Community infrastructure

The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) awarded a $100,000 Project Grant to East Central MS Planning & Dev on September 1, 2025, under the Appalachian Area Development program (CFDA 23.002), with a completion date of February 28, 2027. This award supports community infrastructure development initiatives in east-central Mississippi, consistent with ARC's strategic objective to invest in critical infrastructure that strengthens regional economic competitiveness and community capacity.

East Central MS Planning & Dev, a regional planning and development corporation serving nine counties in Mississippi (Clarke, Jasper, Kemper, Lauderdale, Leake, Neshoba, Newton, Smith, and Scott), will utilize these funds to advance infrastructure improvements that support ARC's mission to foster self-sustaining economic development in Appalachia. The organization brings substantial experience in securing and administering federal infrastructure grants, including prior ARC awards and USDA Rural Utilities Service funding for rural infrastructure projects such as fire protection, public safety, healthcare, and utility system improvements.