MERIDIAN — The city Meridian has received $2.7 million from the state for water, sewer and drainage improvements.

Gov. Phil Bryant presented the check to Mayor Cheri Barry on Tuesday.

Barry says the money from the Mississippi Development Authority will be used to fix drainage and infrastructure problems in downtown Meridian.

City officials say the pipe system in downtown is decades old. In many instances during periods of heavy rain, water backs up and floods the downtown area and in some cases, the bottom floors of some buildings.

Barry says the money will be used to primarily fix drainage and infrastructure problems within a one block radius of Mississippi State University-Meridian’s Business School in downtown.

Officials say work will take about nine months to a year to complete.