WLOX-TV Biloxi
Gautier receives $1.3 million in federal funds for Shepard State Park
By WLOX Staff
GAUTIER, Miss. (WLOX) - The City of Gautier will receive $1.3 million in federal funding to restore the old ranger house at Shepard State Park.
The city said the building will be demolished and turned into a multipurpose community center.
According to a press release, the city acquired the funds through the Economic Development Initiative under the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Along with the center, Gautier plans to install “visual educational amenities” to tell guests about local plants and animals.
Mayor Casey Vaughan said the project is also a way to build on the city’s heritage.
“There’s many things at the community center that we are going to turn the house into that can be utilized to benefit all residents and guests. It will have some educational components to it also. This house was the entrance to Shepard State Park, so it’s important that we keep our heritage to be able to tell about the history, but also we honor those who did something for our community,” Mayor Vaughan said.
The city thanked Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith for assistance in securing the funding.
The city said it will work with the Department of Housing and Urban Development on the project’s next steps.