Mississippi State
University’s Fred Carl
Jr. Small Town Center
is announcing the
recipients of a commu-
nity-focused placemak-
ing and revitalization
program.
The Small Town
Revitalization pro-
gram, supported by the
Small Town Center,
received 27 applica-
tions and was able to
award funds to 11 com-
munities to support
projects ranging from
master plans to pocket
parks to street art to
retail hubs and more.
Communities receiv-
ing STR grants include
Eupora, the center
announced Monday.
The Small Town
Center will work with
the selected communi-
ties to design and
implement their pro-
posed projects. The city
of Eupora posted on
social media Tuesday
that it would be work-
ing with the center to
enhance public space
here, with more details
to come soon.
“We are extremely
excited to have the
opportunity to help
communities realize
their visions in an
impactful way through
our wholistic
approach,” said Small
Town Center Director
Leah Kemp. “We are
grateful for the oppor-
tunity to serve our
state and are humbled
that our longstanding
record of service to our
communities has been
entrusted to carry out
this task.”
Funding for the STR
grants was made possi-
ble by an appropriation
from U.S. Sen. Cindy
Hyde-Smith, who
serves on the Senate
Appropriations
Committee.
“More importance
must be placed on poli-
cies at all levels of gov-
ernment that support
rural communities,
many of which face challenges they can’t tackle on their own,” said Hyde-
Smith. “I’m focused on improving rural Mississippi, and these awards will
help small towns enhance life for their residents, businesses and visitors. I
commend Mississippi State and its Small Town Center for coordinating this
effort to uplift rural Mississippi.”
“This funding is a game-changer for the Small Town Center and commu-
nities across the state,” added Kemp. “It allows us to make a significant
impact toward revitalizing Mississippi communities and catalyzing further
growth and improvements.”
The Fred Carl Jr. Small Town Center — a research center housed in
MSU’s College of Architecture, Art and Design — works to provide meaning-
ful design and planning solutions for small towns. Learn more at
www.smalltowncenter.msstate.edu.
