LITACorp Secures Delta Regional Authority Grant for the Tensas Water Distribution Association
For Immediate Release
August 1, 2024
Media Contact:
Alex Holland
Senior Advisor
alex@litacorp.org
The Tensas Water Distribution Association has secured $150,000 in funding through the 2024 Strategic Planning Program (SPP) administered by the Delta Regional Authority (DRA). The SPP provides local governments and nonprofit organizations with funding to support community engagement activities and strategic planning efforts to help them address long-standing issues and develop a roadmap for economic growth and opportunity.
The Tensas Water Distribution Association will utilize their grant funds to create an infrastructure development and water management plan to determine the implementation of smart meters in Tensas Parish to promote water conservation and to provide for more efficient service.
Through the Technical Assistance Program (TAP), the Louisiana Infrastructure Technical Assistance Corporation (LITACorp) helped the Tensas Water Distribution Association identify the SPP funding opportunity and also collaborated with local leaders to develop and submit a competitive grant application.
“We are so thankful for this much needed funding and LITACorp and Delta Regional Authority’s commitment to all of Louisiana, including the rural communities like Tensas Parish,” said State Senator Katrina Jackson-Andrews (District 34). “Tensas Parish and other rural communities are in great need of funding to help maintain their water system infrastructure. This funding will go a long way in helping them reach their overall goals.”
“The Tensas Water Distribution Association is to be commended for its commitment to growth and improved living conditions for citizens of Tensas Parish,” said State Representative C. Travis Johnson (District 21). “Improved water supply is such a necessity in Tensas, and the secured grant is much appreciated as we all work for improved environmental and economic growth, especially in our rural areas that are often working with limited resources.”
“Too often we see Louisiana communities applying for federal and state grants to address long-standing issues with public infrastructure, such as deferred maintenance,” said Leslie Durham, Executive Director of LITACorp. “With this award, we seek to change that narrative to demonstrate that rural communities can and should incorporate innovation and advanced technology into their infrastructure development and future improvements. We are grateful to have the continued support of Governor Jeff Landry, the Louisiana State Legislature, Office of Rural Development, Police Jury Association of Louisiana and Louisiana Municipal Association, and we are excited to keep our winning streak going as we maintain and hopefully improve our grant success rate for the benefit of Louisiana communities.”
Since July 2023, LITACorp has submitted 20 grant applications to secure nearly $170 million in funding for Louisiana communities under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). Louisiana communities interested in receiving technical assistance can submit a Letter of Interest to LITACorp at www.LITACorp.org.
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The Louisiana Infrastructure Technical Assistance Corporation (LITACorp) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to advance the economic prosperity of Louisiana communities. LITACorp is a collaborative partnership between the Louisiana Municipal Association and the Police Jury Association of Louisiana to assist local governments with accessing federal grants through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to construct, improve, and repair public infrastructure in rural and economically distressed communities.