NATCHEZ — The Natchez-Adams County Port will receive approximately $552,000 in state funds for improvement to the county-owned warehouse in the port.

The Mississippi Transportation Commission recently approved the Mississippi Department of Transportation intermodal grant to the port, which will use the funds to replace the northern wing of the port warehouse roof.

Adams County purchased the 450,000-square foot warehouse in 2013, and has since arranged for the port authority to lease and manage the building for them.

The warehouse previously received a $954,000 grant to fix a portion of its roof. The newly announced grant will fund the completion of the roof repairs, Port Director Anthony Hauer said.

“The roof repairs were prerequisite because of the business we were able to secure for the building with these clients,” he said. “It is a part of maintenance for a building of that age, and in order to maintain the clientele or to ensure that all cargoes in the building are taken care of and free of any damage from water or leakage, the roof replacement was prerequisite.”

Hauer said the grant may also be used to purchase forklifts as well.

“We have to go to bid and advertisement, but based on the cost of the northern roof, whatever the balance will be left will indicate how many fork lifts we will be able to purchase,” he said.

In a joint statement released by Transportation Commissioners Dick Hall, Tom King and Mike Tagert with the announcement of the grant, the commissioners said Mississippi’s ports and waterways system helps move local goods and services to the rest of the country, and even internationally.

“Regardless of the goods that come across the docks of our ports, these grants will help make needed improvements that will continue to support local economic growth and development,” the statement said.