For all Mississippians or those that would like to invest in our great state.  There is $2.7 billion of Community Development Block Grant Money allocated to help rebuild 20,000 - 25,000 units in the southern most 3 counties of MS: Harrison, Hancock and Jackson.  See the press release below.  Check my blog for more info to come.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 25, 2008

STATEMENT OF GOVERNOR HALEY BARBOUR

"Without question HUD's final approval of the Long Term Workforce Housing Action plan is a major milestone is Mississippi's Katrina recovery effort.  This program, teamed with our public housing and small rental initiatives, is one part of a $2.7 billion CDBG -sourced housing recovery budget that will directly help build 20,000 to 25,000 low and moderate income housing units for both renters and new homeowners. This is in addition to the direct compensation provided to the more than 20,000 homeowners who have received checks from the CDBG homeowners assistance grants program.

"I've been working with HUD to obtain this final long term workforce housing approval, and frankly a lot of credit goes to Mississippi's Congressional delegation for providing invaluable assistance in that effort, specifically Senators Cochran, Wicker and Representative Taylor. As far as I am concerned, on August 29, 2005, we checked party labels at the door, and since Katrina's final deadly winds subsided, our state's recovery has been a bipartisan effort by the overwhelming majority of Mississippi's elected officials, and I know Mississippi's people expect us to continue our recovery in a spirit of cooperation that puts Mississippi's recovery needs above political agendas."

To receive more information on the growth and development of south MS, please email me and I will put you on my email newsletter blast list.

Molly Lionberger, Assistant Vice President

First Bank and Trust of Mississippi

email: mlionberger@fbtonline.com