STARKVILLE — On Tuesday morning, Mississippi State University will announce details of $2 million-plus federal grant that will help connect the university campus and the city of Starkville.
The “Starkville-MSU Area Rapid Transit” or SMART, is part of a collaboration between the Mississippi Department of Transportation, the city of Starkville, the Oktibbeha County Board of Supervisors, the Greater Starkville Development Partnership and the university. The organizations will each play a part in implementing the new system, which will include three scheduled routes.
Retail and grocery stores, housing and other city venues will all be included in each of the city-campus, city circular and Sportsplex connectors route stops.
Thanks to the grant distributed through MDOT, the university will purchase 12 new buses at $1.5 million and put more than $800,000 towards transit operations.
The announcement will be made at the Leo Seal M-Club at Davis Wade Stadium. MSU President Mark E. Keenum, North Mississippi Transportation Commissioner Mike Tagert, Starkville Mayor Parker Wiseman and Oktibbeha County Board of Supervisors President Marvel Howard will participate in the 11:30 a.m. news conference.
“This provision of convenient, timely transportation between key areas of our campus and the city will definitely enhance overall quality of life for our students and Starkville residents,” Keenum said in a press release. “This system will provide affordable transportation and reduce traffic congestion, while also decreasing our area’s carbon footprint.”
For more information about the press conference, contact Harriet Laird at 662-325-7460 or [email protected].
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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