City of Picayune agrees to pursue funding for Exit 10 Sewer Project

The Picayune City Council met last night and received an update on a proposed project from Pearl River County Economic Director Lindsay Ward.

The proposed project would be a joint effort between Pearl River County, the City of Picayune, and the Pearl River County Utility Authority to extend sewer service from the North Picayune area on I-59 to exit 10 to an area that was part of previous annexed by the city of Picayune. Ward stated that the annexed area on Exit 10 is zoned highway commercial, and in order to bring opportunities to that area, infrastructure like sewer must be in place.

Ward explain that her request was only to get Picayune to agree to apply for American Rescue Plan Act (“ARPA “) for project approval. The deadline to submit the grant application is September 30, 2022. Ward said the award notifications for this round of ARPA projects could come as early as October.

According to Ward (pictured), the project value is estimated to be $2.5 million. The city of Picayune would commit $300,000 of the city’s Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) program, which is a part of the ARPA funding as well. Ward said the county had approved their portion of funding for this project during its first meeting earlier this month.

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 provides $350 billion in funding for state and local governments. Recipients may use SLFRF funds to invest in water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure, making necessary investments to improve access to clean drinking water, to support vital wastewater and storm water infrastructure, and to expand affordable access to broadband internet.