Ozark Foothills Regional Planning Commission

06/08/2026

DRA to Make More Than $16 Million Available for Infrastructure, Workforce and Business Development Needs

The Delta Regional Authority (DRA) is making more than $16 million in funding available through its States’ Economic Development Assistance Program (SEDAP), a funding opportunity supporting economic and community development needs across DRA’s eight-state service region. https://dra.gov/programs/critical-infrastructure/sedap/

As one of DRA’s main investment tools, SEDAP targets projects addressing basic public infrastructure, transportation infrastructure, in addition to workforce and business development needs for communities within DRA’s 255 counties and parishes. Awards will range from $50,000 to $500,000. The deadline to apply is July 31, 2026.

“Through the States’ Economic Development Assistance Program, the Delta Regional Authority is able to make strategic investments that expand opportunity and drive prosperity across our region,” said Thomas Hudson, Chief Programs Officer. “From improving infrastructure to strengthening the workforce, these investments lay the foundation for a stronger, more resilient Delta region.”

In 2025, DRA invested approximately $37 million toward 87 projects as a result of SEDAP, supporting community infrastructure, workforce development and long-term economic growth across the region’s eight states.

To learn more about the States’ Economic Development Assistance Program or to apply, visit www.dra.gov. For questions about the program, email [email protected].

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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.

Primary DRA Funding Tool: States’ Economic Development Assistance Program (SEDAP) As one of DRA’s main investment tools, States’ Economic Development Assistance Program (SEDAP) provides direct investments for basic public infrastructure, transportation infrastructure, business development with...

06/05/2026

NOTICE OF JOINT PUBLIC MEETING
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a joint meeting of the regional organizations listed below will be held on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. The meeting will take place at the Ozark Foothills Regional Planning Commission, located at 3019 Fair Street, Poplar Bluff, MO 63901.

Participating Organizations:
• Ozark Foothills Regional Planning Commission
• Ozark Foothills Development Association
• Ozark Foothills Solid Waste Management District Council & Advisory Committee
• Ripley County Public Housing Agency

Tentative Agenda Summary:
The meeting will include reports and action items concerning the following regional initiatives:

• Approval of Minutes and Financial Reports
• Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC)
• Solid Waste Management District
• Ozark Foothills Development Association
• Ozark Foothills Regional Community Foundation
• Ripley County Public Housing Agency
• Grants & Projects
• Executive Director’s Report

Contact Information:
The news media and the public may obtain copies of this notice or further information by contacting:

• Name: Alan Lutes, Executive Director
• Address: 3019 Fair Street, Poplar Bluff, MO 63901
• Phone: 573-785-6402

06/04/2026

DRA to Make $15 Million Available for Critical Infrastructure Projects

The Delta Regional Authority (DRA) is making $15 million available to support critical infrastructure projects throughout the lower Mississippi River Delta and Alabama Black Belt regions.

Funded through the Community Infrastructure Fund (CIF), DRA will make strategic investments toward projects addressing basic public infrastructure, transportation infrastructure and flood-control needs within communities across the DRA’s eight-state service area. Award amounts will range between $250,000 to $1 million. The deadline to apply for the 2026 CIF is Monday, Aug. 24, 2026.

“The Delta Regional Authority is proud to announce this $15 million investment to strengthen economic and community development throughout the Delta region,” said Thomas Hudson, Chief Programs Officer. “By expanding access to modern, reliable infrastructure, we are enhancing connectivity, supporting business growth, and improving quality of life for residents across our communities.”

In 2025, DRA invested approximately $45.9 million toward 35 projects through the Community Infrastructure Fund, enhancing critical public infrastructure and economic opportunity across the Delta region.

For more information about the Community Infrastructure Fund or to apply, visit www.dra.gov. For questions about the program, email [email protected].

https://dra.gov/programs/critical-infrastructure/community-infrastructure-fund/

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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.

The Community Infrastructure Fund (CIF) complements the States’ Economic Development Assistance Program as a primary investment tool for DRA. Investments support projects that address flood control, basic public infrastructure, and transportation infrastructure improvements. From FY 2021-2024, CIF...

