U.S. Representative Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) recently announced the U. S. Department of Commerce/ Economic Development Administration has awarded $3,950,000 in grant funds to the City of Batesville and Panola County.
“I am pleased to support the work that the Economic Development Administration is achieving to help South Panola County,” said Congressman Bennie G. Thompson (MS-02). “The EDA project will help the area by renovating an old outlet mall and transforming it into a workforce training center. The work that EDA is achieving is amazing and phenomenal. This investment will give the businesses the growth that is needed.”
This EDA investment supports Panola County with renovating a former outlet mall building for use as a workforce training center that will serve North Mississippi.
The project will help establish the Concourse, a vocational and technical training facility that will work to meet local employers’ existing and future workforce needs.
Once completed, the project will help generate an environment that can serve as a catalyst for unprecedented regional economic growth.
Groundbreaking for the Concourse was held in Oct. 2019 with then Governor Phil Bryant in attendance. At that event it was announced a $2 million grant had been obtained by the Department of Labor and Delta Regional Authority. The City of Batesville got another $1 million from the Mississippi Legislature in the summer of 2021.
Plans were for the training center to be complete in the fall of 2021.
Plans in April 2021 had the three-phase project establishing a diesel technology program in the summer of 2021. Phase two included welding, robotic welding, cyber security and industrial electrical training. Phase three is construction trades, forklift training, advanced manufacturing and entrepreneurial training.
The facility now looking to offer seven aviation programs that will prep students for the Delta State University’s degreed aviation program.
The development also a collaboration with Northwest Mississippi Community College.
Congressman Thompson, 74, has been serving as the U.S. Representative for Mississippi's Second Congressional District since 1993. A member of the Democratic Party, he has been the Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security since 2019, previously holding the position from 2007 to 2011.
