WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Thad Cochran, R-Miss., along with U.S. Representative Trent Kelly, R-Miss., today announced a $3.5 million grant to construct a safe room at Itawamba Community College (ICC) in Fulton.

The Mississippi lawmakers reported Friday that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is providing $3.5 million in hazard mitigation grant funding to build a multi-purpose hazardous weather safe room on campus.

“A weather safe room will help shield students and locals from unpredictable weather and its potential for devastating loss,” Wicker said. “I am pleased that FEMA is working with ICC and Fulton through this grant to construct this life-saving facility.”

“Tornadoes and severe weather caused indiscriminate devastation in Mississippi. This safe room project will help Itawamba Community College and Fulton residents be better prepared for hazardous conditions,” Cochran said. “I appreciate FEMA’s support for this project.”

“As our region continues to experience extreme weather events, it is essential that investments are made to keep Mississippians safe. When disaster strikes, the Itawamba Community College safe room will be an invaluable resource in the Fulton community,” Kelly said.

The 13,585-square-foot facility will have the capacity to protect 2,319 students, faculty and staff from wind speeds up to 250 mph. The total cost of the project is $5.77 million, with FEMA covering 61 percent of the cost.

The FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program provides funding to states and local governments for long-term hazard mitigation activities designed to reduce the loss of life and property due to natural disasters. Data shows that investments in hazard mitigation before a disaster creates a net savings of taxpayer dollars during post-disaster response and recovery periods.