Co-Lin awarded $18M for multipurpose safe room

Brookhaven Daily Leader

Co-Lin awarded $18M for multipurpose safe room

By Daily Leader Staff

Copiah-Lincoln Community College has been awarded a grant of more than $18 million to construct a multipurpose safe room on the Wesson campus.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency grant will pay for the 35,000-square-foot facility, which will be able to shelter more than 2,000 occupants during storm conditions, as well as serve as a gymnasium for the Co-Lin basketball and volleyball programs.

"We've been through enough severe storms in Mississippi to understand the value of safe rooms. I'm pleased with these FEMA hazard mitigation grants to create more safe spaces in our state," said U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith, who serves on the Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee that has jurisdiction over FEMA.

"The safety of our students, employees, and community is always a top priority for Co-Lin," said Co-Lin President Dr. Dewayne Middleton. "This project will provide a secure shelter during severe weather while also creating a first-class facility for our student-athletes and campus community. We are especially grateful to U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith for her continued leadership and strong support of Co-Lin, the community college system, and the people of Mississippi. Her commitment to strengthening our institutions and investing in projects like this makes a meaningful difference for our students and communities. We also extend our sincere appreciation to FEMA and our federal delegation for supporting a project that will serve our college and the surrounding community for generations. In addition, we greatly appreciate the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency for its assistance and support in helping make this important project a reality."