Rep. Bennie Thompson (D) was showing the love on Valentine’s Day in Sunflower County.
The District 2 congressman handed out over $12 million in federal funds for projects across the Delta, from Coffeeville to Belzoni, with Sunflower County projects making up a third of the total.
“This is the best Valentine’s Day ever,” said Mississippi Delta Community College President Dr. Tyrone Jackson, as he accepted $2.25 million to assist with the Moorhead-based college’s dormitory construction.
Thompson said he was made aware of the dire dorm situation at MDCC when he delivered a commencement address at the school last year.
“We had a conversation about his vision for the school,” Thompson said before quipping, “But of course he had a list this long.”
Thompson made note that the only law enforcement training academy in the Delta region is located at MDCC, and he said the current dorms are not adequate to house the trainees.
“The least we can do is make sure the facilities they are being trained in are up to standards” Thompson said.
Sunflower County was awarded $2 million for various municipal projects under what Thompson termed the Sunflower County Business Improvement District.
“This is specifically earmarked for certain communities inside Sunflower County,” Thompson said.
Thompson said there are municipalities in the county that he wanted to help individually, but not all are in compliance with annual audits.
“I couldn’t give the money directly to the cities, because they’re behind on their audits,” he said. “So, we sent the money to the county to do it in the cities. And it’s called more than one way to skin a cat.”
Sunflower County Board of Supervisors President Riley Rice, along with a large delegation from the county, accepted the money.
“We’re gonna have some more projects,” Rice said.
There was some confusion among board members during a Monday session about the money, what exactly the Sunflower County Business Improvement District is, and how it will be dispersed.
District 5 Supervisor Gloria Dickerson told the board that she had a frank conversation with Thompson some time ago about sending money to the county. She said Thompson told her she had a short window to get a list of projects to him for the town of Drew.
Other communities apparently sent projects in as well, by way of the county, but some board members seemed to be unaware this had happened, which seemingly resulted in two municipalities (Moorhead and Inverness) not submitting projects.
Thompson’s comments at Tuesday’s meeting seemed to indicate the county would decide how to divvy up the funds, which means there may be hope for the all municipalities receiving money.
This is not yet clear.
Thompson said there is money available to communities, but he said there must be an open line of communication for counties and cities to take advantage.
“If I don’t hear from you, I can’t read your mind,” Thompson said.
