"The money has to be obligated at least by September 30," he said. "Within the next week or so, we should get a better feel for the possible time frame for construction to start. Of course the Congressman is interested in expediting the process."

Steward said a meeting is planned within the week for Mississippi National Guard and Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) officials to discuss the $2.2 million in road improvements for Camp McCain and Greensboro Roads.

"The money is there," he said. "We don't have any indications there have been any delays with it."

District Two Supervisor A.J. Minga said a number of citizens from the Camp McCain area have complained about the unsafe roads. "My concern is about the safety of our school buses and any type of emergency vehicle," he said. Minga said some preliminary surveying work has been done by National Guard personnel, but residents are wondering if the road project is still in the works.

Funding for the improvements to Camp McCain and the two county roads was part of the 2002 Department of Defense Appropriations Act announced December 20, 2001.

Included in the $6 million project is construction of a weapons cleaning facility and vehicle maintenance building, and improvements to the infantry live-fire range.