EDA GRANT WILL SUPPORT ATTALA CO. BUSINESS INCUBATOR, JOB CENTER

Cochran, Wicker Announce Grant Intended to Create Green Jobs in North Central Miss.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Thad Cochran and Roger Wicker today announced a $1.1 million grant awarded to the North Central Mississippi Planning and Development District (NCPDD) to develop a business incubator and job development center in Attala County.

The Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant will be used by the NCPDD to renovate a county-owned industrial building to serve as the Kosciusko-Attala County Technology, Training and Jobs Center.  The overall project is expected to cost $1.6 million.

“The EDA grant is an investment in the expectation that this region of North Central Mississippi can readily support new, ‘green’ jobs.  The Development District has been working on this project for some time and I commend it for being proactive in trying to expand job and economic opportunities in this region,” said Cochran, the vice chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

“The people of north central Mississippi will benefit from this grant for years to come through better jobs and increased training opportunities. This funding is a strong example of how the federal government should be investing in America’s future,” said Wicker.

The business incubator is expected to focus on green technology businesses.  The renovation itself will also incorporate energy efficiencies.

The NCPDD, headquartered in Winona, Miss., covers Attala, Carroll, Grenada, Holmes, Leflore, Montgomery and Yalobusha counties.