WDAM-TV Hattiesburg
U.S. Senator Hyde-Smith making impact in Forrest County
By Karrie Leggett-Brown
FORREST COUNTY, MS (WDAM) - U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith stopped by the Forrest County Board of Supervisors meeting Monday morning.
The board thanked her for her work in getting Forrest County and Petal Schools one step closer to having safe rooms. Hyde-Smith stepped in and got eight out of 10 rooms approved for the bidding process, and is working on two more.
The Senator is also helping with funding to Bobby Chain Airport's runway and getting the funds for fencing and security at the Hattiesburg Laurel Regional Airport. Hyde-Smith said there are a lot of advantages to the Forrest County area.
"I did have the opportunity, serving on the appropriations committee, to get money for both the airports in the county," Hyde-Smith said. "One, we are going to extend the taxiway on it. The other, we are going to put a perimeter fence around it. It's a fantastic community. It's got the great health centers here, just the retail market here, what's spent in retail that generates taxes in the rest of the state, a lot to be said for."
Forrest County Board President David Hogan said the board is still waiting on approval for safe rooms for two schools, and the grants for both airports totaled $1 million.
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