ARDD Receiving Pre-Applications for 2008 DRA Federal Grant Program

The Delta Regional Authority announced on October 10, 2007, that it has begun its federal grant program for fiscal year 2008. Those wishing to apply for grants can find a pre-application package and timeline by going to the DRA website at www.dra.gov.

The areas of emphasis for the grant program are:

• Basic public infrastructure in distressed counties.
• Transportation infrastructure for the purpose of facilitating economic development.
• Business development with an emphasis on entrepreneurship.
• Job training with an emphasis on existing public education institutions.

Unlike many federal grant programs, DRA funds can be used as matching money for other federal grants.

The Acadiana Regional Development District is the principal contact for the provision of technical and pre-application assistance to the pre-applicants in its area. All pre-application packages must be received by ARDD no later than 12:00 Noon on January 8, 2008. Pre-applications will only be accepted through local development districts. They should not be sent directly to the DRA. Any application received after the deadline will be deemed ineligible. For more information, call Grayling Hadnott at 337-886-7782 or email ghadnott@ardd.org.