By By Lynette Wilson / staff writer
Aug. 6, 2002
Lauderdale County supervisors gave Craig Hitt authority on Monday to file all necessary paperwork for a federal grant that would fund water and sewer service at an industrial park.
Hitt is president of the Lauderdale County Board of Supervisors and represents District 3.
If approved, the $1.7 million grant from the Economic Development Authority will be matched with another $1.7 million from the city of Meridian to improve the county's new industrial park.
Elected leaders and economic development officials say the addition of water and sewer service to the Interstate 20/59 park is crucial to attracting new business and industry.
The EDA already has cleared a preapplication for the grant. Meridian City Council members are expected to vote today to authorize Mayor John Robert Smith to file the grant application with EDA.
The EDA is expected to respond to the application within two to three weeks after the Aug. 30 application deadline.
Lauderdale County Supervisor Ray Boswell, who represents District 5, called the grant application "the final hurdle in getting water and sewer to the $4.25 million industrial site."
Other Business
The Lauderdale County Board of
Supervisors took the following actions at their regular meeting on Monday:
Voted to join Clarke, Scott, Jasper and Newton counties in filing an $87,500 grant application with the Economic Development Authority to assess development possibilities along Interstate 20/59, from the Mississippi-Alabama border to the Rankin County line.
Accepted a $35,651 bid from Bruce Volensky of Pike Road, Ala., to purchase antique firearms from the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Department. The money will be used to update and buy equipment for the Sheriff's Department.
Re-appointed O.C. Barham for a five-year term on the board of the Mississippi Regional Housing Authority No. 5.
Voted to consider a $85,000 bid from Dwayne and Cathy Fisher for the purchase of the former Hilltop Home for Girls.