DRA Awards $2.3M to 6 Projects in Arkansas

(DRA)

The Delta Regional Authority announced Monday that it had awarded more than $2.3 million to six projects in Arkansas through the States’ Economic Development Assistance Program (SEDAP).

These projects aim to improve public infrastructure and support business development and job training. In a news release, the DRA said it expects the projects to create or retain nearly 90 jobs and train almost 800 people.

“The funding announced from the Delta Regional Authority will help drive economic growth in key areas, including health care and workforce development,” Clint O’Neal, Executive Director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, said in a news release.

The following projects received SEDAP funding in Arkansas:

• The McGehee Hospital Drug Security and Ultrasound Replacement Equipment project: $464,000 to purchase equipment for McGehee Hospital’s nursing and emergency department.
• The Jobs 4 You project: $509,000 to build a Jobs 4 You vocational training center in Cabot.

• The Arkansas State University-Newport Healthcare Workforce Training Center project: $221,000 to build a nursing and allied health professions simulation workforce training center on ASUN’s campus.

• The Workforce Training Expansion – Welding Space Reconfiguration and Renovation project: $507,000 to renovate Black River Technical College’s welding space on its Pocahontas campus.

• The White River Medical Center oncology campaign project: $256,000 to expand and remodel the 5,600-SF White River Hospital’s oncology center in Batesville.

• The Skills to Launch Program project: $394,000 to fund a 10-week, scholarship-based, hands-on program to provide technical and soft skills training for Greene County’s labor force.

The States’ Economic Development Assistance Program is funded in part by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law signed by President Biden. The Arkansas governor’s office and Arkansas’ Local Development Districts coordinate with the DRA to implement program funding.