Ya’ll get ready because the federal government has turned loose $3.5 trillion dollars in infrastructure spending.
Coahoma County will receive $4.29 million in federal American Rescue Act money and Clarksdale is slated to receive $3.36 million.
Details of the massive third-round federal stimulus package continue to come to light with state, county and municipal officials learning how these dollars can be obtained and then spent.
So do we have a plan on how to spend this money? It’s not like this has been a secret and your Clarksdale Press Register first reported these numbers in March, 2021.
Do we have projects ready to go? They call them shovel ready and it means if you hand us the money, we’ll spend it on moving dirt and building something - quick.
The Wish List
I don’t believe in Santa Claus, but I do believe in the deep pockets of Uncle Sam.
But just like kids at Christmas, Clarksdale and Coahoma County need to develop a wish list of projects they want to pursue.
This concept is not new. A windfall was handed to the American people with stimulus checks in the heat of COVID. While that money did help a few local businesses, it was quickly blown on alcohol, fancy meals and toys for adults and kids alike.
This round of stimulus money will hopefully make us look a little further down the road.
So what does Clarksdale really need to move this community forward in the Mississippi Delta?
What does Coahoma County need that will bring long-term, systemic change to people who have done without for so long?
Clarksdale passed a $5 million bond package two years ago and the city has been slow to get that money in the ground. We have two sidewalks and plans for a levee that is not quite finished . . .
I hope they won’t be so slow with the next round of money.
What about the bridge on Second Street? They say it is unsafe and need of repair. How about we do something iconic in that repair and make that bridge something that we point to with pride.
I also think we need to look at our water and sewer lines around town. And there are a few more streets that need to be resurfaced and repaired.
A homeless shelter has also been discussed.
And I have to report that in a city meeting I attended in August, the city talked about pay raises . . .
The leadership in Clarksdale never ceases to amuse me.
But I digress.
In the county it pretty much boils down to water districts, broadband internet and facilities repairs.
The infrastructure funds can’t be spent to build a new facility, but it can be spent on repairs. So, let’s make a list.
More importantly, it can be spent on water district and connecting the patchwork of water systems that dot Coahoma County.
Connecting these systems would run waterlines down county roads -- think housing developments -- and bring consistent and better quality water to many more people in Coahoma County.
Spend wisely
I hope our elected officials will think this thing through. As I said earlier I hope they have been thinking this thing through since March.
Now is the time to strike while the iron is hot. Now is the time to strike while the wallet is open.
Let me urge our elected officials to not spend on programs that are flash in the pan.
You know what I am talking about. Feathering a friends nest or spending money on something that is here today and gone tomorrow will make us miss this opportunity.
Our leaders have an opportunity to leave a legacy for this community that will last 20-, 30- or even 50-years down the road, if these federal dollars are spent wisely.
Let me assure you Clarkdale and Coahoma County won’t get this chance again.
I also want city and county officials to realize every time they spend a penny they are spending the hard-earned money of people who don’t have much around here. I can only think of single moms as our leaders spend these millions. I hope our leaders do, too.
Do we have a plan? What kind of bang will we get for our buck? Are we shovel ready?
Floyd Ingram is the Editor of your Clarksdale Press Register. He has taxes pulled from every paycheck to fund these projects. Call him at 662-0627-2201 to tell him how you want your taxes spent.
