Applications for a federally funded program to assist low-income residents with utility bills are up, but there are funds to continue, the local coordinator of the program said Thursday.

Jim Stirgus Jr. of Warren Washington Issaquena Sharkey Community Action Agency addressed the Warren County Board of Supervisors at the invitation of District 3 Supervisor Charles Selmon.

Citing figures from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Stirgus told the board that despite projections that the number of applicants for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program will approach a 12-year high, the local agency is financially equipped to handle its current caseload.

&#8220As of today, funds are available,” Stirgus said, adding that the agency will be &#8220in good shape” if the program is funded at levels requested in the federal budget.

The federal program is funded at $2 billion for fiscal year 2006 as per the president’s budget request.

Stirgus said after the meeting that 30 people visited their Cherry Street office last week seeking eligibility information and he expects to see the same amount as long as utility prices remain high.

Entergy, the City of Vicksburg and most other providers have increased their charges and many residents have reported bills doubling or tripling from last winder.

LIHEAP helps eligible low-income rate payers defray the cost of gas and electric bills. People qualify for such help based on a scale based on factors including family size and number of children.

In other business, supervisors heard from Port Commission staff member Jim Pilgrim about the first phase of certifying Ceres Research and Industrial Interplex as an industrial park.

A grant from Entergy was secured to match half the $3,500 cost of the work by Central Mississippi Planning and Development District toward the effort, geared to make the site more attractive to industry, Pilgrim said.

Pilgrim also told the board a change in the commission’s economic development membership is being explored. If agreed to by the board, the commission would withdraw from the Delta Council and join the MetroJackson Economic Development Alliance.

&#8220We are more closely related to economic development in central Mississippi than in the Delta,” Pilgrim said.

The board also moved closer to accepting an organizational chart for county government. A few job titles were tightened, but county administrator John Smith told the board the emergency management director still needs to report directly to supervisors in times of emergency.

Emergency management director L.W. &#8220Bump” Callaway also addressed supervisors, asking for authorization to advertise an opening for deputy director in his office.

Callaway received permission after assuring supervisors that it would be a full-time position as budgeted and the applicants would have adequate experience in emergency management.