SRE facilitates $15,000 grant for MS Export Railroad (7-08)

    LUCEDALE, MS –

    South Mississippi Electric Power Association awarded a $15,000 economic development grant to Mississippi Export Railroad at the request of Singing River Electric Power Association.

     Mississippi Export Railroad will utilize the grant to build an access road and further develop their 640-acre industrial park located in Helena.

     “Singing River Electric is always working to assist economic development in southeast Mississippi,” said cooperative general manager and CEO Lee Hedegaard. “Grants in conjunction with South Mississippi Electric are just a part of our overall economic development investment in this region.”

     South Mississippi Electric is Singing River Electric’s wholesale power provider and therefore generates and purchases the electricity used by the cooperative. As part of South Mississippi Electric’s economic development commitment, grants are awarded to businesses served by its member systems. Eligible projects include preliminary consulting and engineering studies to evaluate potential development sites and/or related infrastructure needs. Cooperative managers request the grants for local projects and award checks to recipients.

     “We appreciate the receipt of the grant money,” said Greg Luce, president and chairman of Mississippi Export Railroad. “It will contribute to the further development of the Helena Industrial Park and hopefully create new jobs.”