MRPC News Release
Feb. 17, 2006
For more information, contact:
Bonnie J. Prigge, (573) 265-2993
PRE-APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR DELTA REGIONAL AUTHORITY GRANTS SET FOR MARCH 29
ST. JAMES—Local governments and public and non-profit organizations in Crawford, Dent, Phelps and Washington counties interested in applying for grant funds through the Delta Regional Authority must do so by March 29, announced Richard Cavender, executive director of Meramec Regional Planning Commission.
The Delta Regional Authority, created in 1999, is a federal-state partnership serving 240-counties in eight states, including Missouri. Led by Federal Co-Chairman Pete Johnson and the governors of each participating state, the DRA 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 will help economically distressed communities to leverage other federal and state programs which are focused on basic infrastructure development and transportation improvements, business development, and job training services. DRA is an independent federal agency with a mission to provide assistance to economically distressed counties in the Mississippi Delta Region, as designated by the U.S. Department of Commerce.
MRPC is the Local Development District for the DRA and is responsible for providing information and technical assistance on the grant process. Approximately $908,000 is expected to be available for projects in Missouri's Delta counties. Eligible projects include (1) transportation infrastructure to support economic development, (2) job training, employment-related education and business development with an emphasis on entrepreneurship, (3) basic public services improvements and (4) industrial park and related facilities development.
"The funds are very limited so it will be very competitive as 29 counties in Missouri will be competing for about $900,000," Cavender said. "These funds are an excellent source of gap financing for larger projects. We are also on a short timeline, therefore, it is important that we identify projects very quickly."
Pre-applications must be submitted to MRPC by March 29, and qualifying projects will be invited to apply by June 16 with full applications due July 28.
Formed in 1969, MRPC is a voluntary council of governments serving Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties and their respective cities. Officers are Chairman Gary Brown of Salem, Vice Chairman Bob Reed of Washington County, Secretary Mary Heywood of Bourbon and Treasurer Laura Antolak of Rolla.
A professional staff, directed by the MRPC board, offers technical assistance and services, such as grant preparation and administration, housing assistance, transportation planning, environmental planning, ordinance codification, business loans and other services to member communities upon request.
Persons needing more information on DRA grants may go to the DRA website at www.dra.gov or may contact Kelly Sink-Blair at (573) 265-2993 or at info@missourimeramecregion.org.