Video: Mixed Reaction To New Industrial Plant Decision

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) — A major industrial park is coming to Starkville and Oktibbeha county.

In a five to two vote, the Starkville Board of Alderman passed the option one plan for the industrial park, which will go near the Highway 82 bypass and Highway 389.

Mayor Parker Wiseman told the crowd in attendance that he was originally opposed to option one, but after seeing the support from local businesses in the area, he endorsed option one in Tuesday’s meeting.

The city will join the county and commit $7 million in bonds to help fund the project.

The 400-acre park was approved by the Board of Supervisors, and endorsed by Mississippi State University and the Greater Starkville Development Partnership.

Mississippi State University Vice President of Research and Economic Development Dr. David Shaw said, “This is a huge watershed moment for the city and county. This is something that is long overdue and is definitely going to provide the opportunity to be able to do some things that we simply could not do without a decision like this tonight.”

Laura White, a property owner near the proposed site, was not happy about Tuesday’s decision.

“We’re concerned the costs are going to escalate, they’re not being forthright about anything…”, said White, “…I requested information about it as far back as February…and they didn’t provide it.”

White also said the property was going to be the property she retired on, and that project leaders told her that they believe it to be a “dead project”.

“Evidently the county and the city have found multiple millions of dollars to spend on a speculative piece of property…”, said White.

Golden Triangle LINK CEO Joe Max Higgins said the city and county will apply for twenty year bonds.

4-County Electric Power Association also committed $4 million dollars for electrical improvements for the industrial park.