SMPDD https://smpdd.com/ Building a Stronger Mississippi Mon, 12 Oct 2026 15:03:04 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.10 http://smpdd.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/cropped-SMPDD_Favicon-01-32x32.png SMPDD https://smpdd.com/ 32 32 Stone County Inmates Celebrate Graduation From SMPDD Pathway Home 5 Re-Entry Program http://smpdd.com/stonecountyreentryprogram2026/ Thu, 27 Aug 2026 15:24:07 +0000 http://67.227.188.55/~smpdd/?p=302 Stone County Inmates Celebrate Graduation From SMPDD Pathway Home 5 Re-Entry Program STONE COUNTY, Miss. (WXXV)- For a group of inmates in Stone County, Wednesday marked the start of a new chapter. Graduates of the Southern Mississippi Planning and Development District Pathway Home 5 re-entry program were honored for their commitment to personal growth and preparing for life after release. For these graduates, this ceremony marks more than the completion of a program, it represents another step toward a new beginning. Click Here to Read Full Article 

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Stone County Inmates Celebrate Graduation From SMPDD Pathway Home 5 Re-Entry Program

STONE COUNTY, Miss. (WXXV)- For a group of inmates in Stone County, Wednesday marked the start of a new chapter.

Graduates of the Southern Mississippi Planning and Development District Pathway Home 5 re-entry program were honored for their commitment to personal growth and preparing for life after release.

For these graduates, this ceremony marks more than the completion of a program, it represents another step toward a new beginning.

Click Here to Read Full Article 

The post Stone County Inmates Celebrate Graduation From SMPDD Pathway Home 5 Re-Entry Program appeared first on SMPDD.

]]> $5.7 million grant awarded to Mississippi Department of Employment Security http://smpdd.com/commercial-redevelopment-program/ Thu, 23 Oct 2025 01:51:53 +0000 http://smpdd.com/?p=682 $5.7 million grant awarded to Mississippi Department of Employment Security PASCAGOULA, Miss. (WLOX) – Tuesday, the Mississippi Department of Employment Security (MDES) announced it was awarded $5.7 million as part of over $86 million in Industry-Driven Skills Training Fund grants. The grants come from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to support workforce development in critical sectors, including shipbuilding. Administered through the DOL’s Employment and Training Administration, the grants will reimburse employers for training in high-demand and emerging industries, addressing critical workforce needs in fields such as welding, marine electrical work, and manufacturing. Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves said this money will help the state’s shipbuilding industry grow and continue for years to come. “Mississippi plays a vital role in national defense and commercial maritime strength,” Reeves said. “Our state is home to the best shipbuilders on the planet, and we want even more Mississippians to enter this high-paying field.” Leonard Bentz, the Executive Director of the Southern Mississippi Planning and Development District (SMPDD), said the state is proud to be selected to receive the grant. “This grant allows us to scale what works, introduce innovative training strategies, and prepare our people for the industries that are driving economic growth,” Bentz… Continue Reading $5.7 million grant awarded to Mississippi Department of Employment Security

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$5.7 million grant awarded to Mississippi Department of Employment Security

PASCAGOULA, Miss. (WLOX) – Tuesday, the Mississippi Department of Employment Security (MDES) announced it was awarded $5.7 million as part of over $86 million in Industry-Driven Skills Training Fund grants.

The grants come from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to support workforce development in critical sectors, including shipbuilding.

Administered through the DOL’s Employment and Training Administration, the grants will reimburse employers for training in high-demand and emerging industries, addressing critical workforce needs in fields such as welding, marine electrical work, and manufacturing.

Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves said this money will help the state’s shipbuilding industry grow and continue for years to come.

“Mississippi plays a vital role in national defense and commercial maritime strength,” Reeves said. “Our state is home to the best shipbuilders on the planet, and we want even more Mississippians to enter this high-paying field.”

Leonard Bentz, the Executive Director of the Southern Mississippi Planning and Development District (SMPDD), said the state is proud to be selected to receive the grant.

“This grant allows us to scale what works, introduce innovative training strategies, and prepare our people for the industries that are driving economic growth,” Bentz said.

The post $5.7 million grant awarded to Mississippi Department of Employment Security appeared first on SMPDD.

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