Video: New Albany Leaders Brainstorm Economic Development Ideas

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NEW ALBANY, MISS. (WCBI) – Thursday morning government and business leaders met to brainstorm on ways to continue New Albany’s economic success story.

The one shining story is at Sugaree’s Bakery in downtown.

Mary Jennifer Russell opened the popular bakery in 2001.  Since then, downtown New Albany has undergone a revitalization, that Russell helped spearhead.

“What we’ve done is we’ve tried to celebrate the culture, the three greatest strengths in Mississippi, I think, are our food, music and our art, but I didn’t really see that happening here, even though it should be,” said Russell.

Festivals, a farmers market and other specialized events are now being held in downtown on a regular basis, and it has made a difference in the bottom line.

“The first summer we did Second Saturdays, folk art on the market in conjunction with our Biscuits and Jam Farmers Market I had a 45 percent increase in my retail sales that summer,” said Russell.

Elected officials, business and industry leaders and economic developers want to continue the momentum.  That’s what brought them to the Magnolia Conference Center on Thursday, to share ideas and network.

“We’re hoping to get some good ideas or suggestions, and whatever questions we get or suggestions we get we are going to look into them very seriously,” said New Albany Mayor Tim Kent.

While the downtown area is attracting businesses, shoppers and visitors, city leaders will tell you there’s a need for housing.  The inventory of homes for sale or rent, is low.

“Without inventory, people can’t buy to live here, it takes awhile to build a house so we’re hopeful there would be a little more housing development for sale for potential citizens to buy into our community,” said Bank of New Albany President, Bo Collins.

Another point of concern is downtown parking.  Mayor Kent says preliminary plans call for a parking lot by the library to be enhanced.  Also, there is talk of constructing walking or biking trails, which would go through residential areas and drive traffic to downtown.

New Albany’s downtown Farmer’s Market starts May 23rd and runs through the end of August.