News from the
United States Congress
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October 7, 2004 |
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Lincoln, Pryor and Berry Announce Delta Regional Authority Funds |
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| WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor, along with U.S. Representative Marion Berry, today announced the four Arkansas Delta projects that will receive funding awards from Delta Regional Authority (DRA). This is the third consecutive year the newly established, federal commission has issued grant awards.
The DRA, a federal agency established by Lincoln and Berry legislation in December of 2000, is designed to channel resources, aid and guidance for economic development to the Mississippi Delta region. Members of the Arkansas Congressional Delegation commended the DRA for its improvements in the 2004 federal grant program. Arkansas received $565,071.20 for the following four projects: $182,621 to Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas in Phillips County to train high school students for better job opportunities after graduation and for higher education. This funding will also upgrade jobs to keep up with changing technology and will provide technical certificates and associate and bachelor degrees for college students; $157,450 to the City of Newport in Jackson County to fund construction of a road to connect US Highway 67 4-lane to the industrial area serving Arkansas Steel & Associates, Norandal, and Southwest Steel & Associates. The grant is part of a $3.795 million project that will increase area employment, payroll and tax base; $150,000 to the City of Marion in Crittenden County to drill a new water well to supply 1.5 million gallons per day, to build a 2 million gallon ground storage tank to ensure water supply during peak periods and to install a connecting valve between Marion and West Memphis. The project is expected to create 280 new jobs by 2006; and $75,000 to East Arkansas Enterprise Community in St. Francis County to purchase and renovate a rural business development center. Estimated outcomes include the center housing 8-9 businesses, which will create and retain 124 jobs throughout the community.
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