Grants help boost economic activity in area

Most Southeast Missouri residents probably know very little about an agency called the Delta Regional Authority.

But they should.

As it has in the three years since its inception, the group has again allocated a good deal of money to the area that will increase the community's economic viability through development.

The authority, which was created by federal legislation in 2000, covers eight states along the southern portion of the Mississippi River, including 29 counties in Missouri. The agency's priorities are transportation, regional investment opportunities, educational opportunities and quality of life.

This year, the group has tentatively given the Cape Girardeau region more than a quarter-million dollars to help pay for several important transportation projects, along with improvements at the Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority and a business loan program at Southeast Missouri State University.

The money is still subject to final approval, but those within the state's Department of Economic Development say it is likely to happen.

Specifically, the $267,655 is for these projects:

$46,350 to help extend Route AB, commonly called Nash Road for the industrial park near the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport west to Highway 25 to improve access.

$50,000 to the Southeast Missouri Port Authority to fill about 16.5 acres for industrial sites near the port's slackwater harbor. The port will also get $17,000 for improvements to its rail yard.

$127,000 to help fund the paving of 5.1 miles of Highway 266 in Scott County. This will allow agricultural products to be moved to the port.

The university will receive $26,805 to go into a revolving loan fund for new business startups.

The funding for these projects represents a significant portion of similar federal funding going to the state. There 57 applications submitted in Missouri totaling $7.1 million. But only 10 projects were accepted. Three of those are right in our own backyard.

Ken Dobbins, president of Southeast Missouri State University, is chairman of the Missouri commission. Available funding this year is significantly down from what was awarded in years past. The Delta Regional Authority distributed $6.1 million to the eight states this year, compared to about $30 million last year.

This money is all the more encouraging because of Missouri's economic situation. These are tough economic times. Missouri leads all states in the number of lost jobs during the recent economic recession. The only way to recover those jobs is to remain competitive in the economic sector.

Having a healthy transportation system, a thriving port and ready cash for businesses to get startup money are basic needs that any entrepreneur would be looking for in a potential site for a new venture.

The Delta Regional Authority is helping us stay ahead of the curve.