Video: Starkville Aldermen to meet on ECD Deal

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STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) — Starkville aldermen apparently have overcome any reservations they have about a three-county economic development partnership.

They’ve set a special meeting for 3 p.m. Wednesday to approve a $350,000 annual contract to hire the Columbus-Lowndes Development Link to handle business recruitment for the city and Oktibbeha County.

At a meeting last week, some aldermen questioned whether the deal would benefit the city. But discussions among officials in both counties apparently have resolved those issues.

The contract is almost identical to one the Link signed with Clay County and West Point earlier this year. Among other things, it calls for the Link to get 10 percent of the non-school tax revenues on any major economic development deal and says the deal can be terminated if Executive Director Joe Higgins leaves the Link.

It also says the Link will not have responsibilities for Main Street, chamber or tourism-related functions.

The agreement is good for two years until a formal three-county agreement is approved through special legislation being submitted to state lawmakers.