The Southern Mississippi Planning and Development District continues to play a vital role in providing many of the valuable benefits and services enjoyed by the residents of Columbia and Marion County.
SMPDD Director Leonard Bentz, accompanied by several of the organization's staff, as well as Marion County Development Partnership President Lori Watts, delivered the annual "snapshot" for fiscal year 2020 to members of the Marion County Board of Supervisors on June 10. The report summarizes all of the benefits, functions and services that were provided to Marion County residents during the preceding calendar year.
As part of the program's partnering concept, in return for the contributions of participating counties, SMPDD is able to convert those funds into a variety of goods and services that are exponentially more valuable and that impact many citizens who may otherwise not get the assistance being offered.
For fiscal year 2020, Bentz reported to the board that SMPDD converted Marion County's contribution of $43,134.49 into a total of $1,628,099.25 in goods and services. These benefits are subdivided into three essential segments of assistance, including Senior Services, $956,500.07; Economic Workforce Development, $625,034.69; and other programs and services, $3,430.00.
"As you can see, the county's return on investment continues to be very good," Bentz said.
Marion County District 5 Supervisor Calvin Newsom also serves as first vice-president on the executive committee of SMPDD. During the board presentation, Newsom presented scholarship awards to two local students, LeJuan Lewis, a 2021 graduate of East Marion High School, and Abby King, a 2020 graduate of Columbia High School.
At a glance, this phenomenal source of assistance has provided 41,891 home-delivered meals; 1,228 congregate meals; $2,500 in scholarships awarded to Marion County students; 198 workforce training programs participants; and 26 foster grandparent participants.
A more in-depth breakdown of the assistance shows that, for instance, the Senior Services Division provided such organizational projects as 1,228 congregate meals; Area Agency on Aging 17,095 home-delivered meals; adult daycare for 1,144 individuals; foster grandparent assistance for 26 children; homemaker assistance for 1,077 hours of light duties; legal assistance on six closed cases for seniors; and transportation for seniors (17,078 one-way trips).
Another facet within the SMPDD program is the Mississippi Access to Care, which accounted for 231 contacts who received referrals for long-term services and support. Bentz said the MAC is also offering in home vaccination services to residents within the service area through partnerships with local clinics and hospitals. The vaccines will be available to those who are home-bound, 60 years of age or older and their caregivers. The MAC can be reached at (844) 822-4622.
Established in 1967, SMPDD serves as a liaison between local government and the various state, regional and federal agencies involved in economic, community and human development. Anyone seeking further information can contact SMPDD at (228) 868-2311 or (601) 545-2137.
