Leaders headed to D.C.

By Leslie N. Dees

Sat, May 17 2008

— “Show me the money” – that’s the name of the game when elected officials and others head to Washington, D.C., on Monday to meet with congressmen and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
“We hope to obtain funding or discover a path to funding,” Kosciusko-Attala Development Corporation President and CEO Steve Zea said.
Zea along with Attala County Supervisors Charles Fancher, Kary Ellington and Tim Pinkard, Chancery Clerk Gerry Taylor, Kosciusko Mayor Jimmy Cockroft, Alderman Henry Daniel and Paul Powers with Entergy are those attending.
High on the priority list for the group is to find funding or grants for Emergency Operations Center that would house the Attala County Fire Station, E911 and warehouse among other things. A rough blueprint has been drawn up and a presentation will be made during their stay.
Zea also said they are looking for economic development funds to increase industrial training at Holmes Community College and to increase the natural gas pressure at the industrial park to bring in more industry. Currently, there is not enough gas pressure at the park.
And last but not least, a push to get Highway 35 South four-laned due to its high traffic volume.
Meetings are set for Tuesday and Wednesday with Congressmen Bennie Thompson, Thad Cochran, Roger Wicker and possibility Chip Pickering. If they are unable to meet with the officials, they will be meeting with their staff.
Zea said they are also meeting with the Department of Homeland Security, Economic Development Administration and Federal Highway Administration.
Hopefully, Zea said they are meeting with the National Trust of Historic Places to discuss the city’s Strand Theater and its optimal use as well as how much funding is needed.
A meeting is also set with the Entergy staff in D.C.
Along with officials from Winston and Choctaw Counties, Attala representatives will host a reception for the congressmen and others on Wednesday night.
Cockroft said he hopes that being a part of the D.C. trip, he can better learn procedures and build relationships and make contacts.