Programs & Projects

Delta Regional Authority

In recognition of the challenges faced by the region, Congress established the Delta Regional Authority (DRA), a federal-state partnership charged with enhancing economic development in the Mississippi Delta region which covers eight states and 240 counties. The State of Louisiana has 46 designated parishes in the DRA including five parishes in our region; Acadia, Evangeline, Iberia, St. Landry, and St. Martin.

The Delta Regional Authority is designed to remedy severe and chronic economic distress by stimulating economic development and fostering partnerships that will have a positive impact on the region’s economy. The DRA helps economically distressed communities leverage federal and state programs focused on basic infrastructure development and transportation improvements, business development, and job training or employment-related education services.

The Process

ARDD participates with the Louisiana Association of Planning and Development Districts and the State of Louisiana to provide services to designated parishes in the Delta Regional Authority (DRA). The Development Districts provide technical assistance to grant applicants. They are responsible for making sure quality pre-applications are submitted each year from across the region.

Delta Regional Authority (DRA) reviews all pre-applications submitted and the Federal Co-Chairman determines eligibility based on the DRA Clarifications Notes. After the appeals process, final eligible pre-applications are submitted to the Governor of each project state. The Governors then recommend to the DRA which projects should receive funding and the amount of DRA funding.

Federal funds are prioritized in the following order, with transportation and basic public infrastructure projects receiving at least 50% of the appropriated funds:

Basic public infrastructure in distressed parishes and isolated areas of distress
Transportation infrastructure for the purpose of facilitating economic development
Business development with emphasis on entrepreneurship
Job training or employment-related education, with emphasis on use of existing public educational institutions located in the region

The Authority may provide matching funds for other state and federal programs. However, there is a 90% cap on the federal share unless the project is in a distressed county.

For more information about this project, contact Grayling Hadnott at (337) 886-7782 or email ghadnott@ardd.org.

Acadiana Regional Development District is an Equal Opportunity Employer / Service Provider. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.

Phone (337) 886-7782 ...... Fax (337) 886-7081