JENNINGS, La. (AP) – A Sulphur firm has been given a contract to design a new jail for Jeff Davis Parish.

The American Press reports the contract with Meyer and Associates was announced Wednesday. The firm will be paid $635,444 to provide design and construction administration for the new regional consolidated jail.

Police Jury President Donald Woods says clearing of the property and a groundbreaking will follow the design phase.

The parish bought nearly 17 acres off U.S. Highway 90 west of Jennings after voters last year approved a new half-cent sales tax to pay for operation of the new 200-bed facility.

The parish received $10 million from the state to buy the land and build the facility.

Construction is expected to begin later this year and will take about two years.