Community project grants congressionally delegated

East Central MS Planning & Dev received a $600,000 Project Grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Utilities Service under the Community Facilities Loans and Grants program (CFDA 10.766), awarded on April 15, 2025, with a completion date of April 15, 2027. The funding supports the development and improvement of essential community facility infrastructure in the nine-county east-central Mississippi region, encompassing Clarke, Jasper, Kemper, Lauderdale, Leake, Neshoba, Newton, Smith, and Scott counties. Eligible infrastructure improvements under this award include fire protection, public safety, healthcare, education, and utility services that serve rural communities and support orderly community development.

As a regional planning and development entity, East Central MS Planning & Dev will utilize this funding to advance critical infrastructure projects that enhance quality of life for rural residents in its service area, with particular emphasis on projects that strengthen public safety services and healthcare facilities. The organization's role as the prime grantee positions it to coordinate with local public bodies and community partners to identify, plan, and implement infrastructure improvements that prioritize serving low-income rural populations and enhancing essential services across the region.