FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 24, 2013
Contact: Amanda M. Richardson
501.912.5722, arichardson@dra.gov


MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE – A new wireless, broadband network is coming to help Soulsville small business owners and residents create jobs and boost their economic opportunity. Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell and Congressman Steve Cohen joined Delta Regional Authority Federal Co-Chairman Chris Masingill today to announce that the DRA is proceeding with a new $250,000 investment, coordinated through the Community LIFT Corp, to establish a Wi-Fi network that will allow residents to work, learn, and fully utilize information technology in their daily lives. .

This innovative project will have significant business development implications in the Soulsville community by giving area businesses a larger capacity for innovation, efficiency, and communication.  The investment will also:

• Bring Memphis its  first high speed wireless, broadband neighborhood network;
• Leverage an additional $157,000 in private investment for the Community Digital Advantage Program; and
• Align Soulsville with the State of Tennessee reshoring telecommunication strategy

“Access to technology will lift up small businesses and create jobs across this historic community," Chairman Chris Masingill said. "The Community Digital Advantage Program is a prime example of how the Delta Regional Authority strives to help Delta communities move to the next level of competitiveness and boosting the region's economy. This investment puts the Delta first today and for years to come.”

“The benefits of broadband and its efficiency have transformed how we approach education, health care, public safety, homeland security, the arts, e-commerce and so many other industries across our city, state and country,” said Congressman Steve Cohen. “This new investment in broadband will go a long way toward helping Soulsville create jobs, grow our economy, and improve our community’s quality of life.”

“Broadband infrastructure is a game changer for this neighborhood, establishing a unique incentive to retain and attract private-sector investment that is critical for its revitalization,” Community LIFT Chairman Archie Willis said.


The Delta Regional Authority is a federal-state partnership that is congressionally mandated to help create jobs, build communities, and improve lives in the 252 counties and parishes of the Delta. The investments come through the DRA’s States Economic Development Assistance Program. 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 or retained nearly 17,000 jobs. They leveraged $2.2 billion in other public and private investment with DRA projects, trained almost 4,000 for a 21st century workforce and helped more than 25,000 families gain access to clean water and sewer service.

Community LIFT is Memphis’ only economic and community development intermediary. Its mission is to revitalize neighborhoods through strategic investments in the areas of human capacity-building, and economic and community development that results in sustainable thriving communities.

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