Vitter, Delta Regional Authority Announce $72M Economic, Infrastructure Investment for Louisiana’s Delta Region

Louisiana’s Delta region to receive $72M in economic development, workforce training, and job creation investments

Washington, D.C. – (RealEstateRama) — U.S. Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) joined the Louisiana Congressional delegation and the Delta Regional Authority’s (DRA) Federal Co-Chairman Chris Masingill in announcing $72 million of investments to go toward supporting economic development, entrepreneurs, workforce training, and job creation in Louisiana’s Delta region.

“I would like to thank the Delta Regional Authority and its partners for their significant contribution to the future economic development of Louisiana’s Delta regions,” Vitter said. “The accessibility of proper workforce training and skill development programs for the young folks of Louisiana is vital for the Delta community’s workforce and for the long-term growth of our economy.”

“Families and communities across Louisiana are hurting, many having lost everything in these troubled waters,” said Chairman Masingill. “While our hearts go out to them, but let us also show our love and support with action. These new investments into the state’s workforce, infrastructure, and economy send a clear message – our nation is committed to helping Louisiana rebuild and come back stronger than ever.”

The seven new investments will go toward workforce training and infrastructure improvements for areas throughout the Delta region, leveraging $2.2 million in DRA resources into $72 million in total public and private investment. Previous investments made by the DRA have helped create and retain more than 26,000 jobs throughout the U.S. since its establishment in 2000.

Projects under the $72 million private-public partnership include:

• $159,503 for the Kisatchie Delta Regional Planning & Development District’s GO-Biz GROW-Biz program in Alexandria, which will provide small business development training, education, cultivation, and capacity building for the region’s entrepreneurial environment.
• $195,207 for the Village of Grosse Tete Sewer Pond Rehab in Gross Tete, which will allow the oxidation pond to receive an emergency replacement for its curtain divider.
• $30,179,665 for the Boyce Sewer Capacity for Industry in Boyce, which will upgrade the sewer to support private sector development of a research and development facility funded by an alternative biofuels manufacturer.
• $6,879,125 for the JAG-LA Expansion Project in Baton Rouge, which will go toward expanding the Louisiana Workforce Commission and increasing the Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) in Louisiana from 69 to 101 programs with an emphasis on aiding disabled students.
• $265,000 for the Jonesboro Water Well in Jonesboro, which will install an additional water well in a southern area of the city that has experienced exponential growth.
• $502,475 for the Paincourtville Booster Pump Station, which will improve the station by adding two new pumps and necessary electrical work.
• $33,981,124 for the City of Monroe DRA Water Improvements of CenturyLink Village in Monroe, which will create 430 jobs by providing upgrades to the CenturyLink Village and the CenturyLink Corporate headquarters and its deficiencies in the water distribution system.