The Federal Transit Administration celebrated the opening of the new Choctaw Regional Maintenance Facility, which will improve the maintenance and operations of Choctaw Transit’s fleet of 40 vehicles and ensure reliable transit service for tribal members and other residents in East Mississippi.

FTA provided approximately $2.4 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds toward the $2.5 million facility. Remaining funds were provided by Mississippi Department of Transportation.

“The Obama Administration is committed to providing Americans with more ‘ladders of opportunity’ — transportation options that connect residents to jobs and greater economic opportunities,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “This new transit facility will ensure that thousands of local Choctaw residents will continue to have a reliable ride to get to work, school, medical appointments and elsewhere.”

Choctaw Transit is operated by the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians and serves approximately 10,000 members of the tribe, as well as individuals in the surrounding communities. Service is provided to East Central Community College in Decatur and Meridian Community College, as well as other destinations in Meridian, Jackson and neighboring counties.