Brookhaven aldermen have approved taking a loan from the Mississippi Development Authority for sewer improvements.

     The board authorized the action during their Tuesday board meeting. The $600,000 loan will come from the Mississippi Development Authority and is intended for sewer system improvements in wards Two and Three.

     The city has received a federal grant covering 50 percent of project costs, and the MDA loan will pay for the city’s half of expenses, said Mayor Les Bumgarner.

     The loan must be repaid using revenue generated by the water and sewer system, but the mayor doesn’t feel this will be a problem.

     “We feel the rates will be able to handle this without an increase,” Bumgarner said.

     The project will include both renovation and replacement of existing lines. Bumgarner said he hopes to see project work begin in the later summer.

     Aldermen also heard an update on progress of storm shelter construction. Wade Thompson with Wier+Boerner Architecture told city leader construction is on schedule and maybe a little ahead of schedule.

     The storm shelter, located next to the Hansel King Sportsplex, should house a little less than 1,000 people in the event of a weather emergency.

     Grants funds are covering a majority of construction costs.