The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality has awarded Marion County a solid waste assistance grant of $12,966 for cleaning up unauthorized dump sites.
“These types of grants are awarded to the county in general and can be used to cleanup dump sites that qualify,” Marion County District 5 Supervisor Calvin Newsom said. “We apply on a regular basis, and we’re fortunate to receive the funds.”
Funds can also be used to aid in hiring local solid waste enforcement officers, for public education efforts on solid waste disposal and recycling and to collect white goods, bulky wastes and recyclables.
“The Solid Waste Assistance Grants support a variety of useful solid waste management activities for cities and counties, and this grant will help Marion County’s efforts in improving their management of solid waste,” state Executive Director Gary Rikard said in a statement.
Newsom said his district used similar funds recently to clean up a problem area.
“I had a big one down on East Marion School Road on the old Bradley property,” he said. “Someone had dumped tires and a lot of garbage. That’s the kind of things these grants are for. We’re working to clean up illegal dumpsites across the county.”
