The U. S. Department of the Treasury (Treasury) has accepted Mississippi’s $80.9 million amended Multiyear Implementation Plan (MIP) which added six projects and a planning grant to the initial MIP. The acceptance by Treasury now paves the way for the state’s grant process to begin on the projects.
“I appreciate the U.S. Department of the Treasury approving these projects. This will be an important step in the continued recovery of our Gulf Coast. The strong leadership of the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality and GoCoast 2020 has positioned Mississippi well ahead of all other states in this recovery effort,” said Gov. Phil Bryant.
The initial MIP was amended to include the following projects:
- Mississippi Gulf Coast Water Quality Improvement Program – $11,000,000
- University of Southern Mississippi Oyster Hatchery and Research Center – $7,700,000
- Jackson County North Rail Connector – Planning Assistance – $550,000
- National Oceans and Applications Research Center (NOARC) – Planning Assistance – $2,750,000
- Salvation Army Center of Hope – $1,320,000
- Mississippi Coliseum and Convention Center Site Capacity Improvements – $3,520,000
- MDEQ Planning Assistance – $500,000
The total of new projects included on the amended MIP is $27.34 million.
In November 2015, Gov. Bryant announced Mississippi’s initial Multiyear Implementation Plan which included ten projects totaling more than $54 million:
- Off-Bottom Oyster Aquaculture Program – $1,000,000
- Port Bienville Trans-Loading Terminal Facility Completion – $8,000,000
- Stennis International Airport Hangar – $2,000,000
- Affordable Ultra-High Speed Internet Access – $5,000,000
- Mississippi Aquarium – $17,000,000
- Jackson County Corridor Connector Road – $10,200,000
- Work-Ready Community Program – $4,000,000
- Pharmacy School Accreditation Program for William Carey University – $1,000,000
- Strategic Stream Restoration – $5,000,000
- MDEQ Planning Assistance – $900,000
This brings the total projects announced to date for RESTORE Act Direct Component Funds (Bucket 1) to $80.9 million.
The projects were proposed to the Governor by the GoCoast 2020 Commission. GoCoast 2020 was established by Gov. Bryant in 2012 to serve as the official advisory body for the allocation of funds received by the state under the RESTORE Act.
