Olive Branch Main Street award for metal bench refinishing

JACKSON, Miss. – Olive Branch Main Street is set to refresh its downtown landscape after being named one of 19 Mississippi communities to receive a 2025-2026 Community Development Grant.

The Mississippi Main Street Association (MMSA) announced the awards this week, providing matching funds to support “shovel-ready” projects and consulting services across the state. In Olive Branch, the grant will be specifically used to refinish the metal benches throughout the historic downtown district, improving public seating and aesthetic appeal.

Each designated community was eligible for up to $2,500 in grant funding, provided they met a required matching investment. The initiative aims to incentivize incremental growth and economic revitalization within historic business corridors.

“These projects are part of the incremental, positive impact that downtown revitalization has on the entire community and local economy,” said Jeannie Waller Zieren, MMSA Executive Director.

Beyond Olive Branch, the grant funds will support a diverse array of improvements across Mississippi, including:

• Infrastructure: ADA-compliant entry features in Ripley and streetscape landscaping in New Albany.
• Technology & Tourism: A virtual walking tour series in Starkville and website redevelopment in Brandon.
• Public Art: Murals in Columbus and Pearl, and a public art strategy in Pascagoula.
• Beautification: String lighting in Laurel and Leake County, and a community garden in Woodville.

The 19 grant recipients represent a broad geographic range, from the Gulf Coast in Biloxi to the northern hills in Batesville and Nettleton, showcasing a statewide commitment to preserving and enhancing Mississippi’s historic downtowns.