WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Roger Wicker and Thad Cochran announced the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) today approved an additional $86,350 for Webster County to construct an access road that will provide improved access for commercial expansion and traffic safety improvement within an industrial area.  The project originally received $77,200 of ARC Local Access Road funds in FY 2006. 

The additional funds will be used to cover the project cost increase mainly due to fuel related project items.  The ARC funds will be used to construct approximately 260 linear feet of three-lane roadway from Mississippi Highway 182 to the industrial site.  It is estimated that the project will support the creation of approximately 60 new jobs and retention of 125 existing jobs at the manufacturing site. 

“These funds represent an important investment in Webster County’s infrastructure that will help support new jobs and economic growth in the county,” Sen. Roger Wicker said.

In addition to the ARC grant, the State of Mississippi will provide $88,450 and Webster County will contribute $13,000 to the project with an estimated total project cost of $265,000.