BAY SPRINGS — Jasper County has received a state grant to help build a nutrition site in the Rose Hill area.

The Jasper County Board of Supervisors during its Monday meeting acknowledged the receipt of a letter from Governor Haley Barbour announcing the county project being funded.

The letter addressed to Supervisor Johnny Rowell, president of the board of supervisors, states that the county’s “application for Regular Public Facilities funds through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program in the amount of $155,000 has been approved by the Mississippi Development Authority.”

Barbour said “through this application for funding, Jasper County has demonstrated local commitment in addressing the community development needs of Mississippi. I commend you for this initiative and for helping to improve the quality of life in your community.”

Beat Two Supervisor Henry Hayes, who represents that area, said he’s pleased with the process being made on the project.

“Everything is finally going in the right direction,” Hayes said. “What we need to do is in the process of being done.”

Hayes said the community needs a new nutrition center.

“It costs too much for us to renovate the building,” he explained. “This way, with the grant, it will not cost the taxpayers of Jasper County anything.”

Others agreed.

“It looks like it’s headed in the right way,” Rowell said. “It’s just taking some time.”

Leroy Wallace, president of the board for the Tioch Community Learning Center, visited with the board. He told them that he appreciated the help that the board is giving the center.

The board assured Wallace that they are continuing to work to get the nutrition building completed.

Hayes said construction of the building is expected to begin in January 2010.

Also during the meeting, the supervisors, upon Hayes’ recommendation, agreed to approve $35,000 for the purchase of a new fire station building in Rose Hill to be located near the nutrition center.

“We have already made some improvements with our fire stations in other areas of the county and we were at a Nine (Fire) Rating,” Hayes said. “Now, with all the improvements, we are at an Eight (Fire) Rating.”