The town of Mathiston has been awarded two grants to modernize its water/sewer system and to boost fire safety efforts, according to federal lawmakers.
Approval of a $240,000 grant by the Appalachian Regional Commission to upgrade the town's water and sewer system was announced Tuesday.
U.S. Rep. Roger Wicker and Sens. Thad Cochran and Trent Lott said the funding will allow the town to replace five miles of asbestos-cement and steel pipe with PVC pipe. The work also includes installation of new equipment to replacing aging pumps.
The project will strengthen the town's basic infrastructure and improve service to residential users and three businesses, the lawmakers said.
In addition to the ARC grant, Rural Development will provide a $312,430 grant and a loan of $114,570 to bring the project total to $667,000.
The Department of Homeland Security has approved a $24,515 fire safety grant for the Mathiston Volunteer Fire Department, officials announced last week.
Wicker, Cochran and Lott said the funding will be used to enhance fire operations and improve firefighter safety.
The awards come from the Assistance to Firefighters Program approved by Congress to directly assist the nation's firefighters and the services they deliver. It is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate at DHS.
The program provides funds to increase the effectiveness of firefighting operations, health and safety programs, purchase of new firefighting equipment, and improve emergency medical service response capabilities.
"President Bush and I strongly support the critical mission of our nation's firefighters," stated Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge. "Through these funds, we will ensure that our nation's emergency responders have the equipment and training they need to respond to all hazards."
C. Suzanne Mencer, director of the Office for Domestic Preparedness, added, "We recognize the importance of the Fire Act grants to our nation's fire departments and we will continue to work closely with the fire service community to meet their needs."
David Paullson, administrator of the Department of Homeland Security's U.S. Fire Administration, stated, "The Assistance to Firefighters grants represent a major effort by the federal government to ensure that the nation's firefighters continue to have the basic capability they require to do their jobs, improve safety and save lives."
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