JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI | City With Soul

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Madison County will again bid out first phase of Bozeman Road

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - Madison County is again bidding out the first phase of the Bozeman Road Widening Project.

On Monday, the board voted 5-0 to re-advertise the work, months after the first bid came in millions of dollars too high.

The reverse decision comes after the board twice voted down requests from Supervisors Trey Baxter and Casey Brannon to rebid the work earlier this year and after state leaders informed the county some $7.5 million in bond funds and capital expenditure funds awarded for the project cannot be used elsewhere.

“The request, the full-force request from the state was that at least $2.5 million of it be spent on the south end,” said County Administrator Greg Higginbotham. “I generally don’t recommend things to this board, but I would recommend that we spend it on the south end.”

The project would include widening Bozeman from two to four lanes and adding a divided median between Mississippi 463 to Reunion Parkway. It also includes adding a multi-use trail from 463 to Gluckstadt Road and making improvements at the intersection of Bozeman/Catlett Road and Gluckstadt Road farther north.

Supervisors also approved motions from District 3 Supervisor Gerald Steen to bid out the two elements of the first phase separately and to authorize the county engineer to purchase easements for the second phase of Bozeman, which would carry the project from Gluckstadt Road to Reunion Parkway.

All three subsequent motions were approved on 3 to 2 votes, with Supervisors Trey Baxter and Casey Brannon in opposition.

“If we can’t afford this project, why would we spend money on another part of the project? Wouldn’t it be best to allocate all the funds necessary to get phase one done that we have access to?” Brannon asked. “Breaking all these things down and bidding stuff to spend more money doesn’t get anything done.”

Brannon was referring to previous comments made by Steen, saying the county shouldn’t bid out the first phase again until had a better understanding of its current finances.

Phases one and two of the project are estimated to cost around $64 million. The county currently has about $21 million in state and federal allocations for the first phase, meaning the rest would likely have to be paid using bonds.

Baxter said federal officials also have raised concerns that the funds would not be used on the first section of the project.

“Not starting Bozeman phase one now, with it being shovel-ready, is like Biden not finishing the border wall when it is also shovel-ready,” he said. “Waste of taxpayer money.”

Gluckstadt Mayor Walter Morrison urged the board to begin work on the second phase first, telling members the worst traffic in the county is in his city.

“I came here this morning, leaving my home in the First Colony neighborhood, drove north up to Highway 22, and was met with a constant line of traffic,” he said. “When I got onto Stribling Road and looked west toward Lake Caroline, it was nothing but a constant line of traffic... as far as I could see.”


Mayor Walter Morrison(WLBT)

Baxter agreed with Morrison that the northern portion of Bozeman had a traffic issue, and said the county has already done some design work for the first phase.

“But on the south end, we have worked for seven years now to push forward with widening the south end and that includes environmental design, right-of-way acquisition, and utility relocation,” he said. “So, we’re in the neighborhood of $10 million deep... and we’ve also had state and federal legislators getting us grant money in good faith to extend the south side or widen it.”

“Switching the project at this juncture would be catastrophic.”

https://www.wlbt.com/2024/03/04/madi...-bozeman-road/

City of Jackson announces launch of redesigned JTRAN network
• Video Link
City's public transit system gets a facelift, adding routes, technology

JACKSON, Miss. —
Jackson's bus system is getting a facelift.

Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba, along with officials from the city's Planning and Development Department, announced the grand opening of the redesigned JTRAN bus network.

JTRAN riders will now experience better bus routes, simpler service and more straightforward connections — all designed to get riders where they need to go quickly and more efficiently. The bus network improvements, which went into effect Monday, include a fully redesigned JTRAN bus network with new routes, schedules and bus stops.

“The redesign of the bus network and new accommodations are the result of a comprehensive review of the needs of our JTRAN riders,” Deputy Director of Transportation Christine Welch said. “We have made the system more accessible and efficient, and as a result, we believe it will improve the quality of life of Jackson residents who rely on our public transportation system.”

The process to improve the transportation system began in 2019, when city officials feared the bus service might have been on its last leg because of outdated routes and buses.

"We now look like any city in the United States of America," Welch said.

There are now 650 new bus stops, a JTRAN tracking app, Wi-Fi and automated announcements on each bus.

JTRAN riders are encouraged to visit ridejtran.com/upgrades to see how their route has changed.
https://www.wapt.com/article/big-cha...jtran/46505204

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Renovations nearly complete at Forrest County Health Department

The $5.5 million upgrade project at the Forrest County Health Department is nearing completion, with work finishing up on the parking lot and the exterior of the building located at 5008 Old Highway 42 in Hattiesburg.

Terri Bell, president of the Forrest County Board of Supervisors, said the project is ahead of schedule and should be done by late April or early May if work continues at the current pace.

“We feel like we’re on target to finish in that time frame,” she said. “They’ll have a ribbon cutting, probably, for everybody to come look (when it’s finished).

“I just feel like that building needed to be updated, and I think the community is going to find the level of service is going to be improved by the new design. We’ll be able to do a lot for the community and meet their needs in the future.”

The funds for the project are provided by the American Rescue Plan Act – the $1.9 trillion economic stimulus package passed by the federal government to help the country recover from the COVID-19 pandemic – along with monies from Forrest County and other sources. The refurbished facility will offer a drive-through vaccination center, additional exam rooms, extra space and more technology.

“It’s going to be kind of a prototype for all health departments to kind of go in this direction,” Bell said.

David Hogan, former president of the Forrest County Board of Supervisors, said the renovations will help the center better provide initiatives such as the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, as well as other health services for the county. In the meantime, the facility – which is located on Old Highway 42 in Hattiesburg – has been temporarily located to Klondyke Street, in the former Hattiesburg Police Department building, to allow time for the work.

“The Forrest County Health Department services the most under-served people in our county and surrounding area, and the building has not been renovated since the ‘80s,” Hogan said in a previous story. “During COVID, a lot of the inconveniences of the building came to light, and it was at that time the board made a concerted effort to get with the (Mississippi) Department of Health to try to coordinate and work with them to make substantial improvements.

“(Those improvements) are not only for the COVID-19 pandemic, but just for general health services throughout the county, for the people that need it the most.”

In addition to the drive-through, exam rooms and extra space, the improvements will include approximately 2,000 square feet added to the front of the building, along with a new roof and more parking.

“It will actually be open for anybody – you can have the best health insurance there is, and still use the health department,” Hogan said. “I believe the public is going to be real pleased with the outcome.

“It should be a lot more welcoming to the general public as a whole.”

County officials have committed approximately $1 million from their funds from ARPA – which is a $1.9 trillion economic stimulus bill issued by the federal government to speed up the United States’ recovery from the economic damage caused by the COVID-19 pandemic – to the project. Roughly $1 million of the county’s general fund will go toward the renovations, and the Mississippi Department of Health will contribute approximately slightly more than $2.5 million.

The remaining monies will be split between ARPA funding and carryover funds from the county’s general fund.

Hanco Corporation, a Hattiesburg construction company, was the low bidder on the project.

On November 8, 2022, Hattiesburg City Council members approved a lease agreement with Forrest County officials for the use of a portion of the Klondyke Street property for a term beginning November 1 through June 30, 2025. The department will locate there while the current health department on Old Highway 42 undergoes renovations.

Under the agreement, Forrest County will pay the City of Hattiesburg a rate of $2,550 per month, which includes the current pro-rata cost of property insurance and utilities, such as gas and electric.

“The board wants to thank Mayor (Toby) Barker and the city council for allowing us to basically pay the bills over here for this next year plus to let the health department to use their facility,” Hogan said. “We made some minor adjustments and improvements over there, and they’ve gotten settled in over there, and it’s going to function really well temporarily, for the short term, as we make these improvements to the permanent location of the health department.

“My dad, (Dr. Marcus Hogan), who was an OBGYN for 40 years and served on the board of trustees at Forrest General Hospital, used to go to the health department once a week on his lunch hour to see patients. He raised me and my siblings to know the importance of the health department and our publicly-owned hospital, Forrest General Hospital, so there is a personal connection there for me that has always resonated because of the way we were raised by him.”

The department offers services such as pregnancy testing, immunizations for children, STD testing, birth control and the treatment of certain ailments. Once the health department moves back into its permanent location, the Klondyke Street building will be available for other use.
https://www.hubcityspokes.com/renova...lth-department

Work on Matthews Branch Path Project expected to begin later than expected

Although Petal Mayor Tony Ducker had hoped to begin work by this summer on the Matthews Branch pedestrian/bike path, that project may instead get its start late this year or early next year.

Ducker said paperwork and red tape on the measure is taking a little longer than expected, and officials also are contemplating weather matters that may factor into the project.

“I wouldn’t say it’s been postponed; we are pushing papers around now, so we’re in that stage, and I was probably optimistic that we could put a shovel in the ground in the middle of this year,” he said. “The issue is, is once all the paperwork is done and all the land acquisition takes place, it’s going to be kind of in the winter.

“So it’ll really be determined then, at that point, if you want to proceed with that weather or do you want to wait until the weather is a little warmer, which makes it a little more ideal to do a project of this nature.”

The project, which will entail a path that runs along Matthews Branch from Southern Bowling Lanes on South Main Street to Petal City Park near the Petal Family Branch YMCA, is made possible by an $862,560 grant from the Mississippi Department of Transportation that was approved in 2021. That plan was approved after a project that would have seen a new sidewalk from West 10th Avenue and South Main Street down Morris Avenue, near Petal Middle School, was scrapped in favor of the Matthews Branch project.

“Basically, we’re going through the hoops (on the Matthews Branch path); there’s a ton of those,” Ducker said. “And obviously, going through the land acquisition, there’s going to be a few hiccups there, so we’ll have to work through that process.

“This seemed a preferable route over the original route; we are dealing with less property owners, and this should be less invasive and less detrimental to our business community as well.”

City officials are required to put the project out to bid by the end of this year through MDOT.

“So we’ve got to have all our ducks in a row, basically,” Ducker said. “We’ve got to have them give us the green light to have it put out to bid.

“There’s a chance we could put a shovel in the ground at the back end of this year; that’s what I’m hoping for, anyway.”

Ducker said the path will be a huge boon to the city, especially as it will open up the interior of the city to pedestrians looking to travel through downtown.

