Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, Tupelo
Baldwyn grant could create hundreds of jobs, $57M in investment
Daily Journal
BALDWYN - A $1.5 million grant from the Economic Development Administration will be used to upgrade the natural gas transmission system of the city, and in doing so, the project is expected to create 425 jobs, retain 1,439 jobs, and spur nearly $57 million in private investment.
“The Trump Administration is committed to providing companies and communities across the United States with the tools they need to succeed,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. “Baldwyn’s initiative to upgrade the local infrastructure ensures the region will remain economically competitive, allowing businesses to thrive.”
This project includes the replacement of a 6-inch gas line with an 8-inch steel line, capable of providing more dependable service to customers. The replacement of the natural gas line is “vital to the continued economic life and growth of this region,” the EDA said.
Three Rivers Planning and Development District led the way in pushing for the grant. EDA funds the Three Rivers “to bring together the public and private sectors to create an economic development roadmap to strengthen the regional economy, support private capital investment, and create jobs,” the agency said.
“This investment, combined with $1 million just approved by the legislature, will go a long way toward improving energy infrastructure in Baldwyn. These upgrades will have economic benefits for the community and its residents,” said U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Mississippi.
In addition to business and industry in the city, the Harry A. Martin North Lee Industrial Complex off U.S. Highway 45 is within city limits. Some of the region’s largest employers call the park home, including H.M. Richards, Southern Motion and APMM, a Toyota supplier.