Published: November 07, 2009 07:45 pm      

Counties get safe room funds

JACKSON — Lamar and George counties are receiving millions of federal dollars to build community safe rooms where people can seek temporary shelter from disasters.

Mississippi U.S. Sens. Thad Cochran and Roger Wicker announced the Federal Emergency Management Agency grants Friday.

Lamar County will receive $2.43 million for a 10,500-square-foot room to be built near the multipurpose community center in Purvis. It would hold about 1,000 people for up to 36 hours.

George County is receiving about $2.4 million for two safe rooms near Lucedale. Each 3,600-square-foot shelter will be designed to accommodate 316 people for up to 36 hours. One will be built in the Agricola community and another in Benndale.

The federal grants cover 75 percent of the cost for each project.