NATCHEZ, Miss. – The U. S. Congress last week allocated about $3 million to Natchez-Adams County for various earmarks that include an airport fire truck and a memorial honoring the country’s first Black U.S. congressman.
The appropriations are in legislation approved Friday by President Biden for the U.S. Department of the Interior and other federal agencies, said Natchez Mayor Dan Gibson.
About $1 million was allocated for a new fire truck at the Natchez-Adams County Airport that local officials are trying to enhance for bringing back commercial airline service.
Congress also earmarked funds for the landscaped area and monument Natchez is developing to honor Hiram Revels, the Natchez minister and alderman who became the first Black U.S. senator in 1870. Revels Plaza is to be on the western end of St. Catherine Street where it meets Martin Luther King and Jefferson streets.
In addition, Congress tucked in money to advance the city’s plans for a memorial honoring Black Civil War soldiers involved in the Union occupation of Natchez after the city surrendered in 1863. The Natchez U.S. Colored Troops Monument is to be on the northern end of Broadway Street.
The $3 million in federal funds for Natchez also includes money to help improve stormwater drainage for the city’s Glenwood and Rollingwood areas, according to Gibson. This $1 million earmarked for Natchez is being funneled through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, according to a congressional summary of the appropriation.
The federal funds long sought by Natchez-Adams County leaders were finalized as Gibson was in Washington, D.C., last week meeting with Mississippi’s congressional delegation.
“This has truly been a bipartisan team effort, and I must thank several individuals for their leadership in making it happen,” said Gibson, crediting local officials and members of Congress representing Natchez-Adams County.
”We are now one step closer to having an airport ready for commercial flights while being able to tackle some important projects in the city – because Natchez deserves more.”
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