Delta Regional Authority - DRA

DRA - States’ Economic Development Assistance Program (SEDAP)

Strategic investment in the 252 counties and parishes served by the Delta Regional Authority is helping 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), which provides direct investment into community-based and regional projects that address basic public infrastructure, transportation infrastructure, business development with an emphasis on entrepreneurship, and workforce development.

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. The remaining funds are directed to DRA’s other funding priorities of workforce development and business development with a focus on entrepreneurship.

The DRA works closely with the 44 Local Development Districts in the DRA footprint that serve as front-line project managers to ensure community-relevant project development and investment. SEDAP investments emphasize job creation, regional collaboration, and health and safety for communities.

From 2017-2022, SEDAP projects facilitated these impacts across the DRA region:

  • 504,297 Total Families Affected by
    Infrastructure Projects

  • 164,197 Total Individuals Trained

  • 35,409 Jobs Created or Retained

DRA - Community Infrastructure Program (CIF)

CIF funds work along side SEDAP funds as a primary investment tool for DRA. CIF funding supports projects in the DRA region that address:

  • flood control

  • basic public infrastructure and

  • transportation infrastructure improvements.

Since 2017, CIF projects facilitated these impacts across the DRA region:

  • 298,505 Total Families Affected by Infrastructure Projects

  • 1,537 Total Individuals Trained

  • 8,020 Total Jobs Created or Retained

BRPC is currently taking applications for DRA’s CIF funding. Cycle opens March 11, 2024 and is open until funds are no longer available.

Call for more information!