LEAKESVILLE — Leakesville and Biloxi are using state grants tied to America’s 250th anniversary to preserve and celebrate local history. 

More than 90 Mississippi communities received grants through the America250 Mississippi Grants Program, which distributed 99 grants to nonprofits, schools and local governments for public events and history projects connected to the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026. 

In Leakesville, city leaders plan to install signage highlighting the town’s history, and in Biloxi, officials are using grant funds to spotlight the city’s seafood industry. 

James Ratcliff, a Leakesville resident, said the grant is important because it could help draw more people to the town and teach them about its past. 

“I mean, it’s just something great for Leakesville. Everybody needs to know exactly where Leakesville comes from, where we’re going to go to, and enjoy it,” Ratcliff said.

How the grants work

Stuart Rockoff, executive director of the Mississippi Humanities Council, said the America250 Mississippi grants were divided into three categories — mini, program and legacy grants — based on project size and funding needs.

“This is state-funded money. This is taxpayer money from the people,” Rockoff said.

According to America250 program guidelines, all grants require a dollar-for-dollar match.

Legacy Grants provide up to $20,000 for large-scale projects that strengthen a community’s ability to explore and promote local history. Those grants require at least a 50% cash match.

Program Grants offer up to $10,000 for public events and programming tied to America250, with at least a 10% cash match required. Mini Grants provide up to $5,000 for smaller projects and community initiatives and can be matched with in-kind contributions.

“We’re in the process of getting all the funds out the door. You know, everyone who was selected for a grant has to sign a grant agreement,” Rockoff said. “You know, we have to monitor those projects, make sure that those funds are spent correctly and spent according to what their plans were.”

Biloxi highlights seafood history

Biloxi leaders are using a mini-grant to highlight the city’s seafood heritage through “Stars, Stripes and Seafood” which will be held July 3.

Laurie Rossetti, downtown services administrative assistant and administrative assistant to Biloxi Main Street, said the city’s early growth was closely tied to the seafood industry.

Rossetti said the event will include portrayals of the “five fathers of the seafood industry,” who helped expand seafood processing in Biloxi.

“It’s amazing what different backgrounds they all come from that led them to Biloxi, and that their connection with each other turned into a place that maybe had 3,000 residents into 15,000 in fewer than four years,” Rossetti said.

Rossetti said Biloxi’s seafood industry helped send seafood to cities as far away as Baltimore. The Biloxi Little Theater is providing actors for the reenactment.

Leakesville preserves local history

Leakesville leaders plan to use a program grant to educate residents and visitors about the town’s history, including the timber industry, river transportation, railroads and river crossings.

City Clerk Rex Garretson told the town plans to install visual displays with brass plaques at the boat ramp area. The displays will highlight Leakesville’s history, including logging, waterways, railroads and the Battle of McLeod’s Mill.

Ratcliff said many people who live in or pass through Leakesville do not know the town’s history.

“They really don’t know (how long ago) the Battle of McLeod’s Mill (happened) or when the logging actually happened, so a lot of people don’t know the history anymore,” Ratcliff said.

State leaders said the grant program is part of a statewide effort to help communities reconnect with their local history while taking part in the national anniversary. For towns like Leakesville and Biloxi, leaders say the funding is helping turn historical awareness into public projects meant to preserve and share local identity.