“(They’ll) be able to access the river park and access the new (East Hardy Street) bridge, the Longleaf Trace,” he said. “It just has a lot of possibilities of what this could be down there within the next five years or so.

“And obviously, it will give our police department and first responders access to that area more readily, so I think that can be a really neat part of the project as well. You’ve got people walking up and down that area now as is, and we don’t really have as much access from a city standpoint to that area, so this will open up that area to have our personnel get down there and maintain the area and make it look nicer as well.”
https://www.hubcityspokes.com/work-m...later-expected

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Ford Motor Company teams up with Jackson business for economic development. See what it is

It's only been a few months since Richard Bradley unveiled his dream of a $30 million mixed-use development, anchored by a trade school.

Now, Ford Motor Company has signed on to a be a partner to help get workers across the Southeast.

Bradley's Metro Booming Training Academy and Ford are launching an Automotive Career Exploration program to stimulate job growth and workforce development.

Through the program at Metro Booming Training Academy’s auto and diesel center, Ford hopes to hire Metro Booming students for high-paying jobs at Mac Haik Ford in North Jackson.



Initially, according to Bradley, Ford will hire eight technicians from the academy, with plans to increase that number each year. The automobile company will hire some 2,673 technicians in its Memphis region this year, which staffs nearly 200 dealerships across the Southeast. Nationwide, Ford has hired more than 46,000 technicians through the program at its nearly 3,000 dealerships.

"We are moving forward in Mississippi. and Jackson is moving forward," said Bradley, who also owns the nightclub and restaurant M Bar in Jackson. "Actually, when Ford read about our plans last year, the reached out to Mack Haik Ford here in Jackson, and everyone was interested."

Bradley said all of this is part of dream of his to help to revitalize West Jackson.

A3 Consulting and the Hinds County Economic Development Authority are helping with the initial project that is being called The Jackson Yards.

Anchoring The Jackson Yards is the Metro Booming Training Academy. There will also be new businesses and affordable housing at the 201 N. Green Ave location in West Jackson.

“Metro Booming Training Academy was launched to meet a need, creating thousands of in-demand jobs across Jackson, the state and nationwide," said Bradley, who is also the founder and owner of A3 Consulting. "The Jackson Yards will fuel the engines of economic and workforce development and revitalization — a gateway to prosperity.”

His vision is already paying dividends.

“Ford Motor Company is incredibly excited to partner with Mac Haik Ford and Metro Booming Training Academy on this new ACE school sponsorship,” said Heather Brant, Ford’s Memphis region service performance manager. “We know that a customer’s vehicle is one of the most important assets in their life and ensuring it is always on the road requires new Ford technicians. Metro Booming will be a wonderful addition to our ACE technician training program.”

In the program, students can choose from more than 65 online courses on various topics that certified Ford/Lincoln technicians use, including new model training, electrical system engineering, steering and suspension and history of the Ford Motor Company. Courses are continually updated on the latest new technologies and vehicles.

"They couldn't believe we were doing something like this in Jackson," Bradley said. "You always hear about the negative things going on in Jackson, but I guess when Ford saw what we were doing, it was positive and they wanted to be a part of helping the underserved part of the community."

After an official press conference Tuesday, Bradley said it will take about a month to get things rolling.

"We are getting everything in order with our certifications and such," Bradley said. "But I could see everything officially kicking off the first of June. We will be ready to open the doors."

Since the original launch in September, Bradley has already placed the program's initial students with a forklift services through the state. He has also begun his affordable-housing initiative and has purchased another four acres adjacent to the original property in West Jackson for expansion that he believes is on the horizon.

"We have started work on a 70,000 square-foot facility over there and we are going to build out what is already there," he said. "We don't know exactly what we will need it for just yet, but we know we are going to be growing within the next couple of years."

Jackson Mayor Antar Chokwe Lumumba has been on board with this project since the beginning.

“This is a game-changing partnership that will strengthen the city of Jackson and beyond by providing essential and necessary workforce development that drives innovation, job growth and business success,” Lumumba said. “Having Ford, one of the world’s most iconic brands, as a partner will continue to bring prosperity and economic vitality to our community."
https://www.clarionledger.com/story/...s/72843007007/

More coverage of the news
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Ocean Springs Board of Aldermen approve Urban Renewal Plan resolution
• Video Link

OCEAN SPRINGS, Miss. (WLOX) -Tensions ran high in the Ocean Springs Board of Aldermen meeting, which centered around the Urban Renewal Plan.

The board ultimately approved the resolution to adopt the Urban Renewal Plan, but this idea of new development still hasn’t grown on several residents.

This comes after Urban Renewal Plan drawings focused on four land parcels between Government Street, Pine Street, and Clark Avenue.

The green space on the corner of Pine remains a vacant land, one which a large portion of homeowners say will lead to environmental issues.

“Why would you not wait until the MDEQ report that would confirm the existence of these health risks,” Ellen Hall, Ocean Springs resident asked.

She questioned the board’s decision to utilize this property before MDEQ and EPA could determine any harmful findings on March 9.

Mayor Kenny Holloway said all environmental issues have to be settled before construction begins. He adds whether the site is deemed to be in good or bad standing, there’s a written statement the site would be taken care of.

“That’s why we passed the Urban Renewal tonight. We passed disposition tonight,” Holloway said. “That allows us to work with any developer that’s going to do something on that piece of property. To make sure that they follow MDEQ requirements before construction takes place. "

Most citizens voiced a main concern to the board: What’s the rush? What’s the cost analysis to clean the property? Will a hotel be built on the property?

“Is there some urgency to this to where we couldn’t listen to the EPA? We already did that, we passed the Urban Renewal Plan or assessing the property without knowing the cost. There was never any cost analysis benefit to move Pine St., Public Works. Even though there’s grant money available, wants to stay, you start digging in there and find it a little worse than it would be,” Ocean Springs resident Tom Ehrensing said.

“The Board has a lack of respect for the citizens of Ocean Springs. It seems that the board is all about money. Money,” Ocean Springs resident James Lewis said. “That’s sad because if you’re not representing the citizens, then it’s time for the citizens of Ocean Springs to stand up and vote them off the board. We’ve come to meetings, we are told one thing, and they do just the opposite of what they said they’re not gonna do.”

As for relocating the Public Works facility closer to downtown, Holloway says it’s a $7.5 million dollar process. Four million is already secured from grants and he anticipates another two million being awarded in July.

A meeting with EPA and MDEQ is set for March 9 to address the issue.
https://www.wlox.com/2024/03/06/ocea...an-resolution/

Ribbon cutting held for new fields at Friendship Park
• Video Link

PICAYUNE, Miss. (WLOX) - On Monday, a ribbon cutting ceremony took place for the new ball fields and Friendship Park in Picayune.

The idea for the new fields was created in 2018.

The fields were possible thanks to a $1.9 million grant from the Gulf Coast Restoration Fund.

Picayune Parks and Recreation Director Trevor Adam said these new fields will create lasting memories for young athletes.

“All the people here have a chance to have a place to play, being a safe haven for kids, because some of your best friends are made here at the ball park, and you will have those types of relationships the rest of your life,” Adam said.

Officials have already started booking games and events with more than 50 teams from three different states coming to Picayune.
https://www.wlox.com/2024/03/05/ribb...iendship-park/

Company announces construction of solar panel farm in Chickasaw County
• Video Link

OKOLONA, Miss. (WTVA) — More than $200 million is being invested into a solar panel farm in Chickasaw County.

NextEra Energy, a Florida-based company, chose a site along County Road 245.

The construction phase of the project will create 200 jobs.

"[It’s] a great benefit, a great asset with us losing United Furniture,” District 3 Supervisor Russell Brooks said at Wednesday’s announcement. “This will give people who need a job the opportunity to get a job, and we just want to encourage our citizens to be ready to apply for the jobs when they are available.”

No taxpayer money will be involved in the new project. It will also be a $52 million tax credit towards Chickasaw County.

Construction is expected to begin in 2025. The completion date is to be determined.
https://www.wtva.com/news/local/comp...857f8e496.html

Proposal would see Connection Center with Chick-fil-A built at Itawamba Community College
• Video Link

FULTON, Miss. (WTVA) – A new Chick-fil-A location has been proposed in Fulton.

Itawamba Community College announced on Tuesday via social media that their new 10,000-square-foot Connection Center on campus would have a Chick-fil-A restaurant built into it.

The only thing that would be different about this Chick-fil-A is that it would not have a drive-thru.

The new Chick-fil-A would still provide all of the beloved menu items that many have become accustomed to.

We can expect to see the Connection Center and new Chick-fil-A in the spring of 2026 depending on board approval of bids.

This proposal would be on the Fulton Campus on Main Street in the front portion of the Band Hall parking lot.
https://www.wtva.com/news/proposal-w...1a2d7053b.html

Limit on short-term rentals, measured growth up for debate in Pass Christian
• Video Link
In Pass Christian, a limit on short-term rentals and measured growth in the city are two topics up for debate.

