PICAYUNE — Pearl River County will benefit from a number of grants gained through the efforts of Picayune Main Street’s manager.
One of the most recent fruits of Picayune Main Street manager Reba Bebee’s labor is the recently approved South Mississippi Tourism Industry Restoration Grant. Bebee said the grant stemmed from a need to restore tourism after Hurricane Katrina damaged the state’s six coastal counties. Since Pearl River County does not have a Tourism Council, Bebee said Picayune Main Street was able to apply for and receive the grant.
The grant will help pay for printing county maps, a calendar of events and points of interest to be distributed in a number of Mississippi Welcome Centers. The $76,928.50 grant will pay to print about 100,000 of the pamphlets. Additionally, it will help pay for advertising expenses for events such as Picayune Main Street’s Shop By Candlelight, the Picayune Chamber’s Chili Cookoff and Poplarville’s Blueberry Jubilee, Bebee said.
“Anything that (adds) tourism and will make Pearl River County a driving destination,” Bebee said.
Bebee’s next application will request a grant that should help Picayune Main Street gain technical knowledge and apply for other grants. A $70,000 Technical Support grant will help purchase software, pay for workshop training and help cover the Main Street organization’s dues, which amount to about $2,000 a year, she said.
The Technical Support grant also will provide Picayune Main Street an opportunity to apply for a Facade grant, which will help Main Street members renovate their business exteriors, Bebee said.
The Technical Support Grant also can help Bebee form a Low Interest Loan Approval program. The program would be available to help business owners secure affordable loans from lending institutions.
A future project Bebee said she is working on is making Picayune a Certified Local Government. If successful, Picayune’s historic landmarks would be eligible for 100 percent grants to perform restoration work, which could have saved some pieces of Picayune’s history that have been demolished.
Picayune is one of the few places in Mississippi that has a historic mural in its post office, but it’s covered by a layer of paint. Bebee said she would like to apply for a grant to pay for a process that would remove only that layer of paint, restoring the historic mural for all to see.
One grant could provide walkers and bicyclers with a safe place to get some exercise. If approved, a Mississippi Department of Transportation grant could provide funds to build a pedestrian and bike trail. A location for the trail still has to be determined, Bebee said.
Picayune Main Street was recently awarded a $2 million Mississippi Development Authority grant that will fund a number of city improvements. Some improvements include new light posts and sidewalks for the down town business district and a board walk for people to cross the train tracks on Canal Street during street fairs. The grant also could help build a walkway from the new train depot leading to Main Street, luring potential shoppers to Picayune’s business district.
The MDA grant also would fund projects to improve Jack Read Park. Katrina damaged the park’s pavilion and it still needs repairs. Other aesthetic and lighting projects would make the park more appealing.
“We’re going to put some more lights over there because it is dark,” Bebee said.
The iconic Shay , the antique train in the middle of town on U.S. 11, will also benefit from the grant with the completion of its wrought iron fence.
Local News
Picayune Main Street grants to better the county
- Local News
-
-
MRI INSTALLED
This $1.2 million Magnetic Resonance Imaging equipment was installed at the new location of Highland Community Hospital.
-
Hall suspected of robbery after escaping
A man who escaped from jail after attending his father’s wake is suspected of having carried out an armed robbery on the Texas-Arkansas state line. Johnny Hall escaped from Mississippi Department of Corrections custody on Friday while attending his father’s wake in Picayune.
-
City Hall expansion groundbreaking held
A groundbreaking ceremony was held Tuesday at the construction site for the expansion of the historic Picayune City Hall. “You can see our future when you look down Goodyear Boulevard. You see Chimney Square, our high school, The Link at First Baptist Church, Jack Read Park and then our historic City Hall.
-
PRC athletic director says he’ll recommend random drug testing
Pearl River Central athletic director Andy Kivlan told the school board at its Monday night meeting that he will most likely recommend that students participating in extracurricular activities, including band and ROTC, be subject to random drug screening.
-
Supervisors adopt resolution encouraging more economic development in South Miss.
Following a short presentation by State Sen. Tony Smith (R-Picayune), the board of supervisors adopted on Monday a resolution encouraging state officials and agencies to exercise “fairness and parity” regarding location of new industries in Mississippi.
-
MDEQ wants comprehensive waste disposal plan from county
The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality has told Pearl River County it wants a comprehensive waste disposal plan for the county. Supervisors indicated at their Monday meeting that they are not happy with the request.
-
Police: Powell planned deadly fire for some time
Josh Powell planned the deadly house fire that killed him and his young sons for some time, dropping toys at charities and sending final emails to multiple acquaintances before the blaze, authorities said Monday.
-
Bar fight ends in man being run over
A bar fight Friday morning resulted in one man being run over by the other with a pickup truck.
The fight was reported to Picayune Police officers Friday morning at about 1:44 at the American Legion Hall on Union School Road, said Capt. Chad Dorn. -
Arson suspected at possible murder site
Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department investigators suspect arson was involved in a structure fire that occurred at a home where James Raine was killed last year.
The home at 24 Emma Lane was the scene of what investigators believe was the murder of the 37-year-old Raine in October, 2011. -
Inmate escapes leaving father’s wake
Johnny Hall Jr., 30, escaped from Mississippi Department of Corrections custody Friday afternoon while attending his father’s wake in Picayune.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Video of Ga. Man Who Killed Girl Released
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
White House Attacks Romney on Birth Control
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Mo. Teen Gets Life Sentence for Killing Girl, 9
Lower-hassle Screening to Be Tested at Airports
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Helmet Camera Captures Calif. Fire Rescue
Worker Tells 911: Powell 'exploded the House'
Triple Win: Santorum Takes Minn., Mo., Colo.
Injured Marine Inspired by Homecoming
No Rape Charges Against Son of NYPD Commissioner
Egypt's Ruling Generals Play Risky Game With US
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
