The Vicksburg Board of Mayor and Aldermen during its regular meeting April 7 unanimously approved a resolution to pay 20% toward a new water tower in south Vicksburg that would also serve the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), if needed.

Lucy DeRossette, who writes grant proposals for the city, said the tower would serve Vicksburg residents, but would also provide peace of mind for ERDC officials.

“ERDC has approached the City of Vicksburg and would like us to help them build a water tower on their property, or our property. That part is undecided right now,” DeRosseette said. “They need this because, if water was to be out for any extended length of time, of course the supercomputer is at great risk. It can only go about three days without cooling water. The whole ERDC campus can only survive about five days without water. So, they feel it’s a great need for keeping ERDC in Vicksburg and growing ERDC that we have a water tower there.”

DeRossette said Col. Brian Green at ERDC has been in discussion with engineers concerning the project and has access to a grant through the State of Mississippi that will effectively provide seed money to supplement the $5 million federal grant needed for the project.

“It’s the Military Base Enhancement Program,” DeRossette explained. “(It’s) overseen by the governor and they have funds available for any community that has a military installation.”

DeRossette said the grant application will request approximately $300,000 to pay for engineering research and planning, site prep and the partnership between ERDC and the City of Vicksburg water, gas and legal departments. 

The City of Vicksburg would be responsible for 20%, or approximately $60,000.

“And this will count toward the 20% that will be required to put in for that big (federal) $5 million grant,” DeRossette said. “And this is of importance that we do it now, because the big grant is going to open up this month and we want to have this money ready.”