DRA awards $31M to Lower Mississippi Delta, Black Belt regions

Delta Regional Authority (DRA) has awarded more than $31 million to areas in the Lower Mississippi Delta and Black Belt for multiple infrastructure improvement projects. 

The grants are being administered through Community Infrastructure Fund (CIF) for improvements to basic public infrastructure, transportation infrastructure, and flood control. 

The funding will reportedly affect 12,300 families across the regions and create or retain 1,400 jobs. 

“The Community Infrastructure Fund is one of DRA’s most unique tools that allows us to expand and invest in the resiliency of the region’s public infrastructure,” said DRA Federal Co-Chairman Dr. Corey Wiggins.

“As a result of this investment, over 12,000 families will have improved access to infrastructure, helping to improve their quality of life and increase economic opportunities in their communities.”

See below for a list of projects in the Black Belt from an online announcement: 

Biden-Harris Administration Announces Over $31 Million Investment into Lower Mississippi Delta and Alabama Black Belt Regions

Delta Regional Authority’s investment will improve basic public infrastructure, transportation infrastructure, and flood control in communities across the Delta region

Clarksdale, MS – Delta Regional Authority (DRA) is awarding over $31 million in investments to 34 projects across Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Missouri through the Community Infrastructure Fund (CIF). Funding for this program was made available, in part, by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law signed by President Biden, a key part of his Investing in America agenda to grow local economies from the middle out and bottom up and create more resilient and healthier communities across the country.

The 34 new investment projects will improve basic public infrastructure, transportation infrastructure, and flood control in communities across DRA’s region. These projects are projected to create or retain 1,400 jobs and affect nearly 12,300 families.

“The Community Infrastructure Fund is one of DRA’s most unique tools that allows us to expand and invest in the resiliency of the region’s public infrastructure,” said DRA Federal Co-Chairman Dr. Corey Wiggins. “As a result of this investment, over 12,000 families will have improved access to infrastructure, helping to improve their quality of life and increase economic opportunities in their communities.”

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The purpose of the CIF program is to address unmet basic public infrastructure, transportation infrastructure, and flood control needs to help build safer, more resilient communities in the Delta region.

The following projects received CIF funding:

Alabama

The 2023 Carrollton Sewer Upgrades project in Carrollton, Alabama, has been awarded more than $488,000 for improvements to reduce stormwater inflow to the municipal sewer system.

The Town of Lowndesboro Water System Improvements project in Lowndesboro, Alabama, has been awarded $509,000 to replace water mains, valves, and meters and expand service to new customers outside the town limits.

The Town of Hayneville Sewer Lagoon and Lift Station Improvements project in Hayneville, Alabama, has been awarded more than $761,000 to improve the town’s lagoon treatment system and three lift stations.

The Eufaula-Bluff City Water and Sewer project in Eufaula, Alabama, has been awarded more than $606,000 for sewer, storm, and water improvements.

The Town of Excel Water Main Replacement project in Excel, Alabama, has been awarded $307,000 to replace aging water mains.

The City of Selma project in Selma, Alabama, has been awarded more than $2 million to resurface streets downtown and in Disaster Recovery Area I that were affected by a tornado.

The City of York Resurfacing project in York, Alabama, has been awarded more than $413,000 to resurface Derby Drive, Brent Drive, and Altman Street.

The Utilities Board of Tuskegee Electrical Substation Six Construction Benefitting Samkee Corp. project in Tuskegee, Alabama, has been awarded more than $1.1 million to construct Electrical Substation Six in Tuskegee Commerce Park.