06/03/2026

🌉 Funding Opportunity Notice: Off-System Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation (BRO) 🚧

Attention Local Public Agencies (LPAs) in our region! If your community has critical bridges in need of replacement or rehabilitation, it's time to start planning.

While the anticipated Call for Projects date is currently TBD, here is what you need to know about this key federal infrastructure program:

💰 Up to 80% Federal Funding: Federal BRO funds are available to finance up to 80% of eligible project costs.

🤝 20% Local Match: The remaining 20% must be financed using the LPA's local match funds.

💡 Looking for ways to offset your local match? Learn about Soft Match Credits!
If an LPA replaces or rehabilitates an eligible bridge not on the federal-aid system using their own local funds, they may earn a credit. This Soft Match Credit can then be applied to cover the local match portion of another federal-aid bridge project!

To see full eligibility guidelines and review how the credit program works, check out these official MoDOT resources:

🔗 Learn more about Bridge Soft Match Credits: https://epg.modot.org/index.php/LPA:136.3_Federal_Aid_Basics #136.3.10_Bridge_Soft_Match_Credit

🔗 Check the statewide eligibility listings: https://www.modot.org/2025-statewide-eligibility-listings-lpa-website

Our office is here to assist local entities with project planning, documentation, and navigating the application process. Reach out to us today to discuss your community's bridge infrastructure needs!

Federal regulations originating in Section 123(e) of the 1987 Surface Transportation and Uniform Relocation Assistance Act (STURAA) provides that agencies (state, county, city, or special road district) may receive soft match credit for the cost of a locally funded bridge replacement or rehabilitati...

06/02/2026

💼🚀 Big News for Rural Investment: What’s New Under Opportunity Zones 2.0!

Major updates have arrived for the federal Opportunity Zone (OZ) program! Congress updated the program through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, turning it into a permanent feature of the U.S. tax code.

Opportunity Zones will now be redesignated every 10 years as eligibility data updates, and the new "2.0" framework brings massive new benefits specifically designed for rural and long-term investments right here in regions like ours!

Here are the key changes you need to know:

⏱️ Rolling Five-Year Deferral Window: Investors can now roll capital gains into Qualified Opportunity Funds (QOFs) at any time. Instead of a fixed deadline system, each individual investment now receives its own five-year deferral period.

🌲 Enhanced Rural Benefits (QROFs): A brand-new category of Qualified Rural Opportunity Funds triples the step-up benefit! This provides a 30% basis increase after five years for investments made in qualifying rural zones (defined as areas outside of cities with populations over 50,000 and their adjacent urbanized areas).

🏗️ Flexible Project Rehabilitation: Rural projects now only need to meet a 50% substantial-improvement test instead of the original, rigid 100% requirement. (Note: This 50% rule is already in effect!)

🗺️ Timeline & Redesignation Overlap: Current Opportunity Zones designated under the original program remain active through December 31, 2028. New Opportunity Zones 2.0 designations are expected to take effect January 1, 2027, creating a two-year overlap (2027–2028) to ensure smooth transitions.

Want to learn more? If you want to dive into the details or view the 2026 map of eligible census tracts for nomination, the Missouri Department of Economic Development has resources available.

📺 Watch the introduction webinar recording and download the presentation slides here: Missouri DED Opportunity Zones Resources https://ded.mo.gov/media/pdf/opportunity-zones-20-webinar-slides

06/01/2026

💼📈 Missed the Economic Development Webinar Series? We Can Help!

The Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED) and Missouri Partnership recently hosted a valuable training series highlighting advanced property marketing tools available to Missouri’s regional, county, and local economic development organizations.

The sessions focused on maximizing community visibility, supporting local growth, and utilizing data to attract and retain businesses through three powerful platforms:

🏢 LOIS Property Marketing System: A tool used to market available sites and buildings directly on local websites to connect with site selectors and expanding companies.

📊 Lightcast Workforce Data: Now integrated into LOIS, this tool generates interactive heat maps and drive-time analyses to provide detailed average wages and employment counts by industry.

💻 Lasso Site Selection Software: A digital Request for Information (RFI) platform that streamlines how communities collect, organize, and submit standardized property data to companies evaluating locations.