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Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership celebrated the Grand Opening of the newly renovated galleries for the International Museum of Muslim Culture

Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership
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The Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership celebrated the Grand Opening of the newly renovated galleries for the International Museum of Muslim Culture on Friday, March 1st. The Muslim Culture Museum invites you to discover the writings of ancient scholars and poets, the paintings of contemporary artists, and the craftsmanship of local and international artisans all under one roof. The Muslim Culture Museum is located in Downtown Jackson at 201 E. Pascagoula Street.
https://www.facebook.com/GreaterJack...431BwdtdYnucZl

Rankin County Chamber of Commerce welcomes Hometown Barre's

Rankin County Chamber
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We enjoyed celebrating Hometown Barre's Rankin Chamber membership with a Ribbon Cutting! ������������✂️
Hometown Barre is a fitness studio that focuses on barre classes, a workout technique inspired by elements of ballet, yoga, pilates, and strength training. The first class is free, and they have a special offer: $210 for three months of unlimited classes. Sign up today with Hometown Barre to achieve your fitness goals!
⏰ Monday: 6am, 7:30am, 12:00pm, and 5:45pm
Tuesday: 7:30am, 4:30pm, and 5:45pm
Wednesday: 6:00am, 7:30am, 12:00pm, and 5:45pm
Thursday: 4:30pm and 5:45pm
Friday: 6:00am, 7:30am, and 12:00pm
Saturday: 9:30am
������401 MS-43 suite C, Pelahatchie, MS 39145
������(601) 715-0665
https://www.facebook.com/RankinCount...yE2YMl?__cft__[0]=AZVasKYysyzmEQNIYrfh3hvn6VS7mo4rht_MS47mxKQRaKkHwKBFsUtTxZ3mHaRFWf6n8IsnsxKonEhsPl-C4F0fZ85wQyVNz5sAyeUKM025smIDXrFpm440FTrtxImcg0fl0YT_42b2FJIhQ2lP6O3yVZ_NEBtKlrCZPSJtJJKeoMT4UXwjl9-0WPomlsmEsnI&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R

Hernando Main Street Chamber of Commerce posted new home in the area

Austin Realty Group, Inc.
March 3 at 5:45 PM ·
NEED A NEW HOME IN HERNANDO ❓THIS BEAUTY IS READY❣️❣️
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MAB BUILDERS
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.p...00063771181773

[vetteking]

Hernando Main Street Chamber of Commerce post new home in the area

Hernando Main Street Chamber of Commerce
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Dream Maker Realty, LLC
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For Sale by Michele Johnston
Dream Maker Realty
901-647-2856 Cell
662-893-3232 Office
https://www.facebook.com/DreamMakerR...ZbNHZJaJUMcBtl

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Tiny home project in Jackson pauses construction
• Video Link
Jackson homeless residence project put on hold by Atmos Energy

JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – Capers Avenue in Jackson has undergone major changes in preparation of building a tiny home village for the homeless.

About of a third of the land has been cleared of overgrowth, but the project is currently on hold. Workers reported a gas odor and contacted Atmos Energy.

“We have started some of the clearing of the overgrown brush. No trees or anything like that. No buildings. But we’ve done a lot of the overgrown brush down. And while we were back there, we were smelling gas. So, we did 811 call before we went out and everybody basically queries except Atmos. So, Atmos is out there right now making sure that it’s safe,” said Putalamus White, founder of the Jackson Resource Center.

Atmos has postponed construction on Capers Avenue until the area is fully inspected.

White said the center will still meet with contractors and subcontractors to establish partnerships regarding the development.
https://www.wjtv.com/news/local-news...-construction/

Luxury resort slated for Oxford MS area. See what it is

Former 12th District Representative of the Mississippi House of Representatives Jay Hughes continues to serve his Oxford and Lafayette County community.

His latest venture, an economic development and tourism project in Oxford, got the go-ahead this week.

The Lafayette County Board of Supervisors has voted unanimously to approve the site plan for Roundabout Oxford RV & Water Resort, giving the founders the go-ahead they need to begin construction.

The 85-acre resort will be located on the north side of Mississippi 6, 3 miles outside of the Oxford city limits. It is slated to open in the Spring 2025.

"Looking at this, Oxford has evolved into so much more than Ole Miss and Downtown Oxford and the Square," Hughes, an Oxford resident, told the Clarion Ledger Wednesday. "While this project is something we hope and expect Ole Miss game day folks to enjoy, this is for everyone."

Where will the RV resort be located?
The resort will be North Mississippi’s first luxury RV resort. It will feature a host of amenities and activities for guests, including 150 RV sites with full hookups and 20 luxury cottages, a 2.5-acre water park with a lazy river, playgrounds, basketball and pickleball courts, a miniature golf course, zip line, a sandy beach area and fishing pier, multiple ponds, a dog park, fitness center and golf cart rentals.

"A lot of people do weekend visits here that have nothing to do with Ole Miss football and baseball," Hughes said. "There are so many more events with destination weddings; there's the Double Decker Arts Festival, conferences as well as youth baseball and soccer. We host about 50,000 kids a year just for that. All of those folks are looking for affordable options for their families. Not every family is able to pay for a premium hotel in Oxford with a three-night minimum and things like that."

Hughes said the $22-million project will bring many jobs to the area during construction. When the resort opens, Hughes estimates it will have an annual payroll budget of more than $1 million.

“We are so thankful for the board’s support,” Hughes said. “The board and staff worked with us every single step of the way. Our immediate next step is to begin the bidding process so we can get dirt moving and kick off construction as soon as possible.”



Is it a public RV park?
The amenities will be first reserved for registered guests. However, Hughes said the unique thing about the RV venture is that, unlike state parks and some other RV parks, this will not be for full-timers or guests wanting to stay longer than 14 nights at one time. He said there was some confusion in the beginning with the community with locals believing that the venture would be a public water park.

"It's strictly a private business and privately funded. With that said, we will be able to open for local day passes when the park is not fully reserved," Hughes said. "Typically, we expect that when we are fully booked, it will be on Thursday, Friday and Saturdays. This will be great for the locals to do. We envision the resort not just as a business venture, but as a boon for the local community.

“Our goal is to create a safe, family-friendly destination that has something for everyone. We want to be a place where families can detach from their devices and reconnect with one another, where RVers feel right at home and where all guests can relax in nature.”

The resort will be eco-friendly
The resort will be built amongst the rolling hills of Lafayette County. However, there is also a goal to leave as many acres untouched as possible. Designs for the resort will prioritize the conservation of existing trees, vegetation and ponds, and embrace the natural contours of the land.

“We want to be good stewards of the local habitat and take every opportunity we can to prioritize the environment,” Hughes said. “For example, we will have an on-site glass bottle recycler that will convert discarded glass into sand. We will use the sand in various ways, including on our sandy beach and our sand volleyball court.”

The resort will also use recycled materials for the hundreds of pieces of furniture used on the premises and will implement low voltage and LED lighting solutions and energy-efficient appliances wherever possible.

As part of the construction project, an MDOT-approved deceleration lane and wide entrance and exit will be created, as well as a new road from County Road 105 that will provide smoother entrance and exit from Wink Tumbling Academy, which is located next to the resort site.

"We're really looking forward to bringing this project to life," Hughes said. "It's more than just a resort; it's an opportunity for us to welcome the community into a space we're truly proud of. Seeing it come together and anticipating the joy it will bring to families and visitors is what excites us the most. We can't wait for everyone to experience what we have in store.”
https://www.clarionledger.com/story/...k/72863360007/

Shaq bringing Big Chicken to Hattiesburg

The company is growing rapidly, with over 30 locations planned in 16 states as well as being featured on Carnival Cruise Lines.

NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal’s Big Chicken fast food restaurant chain is coming to Hattiesburg. It will be the franchise’s first location in Mississippi.

SRS Real Estate Partners out of Birmingham, Alabama said Tuesday that Big Chicken was purchasing ±1.44 acres of land along Highway 98 in Hattiesburg between Wal-Mart and Lowe’s.

Founded in 2018, Big Chicken is backed by partners JRS Hospitality, Authentic Brands Group, and four-time NBA champion Shaquille O’Neal.

According to their website, Big Chicken fuses O’Neal’s home-cooked childhood favorites with today’s trending flavors.

“From crispy chicken sandwiches and tenders to Cheez-It® crusted mac n’ cheese and hand-crafted ice cream shakes, each menu item tells a story all while offering guests an inside look into the life and personality of Shaquille O’Neal,” the company says.

The company is growing rapidly, with over 30 locations planned in 16 states as well as being featured on Carnival Cruise Lines.

No date has been announced for construction or prospective opening as of yet.


(Photo from SRS Real Estate Partners)
https://magnoliatribune.com/2024/03/...o-hattiesburg/

[vetteking]

Entergy’s Snowden Grove Park substation construction completed

Entergy Mississippi completes project to support Southaven area growth
JACKSON, Miss.– Entergy Mississippi has completed construction of a new distribution substation in the Snowden Grove Park community, near Tchulahoma Road in Southaven. The substation is a part of a $37 million project, which included constructing nearly two miles of new transmission lines, 12 miles of new and rebuilt distribution lines, and 74 new composite poles.

The project enhances reliability for the existing transmission and distribution systems by providing capacity for future residential, commercial and industrial growth in DeSoto County.

“Northwest Mississippi is one of the fastest growing areas in the state, and we’re proud to be a part of the progress,” said Haley Fisackerly, Entergy Mississippi president and CEO. “This new substation allows us to support and enable economic growth in the area and continue to provide reliable service at affordable rates.”

Construction began April 2022, and the substation was officially put into service December 22, 2023. With a new amphitheater and several restaurants, forecasts show the growth trends in the area could have created overload conditions between nearby Greenbrook and Plum Point substations. Bringing the Snowden Park Substation into service alleviates those risks and improves reliability for all three substations.

Southaven Mayor Darren Musselwhite (left) visits the Snowden Park Substation with Entergy Mississippi team members Robert Johnston, Bobby Smith, Dane Chamberlin, Amy Gabbert (Entergy Mississippi photo)

As a customer-centered business, Entergy Mississippi continuously makes improvements to the electric distribution system to deliver reliable power. This work makes the electric system in the DeSoto County area more interconnected with higher capacity, which will help the company deliver power now and into the future.
https://www.entergynewsroom.com/news...pi-1381317490/

Moss Point Main Street Association eyes new development, brighter future for city
• Video Link

MOSS POINT, Miss. (WLOX) - The city of Moss Point is planning a major redevelopment phase. The bulk of that redevelopment is planned for downtown on Main Street.

Moss Point Main Street Association is hosting walking tours on March 18 and March 19. This is where residents will have the opportunity to participate and express what they would like to see done to abandoned buildings in their city.

Angela George works at Crooked Letter Signs and Print Shop on Main Street. George said these new updates will breathe new life into the place she’s called home for over 40 years, as well as give her more business.

“Moss Point has a lot to offer,” George said. “Individuals are having to drive to Mobile, Gulfport, or Biloxi for services but they’re right here in their hometown.

George said she’s also excited to learn that developers are looking to make even bigger changes on the east side of Main Street by building more businesses and apartments.

“We’ll have a fresh perspective on what the needs are in the community and those that are coming in,” she said. “I can kind of tailor my business and services to what they need.”

There’s a plan to tear down the old Moss Point Rec Center and replace it with new development. This area sits on the Escatawpa River.

Real estate Broker Arritt Davis thinks this area would flourish with new development.

“The area is central, not only downtown but to the riverfront as well,” Davis said. “Utilizing that property for development is going to create economic drivers.”

The Moss Point Main Street Association received a $100,000 grant in January and will begin projects after welcoming community input during the walking tours.

