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
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 25,000 families gain access to clean water and sewer service.

Applications for the new SEDAP project cycle will be accepted beginning Spring 2013. DRA is taking a proactive role in bringing accountability, compliance, and transparency to the project application process with an interactive application portal.

To Apply for SEDAP funding, visit the interactive application portal.

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