Several Grants Awarded to Ports Across the GTA

Tupelo, Miss. (WCBI)-Transportation Commissioner Mike Tagert has announced grant awards for multimodal projects in Mississippi’s Northern Transportation District.

“The projects these grants are funding will support existing jobs and create new opportunities for the citizens of North Mississippi, while also boosting the local economies,” said Tagert.

The Mississippi Transportation Commission (MTC) recently approved the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) to award grants to regional and municipal airports, ports, public transit systems and railroads throughout north Mississippi.

“MDOT’s responsibilities include maintaining and improving the state’s highways and interstates, but also focuses on providing a safe intermodal transportation network for airports, ports and waterways, railroads and public transit,” Tagert said. “Each of these modes of transportation plays a vital role in transporting people, goods and services that promote economic growth and development throughout Mississippi.”

Funding for these multimodal grants comes from the Multimodal Transportation Improvement Fund. Money from this fund is allocated specifically to support multimodal grants each year.

Grants were approved for the following regional and municipal airports in North Mississippi:

* $201,429- Corinth-Alcorn County Airport, Corinth: Enclose an existing hangar, including installation of a ground power unit.

* $151,650- George M. Bryan Field, Starkville: Construct additional hangar apron space.

* $272,303- Golden Triangle Regional Airport, Columbus: Construct an emergency medical helicopter response facility.

* $34,670- Tupelo Regional Airport, Tupelo: Purchase an aircraft tug.

Grants were approved for the following ports in North Mississippi:

* $140,000- Lowndes County Port, Columbus: Construct 8,000 square foot warehouse.

* $90,050- Port of Aberdeen: Construct rail spur.

* $400,000- Port of Amory: Road improvements to expand Waterway Drive.

* $490,050- Port Itawamba, Fulton: Dredging and debris removal.

Grants were approved for the following railroads in North Mississippi:

* $438,244- Mississippi Delta Railroad, Clarksdale: Upgrade rail from 85 pounds to 115 pounds from mile post 103 to mile post 103.5.

* $391,545- Mississippian Railway, Inc., Fulton: Upgrade