand local and regional issues.

Over the course of the Executive Academy academic year, participants attend six sessions and 

engage in training, case study discussion, and on-the-ground field studies of priority issue areas 

including workforce training and education, small business and entrepreneurship, transportation 

and basic public infrastructure, healthcare, and policy and governance. Upon graduation, these 

fellows become members of the Delta Leadership Network where they engage community

leaders both within their state and across the Delta. With 510 alumni, the DLN commits time, 

talent, service, and often, financial resources to various initiatives across the region, having 

become a powerful voice for the region as well as DRA.

Registered Apprenticeship and Job Training Pilot Program 

FY2020 Budget: $1,500,000 (RCAP $1M | E&W $500k)

Program Briefing:

In June 2017, President Donald J. Trump signed Executive Order (EO) 13801, “Expanding 

Apprenticeships in America,” to promote affordable education and rewarding jobs for American 

workers through the reformation of America’s education systems and workforce development 

programs. According to Section 2 of EO 13801, “It shall be the policy of the FederalGovernment 

to provide more affordable pathways to secure high-paying jobs by promoting apprenticeships and 

effective workforce development programs, while easing the regulatory burden on such programs 

and reducing or eliminating taxpayer support for ineffective workforce programs.” In accordance 

with EO 13801, DRA proposes to develop the Registered Apprenticeship and Job Training Pilot 

Program to support the Administration’s policy priorities by reforming or eliminating inefficient 

programs in order to implement evidence-based workforce development programs that support 

sector partnerships, earn-and-learn models, and demand-driven training and education.

Ultimately, DRA’s Registered Apprenticeship and Job Training Pilot Program will complement 

the U.S. Department of Labor’s workforce development efforts in the 252 counties and parishes 

of the eight-state Delta region. DRA seeks to work closely with the Board of Governors and their 

Designees and Alternates to support each state’s high-growth industries by identifying workforce 

development needs, sector partnerships, and high priority projects. DRA will develop and 

implement the Registered Apprenticeship and Job Training Pilot Program in four phases as 

follows: Phase I – Request for Team Applications, Phase II – Regional Workshops, Phase III –

Grant Program, and Phase IV – Technical Assistance.
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Rural Community Development Program

FY2020 Budget: $750,000 (RCAP)

Program Briefing:

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than half a million new small businesses are 

launched each year in the United States, representing nearly 1.4 million new jobs annually. In 

fact, nearly 30 million small businesses across the country employ more than 57 million workers 

and drive nearly half of our national GDP. Despite the significance of small businesses and 

entrepreneurship to our nation’s economy, the Great Recession had a severely negative impact 

on new business creation with the startup rate falling beneath the closure rate in 2009 for the first 

time on record. Many distressed communities, particularly in the Mississippi River Delta region, 

have been economically devastated by increased business closures and industry relocations, lack 

of access to capital, and inadequate support for entrepreneurs and small businesses.

The Mississippi River Delta region’s most significant opportunities for economic growth and 

revitalization is based in the creation of jobs, expansion of businesses, and development of local 

entrepreneurial economies. To address these economic challenges and build on the region’s 

opportunities for growth, DRA proposes to implement a $750,000 Rural Community 

Development (RCD) Program to build on the Trump Administration’s efforts to support 

underserved areas by investing in small business and entrepreneurial development, access to 

broadband and the digital economy, and advanced workforce training to help rural communities 

thrive in today’s global economy. DRA will develop and implement the RCD Program in three 

phases as follows: Phase I – Regional Workshops, Phase II – Grant Program, and Phase III –

Technical Assistance. 

Delta Regional Community Health Systems Development 

Technical Assistance Program

FY 2020 Budget: $10,000,000 (HRSA)

Program Briefing:

In FY 2017, the Delta Regional Authority, in collaboration with the Health Resources & Services 

Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), launched 

the Delta Region Community Health Systems Development – Technical Assistance Pilot Program. 

