Delta Regional Authority (DRA) announced a $6,806,567 investment that will boost economic development and improve the quality of life for Louisiana communities and residents. The investment will be matched by $9 million and will attract an additional $4 million in leveraged private investment (LPI) into Louisiana.
Water Distribution System Improvements (funded by CIF) | Natchitoches, LA:
The Sabine Parish Waterworks District No. 1 will use DRA funds to expand the Sabine Parish Waterworks District No. 1 distribution along Highway 485 and Lake Loop in Natchitoches Parish.
DRA Investment: $200,000
Total Investment: $456,000
City of Natchitoches – Keyser Avenue Lift Station Renovation (funded by SEDAP) | Natchitoches, LA:
The City of Natchitoches will use DRA funds to renovate the Keyser Avenue Lift Station. This investment is projected to create 30 jobs, retain 20 jobs, and affect 6,222 families.
DRA Investment: $400,000
Total Investment: $465,000
The 17 new investment projects will improve water and sewer systems, update transportation infrastructure, and support business development and job training in communities across Louisiana. These projects are expected to create or retain 675 jobs, train 224 individuals, and affect over 18,000 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,” said DRA Alternate Federal Co-Chairwoman Leslie Durham. “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 Edwards and the Louisiana 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. DRA coordinates directly with the Office of the Governor for the State of Louisiana and its local development districts for program funding implementation.
Louisiana: FY 2021 Investment Snapshot
Number of Projects: 17
DRA Investment: $6,806,567
Total Project Investment: $15,867,807
Additional Capital Investment: $4,000,000
Jobs Created: 122
Jobs Retained: 553
Individuals Trained: 224
Families Affected: 18,875
“Louisiana is grateful to the DRA for this investment in our rural communities that are the backbone or our state and nation,” said Gov. John Bel Edwards. “Co-Chairwoman Leslie Durham understands the challenges faced throughout the Delta region, and I commend her for her strong advocacy work and am thankful to our congressional delegation for all of their support. The job training, business development and improvements to dated sewer, water and infrastructure systems are greatly needed and will positively impact the lives of thousands of individuals and families.”
“A huge investment to improve infrastructure and support Louisiana’s workforce,” said Dr. Cassidy. “This is great news for our state and thanks to the bipartisan infrastructure bill, we can expect to see additional funds in the near future.”
“Louisiana is grateful for the Delta Regional Authority’s $6.8 million investment in our state, including $1 million to boost the Central Louisiana Regional Port’s infrastructure, which will create new jobs and protect existing jobs,” said U.S. Senator John Kennedy.
“When we have a strong foundation we can count on, we can do great things,” said Congressman Troy A. Carter Sr. (LA-02). “These DRA investments will help transform Louisiana’s workforce and infrastructure for the better, and will improve everyday life better for families across the state. Compounded with tens of millions in funds from the bipartisan infrastructure bill, we will soon see a new era of strength for Louisiana’s infrastructure and a consequent boost to our economy.”
“The Acadiana Regional Seafood Hub will help create jobs, support Louisiana’s seafood industry, and boost the local economy. This is a welcome investment from the Delta Regional Authority and combines with other federal funding to move this project forward,” said Congressman Clay Higgins (LA-03).
“We greatly appreciate the Delta Regional Authority’s commitment to making public infrastructure and workforce improvements across Louisiana, and we are glad these investments will be put to good use,” said Congressman Mike Johnson (LA-04).
“These strategic investments from the Delta Regional Authority are helping us continue to move the Fifth District forward,” said Congresswoman Julia Letlow (LA-05). “We appreciate the DRA making such a substantial commitment to our region, and we look forward to working with them and our state partners on projects in the future.”
“Supply chain issues are compounded by a driver shortage, and it is great to see Fletcher Community College helping to solve problems and create employment opportunities. This simulator is a great workforce training tool that will help us better train commercial vehicle operators on how to get products in the supply chain where they need to go more efficiently. We have to change the way we move people and goods on roadways to address our traffic and road congestion, improve safety, and make our state’s economy more competitive. This lab simulator will help keep Fletcher Community College and Louisiana trucking along, and I am looking forward to seeing all the positive outcomes from these funds announced today,” said Congressman Garret Graves (LA-06).
Other projects funded by CIF:
Cypress Street Drainage Improvements | Monroe, LA: The Ouachita Parish Police Jury will use DRA funds to replace a failed subsurface drainage pipe. This investment is projected to create 15 jobs and retain 15 jobs.
