Five projects in Southwest Mississippi have been alotted morethan $1.7 million in the federal spending bill approved by CongressWednesday, members of the Mississippi’s congressional delegationsaid.

Brookhaven’s water and wastewater improvement project willreceive a $295,200 portion of the funding, which was supported byThird District Rep. Chip Pickering and Sens. Trent Lott and ThadCochran. Mayor Bob Massengill said he is grateful to legislatorsfor their efforts in assisting the city.

“Our congressional delegation has always looked out for our areaand has always been good to Lincoln County, and of course this willhelp us a great deal,” he said. “We thank Senators Lott and Cochranand Congressman Pickering for their help and consideration in thismatter.”

Brookhaven is set to undergo extensive water and wastewaterrenovation after annexing to become more than three times itsoriginal size. The city is currently considering bids on theproject.

Pickering’s office had released $2,952,000 as the originalallotment for the water project, but a spokesperson for Pickeringsaid there was a typographical error in the release.

The money is part of more than $70 million in federal fundingfor projects in Mississippi’s Third Congressional District.

“Working with Senators Cochran and Lott, we secured funding forcritical agriculture, energy, infrastructure, health and researchprojects across the state,” Pickering said. “In SouthwestMississippi, we targeted infrastructure necessary to continueincreasing economic development and enhancing the quality of lifein our communities.”

In addition to the money for Brookhaven’s water improvementprojects, $984,000 has been alotted for projects at FranklinCounty’s Okhissa Lake, and $98,000 has been designated for theHighway 27 Hurricane Evacuation Route.

Okhissa Lake, which opened Nov. 9, was the first lake assistedby Bill Dance Signature Lakes. Bill Dance was actively involved inthe planning and design of the lake. Because of his expertise,Okhissa is set to become a premier fishery.

The other $327,800 was designated for the Walthall CountyCourthouse Renovation and Amite County’s Medical Services.