A new home for Co-Lin’s basketball program moved a step closer with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants to the college last month.
U.S. Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) announced that FEMA had awarded $1,671,740 in grants to Co-Lin in advance of additional funding for a multi-use community saferoom that will also be used as an athletic facility.
The initial funding in two grants covers the phase 1 costs of the saferoom project. The first grant of $1,583,753.60 covers feasibility, design, engineering and environmental and historic preservation studies for the facility on the Co-Lin Wesson campus. The second grant — in the amount of $87,986.33 — will fund the subrecipient management costs (SRMC) for phase I administrative duties. This award allows SRMC up to 5 percent of the total project cost, available to the recipient at a federal cost share of 100 percent. The funds come pursuant to the Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018.
The total estimated cost of the 36,480 square safe room, which will also be used for a basketball court, locker rooms and offices, is $25,149,366.60, or $689.40 per square foot. The full grant for the project falls under the Consolidated Appropriate Act of 2022, requiring no less than a federal cost share of 90 percent.