Publisher's Commentary

Publisher's Commentary
Proposed Delta Regional Authority: Bandages and umbrellas won’t heal the gash

Scott Coopwood As most of you are aware, there was a White House conference in DC two weeks ago in which many Deltans attended. The stated purpose of the meeting was to discuss plans for a Delta Regional Authority similar to what was created over 30 years ago in Appalachia called the Appalachian Regional Commission. That entity was created to help with the economic development efforts in that region of the U.S.
The proposed Delta Regional Authority would include 220 Counties in seven states that encompass such hotbeds of flat land poverty as Jackson, TN, Hattiesburg, New Orleans and Little Rock. It would be funded by a whopping $159 million. Of that massive influx of assistance there is:

$30 million for organizational expenses
$22 million for Rural Housing programs
$10 million for public works
$69 million for transportation

According to my own quick analysis, I see:

$25 million in transportation funds are actually designated for projects already in progress
$13 million will be left for other bridge and highway infrastructure with highway construction costing about $2 million per mile!
$20 million in Federal Transit Authority funds will likely go to large metropolitan areas
A very large portion of the funds amounting to nothing more than paper shifts Folks, this initiative is so thin it would not pass the wet paper towel test. In the first place, it can not even make a reasonable decision on what constitutes the Delta. How in the world can you justify including an area at least ten times the actual size of the Delta? (Madison, Ridgeland, Oxford, Mississippi?) This does nothing but dilute any positive impact on the poorest region in the country. Surely it has nothing to do with election year politics?

Looking at the proposed map, it would appear that a conservative population estimate could be as high as 5 million people. After taking out administration and already- designated projects, this would amount to an incredible per capita investment of about $20. Based upon stated conference attendance of 800 people, I figure the conference in Washington alone cost
at least $1 million! And, what was the purpose?
Actually, the purpose was stated pretty clearly when President Clinton asked each and every person to contact their Senators, with emphasis on Trent Lott and Thad Cochran, to solicit their support for this incredible boondoggle. The funniest story that I have heard from several that attended the conference was when White House security left 50 or so conference attendees literally standing in the rain waiting for an hour to visit with him and have their picture taken.
This perfectly gorgeous symbolism should even be apparent to the Clarion-Ledger, which has, predictably, bought into this flavor of the month election year program. This contrived, orchestrated event gives band-aids a bad name and when it really counts we are still standing outside the house in the political rain.
If the Clinton administration wants to truly help the Delta, it should first figure out where the Delta is located. It should also recognize those rural housing programs, technical assistance grants and small business development programs are the cream of economic development and not the coffee. In order to have actual economic growth, it is essential to implement tax credits for NEW investment and NEW jobs. Encourage private sector investment through the oldest and best incentive available, namely profits.
In the meantime, at least give us an umbrella. It’s awfully cold out here.

Scott Coopwood
Publisher

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