The City of Hattiesburg has received a $1.7 million grant to help rehabilitate and improve drainage along Lamar Boulevard, as well as support increased commercial traffic flow.
U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced the awarding of the Department’s Economic Development Administration grant last week.
The investment, to be matched with $455,968 in local funds, is expected to help create or save more than 400 jobs and spur $23 million in private investment.
The total roadway project cost is $2.48 million, which breaks down into the following agency contributions:
• EDA Grant Amount – $1.7 million
• MDA DIP Grant Amount – $456,000
• City of Hattiesburg – $324,000
The reconstruction project for the three-lane boulevard will include more than 30 drainage inlets, a 12-inch base and a 6-inch layer of asphalt. The hope is for construction to begin within a year with an estimate of 12-18 months from start to finish.
“This has been a long time coming,” said Mayor Toby Barker before introducing the “hero” for the day, Dr. John Fleming, assistant secretary of commerce for the EDA.
The job of the EDA is to provide matching grants to communities to promote economic development and job creation in distressed areas and those harmed by natural disasters.
“And we know a thing or two about natural disaster,” Barker said. “We’ve had four federally-declared disasters in the last seven years. However, we’ve been number one in job creation for each of the last five years, and that’s a tremendous testament to the resiliency and skilled workforce we have in the city of Hattiesburg.”
Lamar Boulevard, in west Hattiesburg, connects U.S. 98 to Lincoln Road and runs alongside the eastern side of Petro Nissan and intersects with Lincoln Road to the south. The new Regions Mortage Center sits on the corner of Lincoln Road and Lamar Boulevard.
“Hattiesburg and the Pine Belt region have celebrated significant economic development wins in recent years,” said Governor Phil Bryant. “EDA’s investment in this project will benefit the local community for generations to come, and I’m appreciative of Secretary Ross and his team for their continued support.”
