[StBernard] Governor Blanco announces $1.5 Million in Delta Regional Authority funds for Louisiana communities

[Westley Annis]

Governor Blanco announces $1.5 Million in Delta Regional Authority funds for Louisiana communities

BATON ROUGE - Today, Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco, the State Co-Chairman of the Delta Regional Authority (DRA), announced 14 DRA projects for Louisiana that will receive funding awards. This is the fifth consecutive year the federal commission has issued grant awards.

"Louisiana aggressively seeks federal funds that strengthen the state investment in our communities," Governor Blanco said. "These DRA projects are improving the quality of life in Louisiana by providing much needed services to our people."

The DRA, a federal agency established by Congress in 2000, is designed to channel resources, aid and guidance for economic development to the Mississippi Delta region. Of the eight member states covered by the DRA, Louisiana's FY 2006 share is the highest, with $1,436,126 allocated for the following 14 projects:

1. - Town of Gramercy - Gramercy Potable Water System Improvement $80,000 - These funds will be used to install a new back up generator and controls for the water treatment plant. The project also includes increased water storage capacity and upgrade of existing facilities. 

2. - Town of Olla - Tornado Damage Drainage Reconstruction $95,180 - These funds will be used to repair and re-grade an estimated 15,290 linear feet of ditch along a number of streets damaged from the tornado on November 23, 2005

3. - City of Pineville - Water System Improvements $75,000 - DRA funds will be used for the purchase and installation of a water storage tank, the construction of two wells, and the construction of related raw water lines for the City of Pineville. 

4. - Louisiana Association of Planning Districts - Enhance GIS Capacity of Eight Local Development Districts $40,000 - These funds will assist the members of the LA Association of Planning & Development Districts to have enhanced GIS capacity and compatibility by adding new equipment, computers, GPS handheld, software and training. 

5. - Innis Community Health Center - Mobile Dental Unit $100,000 - DRA funds will be used to purchase a mobile dental unit to serve Pointe Coupee and northern Iberville Parishes. 

6. - City of St. Gabriel - Point of St. Gabriel Expressway $100,000 - The DRA funds will be used for the engineering and right-of way acquisition.

7. - Tensas Parish Police Jury - Walker Road Reconstruction $100,000 - These funds are to construct and pave Walker Road for the purpose of retaining 23 jobs at the Tensas Parish Landfill. 

8. - Town of Newellton - Newellton Sewer Project $40,000 - These DRA funds are to install a harvester on the sewer oxidation pond to remove the duck weed growing in the pond and save the town $1,800 per month. 

9. - Town of Rayville - I-20 Frontage Road $90,000 - These DRA funds are for the Town of Rayville to contract with an engineering firm to provide preliminary engineering services for the I-20 Frontage Road which will provide direct access from a major traffic corridor into an existing industrial park. 

10. - Town of Rayville - Four Inch Sewer Main Upgrade $40,000- These Funds will provide the engineering design for the sewer upgrade which will allow the existing lift station to adequately handle the anticipated flow of a new business that will create over 200 new jobs. 

11. - Town of Bernice - Bernice Railroad Reconstruction $100,000 - The DRA funds will Purchase the right-of-way adjacent to the abandoned plywood plant in Lillie as well as other parcels within the path of the old rail line. 

12. - City of New Iberia - New Iberia GIS System $46,250 - These funds will assist the City of New Iberia to provide services involving public safety for the citizens of New Iberia. 

13. - Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans and St. Bernard Parish Government - Hazard Mitigation and Infrastructure Design $400,000- These funds are to assist with the design of a wastewater treatment plant that will restore approximately 10,000 acres of wetlands that is vital to the storm protection for Orleans and St Bernard Parishes. This project will develop the largest form of sustainable infrastructure in the world, storm protection for Orleans and St. Bernard Parishes and restoration 10,000 acres of critical cypress wetlands. 

14. - Tensas Community Health Center- Telemedicine equipment and transportation vehicle $129,696- These DRA funds will be used to recruit personnel to the health center by purchasing state of the art diagnostic equipment and starting a transportation program to allow residents access to healthcare. 

These 14 Louisiana projects were pre-approved by the DRA and recognized by Gov. Blanco for advancing her plan to create jobs and strengthen local communities. The DRA funds will match more than $25 million local, state, and other federal dollars. 

For more information regarding the Delta Regional Authority contact Sam Jones or Leslie Lee at 225-342-0332, or the DRA website at www.dra.gov <http://www.dra.gov> .

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The Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation
Louisiana's Fund for Louisiana's People
www.louisianahelp.org