ByJanice K. Neal-Vincent, Ph.D.
Contributing Writer
The Delta Region Authority, Gov. Phil Bryant, partners, and award recipient representatives lined on the dais at the old Farmers Market, 2245 North West St. in Jackson, Dec. 10, in front of a huge crowd to announce a $15 million investment to help grow economic opportunity in the Mississippi Delta.
Seven investments were addressed to create and retain 95 jobs for local residents, train 92 workers for jobs in their communities, and link 515 residents to clean and safe water and sewer services.
According to Bryant, “These seven investments will continue to further the success the Delta Regional Authority has already seen in the Mississippi Delta, and they continue to be a key partner in strengthening our communities, facilitating job opportunities, and improving infrastructure throughout the state.”
“These investments strategically leverage funding for projects that will help to address the infrastructure, training and public service needs of our Delta communities while driving economic development and growing small businesses and entrepreneurs,” said Chris Masingill, DRA federal co-chairman.
The agents or facilities that are beneficiaries of the 2015 DRA States’ Economic Development Assistance Program (SEDAP) investments are as follows:
1. Moorehead Wellness Center Building, Moorhead received $237,856 and leveraged public investment of $5,000 for reconstruction and renovation of a downtown building to house a new community wellness center to address the health issues of chronic obesity and diabetes in the community. Mayor George Holland represented the Wellness Center.
2. Pope Emergency Sewer Project, Pope was granted $152,028 to repair 15 problem areas in the town of Pope’s sewer system and eliminate the raw sewage spilling out into the environment whereby 215 residents are affected. Town Clerk Tracey Holcomb represented Town of Pope.
3. Port of Greenville Sewer Improvements, Greenville was awarded $149,843 and leveraged public investment $25,000, thereby connecting five industries that operate at the Port of Greenville to city sewer services and affecting 300 residents. Greenville Port Director Tommy Hart represented Greenville.
4. Standard Industrial Facility Expansion, Clarksdale won the following: DRA Investment – $155,556; leveraged public investment: $1,217,000; private capital investment: $500,000. Owner of Footprint Farms Dr. Cindy Ayers-Elliott represented Clarksdale.
5. Regional Food Hub Facility Enhancement, Jackson received DRA investment: $315,080; private capital investment: $31,508 for renovation of a dormant produce distribution facility into a functional, modern food hub to the benefit of specialty crop farmers and consumers throughout central Mississippi to create five jobs. Jeff Good represented Partner Up in Farms Food Hub.
6. HCC Employment Skills Training and Placement Assistance, Jackson gained DRA investment: $200,000; leveraged public investment: $10,634,471; private capital investment: $1,759,471. These awards are aimed toward preliminary site preparation, environmental assessments, and utility lines installation to modernize and expand workforce training and occupational education programs at Hinds Community College’s Gray-Partridge location (65 jobs to be created and retained, and 92 individuals to be trained). Dr. Clyde Muse represented HCC.
7. Bay Springs Industrial Road Phase II, Bay Springs was granted DRA investment: $23,000; leveraged public investment: $27,000 for continuation of 2014 project to convert residential street into an industrial road. James L. Nix represented Bay Springs.
Award recipient representatives stood proudly and spoke enthusiastically regarding the awards. Holland said, “We’re trying to alleviate some of these problems. We’re just grateful to Gov. Phil Bryant. I’m elated to be the recipient of this money. Keep us in your prayers.”
Good said, “We need sponsors for projects, collaboration across private and public sectors. I thank UMMC, the governor, and all who bent over backwards.” Ayers-Elliott said, “I am so happy to be a farmer. We will be bringing local fresh foods in our backyards and our fields to create a healthier workforce, to fight diabetes, to plant seeds in the soil, to pool our resources together.”
Those witnessing the event sized it up as positive. Yolanda Clay-Moore of the Jackson Visitors Convention Center said, “It’s exciting for Jackson to be part of this agricultural project. It’s a very exciting time to see the development and growth that can come.”
The Rev. Ozell White of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church from Prentiss was cited by Alcorn State University as 2014 MS Small Farmer of the Year.
To learn more about DRA visit www.dra.gov or contact Spencer Lucker at slucker@dra.gov or call (202) 744-3558.
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