GT transport hubs get state grants

Four Mississippi Golden Triangle (GT) transportation hubs and systems will receive a combined $666,761 in state Department of Transportation grants to bolster infrastructure, the Mississippi Transportation Commission announced July 20. The MTC approved grant awards to area recipients that included Columbus-Lowndes County Airport, Golden Triangle Regional Airport, Lowndes County Port, and Starkville-Mississippi State University Area Rapid Transit (SMART) system. Columbus-Lowndes airport will receive $229,630 to rehabilitate a maintenance hangar. GTRA will use its $76,938 grant to install a new communication system. GTRA Director Mike Hainsey said the airport's new communication system will allow airport officials to interact with first responders and law enforcement agencies that are transitioning to a statewide, digital system. The airport should have the new system in place by October. (Source: Columbus Dispatch 07/21/17)