Natchez, MS – In a significant boost to the city’s infrastructure and development, Natchez has been awarded the 2024 RAISE grant, amounting to $24,570,000. Mayor Dan Gibson made the announcement on Friday afternoon from his office at the historic city hall in downtown Natchez.
The grant, provided by the United States Department of Transportation, will fund the Forks of Freedom Corridor project, a long-planned initiative aimed at revitalizing North Natchez. The project will focus on enhancing the area around the Highway 61 flyover, improving access to downtown Natchez, and beautifying Devereux Drive, thus spurring economic development in a historically significant but declining area.
One of the project’s key components is the development of the Forks of the Road site, which was transferred to the National Park Service in 2021 on Juneteenth. Planned modifications include pedestrian safety improvements, new crosswalks, and the restoration of a historic brick bridge on the old Washington Road pathway. Additionally, the area will see further enhancements around the soon-to-be-named Hiram Revels Plaza and Jefferson Street, extending to the Natchez Bluff and the future site of the U.S. Colored Troops monument.
Mayor Gibson emphasized the comprehensive nature of the improvements, which will also include pedestrian safety upgrades across the majority of downtown intersections, the installation of bicycle lanes, and repaving efforts throughout the downtown area, St. Catherine Street, and Franklin Street.
The announcement came during a meeting with President Tracy Cook at Alcorn State University, where Mayor Gibson received a call from Senator Roger Wicker, delivering the good news. The moment was particularly poignant as the call was received under the portrait of Hiram Revels, the first president of Alcorn State and the first African American to serve in the U.S. Congress.
Mayor Gibson extended his gratitude to several key figures who played a crucial role in securing the grant. Senator Wicker, U.S. Congressman Benny Thompson, Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith, and former Congressman Michael Guest were all acknowledged for their bipartisan support. Additionally, local entities such as the Natchez National Historic Park, the Chamber of Commerce, Friends of the Riverfront, and the Downtown Natchez Alliance were recognized for their contributions.
“This grant is a testament to the power of collaboration and the importance of telling our whole story,” said Mayor Gibson. “It’s fitting that this news comes just after Juneteenth, highlighting our commitment to honoring our history while looking forward to a brighter future.”
The RAISE grant, an acronym for Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity, aims to invest in infrastructure projects that promise to achieve national objectives, including safety, economic strength, and environmental protection.
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