|
Williford, Gearhart & Knight, Inc. |
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Engineers & Surveyors |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Volume 1, Issue 12, March 2, 2009 Daylight savings time begins March 8th |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Reinvestment Act” |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Last month we were all anxiously awaiting the passage of a new
and improved stimulus plan, like kids waiting up for Santa Claus. While the bill is now law, not all have
found presents under their trees. Depending on the type of funds requested,
it will take a little planning, luck, and some up-front investment in order
to be eligible for a piece of the pie.
*Source: CNN Funds will be allocated to the states through a variety of
mechanisms. A key element for all
these mechanisms is the readiness for each project for execution. The “more
ready” a project is, the “more likely” it is to get funded. For improvements to infrastructure, there
are five primary ways to potentially fund a project. All of them use existing
application methods, so you may already be on “the list”: 1.
Drinking Water State Revolving Fund –
Administered by the State Health Department, this route is normally for
low-interest loans, however, for stimulus funds, there will be some grant
funds available. The percentage of
grant funding for a project will be influenced by the median income of the
locality requesting the funds. As
always, funding requests are made through a process of submitting a notice of
intent (NOI), creating a facilities plan, and processing the necessary
third-party clearances (environmental, historical, etc). Those communities who have already
completed this process and are on the Intended Use Plan will get priority
consideration for the available funds.
The anticipated total funding available for the state is $20
million. 2.
Clean 3.
Highway Infrastructure Investment
–Administered by the Mississippi Department of Transportation, these funds
are targeted at roads designated as “federal aid routes” only. These are 100% grants for construction only,
i.e. there are no funds available for design and survey services. In accepting these funds, the completed
project must comply with all MDOT design standards. Anticipated total funding is $354 million. 4.
Rural Utility Service (RUS) –
Administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, RUS funds are intended
for low-interest loans and grants for water treatment and waste disposal
projects for communities with fewer than 10,000 people. The request process requires applications,
engineering reports, and environmental reviews/assessments. An estimate of 5.
Community Development Block Grants
(CDBG) – Administered by the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA), these
grants are available to fund publicly owned infrastructure for community
based projects. Examples of eligible
projects include drainage systems, water and sewer systems, roads and
bridges, and buildings. CDBG requires
that at least 51% of the persons benefitted must be persons of low and
moderate income (as determined the U.S. Department Housing and Urban
Development). Maximum grant amount per
project is $600,000 for cities and counties with a population greater than
3,500 people and $450,000 for cities and counties with a population under
3,500. The application process requires engineering reports, formal
applications, environmental sign-offs, and a certification of community
needs. Estimated available funds for On the face of it, it would appear Santa’s sleigh has just
left our collective roofs. However,
upon closer examination, it would seem that there are not presents for
everyone. If you think you may have a
potential stimulus project, be prepared to ask yourself a few important
questions: ·
Do I meet the requirements of the
funding agency (population size, income level, etc)? ·
Am I willing to accept only a grant or
is a combination of grant and low-interest loan OK? ·
How ready is my project? Am I willing to invest the up-front money
in order to complete all the clearances, applications and reports? Clearly, there is an opportunity for community leaders to
improve the lives of their constituents with this newfound windfall. Who actually ends up benefitting may be
dictated more by who can spend the money quickest than by who needs it the
most. Article by: |
Our ministry is built
around the verse Ephesians 1:18. In this verse Paul writes, "I pray also
that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the
hope to which he has called you."
Nothing is as important as living within God’s will for your life. Every man
has a purpose; a calling on his life. As Paul expresses our importance and
place in the kingdom later in Chapter As men if we don’t
step into our calling/our purpose/our mission that piece simply won’t get
done. Our role is our role; it is unique to us! I invite you to step into
your calling with us. We are excited
to announce that Gary Barkalow will be leading ‘The Calling” weekend
adventure. Please check out |
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Where: Tara Wildlife www.tarawildlife.com Time: 5:00 p.m. check-in on Friday April 24, 2009 Amount: $325.00 includes meals and lodging |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Because of the
amenities of Tara Wildlife there will only be two people in each room. We are
limiting the total retreat to 70. Registration and payment for the event
should be completed before April 1, 2009 at the following web address: callingweekend2009.eventbrite.com
325 Hwy 80 East, 601-506-3579 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Chamber Honors
This award is presented each year to a citizen
who has provided leadership and selfless service to the community. Greg truly loves being a part of the
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
|
WGK is proud to announce a new addition to our family. Wes & Misti Cowart are the proud new
parents of a baby girl named Blakely Rose who was born on
February 3, 2009 at 1:45 p.m. She weighed 6 lbs. 1 oz. and is 19 ½” long. Wes works in our WGK
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
|
WGK is also proud to announce another new addition to our
family. Danette Hunt is the proud new
grandmother of a baby boy named Jayce Rustle Holman who was born
on February 4, 2009 at 10:14 p.m. He
weighed 10 lbs. 8 oz. and is 21 ½” long. Danette works in our
WGK Congratulations to the Hunt Family |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
|
WHAT’S
HAPPENING IN YOUR TOWN? |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
If something is
happening in your town/city that you want to include in this section |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Live Oaks Golf Club For more information please MDOT 601-359-7301 |
For more information Click Here |
2009 The MML Annual Conference |
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
10K Road Race and Saturday, March 7, 2009 For more information about the
race, obtaining an entry form or becoming a sponsor please visit their
website at |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
|
CDBG Wednesday, March 18, 2009 @ 9:00 a.m. ESG Wednesday, March 18, 2009 @ 1:30 p.m. Registration begins at 8:15 a.m. with
No registration fee for the
workshops. |
Activities for the
day include a 5K walk-run, arts and crafts, children’s activities, guided
tours of historic sites and the original Mississippi Venison Cook-Off. Saturday, March 28, 2009 For more |
Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort |
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Angel Food
Ministries is a non-profit, non-denominational organization. The ministry
works together with churches & community organizations to provide grocery
relief to communities and families throughout the Joe and Linda Wingo founded
Angel Food Ministries in 1994 to provide food for friends and neighbors who
were struggling financially. Today, they are still doing the same thing
however the Angel Food program is now helping provide food relief to more
than 500,000 families each month. 1. Find
Your Closest Local Host Site If
you need more information or if your church is interested in being a host
church please call 770-267-7015 or visit the website at: www.angelfoodministries.org |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
