This article first appeared on the Magnolia Tribune.
Photo of a blighted property in Jackson, MS (by Daniel Tyson | Magnolia Tribune)
- From grants to tax incentives, lawmakers look to aid cities and towns in cleaning up.
Lawmakers passed a conference report Monday afternoon that sets the framework for awarding grants to Mississippi municipalities to fight blight on tax forfeited properties listed with the Secretary of State’s office.
The report for HB 733 establishes the “Property Cleanup Revolving Fund.” Its purpose is to provide up to 15 grants to every local government body, from the state’s smallest village of Satartia in Yazoo County to the largest municipality, the capital city of Jackson, explained State Senator Chad McMahan (R). The City of Jackson would be eligible to receive up to 30 grants. Each grant could total up to $2,000.
“This is a good product. It takes [into consideration] every municipality, every mayor, every alderman. You can take it home and share this with them. These are grants, not loans,” said McMahan…