Natchez Democrat
Federal bill signed by Trump funds Natchez State Street stormwater upgrades
Natchez will receive $1.17M in federal funds for State Street stormwater repairs after Trump signs H.R. 6935, targeting failing drainage under the heavily traveled corridor.
Jan Griffey, The Natchez Democrat
NATCHEZ — Mayor Dan Gibson said he received word Friday afternoon that the city will receive $1.17 million in funding for a Natchez drainage project.
"President Trump has signed into law H.R. 6935, an appropriations act that included funding for the Fine Avenue Stormwater Infrastructure Improvements Project," Gibson said.
Specifically, the funding will address failing drainage infrastructure that traverses underneath State Street near Fine Avenue.
"The funds are coming from the U.S. EPA, Interior, Environment and related agencies subcommittee," he said.
"The materials, design and technique of this current structure suggest late 1800s to early 1900s construction, " Gibson said.
State Street is heavily traveled and is a major travel corridor in Natchez from Downtown Natchez to U.S. 61 and Liberty Road. Emergency road closure would cause a major traffic disturbance and detour of approximately one mile, he said.
"Leadership in the City of Natchez commissioned a comprehensive drainage study that was completed in early 2023 that identified $57 million worth of needed stormwater infrastructure improvements in the city," Gibson said.
He and the Board of Aldermen have since prioritized finding solutions for these projects. The city committed much of its American Rescue Plan Act funds toward funds toward stormwater infrastructure improvements and has also received ARPA funds from the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality. This funding builds on other stormwater funding the city has received in recent years from the state legislature and federal government, he said.
"Words cannot express our excitement in receiving approval for this appropriation. Thousands of people travel across this area each day, unaware that below them is critical infrastructure both holding up State Street and allowing water to flow underneath in Hardings Bayou.
"While the large brick culvert is currently not a hazard, it is certainly showing its age — and an emergency closure and replacement would be detrimental to all who exit downtown Natchez by way of State Street.
"A huge thank you is due to United States Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith. From the moment we met with her in early 2025, she has not wavered in helping us get this funding for Natchez. Thanks also go to former U.S. Congressman Gregg Harper and Brett Bailey of Harper & Bailey Governmental Solutions. They carried the water on this effort as our lobbyists, and without them I don't think we would have been successful," Gibson said.