PASCAGOULA, MI, April 29, 2011 — Jackson County could tap into as much as $46 million in federal and state funding to help bring various water supply projects to fruition, Waggoner Engineering representatives told supervisors at Monday's board meeting.
In January 2010, supervisors hired Jackson-based Waggoner Engineering to develop a strategic infrastructure program, outlining priorities and funding sources for major projects.
The professional services agreement approved last year between the county and Waggoner allocated up to $75,000 for the transportation, stormwater drainage and dredging report, meant to identify and prioritize the county's infrastructure needs.
As part of the deal, the company is also to explore and go after multiple funding sources for the county's needs, Board President Melton Harris Jr. said.
Monday's presentation said $22.7 million could be available through the Water Resources Development Act, as well as $12 million from the Environmental Protection Agency and $11.3 million from the Mississippi Major Economic Impact Authority, said Waggoner President Jim Hust.
Harris said that Waggoner is going after those funds for Jackson County so "we can continue to enhance our infrastructure plan in order to keep up with the growth we've experienced."
Two months ago, Hust told supervisors that the county has nearly $240 million worth of transportation projects that should be completed in the short-term and another $337 million in long-term goals.
Supervisors also agreed to purchase a software program that will allow the grant department to more efficiently apply for and manage grants.
The eCivis Grants Network will help the county manage its many grants so that everything is in order during an audit, said Grant Administrator Barbara Dumas-Marshall, and it will also help the department find grants more easily from a searchable database.
Company representatives said the program includes access to more than 4,000 federal grant programs and 2,000 foundation programs. Mississippi programs will be added before the year's end.
The software will cost $30,000 per year for three years, leaders said.
"In the long run, I think this will be a money saver," Supervisor Manly Barton said, noting it will keep the county from having to hire more grant department staff.
Marshall oversees one part-time and two full-time employees, she said.
Consultants have told Marshall that her department is already understaffed by about four people.
About eCivis
eCivis Grants Network is the nation's leading grants management solution and the ideal platform for improving local governments' and community-based organizations' grants performance. For more information about eCivis, visit www.ecivis.com.
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