Nonprofit Reaching Infinity outlines a planning grant for job creation; public housing authority to open Claiborne waitlist

A Hazlehurst nonprofit and a public-housing official addressed the Claiborne County Board of Supervisors on March 17 with information items about job-creation planning and an upcoming public-housing waitlist.

Reaching Infinity planning grant

Nick Walters, representing Reaching Infinity, told the board the nonprofit received a planning grant to design a case-manager model aimed at helping small businesses retain or create jobs and to support entrepreneurial residents in Claiborne, Copiah and Jefferson counties. Walters said the grant is a planning award expected to take about 18 months and that the organization will engage local stakeholders before implementing case managers.

Walters thanked Supervisor Dorsey for an endorsement letter that helped secure the grant and said Reaching Infinity will return with more details as planning progresses. Ramonica (Ramonika) Felton of Fit Nutrition, a local small-business owner, joined Walters to describe local outreach and offered to assist residents seeking services.

Public housing waitlist opening

Clarence Scudder (title not specified) addressed the board about public housing. He said the regional waiting list used by nine counties has thousands of applicants and that Claiborne County will open a local waiting list online starting Monday in March for county residents to apply; staff expect several hundred applicants. Scudder emphasized the need to assist elderly applicants and asked the board and community leaders to publicize the opening.

Ending

Both presenters described outreach steps to come: Reaching Infinity will share planning updates and timelines; the housing authority will circulate application details and indicated staff will assist applicants who lack internet access.