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NATCHEZ — At a press conference Friday at Asbury United Methodist Church in Bolton, U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson announced a number of community project fundings in Mississippi’s Second Congressional District.

Natchez Mayor Dan Gibson and Ward 2 Alderman Billie Joe Frazier were at the conference to receive a $1 million appropriation on behalf of Natchez that will go toward the first phase of the Forks to Freedom Park project.

Also attending was Jacqueline Marsaw, the county liaison with Thompson at his office in Adams County.

“It was a real honor to be there with Congressman Thompson accepting this great appropriation for Natchez,” Gibson said. “It was in a meeting with him over a year ago that we first began seeking federal funds to help us begin our Forks to Freedom Park project. And this appropriation will help now to get Phase 1 development of the green space at both Revels Plaza and the future site of the Natchez U.S. Colored Troops monument on the north end of the Bluff.”

Gibson said Thompson announced he had saved the Natchez presentation for last.

“He truly is excited about what we are doing to build unity by telling our whole story. Today was especially rewarding to enjoy such camaraderie with Congressman Thompson, a gentleman who truly is serving his constituents in Natchez with sincere passion and great statesmanship,” Gibson said.

Frazier echoed those comments.

“Congressman Thompson made a number of presentations of appropriations that will benefit not only Adams County but surrounding counties, as well,” Frazier said.

Frazier said Thompson has been more visible in Adams County and produced more for the county than any other U.S. representative in recent memory.

“I told Congressman Thompson we have some more projects in Natchez we need to get taken care of and he said to let him know what we need. The Congressman is truly taking care of his district,” Frazier said.

Presentations Friday afternoon in Bolton also included funds for an art center at a high school in Kosciusko; funds for an innovation center at Alcorn State University; funds for a workforce development program for the Southwest Mississippi Community Development District; a $1 million appropriation to a special needs camp near Crystal Springs; a $3 million appropriation to Hope Financial for low-income housing, among others.