WASHINGTON – The Arkansas Congressional Delegation today announced the eight Arkansas Delta projects that will receive funding awards from Delta Regional Authority (DRA). This is the second consecutive year the newly established, federal commission has issued grant awards.
“The Delta Regional Authority continually improves its grant program,” said U.S. Representative Marion Berry (D-AR, 1st). “Of the eight member states covered by the DRA, Arkansas’ FY 2003 share is the second highest, with nearly a million dollars going to eight projects. This is a testament to the strong partnership between the Arkansas’ Congressional delegation and the DRA and I am proud to have been a part of the process that brought these important projects home to Arkansas.”
The DRA, a federal agency established by Congress in December of 2000, is designed to channel resources, aid and guidance for economic development to the Mississippi Delta region. Arkansas’ FY 2003 share is $974,342 for the following eight projects:
First District Awards:
C $73,080 to the city of Clarendon in Monroe County to install a generator necessary to provide standby power for the city’s water treatment facility. The generator will provide the pumps and instrumentation, combined with a reliable power source during extended electrical power outages;
C $86,266 to the city of Magness in Independence County to construct a sanitary sewer collection system, as current users in the city rely on individual septic tanks. Also being awarded to complete the $990,900 project is $904,634 in combined funds from Arkansas Soil and Water and the USDA;
C $257,996 to the city of Marshall in Searcy County to help upgrade public infrastructure needed to attract industry and promote industrial and commercial economic development in the area;
C $100,000 to the Blytheville-Gosnell Regional Airport Authority in Mississippi County to upgrade the airports runway in order to encourage commercial development. The runway improvements are expected to exceed the projected life of 20 years;
C $135,500 to the Osceola River Port Authority in Mississippi County to resurface and widen the Osceola Port access road, specifically adding two new lanes that would be used as a truck staging area while the existing road could be used as an exit. The funds are being matched by $27,100 from Poinsett Rice and Grain LLC, Osceola Division, to complete the project;
C $160,000 to the city of Turrell in Crittenden County to extend access to the city sewer system for all citizens residing in the city limits of Turrell. The goal of the project is to provide a suitable and healthy sytem for all citizens;
C $100,000 to the St. Francis Transportation Commission in St. Francis County to partially fund the third phase in the development of the St. Francis County transportation Mall. The commission is currently developing a 200 acre site that will establish the trucking industry in the region and eventually be the largest truck stop/transportation mall in the U.S.
Other Arkansas Awards:
C $61,500 to the town of Wabbaseka in Jefferson County to update the wastewater treatment facility to comply with state pollution control and ecology consent orders. The town of Wabbaseka has approximately 400 residents with approximately 135 sewer system customers. Also being awarded to complete the $278,500 project is a $217,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development combination grant/loan;
Members of the Arkansas Congressional Delegation includes: Senators Blanche Lincoln (D) and Mark Pryor (D), Representatives Marion Berry (D-1st), Vic Snyder (D-2nd), John Boozman (R-3rd), and Mike Ross (D-4th).
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