Brookhaven and Lincoln County leaders Tuesday each agreed toincrease their funding support, if needed, to a road improvementproject for a new local industry.

A special called meeting between Lincoln County supervisors and theBrookhaven Board of Aldermen had a sense of urgency Tuesday ascounty and city officials made a decision on how to fund theirhalves of the road leading to Rex Lumber Brookhaven.

Boyce Street will be the main access points for trucks coming andgoing from the facility, which officials are hoping will beginproduction in April. However, the road is in need of anoverhaul.

“It’s full of potholes,” said Rex Lumber Brookhaven General ManagerDoug Boykin. “They could not only damage the trucks, but with thatmuch weight, they’re constantly getting worse.”

A Mississippi Development Authority grant will cover $650,000 ofthe reconstruction of Boyce Street. County and city officials haveeach already pledged $144,000 to the project.

The remaining $650,000 was expected to come from the U.S. EconomicDevelopment Administration. However, the EDA money has yet to beseen.

“Had (EDA’s) budget been approved, we feel like that would have(come through),” said Brookhaven-Lincoln County Chamber of CommerceExecutive Vice President Cliff Brumfield, who has been working withofficials from Rex Lumber Brookhaven. “It is not uncommon for localgovernments to match federal and state programs.”

As officials waited for the additional funding from the EDA, theclock has been ticking on the MDA grant.

A decision was needed Tuesday on how to fund the remaining moneynecessary for the project before the MDA grant money would be lostdue to its time constraint. If the MDA grant was not used, themoney would be recycled back to the state.

County and city officials met and discussed ways of coming up withthe money needed to finish the project and asked several questionsof Brumfield and Boykin. The two boards then met separately anddeliberated briefly.

However, before breaking into two groups, Mayor Les Bumgarnerreminded officials that there is a possibility that the city andcounty would be left to foot the remainder of the bill.

“If we go into this, there is a good chance EDA won’t comethrough,” said Bumgarner.

After their separate meetings, city and county officials eachunanimously decided on a resolution of intent to use a CAP loan tofinish the project on a 50-50 split.

“The mechanics on how that will work is being worked out betweenboth our attorneys,” said Lincoln County Chancery Clerk TillmonBishop.

City and county officials seemed prepared to supply the projectwith additional funding, but have not abandoned all hope of the EDApulling through.

“We’re in hopes the EDA grant will be funded in the near future andthe CAP loan will be paid with that,” said Bishop. “However, wealso understand that it (might not be) paid off by grant fundingand that’s the confidence you need in economic development and jobcreation.”

Bumgarner shared similar thoughts as Bishop.

“We’re still in hopes that EDA will come through (with theirshare),” he said. “If not, we’re prepared to pay itourselves.”

One of the major deciding factors for each party involved inagreeing to a loan is the impact the lumber company is expected tohave in the local economy.

Rex Lumber Brookhaven is projected to create 110 jobs with apayroll of about $5 million. Boykin also pointed out to city andcounty officials that they would be sharing the new road with GreatSouthern Wood Preserving, Inc.

“Both these industries will be benefited by this road,” hesaid.

In addition to smoother operations, the city and county’s showingof their willingness to do what is necessary to support the localeconomy could be inviting to future businesses.

“It’s quite likely we’ll find ourselves in this place as years passand we attempt to populate the new park,” said Brumfield.