Delta Regional Authority Invests $2M in 12 Projects

The Delta Regional Authority will invest $2 million to provide safe and sanitary sewer and water service to rural families, increase economic development opportunities, enhance workforce training and development and improve healthcare.

DRA’s investments, along with other public and private partners, will bring a total of $18.8 million in new investments to Arkansas. Also, the 12 projects receiving DRA investments will affect 6,033 families and retain or create 179 jobs, according to a news release.

The projects are:

• Water infrastructure improvements for Wilson (Mississippi County). The DRA Investment is $275,000; the total investment is $800,000.
• A 25,000-SF health care educational facility that will be built and leased to Arkansas State University-Newport in Jackson County. It will train 216 nurses and others in related fields each year. The DRA investment is $267,676; the total investment is $2.9 million.
• A new tractor and trailer will be bought to house the “Be Pro Be Proud” workforce training initiative that travels across Arkansas to promote technical and skilled professions to students. The DRA investment is $256,565; the total investment is $2.6 million.
• New digital radiography equipment will be bought for and installed at the McGehee Family Clinic in McGehee (Desha County). The DRA investment is $250,000; the total investment is $300,080.
• Sewage treatment improvements for Helena-West Helena (Phillips County). The DRA investment is $225,000; the total investment is $425,000.
• An existing building in El Dorado (Union County) will be converting into the South Arkansas Center for the Culinary Arts to train about 25 people a year for jobs in the culinary industry. The DRA investment if $200,000; the total investment is $291,778.
• Wastewater system improvements for Altheimer (Jefferson County). The DRA investment is $188,000; the total investment is $193,939.
• Water system improvements for Newark (Independence County). The DRA investment is $145,212; the total investment is $10.1 Million.
• A rice mill in Wynne (Cross County) that cannot expand because it operated on a septic tank will be hooked up to the city’s sewer system, creating 15 new jobs and retaining 20 jobs.  The DRA investment is $87,167; the total investment is $114,773.
• Wastewater system improvements for McCrory (Woodruff County). The DRA investment is $80,750; the total investment is $94,989.
• Wastewater system improvements for Datto (Clay County). The DRA investment is $42,100; the total investment is $848,100.
• Water and sewer system improvements for St. Charles (Arkansas County). The DRA investment is $23,155; the total investment is $43,155.