| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Marion Berry along with Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor, today announced that Arkansas State University has been awarded a $1.5 million grant to complete construction of a facility to house the ASU College of Business’ Delta Center for Economic Development, also known as the Delta Center.
"One of the Delta region's biggest untapped resource is a skilled workforce," said Berry. "With infrastructure like the Delta Center, which can provide education and training for jobseekers, Arkansas is truly a place where businesses can thrive. I am always working to find innovative ways to advance economic development in the region and this grant is one that I'm proud to have helped secure for the district."
“ASU’s long-standing commitment to spur economic development in the Delta will be greatly enhanced by this Center,” Pryor said. “I commend ASU for their unyielding dedication to the community, and am pleased to work with Senator Lincoln and Congressman Berry to help provide the federal dollars necessary to support this project.”
"Arkansas State University plays a tremendous role in the economic development of Northeast Arkansas and the entire Delta region," said Lincoln. "These federal dollars will assist the Delta Center as it continues creating new employment opportunities and encouraging private investment in Delta communities."
The purpose of the Delta Center is to promote economic development through professional and workforce training, in addition to small business assistance throughout the Arkansas Delta region. ASU’s effort to house all of these resources in a single building will enhance services and maximize coordination with university assets.
Berry, Lincoln and Pryor added that the $1.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) will fund Phase II of the construction for the building. It follows a $1.5 million grant awarded for Phase I of construction last year.
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