Contact: Jennifer Spann, Public Relations 601.359.3449
jspann@mississippi.org
Jackson, Miss. (August 17, 2009) – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has approved the State of Mississippi's plan to administer the Community Development Block Grant-Recovery (CDBG-R) Program, which is funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Approximately $8 million has been allocated to the state to implement the program.
"The Community Development Block Grant-Recovery Program will promote economic recovery investments in communities across the state of Mississippi," said Gray Swoope, executive director of the Mississippi Development Authority, which is administering the one-time program in addition to the state's regular CDBG programs. "The program will not only help communities improve infrastructure, but it will also promote job growth and creation."
The CDBG-R Program will fund needed infrastructure projects, basic services to residents and activities that promote energy efficiency and conservation through rehabilitation or retrofitting of existing buildings. Some proposed projects around the state include: new or improved public buildings, such as fire stations, town halls and libraries, new storm drainage systems and road improvements.
Additional details about the CDBG-R Program are available at http://stimulus.mississippi.org. The Web site will be updated regularly as more information about the program and the implementation process becomes available.
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About Mississippi Development Authority
Mississippi Development Authority is the State of Mississippi's lead economic and community development agency. Nearly 300 employees are engaged in providing services to businesses, communities and workers in the state. While the agency is best known for its efforts to recruit new businesses to Mississippi, the Authority provides services to promote tourism, help communities improve their quality of place, help existing employers identify and meet opportunities and challenges and help workers improve their skills – all with the goal of improving the quality of life and economic well-being of Mississippians. For more information, visit MDA's website at www.mississippi.org.
