Gulfport, Miss. - Today, Congressman Gene Taylor (D-Miss) announced that the City of Hattiesburg will be awarded $150,000 HUD Community Challenge grant. The purpose of the grant is to create the Mid-Town Hattiesburg Master Plan which will lay the foundation for a commercial/residential mixed-use, mixed-income housing district that will allow workers to live closer to their jobs and amenities, enabling them to walk or bike to schools, hospitals, parks, arts and entertainment destinations, and shopping and dining venues. In addition to a new design for the Mid-Town area, the process will produce market analyses and guidelines for financing new development. Residents will have the opportunity to determine the future of their community through public meetings and collaborative design.

Anticipated project benefits include connecting connect local employment centers, reducing transportation costs and affordable housing. Additionally, the project will re-focus development away from sprawling areas to the West and toward the city center. The planning process will build on a comprehensive visioning process completed in the community with extensive public involvement.

Core partners include Forrest County, University of Southern Mississippi, Forrest General Hospital, Hattiesburg Clinic, HUB Development, LLC, BancorpSouth, and Area Development Partnership.

For more information, please contact Brett Roy Benson, Grant Coordinator, 601-554-1014, 601-584-4894 (fax), This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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