“There’s a lot of things that already appealing to bring people in,” Davis said. “The more we build on that the more you begin to see that kind of spiderweb out through the rest of the community.”
https://www.wlox.com/2024/03/07/moss...r-future-city/

A new chicken tender joint is coming to Flowood. See what it is and when it will open

A new Huey Magoo's Chicken Tenders restaurant is under construction in Flowood on Hugh Ward Boulevard off of Lakeland Drive near the Walgreens.

The restaurant is expected to open sometime this spring, according to Andy Howard, corporate PR consultant for Huey Magoo's.

The Flowood location will be the fourth Huey Magoo's Chicken Tenders location in the state of Mississippi.

According to a Clarion Ledger report last year, Huey Magoo's has 23 locations in four states with a plan to open more in nine-states in the coming months.


Other Huey Magoo's Chicken Tenders restaurants open in Mississippi, include locations in McComb, Pearl and Brookhaven.

Huey Magoo's offers grilled, hand-breaded or "sauced" chicken tenders, salads, sandwiches and wraps along with French fries as a side.


https://www.clarionledger.com/story/...s/72858252007/

[vetteking]

Itawamba Community College announces upcoming building project, to include on-campus Chick-fil-A

OXFORD - The Itawamba Community College board will soon review contractor bids for a new building called the Connection Center, ICC announced this week.

Planned to open in spring 2026 on the Fulton campus, the Connection Center will include a 3,000-square-foot Chick-fil-A and a 3,200-square-foot multi-use meeting space, ICC chief of staff Tyler Camp wrote in an email.

The “Chick-fil-A will look, feel and operate as a traditional CFA,” Camp wrote. “It will have seating for approximately 80 inside and additional covered seating outside. Due to contractual agreements, this type of CFA will not have a drive-thru.”



The meeting space — based on current designs — will be able to function as one large room or two smaller ones. “It will include all presentation AV, modular tables and chairs and have a catering prep kitchen that services the space,” Camp wrote.

The project will be funded by ICC’s unexpended plant funds and by Sodexo, ICC’s food service provider, which will operate the Chick-fil-A.

ICC has been in discussions with Chick-fil-A and Sodexo about this project for the past three years, Camp wrote.

“We are continuously seeking ways to expand our experiences for our students, employees and our community that we serve,” Camp wrote. “We also knew CFA was something the local Fulton community was missing in its rolodex of food options.”

Other ICC construction projects in the works include the softball/tennis complex project, the Student Activities Center renovation, and the remodeling of Monroe Hall from small double-occupancy rooms to single-occupancy rooms.
https://www.djournal.com/news/educat...aa167d3a3.html

Wilson Kia dealership opens in Brandon
• Video Link

[vetteking]

More from Wilson Kia dealership grand opening in Brandon

Rankin County Chamber
·
There was a wonderful turnout today at Wilson Kia's Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting! Congratulations on your new location! 💚✂️🚘
Wilson Kia is a fully equipped Kia dealership offering new and used Kia models. Additionally, Wilson Kia boasts an exceptional service center for routine maintenance and complex auto repairs. The staff is prepared to showcase their outstanding customer service to Brandon, Rankin County, and Central Mississippi.
📞Sales: 601-741-7733
Service: 601-944-6580
Parts: 601-944-6580
📍221 Mar-Lyn Drive • Brandon, MS 39042








https://www.facebook.com/RankinCount...DJdBHScDowmB1l

[vetteking]

Happy International Women’s Day Mississippians!

[vetteking]

City of Jackson Department of Planning and Development posted about the demolition of blighted homes throughout the city

jxnplanning
@jxnplanning
Great things are happening in Jackson! Community Improvement is demolishing eyesores in Ward 5 @ 239 Prentiss St. The property is available for sale via the Secretary of State. To purchase this lot call 601-359-5156. #CodeEnforcement #GreatThingsInJackson #CommunityImprovement
12:07 PM · Mar 7, 2024
·
162
Views
https://twitter.com/jxnplanning/stat...01507796988198

jxnplanning
@jxnplanning
Great things are happening in Jackson! Community Improvement is demolishing eyesores in Ward 3 @ 2241 Decatur St. The property is available for sale via the Secretary of State. To purchase this lot call 601-359-5156. #CodeEnforcement #GreatThingsInJackson #CommunityImprovement
1:42 PM · Mar 5, 2024
·
914
Views
https://twitter.com/jxnplanning/stat...00476356317238

MDOT’s 13 infrastructure improvement projects across central Mississippi

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - In July 2023, firefighters battled a fire under an I-55 bridge.

Now, that bridge has been fully repaired because it is a part of the many infrastructure projects the Mississippi Department of Transportation is working on. The projects’ goal is to improve roads throughout the state.

MDOT provided updates for 13 infrastructure improvement projects that span across central Mississippi.

These projects include pavement removal or restoration, mill and overlays, and major road expansions like this one on Highway 19 in Neshoba County.

MDOT Public Information Officer Michael Flood does highlight a growing issue to continue this work... funding.

He hopes state leaders find ways to get around that obstacle.

“With inflation, construction costs going up, labor costs going up, supply chain issues,” he said. “Funding is something that, you know, we have to work on here and work to find ways, you know, innovative solutions to find diversified revenue streams to come to MDOT without raising taxes. If we don’t find another means to get funding here, we’re gonna have, you know, big maintenance issues coming up down the line.”

Flood is also asking you to keep an eye out for workers during the spring and summer as most of their crews are out then.

The work and timelines for each of the 13 infrastructure projects are below:

State Route 19 Expansion - A 4.6-mile expansion project along State Route 19 from Tucker to Philadelphia in Neshoba County. It will expand SR 19 from two to four lanes.

With phase I complete, phase II work is underway and includes clearing, grubbing, and milling the southbound lanes of SR 19, removing old box culverts and bridges, and constructing box culverts and bridges. Lanes are being built on the north end of the project. Crews are also working on pipe placement, realigning county roads, and paving ditches.
Phase III will place traffic in the four-lane configuration, place the final lift of asphalt, and provide permanent striping.
The remaining work is expected to wrap up in late 2024.
Jackson-Metro OGFC Pavement Removal - A project to remove open-graded friction course (OGFC) pavement on interstates in the Jackson-Metro area remains underway.

This includes I-20 from McRaven Rd. to the I-20/I-55 split and from the I-20/I-55 split to east of State Route 468 and I-55 throughout Hinds County.
Other work consists of milling and overlaying the Gallatin St. connector ramp to I-20 westbound and the Gallatin St. loop ramp to I-20 eastbound. A portion of the project consists of placing high-friction surface treatment on the ramp from I-55 south to I-20 west.
The overnight work is expected to last through summer 2024.
Mill and Overlay on U.S. 49 in Rankin County - A 9.2-mile mill and overlay of U.S. 49 from the Simpson County line to just south of Florence continues to make headway. Work includes repairing failed areas, releveling underlying concrete pavement with pressure grouting, widening the turn lanes at Star Rd. and upgrading the deficient guardrail.

The project is awaiting full-depth punchout repairs on concrete pavement. Pothole patching operations continue throughout the project.
The remaining work is expected to wrap up in spring 2025.
Pavement Restoration of I-20 in Western Hinds County - A 16-mile pavement restoration project of I-20 from the Warren County line to the Natchez Trace Parkway began this week. The scope of work includes milling and overlaying the existing OGFC pavement, repairing failed areas in underlying concrete pavement, fiber-reinforced polymer patching of spalls in the existing concrete pavement, and upgrading any deficient guardrail.

Work is expected to wrap up this fall.
Intersection Improvements on U.S. 51 in Madison County - A project that will improve the intersection of U.S. 51 and Green Oak Ln. Islands have been poured along the west side, and the placement of stone and preliminary lift of asphalt has begun.
The improvements consist of widening the roadways, installing intersection channelization, and a traffic signal system. The project will help provide the U.S. 51 tie-in necessary for the adjacent Reunion Parkway.
The estimated completion date is summer 2024.
Mill and Overlay of State Route 16 in Leake County - A 5-mile project consisting of the mill and overlay of State Route 16 from the Madison County line to the west of State Route 25 is underway in Leake County. Work includes repairing failed areas in the existing pavement and replacing guardrails and deficient signs. Construction signs have been placed.

The remaining work is scheduled to wrap up by the summer.
Mill and Overlay on I-20 in Scott County - A 17 mile mill and overlay of I-20 from the Rankin County line to 0.35 miles east of State Route 501 in Scott County got underway earlier this year.

The work includes repairing failed areas in the existing pavement, pressure grouting and repair of longitudinal joints, removal of debris from existing drainage structures, tree clearing, replacement of deficient guardrail, upgrading traffic signal detection radar at the State Route 35 interchange, epoxy repairs and resealing joints on various bridges throughout the project.
The estimated completion is summer 2025.
Mill and Overlay of State Route 14 in Noxubee County - A 13-mile mill and overlay of State Route 14 from the Winston County line to the west of State Route 145 is wrapping up in Noxubee County. Work includes repairing failed areas in the existing pavement and replacing guardrails and deficient signs.

Final inspections are underway.
Bridge Repair on State Route 15 in Neshoba County - A bridge repair on State Route 15 over the Kansas City Southern Railroad in Neshoba County. The scope of work includes the replacement of prestressed concrete plate bearings, bridge railing repair, repairing spalled areas with epoxy mortar, hydro-demolition and concrete overlay of the bridge deck, resealing of bridge joints, and undersealing of the end bents.

Work is expected to be completed this fall.
Mill and Overlay of State Route 19 in Lauderdale County - A 5-mile mill and overlay of State Route 19. The scope of work included safety improvements to the intersections of SR 494 SR 19 and State Blvd. Extension and SR 19, removal of debris from existing drainage structures, random clearing of trees on the right-of-way to improve sight distance, repairing failed areas in the existing pavement, replacement of guardrail, replacement of signs, and resealing bridge joints.

Crews are currently working on the final punch list items.
Mill and overlay of State Route 16 in Madison County - An 11-mile mill and overlay of State Route 16 from State Route 43 to Farmhaven is nearing completion in Madison County. Work included repairing failed areas and replacement of guardrails and signage. Another portion of the project provided for the removal of asphalt and installation of a concrete inlay on sections of SR 43 and SR 16.

