The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, 11/6/8
The GetSMART highway construction advocacy organization endorsed a plan at its statewide board meeting Wednesday that would innovatively fund $600 million per year to complete and maintain the Vision 21 Highway plan, passed without adequate funds in 2002 by the Legislature.
GetSMART stands for Start Mississippi’s Approved Roads Today. The Vision 21 plan is approved. In Northeast Mississippi it includes Highways 9, 25, 6, 7 and 15, all described by Renick and others as “interior” arteries.
Former Sen. Bill Renick, an economic developer working with Three Rivers Planning and Development District, headquartered in Pontotoc, said the organization will move to have legislation drafted and gain support from Gov. Haley Barbour and legislators.