JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI – (February 26, 2026) – Secretary Adam Telle, the head of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, has selected a project design that will bring long-awaited flood control and community benefits to Mississippi’s Capital Region. The Pearl River Revitalization Coalition applauds the decision, which advances meaningful flood protection and positions the region for long-term resilience and economic opportunity. The selected plan, based on Alternative D1, includes widening the Pearl River within the existing levee system and constructing a weir south of I-20. The project is designed to reduce flood risk to hundreds of homes and businesses in Hinds and Rankin Counties while reopening access to a river that has largely been closed off since the levees were constructed in the 1960s.

“This decision is a victory for common sense and offers an opportunity for economic growth in one of the nation’s most disadvantaged cities,” said Chip Pickering, board member of the Great City Mississippi Foundation. “Our Capital Region’s growth has been constrained for too long by bureaucratic delays.  Thanks to Secretary Adam Telle’s leadership, the Trump Administration’s new “Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork” initiative has turned the Corps into an agency that is working for the best interests of the American people, and that can be seen in this decision for Jackson.”

“This decision finally brings real flood control to Jackson and gives our region hope for a brighter future,” said Jeff Rent, President and CEO of the Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership. “Decades of work from elected officials, business and civic leaders, our federal delegation, and our state’s leadership have brought us to this moment.”

In addition to flood risk reduction, the plan allows public access to a river that has been inaccessible for generations.

“This decision marks a new day for Jackson. When cities embrace their rivers, they unlock new opportunities for growth, tourism, and economic revitalization,” said Rickey Thigpen, President and CEO of Visit Jackson. “Under the leadership of Mayor John Horhn, Jackson is rising, and this is the type of catalyst project that can propel us to new heights.”

The Rankin Hinds Pearl River Flood and Drainage Control District has led the regional flood control effort and maintained the existing levee and pump systems since their completion in 1967. The District works in coordination with federal, state, and local partners to advance flood protection, conservation, and infrastructure improvements throughout the region. For decades, residents across the Jackson metro area have experienced recurring and damaging flood events along the Pearl River, impacting homes, businesses, public infrastructure, and water treatment systems. Addressing flood risk is essential not only to protect lives and property, but also to strengthen long-term resilience and stability for Jackson, Pearl, Flowood, Richland, and surrounding communities.

Beyond flood control, the project offers a wide range of community benefits, including:

1. Improved public access to the Pearl River

2. New recreational amenities such as parks and trails

3. Opportunities to modernize water infrastructure in South Jackson

4. Enhanced water quality

5. Expanded environmental education efforts

6. Increased economic development potential

7. Reconnecting Jackson’s identity to its river

Since 1979,  Jackson has experienced recurring detrimental flood events that have resulted in monetary damages, loss of homes and businesses, and local water treatment facility failure. In 2020, and again in 2022, residents in the Jackson metro area watched floodwaters rise into their streets and homes. Neighborhoods like Canton Club Circle and McLeod were among the hardest hit, left vulnerable year after year as the Pearl River crept beyond its banks. The Pearl River Flood Risk Management Project could reduce future flood damage in the Jackson metro area by 71%. 

The Pearl River Revitalization Coalition (PRRC) is a partnership of educational institutions, community organizations, private sector leaders, and nonprofits working to advance a comprehensive, community-centered approach to flood protection. The Coalition fully supports this collaboratively developed plan to reduce flood risks, reconnect residents with the river, modernize critical infrastructure, encourage investment in parks and trails, and help Jackson thrive for generations. The Coalition has fully supported and advocated for the approach of the Alternative D1 Flood Control Solution because it offers a comprehensive flood control solution, investment in modern infrastructure, opportunities for public access to the river, and a collective city-wide identity. While the project’s first priority is to provide a flood control solution to resolve the ongoing flood crises in Jackson, the Pearl River Revitalization Coalition seeks to support broader community benefits and public access points. This multifaceted approach aims not only to mitigate flooding but also to enhance the quality of life for residents by creating green spaces, recreational areas, and educational programs that foster a deeper connection to the environment. 

Members of the Pearl River Revitalization Coalition Include: Rankin-Hinds Pearl River Flood and Drainage Control District, City of Jackson, Hinds County, Greater Jackson Chamber of Commerce, Visit Jackson, Downtown Jackson Partners, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson State University, Tougaloo College, Millsaps College, Mississippi College, Belhaven University, Hinds Community College, Greater Belhaven Foundation, Great City Mississippi Foundation, Jackson Heart Foundation, Fondren Renaissance Foundation, MS Children’s Museum, Mississippi Museum of Art, C Spire Foundation, Jackson Medical Mall Foundation, Ergon Foundation, LeFleur East Foundation, Clean Up Jackson.