MERIDIAN, Miss. (Queen City Newsfeed) – State transportation officials awarded roughly $5 million in federal grant funding Tuesday to multiple East Mississippi communities for pedestrian infrastructure projects aimed at improving safety and accessibility.
Mississippi Transportation Commissioner Willie Simmons announced the Transportation Alternative Program (TAP) awards during an 11 a.m. check presentation ceremony in Meridian. The funding will support sidewalk and walking trail projects across five partner entities: East Mississippi Community College, the City of Scooba and Kemper County Economic Development, the Town of Marion, the Lauderdale County Board of Supervisors, and the City of Meridian.
“Today we had five partners … In total, they received about $5 million,” Simmons said. “The purpose of this money is to be utilized to put sidewalks in. Those sidewalks are going to give pedestrians an opportunity to be able to walk and be healthier, and also, they can add lighting to it to make sure they are safe.”
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Town of Marion — $902,000
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City of Meridian (Medical District) — $934,000
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City of Meridian (Downtown District) — $800,000
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East Mississippi Community College — $935,000
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Kemper County Economic Development Authority — $608,000
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Lauderdale County Board of Supervisors — $819,000
Simmons said the funding is specifically designated for pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure and cannot be used for road construction. Projects funded through the program must allocate the awarded money within 18 months, though completion of the projects may extend beyond that timeframe.
The TAP funding comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation, which Simmons thanked for its support.
Local leaders said the funding will play a key role in broader development efforts.
“This is a first step for us for this TAP Grant Funding to help both our medical district and our downtown improvements,” Meridian Mayor Percy Bland said. “Better safety from 8th Street all the way up towards our hospitals. We’re very excited.”
Bland added that the projects align with ongoing redevelopment efforts in Meridian’s downtown, including new programs from Mississippi State University.
“All of that is about to totally transform downtown,” Bland said. “We’re trying to build spaces that are convenient for our citizens and also college students — the vibe of a college downtown.”
The ceremony was held at 2205 14th St. in Meridian and included local and regional officials representing the recipient communities. Officials said the projects are expected to enhance walkability, improve public safety, and support economic development throughout the region.