The project will fully wrap up by the spring.
The 2 completed projects are the mill and overlay of State Route 15 through Philadelphia and an emergency bridge repair on I-55 in Jackson.
https://www.wlbt.com/2024/03/07/mdot...l-mississippi/

Success in Saltillo: Economic growth continues
• Video Link

One of the fastest growing cities in our region is seeing robust economic growth, as commercial businesses keep coming in.

New Lauderdale County Maintenance Facility opening soon
• Video Link

MERIDIAN, Miss. (WTOK) - The new Lauderdale County Maintenance Facility will soon be opening.

The County Board of Supervisors got an update on the construction from Rush Mayatt, the County Engineer, on Thursday during their work session.

Construction of the building started in the summer of 2023.

The new facility will combine two maintenance divisions in one location.

“What was once classified, just as our paving barn now is going to combine our central garage from downtown as well as the paving unit and some other employees. The majority of it is one large open bay as far as our shop. We’re able to pull a large equipment low boys, all of that stuff inside the building, and then on the front we have I believe 5 offices including the conference room and a break room so it’s really nice.”,” said Mayatt.

The county engineer said the project cost 2.6 million dollars. The Board of Supervisors designated three million dollars of Lauderdale County’s ARPA funds for this project.

They expect to be able to move into the new building in mid-March.
https://www.wtok.com/2024/02/29/new-...-opening-soon/

City-owned event center in Columbus could see some upgrades
• Video Link

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – A city-owned event center in Columbus could be getting a bit of a facelift.

At a work session, the Columbus City Council and Mayor Keith Gaskin opened bids for improvements on Regal Hall and the Trotter Convention Center.

Most of the focus will be on external work for Regal Hall, a smaller space adjacent to the Trotter on Fourth Street North.

Council members will examine the bids and should be ready to choose a contractor at Tuesday night’s meeting.

Mayor Keith Gaskin said both venues see steady use, and it’s important that they’re kept up.

“If you compare what we charge for those buildings to what other cities charge for theirs, it’s fairly low on ours, so there’s been some concerns about whether or not we’re charging adequately on those, and we’re maintaining them properly,” said Gaskin.

The money for this project is coming from revenue generated by the city’s hotel tax.
https://www.wcbi.com/city-owned-even...some-upgrades/

Carnation Village: Inside transformation of historic Tupelo landmark
• Video Link

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – For generations, the iconic smokestack at the Carnation Milk Plant was a symbol of prosperity for Mill Village and the city of Tupelo.

But after the plant closed, the building was shuttered and became a refuge for the homeless.

But for the past year, workers have been transforming the abandoned plant, into affordable housing for seniors.

“We designed 33 units in this building and we have a community building out back that will have a community center,” said Steve Nail, who is with Madison-based Intervest Corporation. His company specializes in finding new life, for historic buildings.

Nail said Carnation Village will be for seniors ages 55 and older. Two units will be leased at market rate, while the others will be for seniors earning between 30 and 60% of the area’s median income.

Colin Maloney owns Century Construction, which is building the multi-family development. He said the project would be a game changer for Mill Village.

“My grandmother lived on Church Street, and grandfather had his business here. It is great to see this renovation of this building, been a great positive impact on Mill Village and will be great for Tupelo,” Maloney said.

Before Nail committed to the project, he wanted to be sure one issue was cleared up.

“One of the understandings I had with the city is they would turn this into a no-blow zone, train would not blow its whistle. It’s loud. They assured me they would spend the money, not wait on grants, to create these crossings on tracks close by,” Nail said.

The city has made the necessary safety improvements for a quiet zone at the Broadway Street railroad crossing. Plans call for similar work to be done at Church and Green Street crossings. Still, when all that work is done, the railroad has the final say when it comes to designating a quiet zone.

In the meantime, Carnation Village will open its doors to tenants in August.
https://www.wcbi.com/carnation-villa...pelo-landmark/

More coverage of Carnation Village project

Century Construction Group, Inc.
December 28, 2023 ·
Project Update: Carnation Village windows are 95% complete and the overall job is over 70% complete!
This historic job is so important to Century Construction and the City of Tupelo. We are so proud of the work that has gone into bringing this building back to thrive again!
We cannot wait for its completion!





https://www.facebook.com/CenturyCons...Xnyi2qGazS5Uil

[TimCity2000]

vetteking, I doubt you'll care, but I imagine I'm not alone here: these types of updates are actually making me less likely to come into this thread now. I lived in Jackson for a year during school and am definitely interested in projects in the area. But this seems to have become a catchall for you to post chamber of commerce type news / photos, including areas not in the metro area (Tupelo and Meridian most recently).

[vetteking]

Originally Posted by TimCity2000

vetteking, I doubt you'll care, but I imagine I'm not alone here: these types of updates are actually making me less likely to come into this thread now. I lived in Jackson for a year during school and am definitely interested in projects in the area. But this seems to have become a catchall for you to post chamber of commerce type news / photos, including areas not in the metro area (Tupelo and Meridian most recently).

Thank you for your observation but I want to keep people up to date on projects across the state. Jackson doesn't have much development going on right now and I don't want this thread to get buried by other cities. I like to post the chamber of commerce news/photos to showcase the community and people of Jackson (and Mississippi). The reason I want to showcase this is because of the negative perception that Jackson and Mississippi have as a whole. Hopefully this thread will show people that Jackson does have great potential to be a world-class city and our past makes us stronger and better than we were back then. Once again, thank you for your post.

[vetteking]

Hanging Moss Creek Watershed plan in beginning stages

JACKSON, Miss. —
Stronger Hope Baptist church hosted a community meeting Thursday, presented by Hinds County District 1 Supervisor Robert Graham.

The meeting focused on the Hanging Moss Creek Watershed plan. Jacksonians aired out their grievances, many of them concerned about the flooding that's been going on for years. Those in neighborhoods close to the creek and its tributaries said they've been affected by the escalating costs of insurance and the lack of maintenance of the creeks by the city of Jackson, or Hinds County.

Calandra Jenkins of AJA Management and Technical Services, who is partnering with Waggoner Engineering, the group of contractors selected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Services to conduct the project, kicked off the meeting. The project is called the Hanging Moss Watershed Plan Environmental Assessment.

The project is a 100% federal fund. The goal of the meeting was to get input from people in affected areas.

"The primary goal of the watershed plan is to reduce flooding, reduce loss of property, and improve water quality," Jenkins said.

According to Graham, the next steps would be to develop a plan, and then offer up solutions to the flooding. He said, that due to it being a federally funded project, it's going to take longer than a normal project would, estimating it could take more than 16 months to complete.

For more information, you can visit https://hindscountyws-waggoner.hub.a.../related-links

This project is not to be confused with the "One Lake" project, which would expand the Pearl River to mitigate flooding.
https://www.wapt.com/article/new-kid...-find/60124829

More coverage of the news

Calandra Jenkins, Atty. Barbara Blackmon, Deborah Butler-Dixon. Photo BY Chris Young

Black’s Chapel Missionary Baptist Church hosted a community meeting on March 5, 2024, presented by new District 3 Supervisor Deborah Butler-Dixon. The meeting was scheduled from 6-7 p.m. but lasted until nearly 8 p.m.

Close to two hundred residents aired numerous grievances, chief among them was the escalating cost of homeowners and flood insurance in areas impacted by flooding and/run-off from Lynch Creek, lack of maintenance by City of Jackson or Hinds County in and around Lynch Creek, elected officials making decisions without buy-in from constituents, and the issue of shifting polling stations.


Four watersheds in Hinds County COURTESY OF WAGGONER
After prayer by State Representative Omeria Scott (D-80), Calandra Jenkins of AJA Management and Technical Services, who is partnering with Waggoner Engineering as technical contractors for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Services, kicked off the formal presentations. The project focused on during this meeting is called Hinds County Lynch Creek-Pearl River Watershed Plan Environmental Assessment.

While some federal dollars have been used to fund improvements to Lynch Creek in the past, this particular project is 100% federal funded. She informed the audience about what a watershed is, what the boundaries of this watershed are, and sought input from residents who may have detailed information that the contractors are not yet aware.

Large maps were displayed on a side table, and residents were encouraged to mark their areas on the maps where problems exist so that it can included in the assessment.

“The primary goals of the watershed plan is to reduce flooding, reduce loss of property and improve water quality,” per Jenkins.

While Lynch Creek is included in the assessment title, Hanging Moss Creek, Upper Bogue Chitto Creek and Lake Ridgelea-Big Creek are also included because they are all part of the broader watershed.

Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) was discussed by Attorney Latoya Thompson. She provided information on how folks can test (how is your internet performing) their internet and have the results forwarded to the Mississippi BEAM Office (https://broadbandms.com/test) and also encouraged residents to go to https://broadbandms.com/register/bead/map and input your address to see if your address is being served, unserved, underserved, funded by Broadband Expansion and Accessibility of Mississippi (BEAM). Thompson also highlighted an initiative called Safe Streets for All (SS4A) and invited public participation through visiting the website https://cmpdd.org/transportation/saf...tion-plan-ss4a.

Attorney Barbara Blackmon, a long-time state legislator, now represents the Hinds County Board of Supervisors, and spoke about the upcoming primary election. As soon as the issue of Precinct 59 shifting locations came up, she was inundated with questions. It seemed like every time she provided an answer, it spurred even more questions. In the end she acknowledged she has only been on the job for two months and that she will get to the bottom of the many issues that were raised.

Much briefer presentations were made by Seargent Brown of the Hinds County Sheriff’s Department, Steve Pickett from the Mississippi Center for Police and Sheriffs, Henry Davis of Hinds County Permitting and Zoning and Calola Williams from Mississippi Department of Transportation-District 5.

Nearly always in vocal opposition of the City of Jackson Administration, Ward 5 City Councilmember Vernon Hartley jumped in during Seargent Brown’s presentation. Bellowing to the audience, he gave out his cell phone number and told people that if they call him, he will be at their house. “I’m not going to make excuses, I have one and a half people working for me. I’m not the mayor. Is anyone from the administration here? Is anyone one from JPD here? We need management people here from the city to answer these questions. Someone should be here to answer why the ditch isn’t cleaned up….crime is on the priority list….I’m in the Legislative branch, if you don’t bring me anything to vote on, I can’t vote…..and I still haven’t seen a garbage contract.” The meeting had gone over 30 minutes by that point and the audience was thinning rapidly.

