Delta Regional Authority Grants

The Delta Regional Authority (DRA) is a federal-state partnership that represents 252 counties in eight states along the lower Mississippi River Delta. The DRA is focused on creating jobs, building communities, and improving lives of the more than 10 million people of the Delta Region. DRA envisions the region as a place where people and businesses have access to economic opportunities in vibrant, sustainable, and resilient communities. DRA’s mission is to realize that vision through the practical application of innovative ideas and strategies that will foster inclusive communities, strengthen regional collaboration and productive capacity, achieve sustained, long-term economic development, and produce meaningful opportunities for all people in the DRA region.

The DRA is led by a Board of Directors that includes the Governors of the eight states and a Federal Co-Chairman. Brooxie Carlton serves as Governor Lee's designee to the board.brooxie.carlton@tn.gov

The DRA provides a few funding opportunities: 

SEDAP - Applications for funding should be developed with the Local Development District and are due each year in the early summer. Tennessee typically receives about $1.5M for projects in the 21 West Tennessee communities. 

CIF – For projects that are tied to job creation, communities can submit an application to the Community Infrastructure Program at any time throughout the year. 

Workforce – The Delta Workforce Grant Program and Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC) programs are available each year to develop the workforce.

DRA’s Strategic Plan, the Regional Development Plan IV, outlines DRA’s priorities, and the corresponding plan from the State of Tennessee outlines how Tennessee plans to implement the DRA mission and vision.