East Central MS Planning & Dev

East Central MS Planning & Dev is a non-profit community development corporation based in Newton, Mississippi, registered with SAM.gov since August 2009 and currently maintaining active federal funding relationships. The organization serves as a regional planning and development entity for a nine-county area in east-central Mississippi, encompassing Clarke, Jasper, Kemper, Lauderdale, Leake, Neshoba, Newton, Smith, and Scott counties. Through federal grant awards, East Central MS Planning & Dev provides comprehensive community and economic development services, with a particular focus on infrastructure improvement, economic diversification, and enhanced quality of life for rural Mississippi residents.

The organization has demonstrated sustained federal grant activity across multiple funding agencies and program areas. As a prime grantee, East Central MS Planning & Dev has received significant funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) for community infrastructure projects, including awards of $100,000 (September 2025) and $200,000 (July 2023) under the Appalachian Area Development program, along with multiple administrative grants for planning and regional coordination. The organization also received a $600,000 Community Facilities Loans and Grants award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Utilities Service to support construction and improvement of critical rural infrastructure such as fire protection, public safety, healthcare, education, and utility services. Additionally, East Central MS Planning & Dev has received funding from the Economic Development Administration to develop and implement a comprehensive economic development strategy (CEDS) for the region, designed to bring together public and private sectors in diversifying the regional economy. As a sub-grantee under the Mississippi Department of Human Services, the organization currently administers multiple Older Americans Act programs serving the 60+ population, including congregate and home-delivered meals, supportive services such as transportation and case management, family caregiver support, and area plan administration across the nine-county service area.