Economic Development
Strong
investment in the 252 counties and parishes served by the Delta
Regional Authority has helped to improve the quality of life and boost
economic development opportunities. The main investment tool used by the
Delta Regional Authority is the States’ Economic Development Assistance
Program (SEDAP).
Under federal law, at least 75 percent of DRA funds must be invested in
economically distressed counties and parishes. Half of these funds are
targeted to transportation and basic infrastructure improvements. SEDAP funds projects in four categories:
1. Basic Public Infrastructure
2. Transportation Infrastructure
3. Business Development (with focus on Entrepreneurship)
4. Workforce Development
With 45 Local Development Districts as front-line project managers,
these investments by the Delta Regional Authority support job creation
and community development projects. In the past ten project cycles, the
Authority created more than 9,000 jobs and retained 7,500 jobs. We leveraged $1.7 billion in private investment with DRA projects
and have helped 25,500 families gain access to clean water and sewer
service.
Applications for the new SEDAP project cycle are now available! The application process for this cycle closes June 19th, 2013. DRA is taking a proactive role in bringing accountability,
compliance, and transparency to the project application process with an
interactive application portal.