WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., today announced the award of $63.6 million in funding from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for 17 projects in Mississippi. The projects will support flood control, wastewater, and other infrastructure, including the Yazoo Backwater Pumps project.

“An additional $63 million for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projects in Mississippi will help a number of Mississippi communities make improvements to protect life and property and improve quality of life for residents,” Wicker said. “I am especially pleased to see $9.2 million devoted to the critical Yazoo Backwater Pumps project, which has been long awaited. With this funding, the project will be able to continue to move forward.”

As part of the awards, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers also designated $15.4 million to fund the Forrest Heights Levee and Pump Project. Envisioned in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina as part of the Mississippi Coastal Improvements Program, the project will protect the Forrest Heights community in Gulfport from a 200-year flood event by raising the existing levee and installing pumps. 

Additionally, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers provided substantial investment in Mississippi's largest ports, awarding $3.725 million to the Port of Gulfport and $3.7 million to the Port of Pascagoula.

For the full Army Corps work plan, click here.