to meet to decide how to spend $1.1M grant

A community group has an additional $1.1 million to spend and will take ideas for its use at a series of hearings next week.

The Washington-Warren-Issaquena-Sharkey Community Action Agency has been awarded a $1,111,536 Community Service Block Grant from the Mississippi Department of Human Services, Division of Community Services, as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, commonly known as the federal stimulus legislation.

If you go

Hearings will be:

Thursday

* 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the Kings Empowerment Center, 224 R.L. Chase Circle.

*10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. at Ricks Memorial Library, 310 N. Main St., Yazoo.

* 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the Senior Citizen Center, 142 N. Shelby St., Greenville

Friday

* 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the Mayersville Multi-purpose Building, 132 Court St., Mayersville.

* 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the Sharkey County Court House, 120 Locust St., Rolling Fork.

The grant of $5 million was already given to the agency by MDHS to spend on insulation and other energy improvements of area homes.

“Job creation is a priority, but not the only activity,” said Jean-Marie Hill, executive director of WWISCAA, who is holding brainstorming conferences to come up with ideas to use the funds.

Funds will be allocated based on the eligible population of each county.

The agency has not decided on any programs to invest in, but Hill said, “If there are people in the community with ideas, (they need) to let us know.”

Anyone is invited to attend next week’s hearings and submit suggestions on the distribution of funds.

WWISCA provides a range of community services and programs for senior citizens, disabled citizens, juvenile offenders and low-income families in need of assistance, notably in paying utility bills. It was established in 1972.

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Contact Manivanh Chanprasith at mchanprasith@vicksburgpost.com