Delta Regional Authority
				AboutAbout DRA
				Mission
								Enabling Legislation
								Regional Development Plan
								Careers
								Federal Co-Chair
								States Co-Chair
				Board Members
				Staff
				DRA States
				Alabama
								Arkansas
								Illinois
								Kentucky
								Louisiana
								Mississippi
								Missouri
								Tennessee
About DRA
	Mission
		Enabling Legislation
		Regional Development Plan
		Careers
		Federal Co-Chair
		States’ Co-Chair
	Board Members
	Staff
	States
	Alabama
		Arkansas
		Illinois
		Kentucky
		Louisiana
		Mississippi
		Missouri
		Tennessee
ProgramsCritical Infrastructure
				States’ Economic Development Assistance Program (SEDAP)
								Community Infrastructure Fund (CIF)
								Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance (PWEAA)
				Capacity-Building
				LDD Community Support Pilot Program
								Strategic Planning Program
				Human Infrastructure
				Health Programs
				Delta Doctors
								Innovative Readiness Training (IRT)
								Delta Region Community Health Systems Development Program
								Delta Region Rural Hospital Workforce Training Program
				Leadership
				Delta Leadership Institute (DLI)
				Workforce
				Delta Workforce Grant Program
								Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC)
Critical Infrastructure
	States’ Economic Development Assistance Program (SEDAP)
		Community Infrastructure Fund (CIF)
		Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance Program (PWEAA)
	Capacity-Building
	LDD Community Support Pilot Program
		Strategic Planning Program
	Human Infrastructure
	Health
		Delta Doctors
			Innovative Readiness Training (IRT)
			Delta Region Community Health Systems Development
			Delta Region Rural Hospital Workforce Training Program
		Leadership
		Delta Leadership Institute (DLI)
		Workforce
		Delta Workforce Grant Program
Resources MenuResources
				Intracoastal Waterway Economic Assessment
								Local Development Districts
								Projects Investment Map
								Federal Partners
								Delta Summit
				Federal Partners
				Rural Partners Network
								Justice40
								Executive Order on Equity
								Build America, Buy America
								White House Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health
				Zero Trust
								Tribal Consultation Plan
								Made in America Report
								Applicant User Guide (New Grant Portal)
Resources
	Federal Initiatives Menu
	Federal Initiatives
		Rural Partners Network
		Justice40
		Executive Order on Equity
		Build America, Buy America
		White House Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health
		Zero Trust
		Tribal Consultation Plan
		Made in America Report
	Intracoastal Waterway Economic Assessment
	Local Development Districts
	Projects Investment Map
	Federal Partners
	Delta Summit
	Applicant User Guide (New Grant Portal)
Media Menu
Media
	Press Announcements
	Publications
	Sign Up for News Alerts
Accountability
Accountability and Transparency
	Performance & Accountability Report (PAR)
	Annual Report
	Lapse Plan
	Budget Justification Home / Delta Regional Authority Approves $1.6 Million Grant to Support Economic Growth Opportunities in Marion, Illinois


Delta Regional Authority Approves $1.6 Million Grant to Support Economic Growth Opportunities in Marion, Illinois March 10, 2023
				**CLARKSDALE, MS –** The Delta Regional Authority (“DRA”) has approved a $1.6 million grant to fund the construction of a new city-owned roadway essential to the first phase of a new economic development project in Marion, IL. The transportation project will be part of the first phase of the Oasis Sports Complex, a state-of-the-art multi-sports complex to be developed by Marion Fields in Southern Illinois.The Oasis Sports Complex will create hundreds of new jobs by tapping into the youth sports industry, a multi-billion-dollar market in the United States. It will occupy a +/- 240-acre site and feature synthetic turf baseball, softball, soccer, lacrosse, and football fields. According to a feasibility study conducted by Sports Facility Management, once stabilized, the complex will host 64 tournaments annually, attracting over 450,000 visitors and resulting in more than 62,725 additional overnight hotel stays, generating $25.2 million in direct spending.Marion Mayor Mike Absher praised the DRA for making a significant investment in the city of Marion, positioning it as a gateway community for Southern Illinois. “Future investments in this state-of-the-art sports complex, as well as continued investment in new retail/entertainment projects being planned in Marion, will help to maximize tourism for all of Southern Illinois,” said Mayor Absher.The managing partner of Marion Fields, Rodney Cabaness, said, “Sports complexes have an ability to make transformational changes to the communities in which they are located. We would like to thank the DRA Federal Co-Chairman, Dr. Corey Wiggins, and State Co-Chairman, Governor JB Pritzker, for recognizing this economic development initiative that will lead to sustainable growth, and for their continued investment in our region.”“DRA’s investment will contribute significantly to local and regional economic impact in southern Illinois,” said DRA Federal Co-Chairman Dr. Corey Wiggins. “DRA believes this transportation investment demonstrates our commitment in support of the White House National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health by leveraging opportunities that directly connect economic development and health.”


Delta Regional Authority
				Delta Regional Authority
				Quick Links
				SEDAP and CIF Funding Portal
								Map Room
								Contact Us
								Sign Up for News Alerts
								Privacy Policy
								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.
				Contact Us
				Delta Regional Authority236 Sharkey Avenue, Suite 400Clarksdale, MS 38614(662) 624-8600» Staff Directory
				Facebook
							Linkedin
							Twitter
							Instagram
							Youtube © 2024 Delta Regional Authority. All Rights Reserved.


Open toolbar


Accessibility Tools Increase Text
							
							Decrease Text
						
													Grayscale
						
													High Contrast
						
													Negative Contrast
						
													Light Background
						
													Links Underline
						
													Readable Font
																		Reset