The purpose of this program is to enhance health care delivery in the Delta region through intensive 

technical assistance to providers in select rural communities, including critical access hospitals, 

small rural hospitals, rural health clinics and other healthcare organizations.

In-depth and long-term technical assistance to a select number of identified communities in the 

Delta region will be provided for, but not limited to, the following:

• Improving hospital or clinic financial operations;

• Implementing quality improvement activities to promote the development of an evidencebased culture leading to improved health outcomes;

• Increasing use of telehealth to address gaps in clinical service delivery and improve access 

to care;

• Enhancing coordination of care;

• Strengthening the local health care system to improve population health;

• Providing social services to address broader socio-economic challenges faced by patients 

(e.g., housing, child care, energy assistance, access to healthy food, elderly support 

services, job training, etc.);
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• Ensuring access to and availability of emergency medical services (EMS);

• Identifying workforce recruitment and retention resources targeted to rural communities; 

and

• Other areas to be determined in consultation with HRSA and DRA.

In December 2017, DRA selected and announced six (6) facilities to participate in the technical 

assistance pilot program. These selected healthcare facilities include:

ARKANSAS

Daughters of Charity Services of Arkansas (DCSA) in Dumas: DCSA is comprised of two 

rural health clinics and one wellness center serving Desha, Drew and Chicot counties. DCSA will 

collaborate with Drew Memorial Hospital, Delta Memorial Hospital, and Chicot Memorial 

Hospital to build a coordinated and more efficient local health system.

LOUISIANA

Natchitoches Regional Medical Center (NRMC) in Natchitoches: NRMC is a 100-bed, nonprofit regional medical center serving rural residents located in Natchitoches, Winn, and Sabine 

parishes.

MISSISSIPPI

Tippah County Hospital (TCH) in Ripley: TCH is a 40-bed, county-owned critical access 

hospital that serves area residents in Tippah County.

Sharkey-Issaquena Community Hospital (SICH) in Rolling Fork: SICH is an acute-care 

facility jointly owned by Sharkey and Issaquena counties.

MISSOURI

Pemiscot County Memorial Hospital (PCMH) in Hayti: PCMH is a publicly owned and 

operated healthcare provider serving Pemiscot County and nearby areas.

Iron County Hospital (ICH) in Pilot Knob: ICH is a stand-alone critical access hospital that 

is owned and operated by Iron County.

ALABAMA

Pickens County Medical Center (PCMC) in Carrolton: PCMC is a 56 bed, publicly owned 

hospital serving Pickens County and surrounding areas.

DRA anticipates an additional 10 to 12 healthcare facilities to this program in FY2020.
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Innovative Readiness Training (IRT)

FY 2019 Budget: $20,000 

Program Briefing:

Throughout ten years of partnership, the Delta Regional Authority and the Department of

Defense (DoD) have collaborated to bring the Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) program to 

the Mississippi River Delta and Alabama Black Belt regions. IRT medical missions deliver 

quality medical care, provided by licensed medical professionals serving in our reserve forces, to

residents of rural communities that otherwise have little to no access to quality health care. All of 

these services are provided at no cost to the community and patients. IRT clinics operate for a

temporary time frame (i.e. typically 10-14 days) during which patients can receive general 

medical, dental, and optical care for themselves and their family members, all of which are highdemand health care needs in the Delta. No proof of identification, income, residency or insurance 

is required.

