Across Mississippi, many small water systems face the same challenge: the biggest barriers are not always broken pipes or aging wells, but the regulatory requirements, funding applications and operational demands required to keep a system eligible for assistance.

For the communities of Drew, Jonestown and Longview Water Association, local leaders understood what their residents needed but did not always have the staffing, time or technical expertise to navigate the state and federal processes required to move projects forward.

In each case, progress depended not only on infrastructure improvements, but on meeting compliance standards, organizing records and coordinating multiple agencies before construction could even begin.

Together, the projects illustrate how administrative capacity — often overlooked — determines whether rural infrastructure improvements happen at all. That’s where the Community Infrastructure Team at Communities Unlimited (CU) comes in.

Drew: Keeping Water Flowing

In the City of Drew in Sunflower County, local officials were concerned about how the water system would function during a power outage. Without backup power, severe weather or flooding could leave residents without reliable service.

The city began working with CU Training Project Manager Lorraine Magee in 2022. Early Geographic Information Systems (GIS) mapping of the town’s water and wastewater systems conducted by CU identified a key vulnerability: Well #3, an essential component of the system, could not operate if electricity was interrupted.

City officials pursued funding through the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) and FEMA’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program to install a generator capable of maintaining service during emergencies. The application required technical documentation, coordination with engineers and compliance with federal reimbursement procedures before the project could move forward.

The grant was awarded in mid-2023, and the generator was delivered and installed in October 2024.

A second concern soon followed. The wastewater system also lacked backup power, and the city received a Notice of Violation from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. A wastewater lagoon Corrective Action Plan was developed, and a second FEMA funding application was submitted for an additional generator with coordination among city leadership, engineers, state emergency management officials and CU.

That funding was approved in January 2026, and the city is now preparing to purchase and install the second unit.

“On behalf of the City of Drew and our citizens, I want to express our sincere gratitude for this grant funding,” said Mayor Melanie Townsend Blackmon. “We are deeply appreciative of this investment in our community. The second generator will make a real difference for our residents, and the impact of this funding will be felt across the city.”

Jonestown: Building Capacity

In Jonestown, located in Coahoma County, the challenge was not equipment but administrative capacity.

As a USDA borrower, the town had fallen behind on audits and federal reporting requirements. Without compliance, the community risked losing eligibility for future infrastructure funding.

Beginning in 2013, with CU standing alongside this community and providing technical assistance, town leadership, clerks and accountants worked to organize financial records and restore reporting compliance, coordinating with USDA Rural Development officials. The process required years of documentation review, follow-up and coordination before the town could regain standing with funding agencies.

CU State Coordinator Shannon McCranie later continued assisting the town as it worked through more requirements.

Once compliance was restored, attention shifted to operations and governance. The town established an Emergency Response Plan, formalized system policies and procedures, and documented maintenance practices to meet regulatory expectations. Asset inventories were compiled, maintenance logs created and board responsibilities clarified to prepare for future funding applications.

While these steps did not immediately change what residents saw day-to-day, they determined whether future infrastructure investment would be possible. Funding agencies require communities to demonstrate technical, managerial and financial capacity before construction dollars can be awarded, and Jonestown is now positioned to pursue those opportunities.

“Shannon has been an incredible partner to the Town of Jonestown and a true asset to our community,” said Mayor Columbus Russell Jr. “She is exceptional at what she does, and it truly shows in her work. Her drive, commitment and passion for making communities better are inspiring, and her support has made a meaningful difference for our town.”

Longview: From Application to Construction

For Longview Water Association near Starkville in Oktibbeha County, the primary challenge was funding a system upgrade. The association needed a new well and distribution improvements to support reliable service for customers.

The board applied for American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, with CU’s assistance, and was awarded funding in January 2024.

Receiving the grant marked only the beginning of the process. Post-award compliance required policy updates, procurement procedures, engineering coordination and maintaining a state financial reporting system account. The association also coordinated with the Mississippi Department of Health (MDH) and the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) to correct procurement issues, re-notice the engineering request for proposals and submit required documentation before reimbursements could proceed.

CU Management Specialist Amy Ballard later assisted the association in maintaining compliance with grant requirements and helping the project move toward construction. With documentation approved and contracts reviewed, construction on the new well is now underway.

“We’re excited about the new well being drilled, which will greatly benefit the customers of Longview Water Association for the long haul,” said Board President Phillip Collins.

One State, Three Different Paths

Each community faced a different obstacle, but all encountered the same reality: rural infrastructure projects often depend as much on paperwork and coordination as on construction itself.

Before equipment can be installed or water lines replaced, communities must navigate regulations, document finances and demonstrate operational capacity to funding agencies.

For Drew, Jonestown and Longview, those steps are now in place, allowing projects to move forward and improving the reliability of water service for residents in the years ahead.