Mayor Barker says building projects need funding to move forward

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - The Hattiesburg Art Council is working with City Council to possibly create a new work center.

The owner of the former Hattiesburg American Building donated the establishment to the Hattiesburg Art Council but, the Art Council does not have the funds to operate the building.

The Art Council asked the city for $1.2 million dollars last year.

Mayor Toby Barker said both city and art councils should come together to search of outside financing to get the project running.

"The financing for this project still depends on getting a new investor who wants to do new market tax credit to make this project happen,” Barker said.

City Council will have a special meeting in regards to the 2018 fiscal year budget hearing Thursday, September 7. An additional special meeting will be held on Thursday September 14 to vote on the budget.