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The purpose of the Delta Workforce Investment Area is to establish an effective, cohesive system for the provision of quality workforce development services to customers (youth, job seekers and employers) within the Delta Workforce Investment Area. The goal of the system is to provide customers with information, resources, and assistance needed to improve long term employment outcomes.
This system will serve customers in the Delta Workforce Investment Area, comprised of Bolivar, Carroll, Coahoma, Holmes, Humphreys, Issaquena, Leflore, Panola, Quitman, Sharkey, Sunflower, Tallahatchie, Tunica and Washington counties. It is understood that the development and implementation of this system will require cooperation, coordination, communication and team effort among the agencies and respective counties, all working together as partners to accomplish shared goals.
The Workforce Investment Network (WIN) in Mississippi is an innovative strategy designed to provide convenient, one-stop employment and training services to employers and job seekers. Combining federal, state and community workforce programs and services into physical locations and electronic sites, WIN in Mississippi creates a system that is both convenient and user-friendly.
The Workforce Investment Act of 1998, known as WIA, provides the framework for WIN in Mississippi. The Mississippi Department of Employment Security, Office of Grant Management (MDES) administers WIA in Mississippi. It creates a unique, locally-designed and managed system that provides for customer choice and convenient access to services and program information, and promotes business participation by ensuring easy access to qualified workers.
South Delta Planning & Development District is the designated fiscal agent for the Delta Workforce Investment Area Board since its inception in 2000. South Delta provides the administrative and fiscal support functions associated with the implementation of the Workforce Investment Act in the 14 counties that comprise the Delta WIA.
Staffing
Currently, there are seven staff members who support the activities of the Delta WIA Board in planning and coordination, rapid response activities, management information systems, contract management, fiscal accountability, monitoring and administration of adult, dislocated worker and youth programs.
Funding
The Delta WIA was awarded $6.7 million in formula funding for PY 2006 in addition to $2.2 million in National Emergency Grant funds.
Services
WIN Job Centers in the DWIA allow citizens to receive core and intensive services as well as Individual Training Accounts and On the Job Training through area businesses. A major focus this past year has been on increased business services to employers and increased customer service to individuals. WIN Job Center staff and DWIA staff are involved in various training sessions to improve skills and provide better services to clients. This training has included Power Point, Excel and Spanish for Requesting Personal Information and Data. WIN Job Center renovations have been completed in Belzoni, Rolling Fork and Greenville. Plans for a new WIN Job Center in Greenwood are in the works.
Small Business Center
Small business development continues to be vital to the growth of the Mississippi Delta. Our small business program is operated in house with a full time Small Business Developer. This past year, over $900,000 in Business Loan Express (BLX) loans were approved through out SBC. 271 new clients were served as well as 49 existing clients. Of these, approximately 45 have started or will start new businesses in the DWIA generating 100+ jobs.
Youth
Senior SELECT, In School, Out of School and Summer Youth Employment - are being provided in all 14 counties through eleven subcontractors. Approximately 663 youth are currently being served in the three types of programs in Bolivar, Carroll, Coahoma, Holmes, Humphreys, Leflore, Issaquena, Panola, Quitman, Sharkey, Sunflower, Tallahatchie, Tunica and Washington Counties.
Bolivar County CAA and South Panola Schools operated very successful out of school youth programs with thirty-one GED recipients. MDRS operated a Senior SELECT Program for the challenged in Carroll, Leflore and Washington Counties.
Job Fairs
Job Fairs were held in Greenville, Greenwood, Clarksdale and Batesville to provide opportunities for employers and employees to connect and hire on site. 173 employers attended with 4,050 job seekers. 1,423 job offers were made on site on the day of the fairs.
Services & Training Provided
6,775 adults, 6,312 dislocated workers and 819 youth were served in 2006. 560 ITA's and 766 OJT's were awarded. Rapid response activities were conducted in Marks, Cleveland, Greenwood and Greenville.
National Emergency Grant (NEG)
NEG funds were awarded to the DWIA to assist evacuees and other eligible dislocated workers as a result of Hurricane Katrina. Temporary jobs were provided as well as ITA's and OJT's.
Funding
Funding was provided to the following agencies and organizations:
- Mississippi Department of Employment Security
- Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services
- Mississippi Delta Community College
- Holmes Community College
- Coahoma Community College
- Northwest MS Community College
- Delta State University
- TempStaff
- Bolivar County CAA
- Central MS, Inc.
- Mid-State Opportunity, Inc.
- Sunflower-Humphreys Counties Progress, Inc.
- Three Rivers CEDC
- WWISCAA
- Education and Training Institute
- South Panola School District
Awards
- The DWIA received an Innovation Award from NADO for the WIA Employer Incentive Package which was designed to provide incentives to prospective employers interested in locating in the Delta area. We work closely with Delta developers and MDA officials in business recruitment.
- WWISCAA presented a Community Service Award to the DWIA for its work with Katrina evacuees.
 
Small Business Planning NADO Award Presentation
Job Fair Attendees
South Delta Planning and Development District - Delta Workforce Investment Area
P.O. Box 1776
831 South Broadway Street
Greenville, MS 38702-1776
Phone: (662) 335-6889
Fax: (662) 332-5175
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