Governor signs bill funding projects in Jackson area. See what is approved
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Of the 14 local projects in an appropriations bill meant to improve areas of the City of Jackson and Hinds County, all were signed into law by Republican Gov. Tate Reeves on Monday.
This is vastly different than last year's legislative session, where Reeves vetoed more than $18 million for projects in Jackson.
Reeves signed into law Senate Bill 2468, an annual appropriations bill with a total of $820,375,000 in expenditures this year. The bill includes a total of $227,375,000 million to fund local projects throughout the state.
All in all, more than $9.4 million in state funds is headed to Jackson and Hinds County.
The local projects Reeves approved to be funded in Jackson and Hinds County, include more than $2.5 million for the Capitol Complex Improvement District, $2 million for Jackson's downtown Union Station and over $3 million for Hinds County. Here is the full list and what the money will be spent on:
$1.5 million to the CCID for upgrades to major thoroughfares to Jackson State University.
$400,000 to the CCID for repairing, milling and paving of Simwood Place near the District at Eastover.
$395,136 to the CCID for infrastructure improvements along Druid Hill Drive just north of Meadowbrook Road.
$250,000 to the CCID to fund connecting Museum Trail and Belhaven through downtown Jackson to Jackson State University.
$250,000 to the City of Jackson, acting through the city's Department of Planning and Development for the removal of blighted property on and south of U.S. Highway 80.
$1 million to the City of Jackson, to renovate, repair, upgrades and improvements to Thalia Mara Hall.
$1.5 million to Hinds County, for infrastructure improvements in District 1.
$600,000 to Hinds County, for paving, resurfacing, repairing and other improvements to Northside Drive east of I-55.
$500,000 to Hinds County, for purchasing body cameras and additional vehicles for the Hinds County Sheriff’s Department.
$400,000 to Hinds County, for a repaving project Hanging Moss Road and Beasley Road.
$50,000 to Hinds County, for solar-powered community surveillance programs in five neighborhoods, including Woodlea Homeowners Association, Lakeover Homeowners Association, Pine Ridge Homeowners Association, Woodhaven Homeowners Association and Norwood Homeowners Association.
$1 million to the Jackson Redevelopment Authority, for renovations and upgrades to Union Station.
$1 million to the Jackson Redevelopment Authority, for redevelopment of Union Station.
$600,000 to the Mississippi Department of Transportation, for improvements to I-55 between Elton Road and Terry Road.
Rep. Chris Bell, D-Jackson, told the Clarion Ledger he was happy to see projects and other needs within the Jackson area receive funding like repairs and updates to Union Station.
"I'm happy that (Reeves) saw fit not to veto those projects for the City of Jackson," Bell said. "I am just looking forward to having more projects being requested from the delegation (in the future)."
Bell added, however, that Reeves signing came as a bittersweet victory, and that Jackson should have received more money to incentivize more economic growth in the area.
"This $9 million is small change," Bell said. "It's pretty much crumbs."
Bell also said the city could have received more funds potentially if it utilized a lobbyist, which it does not have. Bell specifically mentioned that if Mayor Antar Chokwe Lumumba wins the upcoming mayoral election next year, he should make it a priority to hire someone to lobby in the State Capitol.
Other local Jackson-area projects that were funded
Other Jackson-area local projects the governor signed off on, include $5 million for road projects in Rankin County, $4 million to the City of Ridgeland for road improvements and $750,000 to renovate the City of Madison's Historic Arts Center. Here is the full list and what the money will be spent on:
$3 million to the City of Brandon, for road and street improvements to include construction, right-of-way acquisition, utility relocation and other associated improvements, such as storm water drainage, sidewalks and multiuse path development and construction necessary to improve vehicle and pedestrian safety.
$400,000 to the City of Flora, for infrastructure improvements.
$500,000 to the City of Florence, infrastructure improvements.
$3.5 million to the City of Flowood, for paying costs associated with planning, engineering and construction of Fannie Cook Parkway.
$750,000 to the City of Gluckstadt, for improvements to Gluckstadt Road, including, but not limited to, improvements to intersections, additional westbound through lane from I-55, traffic signals, street lights and other improvements.
$750,000 to the City of Madison, for renovation of the Historic Arts Center.
$1.5 million to the City of Pearl, for the lighting project on State Highway 80 from Pirates Cove to Pearson Road.
$500,000 to the City of Pearl, for the Pearl-Richland Intermodal widening project.
$400,000 to the City of Pearl, for a traffic signal on El Dorado Road.
$5 million to Rankin County, for road maintenance projects.
$1.5 million to Rankin County for planning and construction of the I-20 Connector Loop Project.
$1.5 million to Rankin County for the final payment for the East Metro Corridor.
$500,000 to the City of Richland for the State Highway 49 pedestrian crossover.
$2 million to the City of Ridgeland for infrastructure improvements on property adjacent to Colony Park Boulevard.
$2 million to the City of Ridgeland for planning and construction of Commerce Park Connector Road.
$400,000 to the Town of Terry for constructing, furnishing and equipping a police station and purchasing playground equipment for a park.
$150,000 to the Town of Terry for infrastructure improvements.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Jackson MS projects were funded by MS Leg this year. See the projects