DRA Investment: $421,393
Total Investment: $468,217
Madison Parish Port Road | Tallulah, LA: The Madison Parish Port Commission will use DRA funds to reconstruct and widen approximately 7,500 linear feet of an existing access road to the existing Mississippi River port. This investment is projected to create 11 jobs and retain 180 jobs.
DRA Investment: $1,297,868
Total Investment: $1,618,132
Cypress/Slack Sanitary Sewer Improvements | West Monroe, LA: The City of West Monroe will use DRA funds to improve the sanitary sewer system in the Cypress/Slack Street area to eliminate blockages and overflows. This investment is projected to retain 15 jobs and affect 160 families.
DRA Investment: $398,954
Total Investment: $529,303
Central Louisiana Regional Port Reconstruction | Alexandria, LA: The Central Louisiana Regional Port will use DRA funds to retrofit and expand existing facilities and infrastructure to support organic biotechnology research & development and manufacturing for sustainable products, activating the foreign trade zone. This investment is projected to create 21 jobs, retain four jobs, and affect 21 families.
DRA Investment: $1,014,000
Total Investment: $3,841,414
Additional Capital Investment: $4,000,000
Harahan Sewer Manhole Rehabilitation Project | Harahan, LA: The City of Harahan will use DRA funds to rehabilitate approximately 25 sewer manholes/1,360 feet of sewer lines along the Wilson/Huntley Street corridor. This investment is projected to retain 258 jobs and affect 2,859 families.
DRA Investment: $256,500
Total Investment: $331,500
Other projects funded by SEDAP:
Waterproof Wastewater Treatment Plant | Waterproof, LA: The Town of Waterproof will use DRA funds to assist at keeping the town free of standing sewer water and sanitizing the water output. This investment is projected to affect 270 families.
DRA Investment: $33,815
Total Investment: $33,815
Functioning Sewer Lift Stations | Ville Platte, LA: The City of Ville Platte will use DRA funds to replace all non-functioning Sewer Pumping System and Sewer Treatment Plant equipment. This investment is projected to affect 3,461 families.
DRA Investment: $307,000
Total Investment: $607,000
Train the Trainer; Support of Louisiana Municipal Association | Monroe, LA: The University of Louisiana Monroe will use DRA funds to continue to identify cohorts in Northeast Louisiana whose activities would benefit from using unmanned aerial systems in their operations. This investment is projected to train 100 individuals.
DRA Investment: $112,575
Total Investment: $133,615
Hudson Well Transmission Main | Farmerville, LA: The Union Parish Waterworks District No. 1 will use DRA funds to provide for well modifications and construction of a transmission main from the District’s Hudson well to the Spillway Production and Treatment Facility. This investment is projected to affect 568 families.
DRA Investment: $300,000
Total Investment: $330,000
DBA Franklin Medical Center Capacity Expansion | Winnsboro, LA: Franklin Medical Center will use DRA funds to expand ICU, Lab, and Surgery to improve capacity for highly infectious patients, efficient testing, and appropriate overflow for emergent patients with infectious disease. This investment is projected to create five jobs and retain five jobs.
DRA Investment: $509,000
Total Investment: $3,227,929
Village of Simsboro New Water Well | Simsboro, LA: The Village of Simsboro will use DRA funds to supply a new high-capacity water well and associated improvements. This investment is projected to create 13 jobs, retain 36 jobs, and affect 352 families.
DRA Investment: $476,673
Total Investment: $621,213
Village of Doyline Wastewater Treatment Facility Improvements | Doyline, LA: The Village of Doyline will use DRA funds to improve its only wastewater treatment facility and establish a permanent source of electricity. This investment is projected to affect 325 families.
DRA Investment: $447,289
Total Investment: $523,289
Acadiana Regional Seafood Hub | Delcambre, LA: The Twin Parish Port District (Port of Delcambre) will use DRA funds to invest in land purchase, site development, and architectural and engineering fees for the Acadiana Regional Seafood Hub. This investment is projected to create 12 jobs and retain five jobs.
DRA Investment: $275,000
Total Investment: $1,348,480
Commercial Vehicle Operations Mobile Lab Simulator | Schriever, LA: The Fletcher Technical Community College Foundation will use DRA funds to develop a Commercial Vehicle Operations Mobile Lab Simulator to train the workforce in CVO at a faster and updated pace. This investment is projected to train 50 individuals.
DRA Investment: $100,000
Total Investment: $110,000
Lift Station No. 6 Rehabilitation | Farmerville, LA: The Town of Farmerville will use DRA funds to repair, rehabilitate, and improve sewer lift station number 6. This investment is projected to affect 1,222 families.
DRA Investment: $256,500
Total Investment: $296,500
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