City lands EDA grant for development

COLUMBUS — Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) and Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) announced that the City of Columbus has been awarded a $1.2-million federal grant to support infrastructure improvements needed to foster greater economic development in the region.

The Mississippi Senators said the Economic Development Administration (EDA) public works grant will be used by the city to undertake roadwork and other essential infrastructure to serve a commercial development that will support the Golden Triangle Region’s growing aeronautical and steel manufacturing sectors. Overall, the infrastructure program will cost an estimated $2.47 million.

The infrastructure improvements that will, in part, be financed with the EDA grant will serve a development that will include a hotel and other businesses. According to the EDA, the overall project is also expected to draw private investors that will “support job creation for graduates of East Mississippi Community College’s hotel and restaurant management program.