The Mississippi Link newspaper checked in with District 3 Supervisor Deborah Butler-Dixon at the end of the meeting to get her expressions. “I think it went very well. I’ve been in this supervisor’s seat for just two months. I think it was successful, very informative for the people here tonight.” When asked about the shifting of Precinct 59 to Black’s Chapel – an issue that received significant attention during the meeting – Butler-Dixon said, “That happened last year, and people are still talking about it. My own precinct changed.” WLBT reported on May 18, 2022 that “Precinct 59 would permanently shift from Fire Station #15 to Word of Christ Church International on Lynch Street in Jackson.” The recent shift from Word of Christ Church to Black’s Chapel came about when the church announced it no longer wanted to serve as a voting precinct.

For more project information visit: https://hindscountyws-waggoner.hub.arcgis.com.
https://themississippilink.com/news/...-3-supervisor/

[vetteking]

BELHAVEN TOWN CENTER Completed Project

The Belhaven Town Center began with David being hired to “vision cast” two blocks in the Historical Belhaven Neighborhood for the Baptist hospital. 7 years later this became a reality in the fall of 2019 with the opening of the first restaurants. David’s love for placemaking, urban incremental development, architecture, construction, landscape architecture and the tenants who make up great places are all coming together in this development. Our desire to make a lasting mark on our city, cultivate relationships, and create lovable places will continue to drive this development over the next few years with new and creative ideas.


















https://www.davidturnercompanies.com...n-town-center/

FONDREN NORTH 6 Completed Project








https://www.davidturnercompanies.com...ndren-north-6/

FONDREN GREEN Completed Project

David’s love for Placemaking began here with Fondren Green in 2004. David lead the team in all aspects of this development from design of the site to design of the homes as well as building almost all of them.

Nestled in the heart of one of Jackson's loved neighborhood we developed this Pocket Neighborhood utilizing the New Urbanist design practices. The attention to classical American architecture makes a statement in the homes. The homes are arranged around a common green space in the center and cars are intentionally hidden in alley loaded garages in the rear. Brick sidewalks enhance the walkability of this neighborhood and the close setbacks of the buildings to the street give it a more urban historical feel.
https://www.davidturnercompanies.com...fondren-green/

[vetteking]

Good morning Mississippians, it is primary Election Day. Cast your ballot today from 7 AM to 7 PM. For more information on your polling location and how to vote click this link for more information https://myelectionday.sos.state.ms.u.../VOSearch.aspx
God bless and be safe.

[vetteking]

Federal funding benefitting state museums, capital city trail system applauded by Mississippi foundation

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT)— A Mississippi foundation is applauding the passing of a bill that provides funding for the construction of a pedestrian bridge over Lakeland Drive (MS-25).

The bill is called the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations Act. It’s part of a six-bill appropriations package that the U.S. Congress cleared on March 8.

The Great City Mississippi Foundation says the $5 million the bill provides represents “an important step forward toward the long-time goal of creating a multi-use trail system connecting Mississippi museums across the capital city.”

“I’m grateful to Senators Cindy Hyde-Smith and Roger Wicker for leading the effort in the Senate and recognizing the importance of visionary projects that enhance access to our state’s top assets,” said Taylor Nicholas, Executive Director of the Great City Foundation. “This project will ultimately connect the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum to the Two Mississippi Museums downtown. It’s an important step toward a functional multi-use trail system that will provide a significant economic impact for our state’s capital city.”

According to a press release, the bridge is also an essential piece of the LeFleur’s Bluff Masterplan. Great City Mississippi Foundation says over $10 million of capital improvements have already been made and enjoyed by more than 750,000 visitors, including $5.5 million of private investment into capital projects.

“This is an important piece in ensuring destination tourism for our Mississippi museum assets,” said Susan Garrard, President/CEO of the Mississippi Children’s Museum and Board Chair of the Great City Foundation. “Connecting communities and enhancing pedestrian access to all museums creates new opportunities for exponential growth.”
https://www.wlbt.com/2024/03/12/fede...pi-foundation/

Eudora Welty Library on the road to recovery after receiving $3.7 million grant
• Video Link
Eudor Welty Library on the road to recovery

JACKSON, Miss. —
Eudora Welty Library is receiving $3.7 million of funding to be recovered, according to the Hinds County Library Systems.

In March 2023, the city of Jackson’s Office of Planning & Development and Library Board prepared a HUD Congressional Directed Spending Grant request at the invitation of the Office of Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith.

On Saturday, March 9, President Joe Biden signed the $460 billion spending bill, which includes restricted funding for Jackson’s Eudora Welty Library.

Officials say this money will go toward a new Eudora Welty Library in Downtown Jackson.

This comes after the city discussed several different options on how to handle the current library standing.
https://www.wapt.com/article/eudora-...grant/60148425

River Avenue Bridge on track for mid-April completion
• Video Link

FORREST COUNTY, Miss. (WDAM) - After about seven weeks of work, Forrest County leaders say progress continues on the River Avenue Bridge.

“It really has been a great effort on part of Forrest County and the engineer as well as the contractor, so it’s been a real great effort,” said Forrest County Board President Terri Bell.

This old bridge connecting Hattiesburg and Petal was shut down in January to finish up construction on the new one built right next to it.

Leaders originally expected the bridge would be closed for three months.

Bell said crews are right on track.

“It looks like we are going to be finishing that project within the expected time frame that we thought we would,” Bell said. “So, really excited about that news and so I think about middle of April we’re going to see a completed bridge and roadway.”

So Far, Bell said the recent rain won’t push back the opening because leaders factored weather into the timeline.

“Mother nature is always one of those things that you’ve got to deal with on a project of this type,” Bell said. “And so, of course, there are going to be unexpected delays with that, but I feel like we’re definitely on target even with what Mother Nature has given us.”

Bell said construction workers recently poured about 80 of the barrier rails for the bridge, and they plan to continue this into this week. She also said they plan on getting the curb poured on the roadway leading up to the bridge.

“Last week they actually did the line, the string line for it and are ready to start pouring. They laid the limestone in the area. I think it’s really exciting that we are getting this close,” Bell said.

Contractors continue to work to get the project finished up. Bell is excited to get the bridge ready for drivers across the Pine Belt.

“I have to say, the guys that have been out there have been really dedicated to try and make our timeframe because they know how important it is to the people that actually travel that route as well as the businesses that are in the area,” Bell said.

The Forrest County Board of Supervisors shares updates every Friday on its Facebook page so people can stay in the know.
https://www.wdam.com/2024/03/12/rive...tion/?tbref=hp

HATTIESBURG, COUNTIES RECEIVE $7.5 MILLION FOR HALL AVENUE WEST OVERPASS, EAGLE ONE MEGA SITE

Officials from the City of Hattiesburg, Forrest County and Lamar County received some welcome news on March 8, when it was announced that the United States Senate has made available $7.5 million for two major infrastructure projects: the Hall Avenue West Overpass and the Eagle One Forrest-Lamar Mega Site.

The funds come courtesy of HR 4366, which was spurred by U.S. Senators Roger Wicker and Cindy Hyde-Smith, along with Congressman Mike Ezell. Of the $7.5 million, $3 million is allocated to cover some of the remaining costs of the overpass, while $4.5 million will be used for pre-engineering work for roads and interchange improvements around the mega site.

“As we have mentioned before, post-Covid cost increases and supply chain issues increased the cost of the Hall Avenue West Overpass from a projected $13 million to $24 million,” Mayor Toby Barker wrote in a March 9 Facebook post. “Our federal (Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development) grant was for $13 million, and the city was on the hook for the remaining $11 million, which was slated to be taken from our use tax revenues (internet sales tax) for 2023, 2024 and part of 2025.

“This additional infusion of federal assistance means that we can use part of the 2024 and all of the 2025 use tax revenue for other major roadway projects (mainly Edwards Street), allowing those projects to move forward sooner rather than later.”

Construction on the overpass, which will connect the western portion of Hall Avenue with West Pine Street, began in August 2023.

This project will complement the Hall Avenue East Overpass project, which is being constructed over the Canadian National rail line on the east end of Hall Avenue, beginning in the East Jerusalem neighborhood at East Hardy Street and turning west before passing over the rail line and ending at Bay Street and Hall Avenue. The Hall Avenue section will consist of two lanes, a curb and gutter, a new drainage system and improvements to lighting and landscaping.

The 2,222-acre Eagle One Forrest-Lamar Mega Site, which is located between Interstate 59 and U.S. 11 in unincorporated Forrest and Lamar counties, is designed to attract new, large-scale clients to the Hub City.

The site, which is controlled by the Area Development Partnership through long-term Option to Purchase Agreements, is intended for large industrial land users considering substantial facilities requiring major capital expenditures and significant employment levels. The two counties serve as governing entities for the site through a Regional Economic Development Alliance.

The $4.5 million in funding for that project was applied for by officials from the Mississippi Department of Transportation, who will conduct environmental and preliminary engineering studies around the property’s roadways.

“So this is the engineering (that is) required to get a project ready to be constructed one day,” said Todd Jackson, executive vice president of economic development for the ADP. “We are super excited to receive support from our federal delegation of Senator Roger Wicker, Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith and Congressman Mike Ezell – all three have been extremely supportive of our efforts to further grow the economy in south Mississippi.

“So this is really because of their support of our efforts, and the efforts of our Forrest and Lamar county boards of supervisors have made to invest in that site, to try and attract a large employer to that site one day.”

The Eagle One Mega Site is strategically located 69 miles from Gulfport, 95 miles from Jackson, 99 miles from Mobile and 108 miles from New Orleans. Five Gulf of Mexico ports are located less than two hours away from the site, including the Port of Gulfport (68 miles), the Port of Bienville (95 miles), the Port of Pascagoula (97 miles), the Port of Mobile (99 miles) and the Port of New Orleans (109 miles).

Eagle One also is located within two hours of six airports, including five commercial airports. Those are Hattiesburg-Bobby L. Chain Municipal Airport (eight miles), Hattiesburg-Laurel Regional Airport (18 miles), Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport (65 miles), Mobile Regional Airport (88 miles), Jackson-Evers International Airport (98 miles) and Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (116 miles).

