The Local Emergency Planning Committee grants will assist the LEPCs in each county with emergency preparedness, response and public education about hazardous materials within their community.

The funds are provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation through the Hazardous Material Emergency Preparedness Grant program.

Officials say these grant funds can be used to supplement salaries, travel, education and outreach, exercises as well as for purchasing equipment.

“We often tend to focus our attention on natural disasters, but we shouldn’t forget about the risk that hazardous materials can pose to our communities,” said MEMA director Mike Womack.

Clay: $4,490 Marion: $1,000

Copiah: $8,250 MBCI: $4,250

Covington: $7,250 Oktibbeha: $5,000

DeSoto: $4,200 Panola: $4,500

Forrest: $4,000 Pontotoc: $3,500

George: $2,250 Rankin: $3,000

Itawamba: $1,000 Scott: $4,250

Jackson: $3,000 Tallahatchie: $5,550

Jefferson Davis: $6,250 Tate: $1,600

Lauderdale: $5,500 Tunica: $4,000

Lawrence: $6,350 Warren: $5,750

Leake: $2,500 Wayne: $4,550

Leflore: $4,750 Webster: $4,250

Lowndes: $2,300 Yazoo: $5,050

The total grant award is $118,340 going to the local counties. Mississippi currently has 49 active LEPCs.