Cooperative Competes Grant Awarded for Proactive Site Development in Greene County
Hattiesburg, Miss. (December 15, 2021) — Cooperative Energy, together with the 11 Member distribution cooperatives it serves, announced today the award of a Cooperative Competes grant to the Greene County Board of Supervisors.
The $25,000 Cooperative Competes grant will aid in engineering assessments and environmental due diligence studies for a 415-acre property along Highway 57 referred to as the Greene County Rail Site.
Brian Hughey, Singing River Electric general manager and CEO, is supportive of Greene County’s economic development efforts. “As an electric cooperative, it is important that we leverage every opportunity we have to bring new businesses to our service territory,” says Hughey. “Our fundamental goal is giving back to the members we serve.”
Located in the southwest portion of the county, the Greene County Rail Site is adjacent to the Canadian National rail line, served by Singing River Electric, and provides a prime opportunity for future industrial development.
“We are thankful for the consistent economic development support Singing River Electric and Cooperative Energy have shown our community”, said Danny Box, Greene County economic development director. “The Cooperative Competes grant allows us to match the Board of Supervisors’ investment into analysis of the potential site, and we’re eager to continue seeking opportunities for economic growth,” said Box.
Mitch Stringer, Cooperative Energy economic development director is pleased to see Greene County taking advantage of the program. “From project support to grant funding, our department works as an extension of our communities’ economic development retention and recruitment teams,” said Stringer. “Providing grant funds for proactive site development is just one of the many ways in which we play a role in our Members’ service areas.
The Cooperative Competes initiative, aimed at increasing product and community competitiveness, was unveiled in 2019. A component of the initiative allows economic development organizations to apply for grant funds to offset industrial property development costs. These funds are provided jointly by Cooperative Energy’s 11 Member distribution cooperatives. Eligible uses include industrial site preparation, environmental due diligence studies, as a portion of the local match for Mississippi Development Authority’s Site Development Grant Program, or other property development needs.
For more information about Cooperative Competes visit www.cooperativeenergy.com/economic-development-cooperative-competes/
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About Cooperative Energy
Cooperative Energy generates and transmits electricity to 11 Member-owned electric distribution cooperatives. Known as the Power of 12, Cooperative Energy and its Member cooperatives work together to provide safe, reliable, and affordable power from the Mississippi Delta to the Coast. The 11 electric cooperatives own and maintain more than 57,000 miles of distribution lines and provide service to approximately 437,000 homes and businesses throughout 55 counties.