Feds finally fund city road repairs

The Webster Progress-Times

Five years after applying, the city of Eupora is receiving federal funds for street overlaying.

The road repairs are being funded immediately with federal funds provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, U.S. Rep. Travis Childers announced July 2. The work is among essential community facilities projects in Mississippi's 1st Congressional District. USDA Rural Development's Community Facilities program, which helps finance essential community facilities for public use in rural areas, is providing the funding.

Eupora will receive a loan of $274,300 and a grant of $147,700 for total agency funding of $422,000.

The grant/loan combination will be used for street overlays, according to Mayor Tommy Lott. He said priority areas for resurfacing are on the east side of Whites Creek Lake, North Joliff Street and part of East Fox Avenue.

"This application has been out there since 2004," Lott pointed out. He said the city does plan to follow up and possibly apply for additional street repaving money.

"It is essential that North Mississippians have access to up-to-date hospitals, libraries and other community facilities that are critical to revitalizing rural communities," Childers, D-Booneville, was quoted as saying in a news release. "These important Recovery Act funds will help ensure that Mississippi's 1st Congressional District has adequate funding to keep its residents healthy and safe, and that rural North Mississippi has the resources it needs to strengthen local communities."

Eligible facilities/projects include childcare centers, hospitals, medical clinics, assisted living facilities, fire and rescue stations, police stations, community centers, public buildings and transportation. Through the program, USDA ensures that such facilities are available to all rural residents. The funds are available to public bodies and non-profit organizations.

Funding of individual recipients is contingent upon their meeting the terms of the loan or grant agreement.