Each mission will provide medical services including, but not limited to, general medical, dental 

and optical care. Services will be provided on a first-come, first-serve basis with each location 

providing services that benefit those in the communities that are underserved and in need of

medical attention. The expectation is that each mission will provide care to between four and five 

thousand patients in the region. So far, in ten years of partnership, DRA and DoD are proud to 

have delivered free medical care to more than 85,000 patients in Delta communities.
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Appendix
Regional Development Plan III

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The Delta Regional Authority (DRA), an independent federal agency that works to promote 

economic and community development in the Delta region, adopted its third Regional 

Development Plan (RDP III) in April of 2016 as an assessment of, and a response to, the region’s 

myriad opportunities, assets, and challenges. In collaboration with stakeholders and community 

leaders across the region, through a series of facilitated listening sessions and virtual webinars, 

this plan serves to update the agency’s Regional Development Plan II (RDP II), originally

adopted in 2008. The RDP IIIsets forth revised goals that will drive the DRA’s work over the next 

five years, building on the successes of many of the DRA’s existing programs and setting new 

goals for the future.

VISION

The Delta region is a place where people and businesses have access to economic opportunities in 

vibrant, sustainable, and resilient communities.

MISSION

The Delta Regional Authority will advance its communities through the practical application of 

innovative ideas and strategiesthat foster inclusive communities,strengthen regional collaboration 

and capacity, achieve sustained, long-term economic development, and produce meaningful 

opportunities for all Delta people.

MANAGEMENT GOAL

Maintain organizational excellence and efficiency, invest in professional development, encourage 

innovation, and continue to be an effective steward of public funds.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

1. COLLABORATION

The DRA will continue to serve as a facilitator of regional collaboration, leveraging diverse 

resources, aligning public and private interests, and strengthening local and regional 

partnerships.

2. INNOVATION

The DRA will encourage the utilization of innovative economic development strategies and 

place-based programs to address the region’s challenges, build resilient communities, and turn 

opportunities into action.

3. LEADERSHIP

The DRA will support the development and preparedness of local leaders to implement 

existing models of success and to engage broadly across regional, national, and global 

networks.
StrategicGoals

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GOAL 1. IMPROVED WORKFORCE COMPETITIVENESS

Advance the productivity and economic competitiveness of the Delta workforce.

Access to a skilled workforce is a crucial factor affecting the ability of businesses to succeed in 

today’s economy, thus employers are notably drawn to locations with concentrations of skilled 

workers. As national demographic trends project a decline in the working-age population over the 

coming decades, employers will increasingly have difficulties finding skilled workers. Thus one of 

the most urgent priorities for communities across the country is to develop a pipeline of talented 

workers to support the growth of existing and future employers. This is especially true for 

communities in the Delta region as they compete for businesses, jobs, and economic opportunities.

GOAL 2. STRENGTHENED INFRASTRUCTURE

Strengthen the Delta’s physical, digital, and capital connections to the global economy.

High-functioning transportation networks and basic infrastructure (e.g. water, wastewater, 

electricity, and natural gas, and affordable broadband internet) are essential for the long-term 

success of resilient regional economies. While it will be important to maintain the Delta region’s 

existing infrastructure, there are also opportunities to make strategic investments in transportation 

and broadband infrastructure that will boost the region’s economic potential. It is also necessary 

for communities to have the appropriate real estate options and financing available to attract new 

businesses and take advantage of the economic development opportunities available to them.

GOAL 3. INCREASED COMMUNITY CAPACITY

Facilitate local capacity building within Delta communities, organizations, and businesses.

Strong local leadership in Delta communities is a prerequisite for the capacity building that will 

yield long-term economic prosperity for the region’s businesses and residents. Competitive and 

resilient communities are able to attract new jobs and investment and keep those jobs thanks in 

large part to their high level of engagement from community and business leaders. The 

development of a robust entrepreneurial environment is also important to the long-term success of 

the region. Entrepreneurs, innovative companies, creative workers, and technology are key 

elements of the regional economy. Finally, the quality of place in Delta communities has a major 

influence on their potential for economic development, providing an attractive environment that 

appeals to young professionals.
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Service Area
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DRA.gov

(662) 624-8600 | (202) 434-4870

236 Sharkey Avenue, Suite 400 | Clarksdale, MS 38614

444 North Capitol Street NW, Suite 365 | Washington, DC 20001