Pearl River Valley Electric Power Association, in partnership with Cooperative Energy, announce recently that the Marion County Development Partnership (MCDP) has been awarded a Cooperative Competes grant of $12,500. This funding will support a Comprehensive Workforce Study conducted by VisionFirst, an economic development consulting firm, as a crucial step in establishing a master plan for the Marion Regional AirPlex and IndustryPlex.
In addition to the Cooperative Competes grant, MCDP has secured $420,000 in additional funding through the Mississippi Development Authority’s Select Site Grant Program and the Cooperative Energy Site Invest Program. The project’s scope includes workforce studies, traffic flow analysis, geotechnical evaluations, and master planning by a specialized engineering and site selection firm.
MCDP has successfully leveraged these resources, along with some matching funds from the Mississippi Power Propel Grant program, to undertake this vital planning process. The goal is to enhance the competitive positioning and refine the marketing strategy for the industrial properties within the Marion County Economic Development District.
The Cooperative Competes initiative is designed to boost community competitiveness and promote economic growth across Mississippi. Through this initiative, economic development organizations can apply for grants to support industrial property development, workforce enhancement, or community growth projects. The funds are provided jointly by Cooperative Energy’s 11 Member distribution cooperatives.