“In order to eventually attract a large employer to that piece of property, the transportation, infrastructure and logistics have to be extremely well-seated to allow for not only thousands of employees to come in and out of that location, but also a lot of logistics and trucking and transportation moving materials in and out,” Jackson said. “So we will be doing the preliminary engineering to expand the interchange at Interstate 59 and Highway 11, as well as four-laning Highway 11 all the way down to the south side of the mega site.

“And then we will also be doing engineering to expand the I-59 and Highway 98 East interchange, as well as the engineering for the connection road between Highway 98 East interchange and Highway 11.”
https://www.hubcityspokes.com/local-...-one-mega-site

SERENGETI SPRINGS WATER PART SET TO OPEN MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

This summer is shaping up to be a lot cooler, with the recent announcement that Serengeti Springs, the upcoming water park at the Hattiesburg Zoo, is set to host its grand opening Memorial Day weekend, which this year begins on May 25.

Rick Taylor, who serves as executive director of the Hattiesburg Convention Commission – which operates the zoo and the water park, among several other Hattiesburg attractions – said although there is still some work to be done, he is excited to finally welcome the public to one of the city’s most anticipated attractions in recent memory.

“I feel good about it – if you look at certain things like the parking lot, you worry a little bit (about completion), but we’re on target time-wise,” he said. “I think we’re in good hands with the various groups that are performing the work out there.

“Any way it happens, we are opening on Memorial Day weekend, no matter what.”

Construction on the $10.5 million water park is taking place in two phases. Work on Phase I, which began last summer and is currently underway, will include a Fusion Fortress Water Play Structure, an entry building with a gift shop and showers, a 150,000-gallon lazy river, a swim-up pool and bar, group pavilions, cabanas, food trucks, a staff office building, and loungers and Adrirondack chairs.

The Fusion Fortress will consist of nine slides of varying heights, along with multiple water play areas and two bucket dump stations.

Underneath the Fusion Fortress will be a Life Floor, which provides a cushioned floor that is anti-microbial and will hold no standing water. The Life Floor will feature an additional 19 spray toys.

Work on Phase II of the water park will begin anywhere from two to four years after the opening of Phase I. That phase will consist of a tower of four water slides.

The $10.5 million price tag for Serengeti Springs will be funded by the Hattiesburg Convention Commission’s earned revenues, along with the existing 2-percent restaurant tax at Hattiesburg restaurants. The water park will be designed to be self-sufficient and profitable.

As far as parking, the zoo will continue its shared agreement for parking space with Hardy Street Baptist Church, in addition to the zoo’s current parking.

“I know there’s a lot of people I’ve talked to who were curious about what the plan was (as far as the timeline),” Taylor said. “They look at it and they get a sense that it’s getting close, from the (view) from Hardy Street.

“So I know we’re excited to be able to tell folks that (Memorial Day weekend) is the date; what you see out there, you’ll be able to enjoy (shortly), so we hope they’ll make plans for it.”

Ticket sales are now available online at www.serengetispringsms.com.

Season passes for 2024 can be purchased for $90 each, while day tickets will soon be available for $25 each for Mondays through Thursdays. Gift cards also are available, starting at $25 each.

“The day passes are not online yet; that won’t occur until fairly close to opening,” Taylor said. “But season tickets are still up, and I think we’re a little beyond 70 percent of the allocation of season passes that we’re going to put up, so we encourage folks to go ahead and get those.

“Obviously, as we get closer to opening and the weather warms up, we’ll start thinking more seriously about how many times people may be out visiting the water park. But the day passes, the ability to book group events and birthday parties and that sort of thing, will occur in late April or early May.”
https://www.hubcityspokes.com/local-...al-day-weekend

PAVING WORK TO INCREASE ON OLD HWY. 11 DURING LAMAR COUNTY SPRING BREAK

With schools in the Lamar County School District closed for Spring Break from March 11 to 22, contractors working on Old Highway 11 in Oak Grove have scheduled an increase in crews and activity on the ongoing paving project along that highway.

Lamar County administrator Jody Waits said in the absence of school traffic, the contractor has asked to work longer days, which could lead to one-way closures, detours and delays during workday hours throughout that period.

“The impacts to traffic will vary throughout each day as the crews maneuver the project limits,” Waits said. “Access to local businesses and residents will be always available; however, delays may be encountered depending on the exact location of work that is taking place.

To reduce traffic in this area, please consider utilizing alternate routes for your commute each day and be alert to detours that the contractor has in place and/or flagman in place for traffic control.”

Plans for the work began in early 2018, when Lamar County officials announced a project to widen a 1.2-mile section of Old Highway 11 and add a multi-use pathway along that stretch of road. The $4.3 million project, which is being overseen by Hattiesburg consulting firm Walker Associates, also entails a third lane on Old Highway 11, running from 16th Section Road to Old Highway 24.

The 10-foot-wide multi-use pathway, which will accommodate pedestrian and bicycle traffic, begins on Old Highway 24 near Oak Grove Middle School before turning north on Old Highway 11 and stopping at 16thSection Road.

In the past few weeks, workers have widened the current roadbed along Old Highway 11 and installed the cross drains, curbs and gutters, along with continuing work on the pathway.

“Most of the preliminary work is completed, so now they’re doing basically the base coat of asphalt,” Waits said. “While school is out for the next two weeks, that gives us a window where traffic is not nearly as bad, although it’s still a very busy area.

“I think we’re coming along very well; the contractor has done an outstanding job. We’ve managed to keep traffic flowing through that area at all times, with the exception of a couple of days on Saturdays when we had to shut down certain sections of it as we cut across the road to put in the cross drains. But we were able to divert traffic around the construction area.”

Despite some of the headaches that may have been caused by the work, Waits said the improvements will serve the area well upon completion, which is expected to take place within the next couple of months.

“We’re well pleased, and I think the citizens will be pleased with how it turns out,” he said. “We appreciate them bearing with us through this construction.

In early 2018, officials began the process of acquiring land along that strip of Old Highway 11, which contains 68 parcels of property and sees about 16,000 vehicles per day. The project then entered the utility relocation phase, after which the Lamar County Board of Supervisors put construction of the project out to bid.

In March of that year, a public hearing was held at the Oak Grove Community Center, during which residents were able to voice concerns and ask questions about the project. Although some attendees raised complaints about the multi-use pathway, saying the addition would be too costly and not necessary – given the lack of foot traffic along Old Highway 11 – Waits said the pathway would be ideal for the community.

“Although some of the concerns were that we don’t see the foot traffic and we don’t see the bicycles, quite frankly we don’t see them because there’s nowhere for them to go,” he said at the meeting. “And these are some of the amenities that we hear that people want – recreational facilities, a place to walk, a place to bike, a place that connects two schools.

“Considering all the development in this area, like several subdivisions … there’s quite a bit of people that would use this path.”
https://www.hubcityspokes.com/local-...y-spring-break

More coverage on Old Highway 11
• Video Link

This morning: Contract signing starts construction of heritage and arts center at Historic Natchez College


Historic Natchez College, which closed in 1989, will be the site of a new Baptist Heritage and Arts Center.

NATCHEZ – The next step toward construction of the Baptist Heritage and Arts Center on the grounds of Historic Natchez College takes place this morning. The Rev. Reginald Buckley will sign a contract to begin construction of the center by the General Mississippi Baptist State Convention of Mississippi during the group’s spring session, taking place at the Natchez Convention Center. The contract signing is at 11 a.m.

The $797,000 contract will begin the next phase of restoration of Huddleston Memorial Chapel at Natchez College. The campus will become the Baptist Heritage and Arts Center. Natchez College was one of several private institutions of higher learning established by African American religious organizations in Mississippi during the post-Civil War period. Natchez College was founded by the GMBSC in 1884 and closed in 1989. It’s campus is a Mississippi Landmark. A $2.5 million Lilly Endowment Inc. grant to the Foundation for Mississippi Department of Archives and History to support and promote programs and projects focused on understanding the role of religion in Mississippi history and culture. The religion initiative includes capital improvements at two Adams County sites: Huddleston Memorial Chapel at Natchez College, which is owned by the General Mississippi Baptist State Convention, and at Historic Jefferson College, a MDAH site.
https://www.natchezdemocrat.com/2024...tchez-college/

Southaven to build $1 million cycling and skate park

SOUTHAVEN, Miss. (WMC) - The City of Southaven announced the plan to build a bike track and skate park.

The park is expected to be a $1 million project in a plan authorized by the Board of Aldermen and Mayor Darren Musselwhite.

Musselwhite said the city has spent millions of dollars over the years to upgrade sports facilities in an effort to bring life back to Cherry Valley Park. He believes a bike and skate park will offer activities to kids who aren’t interested in playing team sports.

“It’s not just sports. This would be another thing that further diversifies our park program and gives us something for the kids who may not do the other things. They don’t have to go get an enormous amount of equipment. They don’t have to be on a team and travel. They don’t have to have all the up front team fees that come with competitive sports these days. If you have a skateboard or a bike, you can go at it. That’s what I like about this. It’s different,” said Musselwhite.

City Engineer Dan Cordell says that the plan is to build a medium size pump track for cycling and a small skate park for skateboarding.

He believes the bike park will be a good draw for the city since the closest park is in Little Rock.

“There is nowhere in Mississippi. There is nowhere in Louisiana. You’re getting into Tennessee and Florida,” said Cordell.

Cordell says that medium size pump tracks cost about $530,000. The reason behind building a medium size pump track is the opportunity to potentially host competitive events in an effort to increase tourism, according to Mayor Musselwhite.


“This could actually put us on a circuit if we did want to do that and start having competitions, which would be a tourism draw,” said Musselwhite.

Musselwhite assures citizens that the previous problem of vandalism and security will be handled and a priority for Cherry Valley Park.

“We wouldn’t make $1 million in changes without stepping up our plan to protect Cherry Valley Park,” Musselwhite said. “We believe we can do a better job protecting the park.”
https://www.actionnews5.com/2024/03/...ng-skate-park/

Chinese restaurant serves up classics

Chef Song Zhenz has received many compliments since opening a new Chinese restaurant in Gluckstadt a month ago.

“I want to know the customers so I can know how we can improve,” Zhenz said. “Most people have said our food is delicious.”

Wok Won Chinese Restaurant is located at 102 Dees Drive Building 100 Suite C in Gluckstadt.

