BOONEVILLE, Miss. (WTVA) -- Beulah Gater remembers the days it would rain at her downtown Booneville home.
"I had about five-gallon buckets in my den, and when it would rain I'd have to empty them constantly," Gater said.
Her plumbing didn't work well and electricity was unreliable.
That house is gone, but a new one will take its place.
"I could never thank them enough for what they have done and I could never thank God enough because I think he was all in the plan of them doing what's been done," Gater added.
In what city officials consider to be a rare achievement, three Booneville residents have qualified for Mississippi Development Authority's Home Investment Partnership Program.
Applicants must be homeowners who have lived in the dwelling a required period of years. They must also be without debt. The criteria is lengthy and strict.
Oliver Spencer should know. He will also get a new home.
"I just want to do this here. I'm excited. I'm getting a new house," Spencer said.
Mayor Joe Eaton says the grant will help improve the look of neighborhoods and improve property value. Each home will average $100,000.
"It is good for the city. It brings in opportunity for people to help on the project, to draw a paycheck and it will help our sales tax by some of the material being bought here in town," Mayor Eaton said.
