| |
Posted Jul 24, 2024, 3:13 PM
|
 |
Registered User
|
|
Join Date: May 2023
Location: JXN Mississippi
Posts: 898
|
|
County gets $1.5M in ARPA funds back from HOPE Enterprise Corp.; Supervisors determining how to spend it
Quote:
JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - A partnership between Hinds County and HOPE Enterprise Corporation has come to an end, with $1.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act dollars being returned to the county.
Last week, the Board of Supervisors accepted the refund of $1.5 million - half of the funds Hinds officials awarded to HOPE back in 2022 to help small businesses recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Board President Robert Graham was unsure how the county would spend the money now that it’s back in county coffers but says the board should have no trouble finding something.
“We do have a lot of needs and it will be used for projects that are going to help the county the most,” he said. “It has to be used for ARPA-related activities and there’s a whole list of things under ARPA on what the funds can be used for.”
ARPA was passed by Congress in 2021 to provide cities and counties with funds to help recover from the pandemic.
The funds could be used for anything from shoring up critical infrastructure needs to paying first responders for working during the outbreak.
Hinds County received roughly $45 million in Rescue Plan funds.
In 2022, the board entered into a partnership with HOPE, allocating $3 million in ARPA funds to help with small business recovery efforts.
Of that $3 million, $1.5 million would be used to provide collateral for small businesses seeking loans through HOPE Credit Union. The other $1.5 million would go toward providing technical assistance to those businesses and covering HOPE’s marketing and administrative costs.
“The technical assistance dollars were not drawn by HOPE due to the lack of demand. The marketing services were not needed to generate demand for the loan program,” said Ed Sivak, HOPE’s executive vice president of policy and communications.
In February, the board of supervisors voted to rescind most of that $1.5 million, along with another $4.2 million in other ARPA allocations, including $2.6 million for renovating the 664 State Street Building, $997,000 set aside for purchasing road equipment, and $300,000 for the Jackson Convention Complex.
In all, Sivak said 70 businesses received loans ranging from $10,000 to $50,000, and that all loan amounts have since been repaid. HOPE declined requests to provide a list of businesses receiving money.
Very little to no interest was received on the loans, Sivak said.
In the meantime, Graham says the county is now working to determine exactly how much it has in remaining ARPA dollars. That analysis is being conducted by Horne.
According to the Government Finance Officers Association, ARPA funds must be allocated by the end of 2024 and expended by the end of 2026.
“Paying back is not an option,” Graham said. “We have plenty of projects we can use it for. We only have to determine which ones.”
https://www.wlbt.com/2024/07/23/coun...-how-spend-it/
|
Emergency medical services return to Smith County good for healthcare delivery, economy
(Rendering provided by Covington County Hosptial)
Quote:
The new facility is projected to have an economic impact of nearly $30 million per year and create upwards of 80 new local jobs.
For nearly a decade, some 14,000 Smith County residents have been without emergency medical services. Thanks to a new venture between Covington County Hospital (CCH) and South Central Regional Medical Center (SCRMC) that could soon change.
The systems are collaborating to establish Smith County Emergency Hospital, a new Rural Emergency Hospital. The facility will be located in Raleigh and is scheduled to begin operations in late December 2024 or early January 2025, pending approval from the Mississippi Department of Health.
David Culpepper, Marketing Director for CCH, told Magnolia Tribune on Tuesday that the neighboring rural hospitals are working together to fill a void in healthcare delivery. He said during a time when hospitals’ fiscal struggles make headlines, CCH and SCRMC CEO Gregg Gibbes has taken the approach of “why not us, why can’t we” provide services rural residents lack.
David Culpepper
“So many things have been in the press over the past several years of failing hospitals, failing health systems. Is it mismanagement, is it reimbursements, is it uncompensated care? And the answer is yeah, it’s a little bit of all of it,” Culpepper said. “But if you work smarter, you work harder, and you plan and partner, you can do it.”
Culpepper said there is no question recent state and federal legislative efforts to designate rural emergency hospitals and allow collaboration, as well as gubernatorial actions, such as the reforms to Medicaid reimbursements, helped make the venture possible.
“Obviously, small, rural communities in Mississippi just can’t support full-fledged, fully operating acute care hospitals. They can, however, support a critical access or rural emergency hospital,” Culpepper said. “Basically, with the Rural Emergency Hospital status, it allows us to do that where we feel like it’s sustainable and we’re going to be able to continue to meet the needs of the community.”
In November 2022, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through its Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services approved a rule allowing Critical Access Hospitals and small rural hospitals to convert to a Rural Emergency Hospital. According to the Mississippi Department of Health, a facility is eligible to convert to a Rural Emergency Hospital if it was a Critical Access Hospital or rural hospital with not more than 50 beds as of December 27, 2020, including a hospital that closed after that date. Rural Emergency Hospitals must provide emergency services and observation care and are prohibited by the statute from providing inpatient services. One requirement of the Rural Emergency Hospital status is that a facility must discharge or transfer patients within 24 hours.
Even still, since Smith County currently does not have a hospital, the opening of Smith County Emergency Hospital will substantially enhance medical care for residents of Smith County and surrounding areas, providing emergency medical services, outpatient services, and reducing travel time.
