CLARKSDALE, Miss. – The Delta Regional Authority (DRA) is making $4 million available to support workforce development throughout the lower Mississippi River Delta and Alabama Black Belt regions.
Funded through the Delta Workforce Grant Program (DWP), DRA will make targeted investments toward projects and initiatives aimed at bolstering the local and regional workforce of the 255 counties and parishes within the DRA eight-state service region. Award amounts will range between $50,000 to $300,000. Deadline to apply for the 2026 DWP is Friday, May 15, 2026.
“Through the Delta Workforce Grant Program, DRA is helping our communities meet critical workforce demands and address job shortages across the region,” said Dr. Corey Wiggins, Federal Co-Chairman. “By expanding pathways to in-demand careers, we are creating opportunities for residents to gain the skills and education they need to secure quality jobs, remain in their communities and thrive.”
In 2025, DRA invested approximately $7 million toward 25 workforce development projects, supporting economic development and prosperity within the DRA region.
The DWP is a funding program designed to nurture local workforce ecosystems and increase economic competitiveness in the Delta. DWP supports projects and initiatives that create a more vibrant economic future for the Delta region by expanding job training and reemployment opportunities; aligning workforce and economic development strategies; creating sustainable talent pipelines; establishing or enhancing locally/regionally significant public-private partnerships; and supporting enhanced workforce productivity through investments in innovative programming or services.
For more information about the Delta Workforce Grant Program, visit www.dra.gov. For questions about the program, email workforce@dra.gov.
About the Delta Regional Authority
The DRA was established in 2000 as a formal framework for joint federal-state collaboration to promote and encourage the economic development of the lower Mississippi River and Alabama Black Belt regions. To fulfill this purpose, DRA invests in projects supporting transportation infrastructure, basic public infrastructure, workforce training, and business development. DRA’s region encompasses 255 counties and parishes in parts of Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee.