Over the past couple of months, the Sunflower County Board of Supervisors has had many discussions about what they plan to do with the American Rescue Plan Act funds. One of their main initiatives was to share funding with municipalities.
The board ultimately decided to offer a $100,000 grant to all cities except Doddsville and Drew. The board is offering Drew a $200,000 grant. The board also agreed to assist the town of Doddsville with $341,735.
The municipalities are expected to partner with South Delta Planning and Development to form projects for which they would use the funds. Some cities have already put the pedal to the metal with their plans.
For Moorhead Mayor George Holland, infrastructure is the primary concern.
Holland is also looking for different sources of revenue to handle the town’s infrastructure.
“We are pushing our Legislature to state match money for that because we could really use all we can get for these pump stations,” Holland said. “All these towns have 75 to 80-year infrastructure.”
About thirty miles away, the city of Drew is dealing with similar issues. Drew Mayor Melanie Townsend-Blackmon said they have the infrastructure, water, and sewer problems.
“Right now, we plan to get our streets back drivable,” Townsend-Blackmon said. “ We have so many potholes.”
Townsend-Blackmon said there was a need for improvements within their city hall.
“We also need a building, too,” Townsend-Blackmon said. “ Because it rains in our building.”
Indianola Mayor Ken Featherstone says the board is planning a work session to discuss what projects they will pursue with their grants.
The cities of Sunflower and Ruleville are still in talks about how they plan to spend their money. The board aims to set a deadline for municipalities around budgeting time which is August.
