The development of ConnectJXN, which will be the City of Jackson’s next Comprehensive Plan, continues to move forward. A Town Hall Meeting was held in late June at New Horizon Church to present a draft Commitment Statement, Vision, and Framework to the public. Citizens were given an opportunity to engage during small group discussions on these newly released elements during the meeting. CMPDD planners along with the City of Jackson’s Planning Department will use the public input to help shape the drafting of Policy and Projects for each Framework, which will include a Land Use Plan, Transportation Plan, and various other elements.
The public will continue to be engaged and is encouraged to continue to participate in the development of the new Comprehensive Plan. A Video from the Town Hall Meeting, results of previous engagement activity, and drafts of the plan will be published on connectjxn.com. Comments and concerns may also be submitted through the ConnectJXN website.
The Coronavirus Supplemental Appropriations Act allocated funding to address the virus impacts related to the Highway Infrastructure Programs. Funds from this Act were provided to the State with a portion of the funds suballocated to urbanized areas with a population over 200,000. The Jackson Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) received an allocation of ,538,655. During the MPO’s May meeting the Metropolitan Planning Policy Committee appointed a subcommittee to review and make recommendations for necessary revisions to the Jackson MPO’s guidelines in anticipation of the MPO issuing a Call for Projects in August.
The Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program or (SFMNP) is a cooperative effort between the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce and the Central Mississippi Area Agency on Aging. The program is designed to improve the health of seniors by providing access to fresh fruits and vegetables. It is also designed to increase domestic consumption of agricultural commodities and the awareness of local farmers’ markets.
Seniors (60 years of age or older) with specific income qualifications were eligible to receive a one-time benefit of .00 (six-.00 vouchers) to shop for fruits and vegetables at an authorized local farmer’s market. Program participants are able to redeem the vouchers through October 2021. For more information on the Senior Nutrition Program, contact the Area Agency on Aging at 601-981-1516.
Job seekers and employers in Rankin and surrounding counties can now access a wide variety of workforce employment and training related services at the newly opened WIN Job Center located on the campus of Hinds Community College. The Center is located at 3805 Hwy. 80 E, Pearl, MS 39208. A Grand Opening event was held at the Center on April 7, 2021. The new location offers renovated office space, a computer lab, a resource center, and space for employers interviewing prospective employees.
Being located on the Hinds Community College campus affords the Center increased visibility. The Center is a partnership between the Southcentral Mississippi Works Workforce Development Area, the MS Department of Employment Security (MDES), and the College. Staff of MDES and Hinds Community College provide a variety of services to job seekers and employers. Utilizing federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funding, individuals seeking skills advancement and training can apply for scholarship assistance to pay the cost of tuition, other fees, and expenses related to career tech training. Employers can access funding to help offset the cost of hiring and training new employees. Both job seekers and employers can access the workforce area’s internship program.
Individuals visiting the WIN Job Center who may need training can enroll on-site and attend classes. This provides a true one-stop atmosphere for those looking for training and work.
CMPDD serves as the administrative entity for the 17-county Southcentral MS Works Workforce Development Area and is proud to work with other workforce partner agencies and organizations in the area to provide needed services and resources to the area’s citizens. The mission of the workforce area is putting people to work. Other WIN Job Centers in the workforce area are located in Jackson, Vicksburg, Canton, Brookhaven, McComb, and Natchez. If you need or know of someone who needs workforce-related assistance, please contact one of the workforce area’s WIN Job Centers or the CMPDD office.
