The Delta Regional Authority (DRA) made a $2.3 million investment that will strengthen public infrastructure and workforce development to grow the region’s economy and create jobs, DRA Federal Co-Chairman Chris Caldwell and Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards announced.
Allen Parish received $100,000 of that investment to strengthen the parish’s infrastructure. The Allen Parish Police Jury will use this grant to develop a comprehensive GIS system that will allow the parish, related agencies and companies to acquire accurate and up-to-date information on all properties, landmarks and transportation networks for the regional area. This investment is projected to create four new jobs and retain four.
The grant will provide a public facing website that will have all the parish’s data on it, including an interactive map of the parish. Many parishes across the state have produced this type of website for it’s residents.
“The goal is to create transparency,” stated Parish Engineer Jacob Dillehay. “We are hoping to promote economic development.”
In conjunction with this grant, four entities across the parish will be contributing to acquire new updated aerial imagery for the website. The cost for the imagery will be $85,318. The AP Sheriff’s Office, Allen Parish School Board, Allen Parish Police Jury and AP Tax Assessor’s Office will each pay $21,329.50 toward this cost.
The grant also provided the funds for entities across the state to make investments for supporting water and sewer system improvements and industry-led workforce training programs through DRA and other public and private resources.
“DRA’s mission is to support economic development by making investments into the physical infrastructure and human capital of the Delta region,” said Chairman Caldwell. “Not only will these investments improve water and sewer services for Louisiana residents, they will also provide more economic opportunities for workers and job seekers and improve quality of life.”
Funding for these projects is provided by the States’ Economic Development Assistance Program, DRA’s flagship grant program that makes strategic investments into projects supporting basic public infrastructure, transportation improvements, workforce training and education and business development with an emphasis on entrepreneurship. DRA coordinates directly with the Office of the Governor for the State of Louisiana and seven local development districts in the state for program funding implementation.
“This investment that will help boost an already growing economy, which will not only serve our people but also provide much needed support to infrastructure improvements,” said Governor John Bel Edwards (D-LA). “That coupled with workforce development means that our citizens will be ready to meet the demands for skilled labor, two important building blocks of strong communities. We greatly appreciate the DRA’s dedication to a strong Louisiana.”
Louisiana’s congressional delegation issued the following statements:
“Sound infrastructure and workforce development are critical for Louisiana’s rural communities to hire and train workers. These DRA grants show investments in these areas and lay the foundation for further economic development,” said U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA).
“These are important investments that will improve the quality of life for people across Louisiana,” said U.S. Senator John Kennedy (R-LA). “From improving water and sewer systems to preparing students for technical jobs, the work by the Delta Regional Authority will help our state grow in a positive direction.”
“These investments in critical water infrastructure projects and our future workforce in Southeast Louisiana are welcome news for Louisiana families and communities,” said Congressman Steve Scalise (R – 1st District).
“It is imperative for our communities in Louisiana to have modern infrastructure, quality jobs to support our families and an economy to support business development and growth,” said Congressman Cedric Richmond (D – 2nd District). “Investments from the Delta Regional Authority put much-needed federal dollars into critical areas in our state to better the lives of all Louisianans.”
“These investments from the Delta Regional Authority are critical for rural communities across our state,” said Congressman Clay Higgins (R – 3rd District). “This includes the City of Franklin, which will receive much-needed funding to upgrade the existing wastewater treatment system. Local infrastructure improvements like this are a win for economic development and a win for Louisiana residents.”
“These strategic investments of federal dollars in the infrastructure and workforce training programs of our region are desperately needed and will be used widely to enhance the lives of countless Louisianans,” said Congressman Mike Johnson (R – 4th District). “Our rural communities and businesses are grateful to receive this assistance and are anxious to put the appropriations to work for the benefit of all.”
“When businesses consider expanding into a community, they look for quality infrastructure and good people to fill jobs. These investments will improve the conditions necessary to grow Louisiana’s economy and expand opportunities for families across the state,” said Congressman Ralph Abraham (R – 5th District). I look forward to finding new ways to put federal dollars to work in our communities and improve live in Louisiana.”
“Keeping Louisiana’s economy competitive means meeting the demands of today while anticipating and preparing for tomorrow, and investments like these have a role in strengthening our capacity to train, equip, and develop our workforce to do both,” said Congressman Garret Graves (R – 6th District).
