From staff and press reports

Governor Haley Barbour recently announced the awarding of more than $6.5 million in grant or loan awards for improvements and growth in 13 Mississippi municipalities and counties through the Capital Improvements Revolving Loan (CAP), Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Rural Impact Fund (RIF) programs.

"The grant and loan programs operated by the Community Services Division of the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) are excellent tools designed to assist our local leaders in revamping their communities' infrastructures," Governor Barbour said. "This encourages job creation and future investments to each of our state's communities, and these programs play a crucial role in doing that."

MDA also approves the grant and loan recipients.

"Strong, vivacious communities are the pulse of a healthy economy," said Gray Swoope, MDA's Executive Director. "Therefore, MDA is pleased to support these communities in their quests to improve their infrastructures and community services."

The Community Services Division assists communities in analyzing their strengths and weaknesses and also involves local leadership in economic development, planning development strategies, strengthening development organizations and implementing and financing community projects.

The CAP Loan Program is designed for making loans to counties or municipalities to finance capital improvements in the state. Counties and municipalities are encouraged to use these loans in connection with state and federal programs. CDBG program grants help communities realize their potential by providing funds necessary to ensure decent housing, basic community services, environmental quality and economic development for their residents. The RIF program is designed to assist and promote businesses and economic development in rural areas by providing grants to rural communities.

The City of Louisville and cooperation with Winston County and Polo Industries (M-C Industries, Inc.) received RIF Funds in the amount of $67,500 for building renovations and parking lot resurfacing for the old TRW building where Polo Industries plans to take up full residence in August.

"I want to thank the Board of Supervisors for the in kind work on the parking lot. They did a great job," said Gerald Mills of the Winston County Economic Development Partnership.

The City of Louisville in partnership with Winston County Economic Development also received a $130,000 Microenterprise Grant to develop a micro-enterprise revolving loan fund program in the community.

The Mississippi Development Authority is the State of Mississippi's lead economic and community development agency. Nearly 300 employees are engaged in providing services to businesses, communities and workers in the state. While the agency is best known for its efforts to recruit new businesses to Mississippi, the Authority provides services to promote tourism, help communities improve their quality of place, help existing employers identify and meet opportunities and challenges and help workers improve their skills - all with the goal of improving the quality of life and economic well-being of Mississippians. For more information, visit MDA's website at www.mississippi.org.