An investment of $41,153.15 from Marion County brought in programs and services worth more than $1.4 million, according to South Mississippi Planning and Development District Executive Director Leonard Bentz.
Bentz, along with other SMPDD officials, visited the Marion County Board of Supervisors earlier this week and provided an update of services the district has helped bring in to Marion County.
“Three years ago we put our heads together, and we decided we needed to get together in front of our boards and tell them what they were getting for their return on investment,” Bentz said.
Bentz gave a snapshot of programs and funds from fiscal year 2017 as board members listened. Supervisors are currently working on the 2018-19 budget and must have it prepared for publication by the end of the month.
Bentz said the $41,153.15 brought in $1,476,525 in services that included 41,118 home-delivered meals, 8,625 congregate meals, $2,000 in scholarships to Marion County students, workforce training for 153 participants, $231,050 in investment generated by business loans and more.
“At the end of the day, none of this would be possible if we didn’t have the partnership that we have with our membership counties,” Bentz said. “Not only have we been trying to advise the Board of Supervisors where their money goes, but we’re trying to educate the public that you are being fiscally conservative with their tax dollars. About two years ago, our team sat down and said we needed to do the actual cost-for-dollar exchange. For instance, last year you gave us more than $40,000, and we didn’t have as many programs as we anticipated so we sent Marion County a check back for $3,100. I hope that’s a good thing and for the general public to know you’re doing a good thing with their tax dollars. These funds don’t go to fund any exorbitant type things in the communities. These funds are match money for the actual programs that are provided to the citizens of Marion County. We appreciate the support and the partnership. We couldn’t do it without you.”
SMPDD encompasses 15 counties, including Marion, and is the largest of its type in the state.
SMPDD’s Emlyn Jackson spoke about the workforce development program’s successes in Marion County.
“Last year around this time, SMPDD opened its youth program here in Columbia,” she said. “It exceeded its goal of 20 participants. It is up and running and it is doing very well and has been one of our best success stories.”
The money brought in by the program totaled $190,152.50 and was used to provide services to low income at-risk youth, ages 16-24. The site has operated in Columbia since August 2017. Funds were also provided to the tune of $198,779 for employment and training services to assist individuals 18 or older. A portion of the funds were provided through the MS Works fund at the Mississippi Development Authority for on-the-job training. Programs included $102,295.44 for dislocated workers for employment and training services to assist those who have lost their jobs due to layoff or circumstances beyond their control. A senior community employment service program also provided $84,182.18 to place senior citizens in subsidized training/employment jobs in the county.
This year, Marion County has been asked to contribute $42,772 to assist in bringing the programs in, according to Bentz.
“We have some new programs, veterans programs, that you will hear about soon,” he said. “I want to give credit to the Marion County Board of Supervisors. They are the ones that make it happen.”
Board members thanked Bentz and his team for attending. A public hearing on Marion County’s budget will be held at 10 a.m. on Sept. 6.
Pictured Above: Leonard Bentz speaks with the Marion County Board of Supervisors about programs offered by the South Mississippi Planning and Development District. | Photo by Mark Rogers
