West Point selectmen have agreed to apply for grant funding to renovate City Hall, which is more than a century old.
Spencer Broocks, project specialist for Golden Triangle Planning and Development District, said a cost estimate for exterior work on the building has not been received, so the amount of funding being applied for is not yet known. However, if the city opts to apply for $100,000 in funding, it would have to provide a 20 percent match, or $20,000 for the project.
The grant opportunity is through the Mississippi Department of Archives and History. That entity’s program received approximately $2 million for Mississippi Community Heritage Preservation Grant projects in its latest funding cycle, Broocks said.
West Point and Columbus applied for funding through the program last year but did not receive any.
The building was designated as a Mississippi landmark in 1985. It was built in 1909.
In other business, selectmen granted GTPDD permission to advertise for professional services for HOME Investment Participation program projects. Two months ago, the city was awarded a grant from the Mississippi Development Authority’s HOME program for the first time. At that time, selectmen approved to execute contracts with the state in the amount of $378,214 to demolish and rebuild four homes in the city.
Nathan Gregory covers city and county government for The Dispatch.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 36 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.