Published: July 20, 2006 01:32 pm      

Come visit a growing city

The growth and expansion we’ve been experiencing continue to add to our economic vitality, and we’re delighted to share our projects and programs with our neighboring communities.

You are part of our rich life in East Mississippi, and you have available to you a wealth of opportunities in Meridian.

Surely the most exciting development is the countdown to completion of the Mississippi State University-Riley Center for Education and Performing Arts. With a gala opening set for Sept. 8 at the Grand Opera House of Mississippi, Meridian will quickly become the arts center for our entire region.

The opening weekend will feature the legendary Linda Ronstadt, and the line-up of concerts for the opening season will appeal to every taste. From dance to jazz and from dramas to family productions, the Riley Center will showcase stellar artists in the beautifully restored opera house.

The center has already booked a number of conferences as well. What a unique facility for your organization’s conference — no cookie-cutter convention center for us. This historic, beautiful and unique space will guarantee a one-of-a-kind experience for attendees.

The opening of the Riley Center will forever change the face of our historic downtown. We are working diligently to recruit a developer to convert the Threefoot Building into a hotel to support the activities at the Riley Center.

As more and more people come downtown, other businesses, like retail stores and restaurants, will move in to fill the need generated by the increased activity.

Our growth isn’t just downtown. Our industrial recruitment efforts have paid off with the announcement of two major industries — Tower Automotive and Scrimtec, a breakthrough processing technology for wood chips. These industries, plus others we are aggressively recruiting, will provide high-quality jobs for the people of our entire area.

Another big retail center, being developed by the Trotman Company as Meridian Crossroads, will be located at the old Kmart site on the South Frontage Road. Add these tenants to those at Bonita Lakes Mall, and toss in Super Wal-Mart, Super Lowe’s and Sam’s Club, and the retail offerings abound in Meridian.

Because of all these developments, plus tax incentives that are leveraging more residential development inside the city, our tax base continues to grow and we are able to keep our property taxes extremely low.

We will continue to push for more industrial, medical and retail development because we want Meridian to be a good place for our residents and for our visitors, who shop, eat, relax and enjoy cultural and recreational opportunities.

We’re proud to provide those programs and services for you. Come visit.



John Robert Smith is serving his fourth term as mayor of Meridian. E-mail him at mayorsmith@meridianms.org.