Copiah-Lincoln Community College has been awarded a major FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant to construct a new, large-scale safe room facility. The $16,294,746 grant will be used for Phase II of construction on a nearly 35,000-square-foot standalone, multipurpose safe room on the Wesson Campus of Co-Lin.
An additional $175,000 administrative grant was awarded for the project, bringing the total FEMA investment in the project to just over $18 million, which includes a nearly $1.6 million planning and design grant awarded in 2024.
“We’ve been through enough severe storms in Mississippi to understand the value of safe rooms. I’m pleased with these FEMA hazard mitigation grants to create more safe spaces in our state,” said U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith, who serves on the Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee that has jurisdiction over FEMA.
Co-Lin’s new multi-use facility will accommodate more than 2,000 occupants. In addition to serving as a safe room for the community, the facility will include a gymnasium to house the college’s basketball and volleyball programs.
“The safety of our students, employees, and community is always a top priority for Co-Lin,” said Co-Lin President Dr. Dewayne Middleton. “This project will provide a secure shelter during severe weather while also creating a first-class facility for our student-athletes and campus community. We are especially grateful to U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith for her continued leadership and strong support of Co-Lin, the community college system, and the people of Mississippi. Her commitment to strengthening our institutions and investing in projects like this makes a meaningful difference for our students and communities. We also extend our sincere appreciation to FEMA and our federal delegation for supporting a project that will serve our college and the surrounding community for generations. In addition, we greatly appreciate the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency for its assistance and support in helping make this important project a reality.”