Reeves' infrastructure plan could mean $25 million for Franklin County

Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves will seek upwards of $1.3 billion from the Legislature to cover the costs of 24 major roadway projects across the Magnolia State, including a $25 million construction effort in Franklin County.

Reeves said his proposal, which was formally announced on Thursday, Feb. 16, seeks to better position Mississippi for further economic growth by investing in roads and increasing the number of project-ready sites for industrial expansion.

“These investments will go an incredibly long way toward giving Mississippi the competitive advantage it needs to land more economic development projects and deliver more high-quality, high-paying jobs,” he said.

The planning stages of highway projects that were announced have already been completed, and the funding sought by Reeves is, he said, necessary for those construction efforts to move forward off the drawing board.

In addition to infrastructure projects, Reeves said his request would include an investment of $57 million for economic development site projects across Mississippi along with $100 million for the Emergency Road and Bridge Repair program, which every municipality and all 82 counties are eligible to apply for.

“My plan covers every region, and my proposal is an actionable plan that will increase further economic growth and set up our fellow Mississippians for further prosperity,” Reeves said.

The $57 million economic development initiatives would come from capital expense funds while the remainder of the $1.3 billion request would originate from the state’s current revenue surplus.

“Investments in infrastructure makes sense,” the governor noted. “My appeal is pretty simple to our friends in the Legislature — think big. Let’s do big things for Mississippi because, if we do, we’ll continue to see the kind of economic growth and prosperity that we’ve been able to deliver for the people over the last three years.”

Reeves said his proposal can be accomplished without putting a strain on the state’s budget.

The Franklin County project would involve $25 million for reconstruction and slide repair efforts along U.S. Highway 84 near Roxie.

In neighboring Lincoln County, $30 million would be earmarked for improvements to the concrete portion of U.S. Highway 84 between U.S. Highway 51 and Mississippi Highway 184.

Also in Pike County, $7.8 million would be set aside to modernize a portion of U.S. Highway 98 and Mississippi Highway 24 along with interchange improvements.

On the economic development front, Reeves is recommending $250,000 for tree removal, signage, clearing and grubbing along with creating a building pad at Pike County’s Gateway Industrial Park.

In Walthall County, the plan would set aside $6 million to reconstruct a portion of Mississippi Highway 48 at Davo Creek.

The Claiborne County Port Authority would be eligible for $17,500 in economic development funding for an environmental due diligence study for its port facility.

Reeves’ plan would cover more than $360 million in road projects throughout the Mississippi Transportation Commission’s Southern District.

The Mississippi Legislature, which is currently in session, is presently considering state budget requests and will remain in session until April 2.