JACKSON, Miss. — The Mississippi Development Authority has approved $5 million in grants through the Mississippi Forestry Facility Grant Program to fund infrastructure and transportation projects supporting the forestry industry.
Governor Tate Reeves announced the awards, which aim to improve public infrastructure such as roads, rail access, and utilities to support industry expansion. The grants will benefit three projects across the state.
In Choctaw County, nearly $3 million will go toward constructing an industrial access road to ease congestion linked to Southeastern Timber Products’ expansion. The town of Gloster will receive about $1.35 million to acquire the 34-mile Gloster Southern Railroad corridor, restoring rail service between Slaughter, Louisiana, and Gloster. Bell Timber, Inc., will get $700,000 to extend natural gas and water services and upgrade electrical infrastructure for kiln operations.
“Forestry continues to be a cornerstone of Mississippi’s economy, and these investments make it easier for our communities to grow and compete,” Reeves said. “We’re improving the infrastructure that keeps products moving and businesses expanding. That means more opportunity, more jobs and a stronger future for Mississippians.”
Bill Cork, executive director of the Mississippi Development Authority, emphasized the impact of the grants. “These targeted investments will deliver immediate impact by removing barriers and helping forestry projects move forward,” he said. “Forestry contributed $1.5 billion last year to Mississippi’s $9.5 billion agriculture industry. Through these grants, we’re investing in what clearly works—and in the people and businesses moving Mississippi forward.”
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
