County, city plan COVID monies

County, city plan COVID monies

Posted

Neshoba County and Philadelphia officials said plans are in the works to spend their share of $7.2 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds they were awarded 2021.

Neshoba County is receiving $5.6 million and Philadelphia $1.6 million in two payments under the federal rescue plan approved last year.

Half of the money, $2.8 million to Neshoba County and $800,000 to Philadelphia, was disbursed last year, and a second payment will be disbursed this year.

Neshoba County Administrator Jeff Mayo said supervisors have already allocated $250,000 of the $2.8 million received in 2021 to purchase two new ambulances and another $250,000 for road improvements throughout the county. The county also awarded a $1 million contract to ComSouth on Monday to complete the county’s switch over to the MSWIN radio system.

Philadelphia Mayor James A. Young said Philadelphia has contracted with Waggoner Engineering to help the city utilize its $800,000 received in 2021 within the federal guidelines stipulated by the U.S. Department of Treasury for using the funds. 

“We have a targeted area of water and sewer projects,” Young said. “Water and sewer are straight up within the Treasury guidelines.”

Mayo said supervisors are taking bids on upgrading the heating, ventilation and air condition for the Neshoba County Coliseum and touchless bathroom fixtures for the courthouse.

“Just from the potential for the HVAC and touchless fixtures will probably be more than the remainder,” Mayo said.

Young said the city also hopes to use a portion of its money on renovating the Booker T. Washington building to be used as a community center, which is included Treasury guidelines.

Neshoba County will receive another $2.8 million and Philadelphia another $800,000 in 2022. Uses for those funds have not yet been determined, but both said a portion would likely help fund the remainder of the other projects.

The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians received $53,051,330 in June. At the time, Tribal Chief Cyrus Ben said the money would be allocated as follows: 

• “Through the Health and Human Services, the Choctaw Health Center has received $46,514,453;

• “Through the Department of Interior, the Bureau of Indian Education for Choctaw Tribal Schools has received $26,714,010;

• “Through Low Income Housing Emergency Assistance (LIHEA) has received $68,904

• “Through the Bureau of Indian Affairs Justice Services, the Choctaw Police Department has received $600,788

• “Through the Health and Human Services, Head Start has received $320,662  






Powered by Creative Circle Media Solutions