Northeast Mississippi Projects in State Bond Issue

The Legislature is approving $10 million for a high-tech job training complex in Lowndes County in a $249 million bond issue that funds everything from university and community college construction to tourist attractions..

The $10 million is the latest piece of $38 million in local, state and federal funding to build what local economic development leaders are calling a “communiversity.” The Legislature allocated $8 million last year and local governments in Oktibbeha, Clay and Lowndes counties have promised local funding.

Construction on the facility on 12 acres on Airport Road at the entrance to Lowndes County’s industrial complex near Golden Triangle Regional Airport could begin in August. It could open in two years and include high-tech job-training programs and other facilities operated by East Mississippi Community College.

The bond issue going through the Legislature also includes projects at MSU and MUW. A separate bill has $200 million to repair bridges on state highways.

MSU will receive $25.1 million for the general campus and the ag and forestry divisions and MUW will get $6.5 million for continued work to renovate and expand its library as well as work on its warehouse and preplanning for future projects.

Ole Miss will get $10 million.

In addition to the “Communiversity” funding, EMCC will get $1,596,497, East Central will get $1,275,513, Itawamba Community College will get $1,853,326, Northeast will get $1,384,086 and Northwest will get $2,065,424.

Other area projects in the $249 million include:

— $1 million for the Elvis Presley Museum in Tupelo;

— $2.6 million for improvements to the railroad linking Amory and Fulton;

— $2.25 million for the first phase of extending the Columbus Riverwalk to Columbus Air Force Base. State Rep. Jeff Smith ultimately hopes the state will put up $25 million toward the project with local governments and federal dollars contributing to the project;

— $1.2 million for a proposed Lowndes County equine and exposition center to be built on county-owned land west of PACCAR;

— $100,000 for the Chickasaw Heritage Museum;

— $175 for projects in Bruce;

— $175,000 for park improvements in New Albany;

— $500,000 for the Marty Stewart Museum in Philadelphia;

— $450,000 for a frontage road in Baldwyn;

— $1 million for the East Mississippi Rail Authority.

Categories: Local News, State News

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