Gregg Gibbes
“The new Rural Emergency Hospital will be a lifesaver for Raleigh, Smith County, and neighboring communities, particularly during an emergency where every minute matters,” said CEO Gibbes.
But health services aren’t the only benefit of this new venture.
The new facility is projected to have an economic impact of nearly $30 million per year and create upwards of 80 new local jobs, according to a study completed by the Trent Lott National Center at the University of Southern Mississippi.
Culpepper added that the facility is also expected to generate roughly $150,000 annually in local taxes and another $254,000 in state taxes.
“It’s going to bring a refreshing sense to the community, providing emergency medical services while also creating jobs and a real economic impact that goes along with it,” Culpepper said.
He said the town is “abuzz” that the opportunity is coming.
Jerry Fields, the President of the Smith County Board of Supervisors, said in a statement that he was confident of the positive impacts that Smith County Emergency Hospital will have on the county.
“We are excited,” he said.
As previously reported, Patients’ Choice Medical Center suddenly closed in the spring of 2023, leaving the area without a hospital. Prior to its unexpected closing, the former hospital offered 29 general acute care beds but no emergency room.
The new Smith County Emergency Hospital, which will be located in the old Patients’ Choice facility, is slated to house the new emergency department, radiology, imaging suite, laboratory, and admissions area.
• Video Link
https://magnoliatribune.com/2024/07/...ivery-economy/
|
Swiss company plans to set up in Mississippi, invest $176 million with potential of more than 300 jobs
Quote:
One of the world’s largest manufacturers of construction equipment will locate in Mississippi, bringing with it more than 180 jobs and more than $175 million in investment. In a significant boost to the local economy, Liebherr has announced plans to establish distribution and manufacturing operations in Lee County. This project represents a substantial corporate investment of $176 million and will create at least 180 jobs by 2026, with the potential for further expansion that could see investments reach up to $238.4 million and job creation rise to 342 positions. The Swiss company has chosen The HIVE Business Park in Tupelo for this expansion of its North American operations. The new campus will be developed on a 118-acre site, featuring over 1 million square feet of building space. The initial phase of the project will involve constructing a state-of-the-art logistics center to enhance Liebherr’s distribution and after-sales services. Subsequent phases will see further investments to support the company’s other product segments.
Governor Tate Reeves expressed his enthusiasm about Liebherr’s decision, stating, “I am thrilled to welcome Liebherr to Mississippi. The company’s decision to expand its North American footprint in our state is indicative of the strength of our business climate and capabilities of our workforce. My administration is committed to fostering economic growth and providing good-paying opportunities for all Mississippians. I thank the Liebherr team for choosing Lee County and am excited to watch the company play an integral role in our continued prosperity. The Mississippi momentum is strong, and it is showing no signs of slowing down any time soon.” The Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) is supporting the project through the Mississippi Flexible Tax Incentive (MFLEX) program and will also assist in the construction and equipping of the facilities. Additional support is being provided by Lee County, the city of Tupelo, and Accelerate MS. Bill Cork, Executive Director of MDA, highlighted the significance of this foreign direct investment, saying, “Foreign direct investment is a tremendous contributor to the state’s economy, and MDA has a dedicated team of FDI professionals who work daily to bring global leaders like Liebherr to Mississippi. Today’s announcement is a nod to our team and to our partners who have worked tirelessly to secure this economic development win. It also highlights the state’s attractiveness as a premier destination for international companies.”
Joerg Stroebele, Managing Director of Liebherr-Logistics GmbH, explained the strategic decision behind choosing Tupelo: “Tupelo is the ideal location to service and deliver our spare parts to clients in the U.S. and other countries on the North and South American continent. Furthermore, it will serve to expand our businesses with other product segments of the Liebherr Group at the same campus. Its unique logistical capabilities combined with the central geographical location will make a difference to us and our clients. A very professional CDF team, a positive business climate in Mississippi as well as a strong labor market with a highly educated workforce positively contributed to our decision for Mississippi and Tupelo.” Local leaders also praised the announcement, recognizing the long-term benefits for the community. Mayor Todd Jordan of Tupelo remarked, “Tupelo is honored to welcome Liebherr to our thriving community. The city and county partnership to create and invest in the HIVE Business Park has paid off greatly. We are excited to see this area transform into a hub of innovation and opportunity.” Lee County Board of Supervisors President Wesley Webb echoed these sentiments, stating, “Liebherr’s selection of the HIVE Business Park is a tremendous win for Tupelo/Lee County. This global powerhouse’s decision to invest in our area is an endorsement of our business-friendly climate and skilled workforce. I want to thank Governor Reeves, the Mississippi Development Authority, and our local partners who have created an environment where businesses and our citizens can succeed.”
Accelerate MS Executive Director Courtney Taylor emphasized the importance of workforce development in this initiative, saying, “Liebherr’s decision to establish itself in Lee County and create 342 jobs is a milestone that Accelerate MS is elated to celebrate today. Our regional workforce partners and residents played an instrumental role in Liebherr’s choice, highlighting Mississippi as the ideal location for their new, multi-faceted operation. We eagerly anticipate collaborating with them and are dedicated to supporting their workforce goals and objectives in Lee County.”
https://www.magnoliastatelive.com/20...than-300-jobs/
|
|
|
|
Prev
Linear Mode
