From the Hearin Foundation (through the Mississippi Economic Council)

Researchers: Li, X., Breen, D., French, E., Medal, H.R. (Co-PI)

Amount: $225,000 ($57,500 Medal share)

Abstract: This project aims to identify strategies and policies that will ensure that an adequate level of resources will be available to address the transportation infrastructure funding gap that undermines economic development and job creation in the state of Mississippi. Research activities conducted with funding for this project include:

• Assessment of the current transportation infrastructure performance in the state of Mississippi
• Identification of opportunities to improve the current transportation infrastructure
• Study and development of new funding mechanisms, to include potential public-private ventures
• Synergy between activities funded under this project and ongoing work of Mississippi State University’s National Center for Intermodal Transportation for Economic Competitiveness
• Comparison and evaluation of alternative state policies for reducing transportation funding gaps and identification of alternative realistic strategies, policies, and funding mechanisms that are required to meet the future revenue demands to fund transportation infrastructure in the state of Mississippi
• Identification of projects that represent opportunities for improvement to the current infrastructure
• Examination and prioritization of projects, innovative strategies, policies, and funding mechanisms linked to cluster-related multimodal investments that focus on the targeted industries identified in Blueprint Mississippi and Mississippi employment centers