Governor Bentley Announces Delta Regional Authority and other partners to invest $11.5 million into Alabama Black Belt economy

Press Release

The Delta Regional Authority and its partners are investing nearly $11.5 million in federal, state, and local resources to support small business owners and entrepreneurs, workers and their families by improving economic development, workforce training, and job creation in Alabama's Black Belt region, Delta Regional Authority Federal Co-Chairman Chris Masingill and Governor Robert Bentley announced today.

"The DRA is excited to announce another year of investing into the people, small businesses, and infrastructure that make the Alabama Black Belt a great place to live," Chairman Masingill said. "These investments strategically leverage funding for projects that will help to address the workforce training, transportation, and public service needs of our communities while driving economic development and growing small businesses and entrepreneurs."

The nine new investments, including a new business incubator, workforce training programs, and infrastructure improvements for business locations and expansion, leverage $1 million in federal resources into nearly $11.5 million in total public and private investment for Alabama Black Belt communities, their residents, and their economies. These investments are expected to help create and retain more than 1,000 jobs for local residents, develop 180 entrepreneurs and business owners, and train 100 workers.

The investments are made through the DRA States' Economic Development Assistance Program, the agency's main federal funding program that invests in basic public infrastructure, transportation infrastructure, workforce development, and small business and entrepreneurship, and health access projects in the 252 counties and parishes of the eight-state Delta region. DRA coordinates directly with Alabama's local development districts in the region for program funding implementation.

DRA leadership works closely with the governor of each state and his board designee to identify projects to receive SEDAP investments, which are aligned with state economic development goals.

"Alabama's partnership with the Delta Regional Authority is important to the citizens of the Black Belt Region." Governor Robert Bentley said. "There is a great need for improvements of infrastructure, workforce development and healthcare access in the region. We can leverage a minimal amount of state dollars and receive major federal investment dollars for our state. This DRA funding will play an integral part in helping with important improvements and increasing opportunities for economic growth in Alabama."

These federal investments require a minimal investment of state funds that can bring a large return in DRA and other agency funding and result in a great economic impact for the Delta region in Alabama.

"We are so grateful to the Delta Regional Authority for their continued support and investment in Black Belt communities. Job creation remains one of our top priorities in the 7th District and I am thrilled that the DRA is working with us to create economic opportunities for hard working Alabamians," U.S. Congresswoman Terri Sewell said. "Our constituents truly benefit when we are committed to supporting and building strong collaborative efforts. I commend Chairman Chris Masingill for his exemplary leadership and I look forward to continuing our work on behalf of the citizens of the 7th Congressional District."

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