Yellow Creek Land Transfer Closer in Tishomingo

WASHINGTON, D.C. – A Senate committee today approved legislation authored by U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) to authorize the transfer of property in Tishomingo County to help promote economic development in North Mississippi.

The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee on Thursday approved S.212, a bill to approve the transfer of Yellow Creek Port properties in Iuka from the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), on behalf of the United States, to the State of Mississippi. The measure, which is cosponsored by U.S. Senator Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), was approved on a voice vote and referred to the full Senate for consideration.

“The Yellow Creek Port can be an even bigger engine for job creation and economic development in North Mississippi. The transfer of this property would allow the state and the TVA to fulfill the goal of creating more jobs at this site,” Cochran said. “I am hopeful that the Senate will view this legislation favorably and approve it as soon as possible.”

The legislation is supported by the TVA, the Mississippi Development Authority, the Yellow Creek Port, and the Tombigbee River Water Management District. S.212 would authorize the TVA to transfer an estimated 172 acres of the Yellow Creek Port to the state. Since signing a contract with the TVA in 1971, the state has worked with the TVA to promote commercial and manufacturing development at the Yellow Creek Port.

The Mississippi legislature in 2011 approved a bill authorizing the state to receive the property pending a successful environmental assessment.

Companion legislation (HR.3044) has been introduced by Representative Alan Nunnelee (R-Miss.). That measure is cosponsored by Representatives Gregg Harper (R-Miss.), Steven Palazzo (R-Miss.) and Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.).

Economic development is among the missions given to the TVA when it was created in 1933 as a public power provider to the Tennessee Valley region that includes North Mississippi. Eighty years ago today, the TVA delivered its first energy to Tupelo, making it the first city to receive electricity from the utility.