Need help catching up?
If your community, city, or local organization missed these sessions and needs assistance inputting data, setting up the LOIS map viewer, or leveraging these tools for your local economic development efforts, please reach out to our office! We are here to help ensure our region stands out with accurate, competitive property and workforce data. 🤝

05/28/2026

🛣️ New Tool Alert: Explore MoDOT's Unfunded Transportation Needs Dashboard 🗺️

Ever wonder what infrastructure priorities are on the horizon for our communities, or what critical projects are waiting for future dollars?

MoDOT has just launched a new interactive High-Priority Unfunded Needs Dashboard, offering a completely transparent look at transportation projects across the state that are deemed critical but currently lack funding.

Why this matters for the Ozark Foothills:

Community-Driven Priorities: These projects aren't just picked at random. They reflect real needs identified through a statewide planning process that relies heavily on input from local governments, community members, and stakeholders right here in our region.

A Bottom-Up Approach: This collaborative method ensures that our local transportation priorities are shaped directly by the people who know these roads, bridges, and routes best.

Take a look at the interactive map to see what projects are prioritized for our area and across Missouri! 👇

🔗 Explore the dashboard here: https://mapsonline.modot.mo.gov/portal/apps/dashboards/0c8d4659d1934c75ba1ed15bb13e2574

ArcGIS Dashboards

05/27/2026

🔐 Attention Local Governments and Nonprofits: Don't Let Your SAM.gov Account Expire! 🔐

Did you know that your SAM.gov account will automatically expire after one year (365 days) from its federal approval date if it remains inactive?

A lapsed registration can cause unexpected delays right when you're trying to apply for vital federal grant opportunities or secure regional funding. To keep your organization proactive and prevent any disruptions, here are a few quick tips:

Log In Regularly: We recommend logging into your account at least once every six months to keep it fully active.

Watch the Calendar: At an absolute minimum, make sure to sign in within 30 days before your account’s expiration date to avoid last-minute complications.

Stay Eligible: Keeping your registration active ensures a smooth, hassle-free process whenever federal funding opportunities arise for our communities.

Take five minutes today to check your status and keep your registration current! 💻👇

🔗 Log in or check your account here: www.sam.gov

Official U.S. Government Website 100% Free The Official U.S. Government System for: Contracting Research and engage in federal contractingEntity Information View entities doing federal businessFederal Hierarchy Search the directory of federal organizations Federal Assistance Learn about grants and o...

05/26/2026

USDA is Now Accepting Applications for Rural Businesses and Community Development Projects

WASHINGTON, D.C.– The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced that it is making $27.7 million in grants available through the Rural Business Development Grant Program (RBDG). This program provides funding for business and community initiatives that promote economic growth and job creation.

Eligible applicants can include rural cooperatives, state government agencies, towns, and communities, nonprofit corporations and institutions of higher learning, and federally recognized Tribes. Individuals and for-profit businesses or organizations are not eligible to apply.

Applications will compete in two separate categories:

Business opportunity grants: May be used for business support centers, technology-based economic development, leadership and entrepreneur training, feasibility studies, business plans, long-term strategic planning, and other eligible activities.

Business enterprise grants: May be used for training and technical assistance, project planning, business counseling, market research, feasibility studies, and product or service improvements, buying or developing land, easements, or rights of way, including access streets and parking areas, constructing or renovating buildings, and buying machinery and equipment, capitalizing revolving loan funds, and supporting rural business incubators and community economic development and other eligible activities.

Electronic applications must be submitted by 4:30 p.m. local time through Grants.gov on the due date. The Rural Business Development Grant Program has two different closing dates:

June 15, 2026, only applies to Strategic Economic and Community Development (SECD) applications.

June 30, 2026, applies to the remainder of the applicants. For more information on how to apply please visit on gov or contact your local USDA Rural Development office.

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05/22/2026

❤️🤍💙 Closed for Memorial Day: Remember and Honor

In observance of Memorial Day, the offices of the Ozark Foothills Regional Planning Commission will be closed on Monday, May 25, 2026.

We take this time to remember and honor the brave individuals who served our country.

Our team will resume regular business hours on Tuesday, May 26th.

We wish everyone in the Ozark Foothills region a safe and meaningful holiday weekend.