COLUMBUS, Miss.- Northern Public Service Commissioner Brandon Presley announced a major economic boost for Lowndes county, Oktibbeha county, and the state of Mississippi.
The public service commission approved 16.7 million dollars for an infrastructure grant.
“…Atmos Energy to go out and expand the natural gas infrastructure at the Golden Triangle Industrial Park off Highway 82, to make sure every site there is ready to go,”said Presley.
Presley said it’s important for industrial parks to be equip with natural gas infrastructures before a business decides to land in Mississippi. Presley believes that these movements forward will help the state increase industrial business and create forward thinking jobs that will last well into the future.
“Utility infrastructure is a key to Mississippi’s ability to win the jobs of the future. This project is part of an 82 county jobs program for economic development at the PSC. These expansions will be a great benefit to the Golden Triangle.” said Presley. “I deeply appreciate my fellow Commissioners working with me to get these projects funded.” According to the Mississippi Public Service Commission, funding for the projects comes through a Commission-created economic development tool called the Supplemental Growth Rider (“SGR”).
SGR provides incentives for gas companies like Atmos to build out service to industrial areas such as Golden Triangle Park and Starkville Industrial park. The purpose of SGR is to build sufficient gas infrastructure in the state to attract new industry, expand existing industry and create new jobs for Mississippians.
“This program is a ‘win-win’ for everyone involved,” said David Gates, President of the Division of Atmos Energy. “Under the program we will be able to invest millions of dollars in natural gas infrastructure in the Golden Triangle. This will make the area, which is already a desirable location, even more attractive to industry and that will mean more jobs and more economic development to the region.”
