Clarksdale Press Register
Senator Hyde-Smith visits DSU, views federally funded projects
By THE PRESS REGISTER
U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith made a special visit to Cleveland and Delta State University on Thursday, October 10, accompanied by 34 staff members from her Washington, D.C. and Mississippi offices. The visit, coordinated by the Cleveland-Bolivar County Chamber of Commerce, showcased important community partnerships and federally funded initiatives that are vital to the growth and success of the region.
The day began with a tour of the GRAMMY Museum Mississippi, where the Senator and her delegation learned about the rich musical heritage of the Delta. Following the tour, the group attended a luncheon at the museum hosted by the Cleveland-Bolivar County Chamber of Commerce and catered by Catfish Cabin. During the luncheon, Cleveland City Alderman and Chairman of the Airport Commission Kirkham Povall extended a warm welcome to Senator Hyde-Smith, thanking her for her continued generosity and unwavering support for local infrastructure and economic development projects. He said, "We are thrilled to have Senator Hyde-Smith with us today, and we deeply appreciate her ongoing commitment to Cleveland and the surrounding areas. Her steadfast support has been invaluable."
"We were honored to welcome Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith and her delegation to our community," said Chamber Executive Director Hannah Aguzzi. "Her ongoing support and dedication to our region have made a significant impact on our growth and success. This support plays a pivotal role in advancing key initiatives that are driving economic development in Cleveland and Bolivar County."
After lunch, Senator Hyde-Smith and her staff toured Statesmen Boulevard, to which she helped secure $2 million in federal funding. This project will relieve traffic congestion caused by athletic activities and game day events, which occurs in a local residential area that is served by four city streets (Westminster Drive, Bolling Avenue, McClain Avenue, Shumate Circle) connected to Highway 8. The residential area consists of permanent city residents, many with children. Pedestrian safety, including cyclists and walkers, has been of immediate concern.
The tour continued to the Cleveland Municipal Airport to visit the new Airport Industrial Site and the Delta Regional Agricultural Flight Training and Advance Turbine Training, located in the recently completed City Hangar. Senator Hyde-Smith was instrumental in securing $1.8 million for the northern ramp expansion and the taxiway connector at the airport, further supporting the city's growing infrastructure needs.
The next stop was a visit to DSU's Flight Operations, where the group toured DSU's fleet of aircraft and explored the university's flight simulators, showcasing its state-of-the-art aviation program. The delegation was also briefed on DSU's Aerial Applicator Pilot Training program, which provides training and certification for agricultural pilots. In 2023, Senator Hyde-Smith was instrumental in securing $2 million in funding to launch this program.
The final stop of the day was Delta State's main campus, where the delegation learned about key academic and community programs, including restoration projects for the historic residence halls Cleveland Hall and Ward Hall, the Hayes Cooper Center elementary school now located on campus, and the Robert E. Smith School of Nursing and Health Sciences. The tour concluded with a special show at the Roy L. and Clara Belle Wiley Planetarium, where Assistant Professor of Physics and Planetarium Director Dr. Maria Weber led the group through an interactive presentation highlighting the university's contributions to STEM education and plans to utilize the $500,000 in federal funding to significantly upgrade their equipment, ensuring its continued role as a vital STEM resource in the Mississippi Delta.
Delta State University President Dr. Daniel J. Ennis praised the Senator's commitment to the university and the Delta. "We are so pleased to have our Senator here today," Ennis said. "What I have learned since coming here is how extraordinarily integrated the university, the town, the community, and the entire Delta are. All of our needs feed into the prosperity of this community, and we are so thankful that we have leaders in Washington who understand that we work together for the betterment of our community."
Senator Hyde-Smith expressed her gratitude for the warm welcome and emphasized the importance of her team understanding the Delta's unique needs. "It is a delight to be here," she said. "I thought it was really important for my staff to come and spend time in the Delta. When they get a call or a request, I want them to be able to relate to this."
Senator Hyde-Smith has been instrumental in securing several key federal funding allocations for Delta State University and the surrounding community. These include $2 million for the Aerial Applicator Pilot Training Certificate Program, $1 million for the Collaborative for Rural STEM Education Program, $475,000 for Student Enrichment Through Radio, $2 million for the Statesmen Boulevard Improvement Project (Phase II), $1 million for the Aviation Ag Simulator (Phase I), and $500,000 to support STEM outreach in the Mississippi Delta through the Wiley Planetarium.
Dr. Ennis, along with other university and community leaders, expressed their gratitude for the Senator's visit and continued federal support. "This visit truly underscores the collaborative spirit we have in this region," said Ennis. "We are excited about what the future holds with strong leadership like Senator Hyde-Smith behind us."