Contact: Shana Stribling 202.224.0309
Thursday, October 3, 2002

WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Kit Bond today announced that the Delta Regional Authority (DRA) has approved almost $400,000 to foster economic development in two Missouri communities.

“The Delta Regional Authority has a good track record at helping communities improve basic infrastructure and stimulate growth,” said Bond. “I am pleased that Missouri’s Fredricktown and Houston will benefit from their assistance.”

The Delta Regional Authority will send $399,750 in funds for the following development projects:

* $200,000 grant to the city of Fredricktown in Madison County. Funds will be used to provide an upgrade in the electrical transmission and substation facilities in a heavy industrial and commercial area. The current electrical facilities have reached capacity.

* $199,750 grant to the city of Houston in Texas County. Funds will be used to construct right and left turning lanes from Missouri Highway 17 into the Houston Industrial Park and extend hard surfaced access roads to serve three new industries in the industrial park.

The Delta Regional Authority (DRA) is a federal-state partnership designed to remedy severe and chronic economic distress by stimulating economic development and fostering partnerships that will have a positive impact on the region’s economy. The DRA helps economically distressed communities to leverage other federal and state programs which are focused on basic infrastructure development and transportation improvements, business development, and job training services.

Kit Bond is a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee. Also, he served Missouri twice as Governor and now continues his service to Missourians in the United States Senate.