Tupelo Sees Commercial Development

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – Commercial development is booming in the All America City and it’s not concentrated in one part of town.

Hours after a ribbon cutting, business was steady at Jasper and Company.

“It’s been going really really well, yes, it’s been a lot of fun to see everybody come in,” said Maddie Jasper.

The boutique on Neele Street carries clothes, jewelry, home decor and other items. JJ Jasper and his wife, Melanie, chose the Midtown Business District because of its central location, new development and established businesses in the area. Sisters Lauren and Maddie play big roles in the new business venture.

“Having a big family, there’s five sisters and two brothers, a lot of us, so we know what it’s like, the value of dollar, we wanted to keep it casual, cozy and reasonably priced,” Lauren said.

On the West Side of town, ‘Hey Mama What’s For Supper?” is open for business. Sandra Lyons runs the Dinners to go service and her catering business from the Coley Road location. She felt there was a need in the area, that wasn’t being met, until now.

“The west side of town needed something like this, you can get plate lunches, but there’s no where on this side of town that you can get a good, home cooked meal at night,” Lyons said.

A lot of attention is given to big corporations and manufacturers when it comes to commercial trends. But, experts are quick to point out that it’s small business growth and development that drives a local economy.

“There has to be a recognition that small business is as important, if not more important than big business,” said Shane Hooper, who  is director of development services for the city of Tupelo. He says a strong national economy, a diverse mix of local businesses, and a pro business climate at city hall are factors that help spur commercial development.

“Anytime you can have a smaller business that will come into your community and be successful we want to roll out the red carpet and do everything we can to help them be successful,” Hooper said.

In the past year, there have been 76 commercial permits issued in Tupelo, representing $32 million in investment.