The Delta Regional Authority is accepting applications for its States’ Economic Development Assistance Program.
Donor Name: Delta Regional Authority
State: Selected States
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 07/31/2026
Size of the Grant: $500,000 to $1 million
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
The Delta Regional Authority is a federal agency that helps communities grow and expand their economies across eight states and 255 counties/parishes. Created by Congress in 2000, the DRA uses federal investments across the Delta region to support critical and human infrastructure projects. The DRA includes the governors of the eight states and a Federal Co-Chair chosen by the president and approved by the Senate. Local participation comes through 45 Local Development Districts (LDD). The DRA helps more than 10 million people across parts of Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee.
The Delta Regional Authority advances four key objectives: improving infrastructure, creating jobs, expanding businesses, and supporting local placemaking and capacitybuilding. These goals strengthen communities, support workers, create economic growth, and build a foundation for long-term success throughout the DRA footprint.
The States’ Economic Development Assistance Program (SEDAP) makes strategic investments in the 255 counties and parishes served by the DRA in an effort to improve quality of life and create economic development opportunities. As DRA’s main investment tool, SEDAP provides direct investments into community- based and regional projects that center on theDRA’s congressionally mandated areas of:
- Basic Public Infrastructure in distressed counties and isolated areas of distress
- Transportation Infrastructure forthe purpose of facilitating economic development in the region
- Business Development with an emphasis on entrepreneurshi
- Job Training or Employment-Related Education with an emphasis on the use of existing public educational institutions located in the region and registered apprenticeships, consistent with Executive Order 14278, “Preparing Americans for High-Paying Skilled Trade Jobs of the Future” and America’s Talent Strategy.
Priorities, Objectives and Funding Principles
- The DRA’s aim is to strengthen Delta communities while driving economic growth across the region. The States’ Economic Development Assistance Program focuses on supporting local and regional investments that are industry-driven and community centered. SEDAP projects must be located within the Delta region. Projects may help improve job skills and training to make local industries more competitive.
- This 2026 SEDAP Opportunity places a strong emphasis on data transparency. The DRA is committed to requiring recipients to report and track outcomes to enable DRA to track the effectiveness of its investments, ensuring projects effectively meet the needs of communities and contribute to long-term well-being.
- Collaboration is encouraged across states, business, municipalities, community stakeholders, labor unions, industries, and educational institutions – including K-12 and four-year higher education institutions. By encouraging cross-sector partnerships, the DRA brings together collective local expertise and federal resources. These partnerships help create impactful projects that align with DRA’s strategic objectives.
- SEDAP prioritizes projects that have strong potential for community impact, address immediate infrastructure needs, and contribute to the long-term economic resilience and prosperity of the Delta region.
Funding Information
- Total Funds Available: $16 Million
- Grant Award Minimum: $50,000
- Grant Award Maximum: $500,000
Grant Period
24 months
Eligibility Criteria
- Counties/parishes, cities, or other local government subdivisions and municipalities
- Public or private nonprofit organizations, including special purpose districts
- Regional and economic development organizations
- Workforce boards, labor unions, community and faith-based organizations
- Colleges, trade schools, and minority-serving institutions (including HBCUs)
- Federally recognized Tribes
For more information, visit Delta Regional Authority.
