The city of Eupora is applying for a new grant to continue developing the Industrial Park.
The city has already been awarded a grant from the Mississippi Development Authority for Phase I due-diligence work (geotechnical, cultural and wetlands delineation) at the site.
MDA announced in December that economic development groups and local governments can now apply for site development grants under the Ready Site/Premier Site Program administered by the agency. The program is designed to assist such entities with preparing site-ready locations to attract business development and private capital investment to the state.
Grants administered under Ready Site/Premier Site can be used for improvements to publicly owned industrial property. Ready Sites, such as Eupora’s Industrial Park, must have a minimum of 20 acres that can be developed and will be site-work ready in six months or have utilities in 12 months.
Ready Sites are eligible to receive up to $50,000. Grant money is available on a reimbursement basis and can be used to pay for such costs as architectural fees, environmental studies/assessments, clearing and grading, drainage system improvements and transportation infrastructure directly affecting the site. The grants require a minimum 50 percent match from other sources and applications are due Jan. 31.
Lara Bowman of The Enterprise met with the Webster County Board of Supervisors and Eupora Board of Aldermen about the new grant proposal on Jan. 7. She recommended application be made for a Ready Site grant to further develop Industrial Park through a joint agreement between the city and county.
Both boards said they were open to such an agreement. Bowman said she planned to ask the city and county engineers to consult about what in-kind services the county could provide as the 50 percent match. Specifically, she recommended construction of an unpaved interior road (drive) off Industrial Park Road that would involve grading and building pads.
After Bowman’s presentation to the city board, aldermen authorized her to apply for the $50,000 grant and prepare an interlocal agreement with the county for in-kind services.
Other Action
Other action taken by the Board of Aldermen on Jan. 7:
• Appointed Stephanie Stewart (chair), Kristian Berryhill, Craig Bjorgum, Ashtyn Krusee, Bruce Walters, Sam Krusee, Josh Whitlock and Charlene Buss as Eupora Historic Preservation Commission board members for 2019-20.
• Approved the purchase of 36 aluminum signs for Eupora’s National Historic District from Mississippi Prison Industries Corp. at a cost of $1,494 plus freight. Holly Hawkins addressed the board about the commission and signs.
• Authorized advertising for bids to sell 0.16 acres of land the city owns in Westwood Park. The parcel adjoins land owned by Calvin Robinson, who told the board last month that he wishes to purchase it.
• Declared 43 light fixtures and ballasts surplus that were replaced by LED bulbs at the Hwy. 82/9 bypass, and to advertise for bids.
• Accepted a $400 donation from Lott’s Fireworks from fireworks sales in the city.
• Accepted a reimbursement check of $695.62 from the state of Mississippi for officer training and place the money in the Police Department’s vehicle maintenance fund.
Also, Public Works Director Mike McCain said the Water Department was having problems locating houses because many do not have their 911 address posted as required by county ordinance. Jerry Gary (at-large) asked that the 911 Center be notified about the issue.
Ward 4 Alderman Robert Gibbs was unable to attend the meeting. The board adjourned until 6 p.m. Feb. 4.
