Mississippi lawmakers on Thursday agreed to borrow more than $360 million to finance construction, industrial development and local projects, including repaving the Kosciusko Courthouse square.
The House and Senate passed Senate Bill 3065 , which includes $207 million in borrowing, although the House held it for the possibility of more debate.
Other money has already been borrowed in separate bills, including $45 million to aid improvements at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, $86 million to fund economic development at the Mississippi Development Authority and $12.5 million for a home for medically fragile children in Jackson.
Universities will get $85 million and community colleges will get $25 million, while state agencies will get $38.6 million. Local projects total $58.4 million, funded by borrowing. The state will spend another $27 million in special projects not by borrowing, but by using surplus money in last year’s state budget that was set aside for capital improvements. (AP)
Local projects funded include:
- Holmes Community College: $1.9 million
- Leake County courthouse repair: $400,000
- Kosciusko courthouse square repaving: $365,000
- Ackerman road improvements: $200,000
- Choctaw County road improvement: $100,000
- French Camp sewer system improvements: $50,000
