In the News

NEWS: Delta Regional Authority, state and local partners invest more than $7 million into the Missouri Bootheel economy 

Investment helps expands fiber optic infrastructure in Marquette tech district 

Chairman Masingill: "Help our region attract and keep the companies and workers we need to drive our economy

MISSISSIPPI RIVER DELTA – The Delta Regional Authority and its local partners will invest more than $7 million into strengthening critical and communications infrastructure in southeast Missouri, Federal Co-Chairmen Chris Masingill and Michael Marshall announced today.  

The new federal and local investments will build a new wastewater treatment facility in Portageville as well as create fiber optic capability in Marquette's tech district.

"These smart investments not only create good-paying jobs today, they will help our region attract and keep the companies and workers we need to drive our economy for years to come," DRA Co-Chairman Chris Masingill said. "Together with our local and state partners – and all of the wonderful people across the bootheel – we remain committed to keeping Missouri a great place to create jobs, grow businesses, and raise a family."

"The Delta Regional Authority has always been dedicated to driving small business investment, creating jobs, and building crucial infrastructure in the Delta region," DRA Co-Chairman Michael Marshall said. "This year, we're excited to provide support to the region in innovative ways – from improving public health to spearheading tech innovation in the Missouri bootheel – and we're boosting the entire economy in the Delta as a result."

"The Delta Regional Authority has been a strong partner in helping my administration grow Missouri's rural economy, and these new investments continue that focus," Missouri Governor Jay Nixon said. "From strengthening our infrastructure to making sure our communities have cutting-edge technology that will help them compete in the worldwide market, these strategic investments will bolster communities by enhancing opportunities for economic development in this region and throughout our state."

2016 SEDAP INVESTMENTS

1.     Portageville Missouri Wastewater Improvement Project: Constructing a new wastewater treatment facility necessary to meet governmental regulations due to a new manufacturing facility in the Portageville area. DRA Investment: $200,000; Leveraged Public Investment: $5,600,000.

2.     Marquette Tech District, Fiber Optic Infrastructure: Building fiber optic capability in the Marquette Tech District, a regional innovation hub in Cape Girardeau's historic downtown. Leveraging $25 million in private investment, creating 350 jobs and $42 million annual economic impact. DRA Investment: $200,000; Leveraged Public Investment: $1,416,632.

"These new investments will create and support good-paying jobs and help provide an important boost to the Bootheel's economy. Increasing fiber optic capabilities and modernizing local infrastructure is good for the region—helping grow economic opportunities and providing communities and businesses the structural backbone and innovative tools they need to succeed‎," said U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill.

"The Delta Regional Authority's infrastructure investments in Portageville and Cape Girardeau will help support economic growth and improve the quality of life for families living in these communities," saidU.S. Senator Roy Blunt. "I'm glad to see these projects moving forward, and will continue supporting DRA's work throughout southeast Missouri."

"I am glad to see this award being made right here in southeast Missouri," said U.S. Representative Jason Smith. "The future of business and potential for economic growth in southeast Missouri is bright. Investments like these are exactly why Congress created the Delta Regional Authority and why I have continued to work closely with and supported securing resources for Missouri's 8th Congressional District. I will continue to work with entities like the Delta Regional Authority to push for support of projects right here in south central and southeast Missouri which will help attract business large and small and create good paying jobs."

The investments are made through the DRA States' Economic Development Assistance Program, the agency's main federal funding program that invests in basic public infrastructure, transportation infrastructure, workforce development, small business and entrepreneurship, and health access projects in the 252 counties and parishes of the eight-state Delta region. DRA coordinates directly with Missouri's five planning and development districts in the region for program funding implementation.

DRA leadership works closely with the governor of each state and his board designee to identify projects to receive SEDAP investments, which are aligned with state economic development goals.  

These federal investments require a minimal investment of state funds that can bring a large return in DRA and other agency funding and result in a great economic impact for the Delta region of Missouri.

About the Delta Regional Authority

The Delta Regional Authority is a federal-state partnership created by Congress in 2000 to help create jobs, build communities, and improve lives through strategic investments in economic development in 252 counties and parishes across eight states. To date, the DRA's SEDAP investments, together with its state and local partners, have leveraged $138 million in federal resources into more than $2.9 billion in public and private investment into local small business owners, entrepreneurs, workers, and infrastructure development projects. These investments have helped create or retain more than 26,000 jobs since the DRA was established. Learn more at dra.gov.

###