A riverport authority official in far west Kentucky is concerned with potential cuts to the Delta Regional Authority in President Donald Trump’s proposed budget. The DRA is a federal and state-funded partnership that assists in development projects in communities along the Mississippi River.
Hickman-Fulton County Riverport Authority Executive Director Greg Curlin voiced concerns in a Mississippi River Commission meeting this week. He said cuts would affect area projects.
“They’ve helped me dredge my docks here at the riverport, they’ve constructed roads that help us get to industries in the area, they’ve funded my new port crane, they’ve funded a railroad access project...and they also funded the new medical clinic that just got built here in Hickman-that was a big one for our community.” Curlin said.
The DRA provides funding to communities to promote job growth and community wellness. Last year they provided funding for 475 Louisiana residents to get clean drinking water. Curlin said he hopes the commission will be able to convince President Trump that the Delta Regional Authority is needed. DRA serves 252 counties and parishes in eight states.
