DRA’s investments will improve basic public infrastructure, transportation infrastructure, workforce development, and small business development in the Mississippi River Delta and Alabama Black Belt regions.
The Delta Regional Authority (DRA) opened the 2022 funding cycle for the States’ Economic Development Assistance Program (SEDAP). SEDAP provides direct investments into community-based and regional projects to support basic public infrastructure, transportation infrastructure, workforce development, and small business development with an emphasis on entrepreneurship. Under federal law, at least 75 percent of DRA funds must be invested in economically distressed counties and parishes.
The Delta Regional Authority’s mission is to help create jobs, build communities, and improve the lives of the 10 million people who reside in the 252 counties and parishes of the eight-state DRA region. Through SEDAP funding, DRA upholds its mission by providing targeted community development investments essential for regional sustainability and economic growth.
Communities and organizations in Lonoke, Monroe, and Prairie Counties encouraged to work with their Central Arkansas Planning and Development District to prepare and submit SEDAP applications. To apply, please visit funding.dra.gov.
The deadline to submit applications is June 5, 2022. All necessary information for application consideration, state-specific funding allocations, funding eligibility requirements and guidelines can be found in the 2022 SEDAP Manual on the Delta Regional Authority website https://dra.gov.