Delta Regional Authority Opens $6M through Two New Capacity-Building Programs
Eligible applicants: regional authorities, higher education institutions, tribal entities, nonprofits. Applications are due: May 11, 2023
Announcement Type: Notices of Funding Opportunity (these programs are currently accepting applications)
Opportunities:
Local Development District (LDD) Community Support Pilot Program
Strategic Planning Program
Overview and Eligible Uses:
The Delta Regional Authority (DRA) capacity-building programs help communities develop strategic plans and increase internal support that lead to economic outcomes that benefit local stakeholders and the region (the lower Mississippi River region and Alabama Black Belt) as a whole.
The LDD Community Support program will target capacity-building and community support resources to the 45 LDDs within DRA’s service area. Funds from this program must be used for existing staff, contracting services, or new staff.
DRA’s Strategic Planning Program will award funds across the region to help communities identify and develop strategic plans to address issues such as infrastructure, industry growth, workforce pipelines, and small business development.
Funding for these programs come from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Amount: For the LDD Community Support program, approximately $2.97M will be awarded—LDDs will be awarded funds pro rata. For the Strategic Planning Program, approximately $3M will be awarded, ranging from $25k to $150k per award.
Award Type: The LDD Community Support program is a non-competitive grant; The Strategic Planning Program is a discretionary grant.
Eligible Applicants:
For the LDD Community Support program, applications are limited to the 45 LDDs in DRA’s service area.
For the Strategic Planning Program, applicants must reside in one of the 252 counties and parishes in DRA’s service area. Eligible applicants include:
Local Units of Government, Public Authorities and Associations, or Local Development Districts (LDDs will be required to apply alongside a member government)
Federally Recognized Tribes
Non-profit Organizations
Metropolitan Planning Organizations
Institutions of Higher Education
Key Dates: For the LDD Community Support program, applications are due May 11, 2023. For the Strategic Planning Program, applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, until funds are expended.
Key Links:
For a full list of currently available grant programs under the Infrastructure Law and other helpful tools, take a look at our Helpful Resources page.
This tracker will continue to send updates when new funding opportunities are announced.