Startup USA Guide
Part B · Startup-relevant scheme

Delta Regional Authority Grants (DRA Grants)

Delta Regional Authority

Grant IdeationSeed / Early-Stage

DRA is a federal-state partnership (created 2000) covering parts of eight Delta states, funding infrastructure, workforce, and business-development projects through its States' Economic Development Assistance Program.

Type of support
Grant
Best suited for
Ideation / Early-Stage (regional ecosystem)
Headline amount
Varies by grant program

Objectives

Boost entrepreneurship and access to affordable capital in one of the country's most persistently under-resourced regions.

Who can apply?

  • Grant applicants are states and public/nonprofit entities, not individual for-profit startups directly.
  • Project must be located within DRA's designated 252-county service area.

What do you get?

  • States' Economic Development Assistance Program funds business development, workforce development, and infrastructure.
  • A founder benefits by engaging with a DRA-funded program or capital-access initiative in their county.

How to apply

Individual founders don't apply directly — check whether your county is in the DRA region and connect with your state's DRA-designated economic development contact.

Go to official portal