As announcements about new funding for roads and bridges came out of Jackson this week, Columbia and Marion County officials were pleased.
The special legislative session earmarked an estimated $583,026 per year by 2022 for the county from statewide internet sales tax collections and $291,905 for the city. They will receive 25 percent of those amounts in 2019, 50 percent in 2020 and 75 percent in 2021. The funds are specifically for infrastructure.
Separate money from the BP oil spill settlement that the legislature approved Wednesday includes $500,000 for work at the Marion County BusinessPlex (former Columbia Training School) and $250,000 to go toward projects at the Columbia-Marion County Airport.
“That’s a big help,” Board of Supervisors President Randy Dyess said. “I told Rep. (Ken) Morgan that we appreciated all of the hard work of the legislators this week. It’s a win-win for Marion County. Everything is so expensive these days, but it’s going to help.”
Columbia Mayor Justin McKenzie agreed.
“We’re happy to see the state was able to move some funds into municipalities and counties,” he said. “I’m proud to see something coming back to Columbia and Marion County. We want to see our whole community benefit and grow.”
Both Dyess and McKenzie said their boards and department heads would be working to prioritize the use of the money.
“The funds for the airport and BusinessPlex are much needed, too,” Dyess said. “We’ve got buildings that leak and need roofs fixed. We need to stop the deterioration of the buildings. We’re also looking at something at the intersection of Airport Road and the IndustryPlex. These are the type things the funds could be used for. We also could tear down the old gymnasium.”
McKenzie said the airport money was important to city and county officials.
“This will ensure that we don’t have to come up with the matching funds for the federal program at the airport,” he said. “The other funds will be a tremendous help to our roads in the city. We would do a lot with close to $300,000 and any other money we could get. It would go a long way. We have to start planning these road repairs.
“We have some priorities now: East Avenue, Central Avenue, R.A. Johnson Drive and of course, Sumrall Road. Sumrall Road is a main thoroughfare and we want it to be as nice as it can be for both our citizens and for people who visit Columbia.”
McKenzie said he appreciated the efforts of the local delegation in helping get the funds to Columbia and Marion County.
“Every little bit helps,” he said. “We thank Rep. Ken Morgan, Rep. Bill Pigott and Sen. Angela Hill and all of the others that worked hard during the special session.”
