Nixon named co-chairman of federal economic partnership

Gov. Jay Nixon has been appointed states' co-chairman of Delta Regional Authority, a federal and state economic partnership that serves Missouri and seven other states, according to a news release from the governor's office.

The DRA - which consists of a president-appointed federal member and the governors of Missouri, Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee - fosters funding for economic development programs in 252 counties.

"We look forward to the governor’s leadership and expertise on the issues hard-working residents of this region face daily," Christopher Masingill, federal co-chairman, said in the release.

Nixon was elected unanimously Dec. 1 by members of the DRA to serve a one-year term in the position, starting Jan. 1, the release said.

“In these challenging economic times, it is important that we remain focused on creating jobs and getting citizens back to work, and the DRA plays a vital role in southeast Missouri as well as the surrounding states,” Nixon said in the release.

The DRA provides grants to the states in its jurisdiction, emphasizing projects related to basic public infrastructure in distressed counties, transportation infrastructure, business development and job training, according to its Web site.

The DRA's 2009-13 Missouri plan, which can be viewed here, focuses on the southeast portion of Missouri.