WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., today announced that Lowndes County will receive $350,000 in grant funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) for enhancements to its sewer system.

“I am pleased to hear that Lowndes County is receiving this award,” Wicker said. “This funding will enable the Golden Triangle Industrial Park to have an even greater impact on the local economy and jobs.”

The funds granted for Lowndes County’s sewer system will extend sewer service in the Golden Triangle Industrial Park, allowing a company to invest $100 million of private capital in construction activities and create 40 new jobs. The extension of sewer service is needed for the planned production activities in the new facility. In addition to ARC funding, local sources will provide $184,500, bringing the total project funding to $534,500.

ARC awards grants and contracts from funds appropriated to the commission annually by Congress. Program grants are directed to state and local agencies, local governing boards, and nonprofit organizations. In addition to investments in infrastructure, contracts are awarded for research on topics that directly impact economic development in the Appalachian region, which includes 24 counties in northeastern Mississippi. Governors of the 13 Appalachian states and one federal co-chair serve on the commission.

Wicker recently led efforts to reauthorize ARC, sponsoring legislation to allocate $100 million annually over the next five years. That measure was passed by the Senate on July 30, 2015, by a vote of 65-34. The proposal is currently awaiting action by the House of Representatives.