City leaders have agreed to pursue additional funds to further develop the western 60 acres of Eupora Industrial Park.
In addition to extending water and sewer lines into the property, an industrial access road will be built into the site, allowing direct access from U.S. 82. The purpose of the site work is to market the property as “shovel ready.”
Lara Bowman of The Enterprise met with the Eupora Board of Aldermen about the project on Dec. 2. She reported that, as of that day, the city had secured $1.024 million in the past two years for Industrial Park development. The funding breaks down as follows:
• Appalachian Regional Commission (water and sewer lines): $500,000 cash grant and $214,286 match grant from the state Revolving Health Fund-Mississippi State Department of Health.
• Mississippi Development Authority (environmental studies): $15,000 cash grant and $15,000 city match.
• Legislative Bond Funds: (industrial access road): $100,000 cash grant and $15,000 city match.
• Small Municipalities Limited Population Grant (industrial access road): $150,000 cash grant and $15,000 city match.
Bowman said the city had another opportunity to nearly double that total investment through the Tennessee Valley Authority Invest Prep Program.
This would be for further improvements at the Industrial Park such as signage, lighting and grading. The state funds that have been received could be leveraged as the required 30% match for the program’s grant, Bowman said, with no funds required from the city. The board authorized her to submit an application on behalf of the city for the TVA Invest Prep Grant. Applications for the competitive grant are due Feb. 28.
Later in the meeting at Bowman’s request, the board met in executive session with her and Planner George Crawford of the Golden Triangle Planning and Development District to discuss property acquisition for the city. After coming back into open session about 40 minutes later, the board authorized board attorney Jacqueline Meek to “check out said property.”
City Cleanup
Bruce Walters, chair of the Eupora Cleanup Committee, appeared before the board to give an update and again urge enforcement of the city’s blight prevention ordinance.
He also submitted a list of five new properties that he said need attention. Walters said that while some of the properties he has submitted since September have been cleaned up, none of those submitted in November have been.
Meek said the owners of those properties would be receiving blight notification letters that week. Meek also said she planned to send another letter to Jake Rich about the Jake’s Recycling property, where substantial cleanup has been done but a full Dumpster remained as of then.
Walters, as he has previously, also inquired about having the city building inspector — Public Works Director Mike McCain — “over this.” Dumas said McCain, who was not at the meeting, had been sick and that someone else may be given the duties of building inspector, but that this had not been confirmed.
Walters also said a number of abandoned vehicles around town still need to be tended to, and noted that many people have brought blighted properties and abandoned vehicles to his attention
“We need to let people know we mean business,” he said regarding cleanup enforcement.
When asked if the city has money set aside for blight cleanup, Jerry Gary (at-large) responded that the city budgets to tear down one house a year.
Mike McCully of West Gould Avenue complained about some residents putting trash cans with no bottoms in the street on Adams Avenue and the garbage being spread on his adjoining property.
“I’m having to go up there twice a week clean up,” he said.
Alderman Junior Shaw of Ward 1 said, “I think we need to do something about (providing) garbage cans.” McCully suggested that residents or owners of rental properties be required to have trash cans.
Cathy Embry, chair of the Eupora Beautification Committee, also gave an update. At her request, the board authorized the Street Department to purchase eight plants for a total of $480 out of the Economic Development Fund. These will be addition to other plants and planters purchased through a donation from the 20th Century Club.
‘Home Town Rescue’
Ashtyn Krusee informed the mayor and board about a planned spinoff of HGTV’s Laurel-based “Home Town” renovation series with Ben and Erin Napier.
In the six-episode series “Home Town Rescue,” the Napiers will attempt to mobilize members of one community to renovate an entire town, according to published reports. It’s slated to premiere in 2021.
“Home Town Rescue” will rehab multiple individual homes in the chosen town and upgrade public spaces, such as parks and local diners.
Krusee, who is a member of the Eupora Historic Preservation Commission and other volunteer committees, asked board members and all interested to email rescuecasting@rtrmedia.com for Eupora to be considered for the revitalization project.
“The more emails showing that we have a need here and interest, the better,” she said.
Other Business
In other business Dec. 2, aldermen:
• heard a presentation from Joshua Emmons of C Spire about providing a Voice over Internet Protocol phone system and dedicated internet service for City Hall. This would be on state contract for a total monthly cost of $470.16. No action was taken .
• heard an audit presentation from Chris Turnipseed of Watkins, Ward and Stafford for the fiscal year ended Sept. 30, 2017. The city received a “clean” opinion.
• tabled for a third time the Toby Brantley Park timber bid opening because no bids have been received.
• authorized the mayor and Street Supervisor/Airport Manager Will Gary to sign a letter of agreement between Mississippi State University’s Raspet Flight Research Laboratory and the Eupora Airport, pending approval by the board attorney. Raspet will be conducting unmanned aircraft operations for launch, recovery and control of unmanned aircraft systems.