Originally from China, Zhenz lives in Ridgeland where he has been for about 2.5 years after moving to the United States about seven and a half years ago.

He has more than seven years of experience in the restaurant industry including time working for hibachi and sushi restaurants and buffets.

“I wanted to be a chef,” Zhenz said with a smile as he looked over the small dining room in his own restaurant full of happy customers.

Zhenz said their General Tso’s chicken, sesame chicken and sweet and sour chicken have been popular menu items but said his favorite is their Korean chicken.

“Every day we have a new customer,” Zhenz said. “I think we have received a good reaction.”
https://onlinemadison.com/stories/ch...lassics,96594?

[vetteking]

Updated post above with news about new restaurant coming to Gluckstadt

[vetteking]

More demolition happening across town of vacant homes. The City of Jackson Department of Planning & Development posted the before and after demolition of the homes on their X (formerly known as Twitter) account.

jxnplanning
@jxnplanning
Great things are happening in Jackson! Community Improvement is demolishing eyesores in Ward 3 @ 215 Sidway St. The property is available for sale via the Secretary of State. To purchase this lot, call 601-359-5156. #CodeEnforcement #GreatThingsInJackson #CommunityImprovement
10:03 AM · Mar 13, 2024
·
429
Views
https://twitter.com/jxnplanning/stat...29605900444118

jxnplanning
@jxnplanning
Great things are happening in Jackson! Community Improvement is demolishing eyesores in Ward 4 @ Queen Mary Lane. The property is available for sale via the Secretary of State. To purchase this lot, call 601-359-5156. #CodeEnforcement #GreatThingsInJackson #CommunityImprovement
6:01 AM · Mar 11, 2024
·
59
Views
https://twitter.com/jxnplanning/stat...43868003164354

[vetteking]

MCEDA director says Mega Site is full; looking ahead to future

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - Seven years ago, the Madison County Mega Site was covered with tall, skinny pine trees, with many people unsure whether the site would ever take off.

Fast forward to 2024, and the Mega Site is humming with activity, from the thousands of cars driving in and out of the Amazon fulfillment center each day, to the dozens of pieces of heavy equipment working on the AWS data center and Clark distribution warehouse nearby.

For Joey Deason, the executive director of the Madison County Economic Development Authority, the work is a sign that years of planning, site prep, and reaching out to potential businesses have paid off.

“When I started, I knew Madison County could win. I don’t think Madison County knew they could win,” he said. “There were some people who believed in the process, but there were probably more naysayers... We had to bring them on board.”

Deason took the reins of MCEDA in 2017. At the time, it had been more than a decade since Nissan was built, and Deason, the former chief financial officer of the Mississippi Development Authority, wanted to know why more industries hadn’t come in.

“I knew Madison County was a great place. I knew it had quality of life. I knew it had great schools, security, shopping, restaurants - everything that you would need,” he said. “Why was it more companies were not taking advantage of the Jackson metro area and the community in Madison County?”

Part of the problem was the lack of property. The county didn’t own the Mega Site acreage, and the property owned by MCEDA was not contiguous, meaning it would be harder to attract industries looking for larger sites.

He said the county’s ability to bring in Fastenal was a major step in moving forward.

“Fastenal was one of our first projects that we located, and we located it on 16th Section property. Not many people know this... you can sell it for manufacturing or industrial purposes,” he said.

Fastenal purchased acreage just south of Sowell Road between Old Jackson Road and I-55. With a portion of those proceeds, MCEDA was able to secure the first 335 acres of the Mega Site.

“The reason we went ahead and purchased it was, number one, you needed some product in Madison County. You needed something to draw interest,” he said. “The other reason that we purchased it was because Entergy had told us that if [we] bought that property or a piece of it, [they] were going to build a substation.”

“Any economic developer knows you need land, and you need water, and you need sewage, all of those things,” he added. “I knew that we also needed some attention driven to the site, so we started the access road.”

MCEDA was able to build that road thanks to grants from the Delta Regional Authority and the Mississippi Site Development Program.

“As soon as we did that, as soon as we got our marketing pieces together, Amazon.com came. Once we landed Amazon.com, the board of supervisors became more active... And we were able to purchase the additional 825 acres plus or minus.”


Crews spread limestone at the AWS data center construction site.(WLBT)

The board took other steps as well.

In 2022, supervisors funded the construction of a spec building at the Mega Site. The idea behind that facility was to make the area more attractive for developers looking for a quick place to set up shop.

That same year, Amazon opened its fulfillment center.

Across from the fulfillment center, are more promises of economic growth.

Dirt work is underway on the first phase of the AWS data center. AWS provided MCEDA with the funds needed to begin slab work even before it finalized its plans to come here, Deason said.

“It’s looking like there’s going to be operational buildings in 2025, 2026, and 2027,” he said.

The project will include approximately 16 buildings and between 200,000 and 300,000 square feet of space. Madison County Board of Supervisors approved site plans last month.

Other projects also are underway.

To one side of the data center, work continues on a new warehouse for Clark Beverage Group. The Coca-Cola distributor is investing between $100 million and $120 million at the site. That facility is expected to be finished in the first quarter of 2025.

On the opposite side of AWS, Entergy is already at work on another substation.

Combined, Amazon, AWS, and Clark will account for approximately 4,300 jobs and an annual economic impact for the county of more than $100 million. That’s not including jobs in construction, or the jobs created as a result of the construction traffic.

Further down, construction is underway on a new access road that will connect the Mega Site to Highway 22. The county also is planning to build a new fire station at the site to service the businesses there.

In the meantime, MCEDA is looking forward to bringing in its next big project. And, with the Mega Site now full, the authority is on the hunt for a new economic development site.


A sign for the Clark Beverage Group distribution center at the Madison County Mega Site.(WLBT)

Where that site will be located has yet to be determined. Deason says much of the southern portion of the county is built out, but acquiring thousands of acres with no access to roads or utilities would be of little value.

“We’ve got a bunch of different routes. We actually have active RFPs right now, some that don’t require 1,000 acres. Some that only require 50 or 60 acres,” he said. “So, we’re going to entertain all possibilities.”

https://www.wlbt.com/2024/03/13/mced...-ahead-future/

Old Rayner Drug Store being torn down

MERIDIAN, Miss. (WTOK) - Wednesday, March 13, crews were outside of the Old Rayner Drug Store tearing down the remains of the building.

In November of 2022, a large portion of the building collapsed, creating a dangerous situation for those around it.

The building had been vacant for years before the collapse and remained that way until the demolition.

According to the Director of Community Development, Craig Hitt, the owners of the lot want to use it for another project, but no plans have been finalized.
https://www.wtok.com/2024/03/13/old-...down/?tbref=hp

Beau Rivage to celebrate 25th anniversary with drone show, giant cake, special beer recipe
• Video Link

BILOXI, Miss. (WLOX) - Beau Rivage Resort & Casino has an impressive lineup of events scheduled to celebrate its 25th anniversary here on the Coast.

After a 25th-anniversary packing party Tuesday where Beau Rivage employees packed 50,000 meals for those in need in the community, an employee celebration event will take place Thursday.

But that’s not all; there’s also several events free and open to the public you might be interested in checking out.

Friday, March 15 – Return of Biloxi Blonde/Tap Takeover
BetMGM reintroduces Beau Rivage’s Biloxi Blonde, the original Kolsch from Mississippi’s first craft brewery, Coast Brewing Company. The brainchild of Brewmaster Brian Bush, Biloxi Blonde is a crisp, light beer perfect for long Southern summer days. In collaboration with Chandeleur Brewing Company, Mr. Bush’s original recipe will be reintroduced as a Beau Rivage exclusive.
Biloxi Blonde Relaunch Reception - March 15 from 6-7 p.m.
From March 15-17, a Tap Takeover with Chandeleur Brewing will be held at BetMGM. All draft beer taps will feature Chandeleur exclusive selections, including Biloxi Blonde.
Saturday, March 16, 4 p.m. – Complimentary Cake
Guests are invited to celebrate 25 years of “A Feeling Like No Other” with a piece of complimentary cake served in Beau Rivage’s atrium.
A cake measuring 8-feet by 3-feet will be on display. Vanilla cake with vanilla buttercream will be served.
Saturday, March 16, 9 p.m. – 25th Anniversary Drone Spectacular
Skies over Beau Rivage and Biloxi light up with a dazzling choreographed drone show celebrating Beau Rivage’s 25 years on the Coast.
Free public viewing will be available along the beach and on Beau Rivage’s sixth floor parking garage.
The 500-drone spectacular will be choreographed to music, which can be heard by downloading a free app at www.beaurivage.com.
https://www.wlox.com/2024/03/13/beau...cipe/?tbref=hp

Hattiesburg receives federal funding for Hall Avenue West Overpass

HATTIESBURG, Miss. (WDAM) - Hattiesburg leaders were excited to learn the city is on track to receive $3 million in federal money after the United States Senate passed HR 4366 late last week

The money was set to help cover the costs associated with construction with Hall Avenue West Overpass, a project that saw the price tag soar after the COVID-19 pandemic.

“When we went to bid with this project, construction was estimated to cost $13 million,” Hattiesburg Mayor Toby Barker said. “That’s what we received a build grant for back in 2020.

“Now, once all the post-COIVD cost increases and supply chain issues happened, when it went to bid in the fall of ‘22, construction costs came in at $24 million. So, there’s $11 million gap.”

That’s $11 million that the city would have been on the hook for.

City leaders said they planned to offset the increase by using internet sales tax revenues for 2023, 2024, and part of 2025. However, now, the city will be able to cover the increase with revenues just from 2023 and part of 2024.

“Not having to use all of our ‘use tax’ for 2024 and none of it in 2025 for this project allows us to move onto other roadway projects, particularly the Edwards Street project that we’re looking forward to next year,” said Barker.

As for a completion date on the overpass, Barker said they’re chugging along and expect to be done by the end of the year.

“So far, construction is on time and, most importantly, on budget,” Barker said. “Right now, we are doing the beams for sections two and three on the actual bridge structure.

“After that’s done, we’ll go to beam four and then onto the decking for the actual bridge. We just anticipate this being completed and opened by the new year.”

Barker said while the west portion of the Hall Avenue overpass will be finished by the end of the year, the East portion should be finished in the next couple of months.
https://www.wdam.com/2024/03/15/hatt...west-overpass/