State administrative grant

The Mississippi Development Authority received a $215,655 State Administrative Grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) under the Appalachian Area Development program (CFDA 23.002), effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. As a state administrative grant, this award supports MDA's role as Mississippi's primary intermediary for federal grant administration and coordination of Appalachian development initiatives. The funding enables MDA to administer and oversee Appalachian development projects across Mississippi's designated Appalachian counties, ensuring compliance with ARC strategic objectives and state-approved development plans.

Under this grant, MDA delivers administrative and technical services that advance ARC's five strategic goals: entrepreneurial and business development, resident education and workforce skills, critical infrastructure investment (broadband, transportation, water/wastewater systems), leveraging natural and cultural heritage assets, and building organizational and leadership capacity. The grant supports MDA's capacity to process applications, provide technical assistance to local applicants, coordinate with ARC's federal co-chairman for project eligibility determinations, and manage grant administration functions consistent with federal requirements and OMB Circular standards. This administrative infrastructure ensures effective deployment of federal resources to address economic competitiveness and self-sustaining development across Appalachia's distressed areas.