Meridian Star
Federal funding earmarked for Meridian in appropriations bill
By Thomas Howard
A federal appropriations bill passed by the U.S. Senate on Thursday will channel hundreds of millions in science, energy and water spending to the Magnolia State and more than $10 million to Meridian.
The 2026 fiscal year bill was passed by the House earlier this month and now heads to President Donald Trump for his signature. The legislation consists of a funding package for the Commerce, Justice and Interior departments.
“This is how Congress should operate, passing federal spending bills through the appropriations process,” said Mississippi Sen. Roger Wicker. “I am pleased that the Senate has embraced regular order. I look forward to the ways this legislation will help Mississippi’s needs and will support job creators and local governments.”
Included in the bill is $22.4 million for projects throughout Mississippi including a $750,000 earmark for Meridian Police Department’s Real Time Crime Center. The Center, which is nearing completion, will provide round-the-clock monitoring for hundreds of video cameras installed throughout the city, license plate reading technology and the ability to send live video to responding officers to prepare them for what they’ll find responding to calls.
“As part of this Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations Bill, I’ve worked with my colleagues to support public safety on national and local levels. At the same time, we’ve funded critical scientific and technological fields which involve NASA’s presence in Mississippi and our research universities,” said Mississippi Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith. “I’m pleased it is set to be signed into law.”
Also included is a $118.3 million pot for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projects in Mississippi is a $10 million appropriation for Meridian’s wastewater system. Meridian is currently working under a federal consent decree to repair its wastewater system after the Environmental Protection Agency found the city violated the Clean Water Act with repeated sanitary sewer overflows.
The consent decree compels Meridian to fix its network of sewer pipes, pump stations and wastewater treatment plants, with estimated costs reaching as high as $200 million over the 20-year lifespan of the agreement.
The Meridian City Council has already issued $40 million in bonds to begin consent decree work and is in the process of borrowing another $50 million to continue the progress. The city has also actively sought grants, state and federal appropriations and other funds to reduce the amount it will have to borrow.
In a statement, Meridian Mayor Percy Bland said the federal funds will contribute to Meridian’s growth and the long-term health of the community.
“Today’s news is what strong federal partnerships and real working relationships produce. We’re proud of these results for the City of Meridian, Mississippi,” he said. “We are extremely pleased to see this level of federal investment in our wastewater infrastructure and our Real Time Crime Center. These resources create real value for our city, strengthen public safety, and support the long-term health and growth of our community. We are grateful to our federal partners for their continued support, and we are proud of what this means for Meridian and the people we serve.”