Northern Mississippi

[Rural King]

I think tombarnes is right in regards to this thread getting away from its original intent. The current type of discussion easily gets off track and can prove problematic. So I would ask folks from this post on to move away from the current discussion and back towards one relating to the development of North Mississippi .

Thanks in advance.

[tennreb]

I think our Florida friend is back.

[tombarnes]

Quite possibly so.

[Rural King]

Any attempt at musseling legitimate speech and

discourse should always be viewed with a

jaundiced eye it seems.

Forum 'moderation' should not be congruent

to an attempt to censor, or curtail legitimate

discourse through the interjection of a personal

agenda, choice, or manipulation out of a fear

or disdain of legitimate disagreement.

[Rardy]

DeSoto's getting yet another massive, mixed-use project called The Villages at Hawk's Crossing. It will be in SE DeSoto along the route of the soon-coming I-269:

A massive mixed-use project that includes more than 450 homes and 226 acres of commercial development is under way on a 550-acre site in rural DeSoto County that will become a major intersection on Interstate 269.

Hook Shot Land Investments LLC partners Larry Joe Lindley and Joe Bob Whitt bought out their early partner in The Villages at Hawks Crossing, developer Dale Morrow, for an estimated $19.5 million and are moving forward on the residential, commercial and retail development.

[tombarnes]

More on the project at this link...

DeSoto Times

It sounds like a good development. I would like to see this area develop with a certain amount of deliberation.

[tombarnes]

DeSoto Now Third Largest County in Mississippi

DeSoto County is growing so quickly that it is now the third largest county in Mississippi. It was formerly the fifth most populous county. While Hinds County is still the largest, its growth has been stunted by outward migration to neighboring Madison and Rankin Counties. Harrison County is still at #2, but lost significant numbers due to Katrina. I wonder what the next cansus will bring?

The Clarion-Ledger

[Memphis Love]

the next census will show that DeSoto county is now the most populous county in the state.

[tombarnes]

That is probably the case. I wonder just how large DeSoto will become? How will they manage their growth? This is a crucial area for Mississippi to develop. I hope that with so much attention being directed at the Coast for the moment that they will rightly send attention and direction to this pivotal area. It would be a shame if they were to simply ignore North Mississippi.

[Rardy]

It's just a matter of time before the Memphis MSA becomes the Memphis-Southaven-Olive Branch MSA or the Memphis-DeSoto County MSA. If that were to occur, DeSoto would then become a core county of the MSA, and that would probably add counties to the MSA (if any other county sends 25% or more of their workers to Shelby OR DeSoto, they'd be added).

DeSoto, IMO needs to tread carefully, otherwise in 15-20 years, it'll look like south Memphis with residents fleeing for either Memphis or even further out into north Mississippi. I just don't see sustainable growth anywhere on their radar!

Also, once all the new interstates are constructed, DeSoto will have 4 interstate highways: 69, 55, 22, and 269. That will probably be a catalyst for a boom on its own.

[Rural King]

The growth of DeSoto County is truely staggering to say the least. Sustainable growth from all I read about and have seen passing through does not appear to an issue at all they are concerned about.

It will be an interesting quirk that the state's most populace county will have such a small county seat in terms of the current size of Hernando compared the larger counties it will surpass have in Jackson, Gulfport, etc. Its urban core will be basically non-existant compared to its population and truly reflect the county's dependence on Memphis to continue its growth.

[tombarnes]

It would be good to see them think in terms of developing a town center. New Urbnism might work well in DeSoto. It would seem that new urbanism might appeal to residents of DeSoto as well. Its identity will continue to be overshadowed by Memphis, but that's not necessarily a reason for it to abandon the idea of at least trying to forge their own.

[Rardy]

I saw today where Batesville is getting a Chili's...

[jamieh]

While everyone is lambasting Mississippi, I would just like to point out that not only does North Mississippi owe much to Memphis, but Memphis owes much to North Mississippi. Memphis musical heritage was built largely on the backs of Mississippi talent such as Elvis Presley, BB King, Rufus Thomas, Little Milton, Howlin' Wolf, Ike Turner, Muddy Waters, Conway Twitty, and many others who were either born or raised in Mississippi and brought thier sound to Memphis.

Memphis owes Marks, Mississippi native Fred Smith (and Little Rock, AR for turning down the offer) for locating Fed-Ex in Memphis. While we are talking about the people of Mississippi, let's not forget the ones who have made a huge impact on Memphis for the better.

As for racism, Mississippi gets a raw deal. There are people who are openly or covertly racist in our state but that holds true in all states. I consider myself open-minded, non-judgemental, and a non-racist person, and I was born and raised in Mississippi. This post was not meant to evoke confrontation or ill-feelings, just defending the state I call home, which has contributed so much to the culture of our entire country.

[jamieh]

^

I am not sure if jackson or little rock have level 5 trauma centers. Therefore, everyone between these cities and memphis are sent to the med for care.

[tennreb]

Man, do some research before just typing something. Jackson and Little Rock both have Level 1 trauma centers, which is the highest rating for trauma centers in the nation. Not sure where you got the Level 5 designation for The Med, as it is a Level 1 center.

You aren't sure if Jackson and Little Rock have good trauma centers, so therefore everyone between these cities and Memphis are sent to The Med for care? Seriously, read that again. You just said you don't even know the facts, then went on to make a broad generalization of the better part of 2 states and the people who reside there.

[jamieh]

Arkansas does not have a Level I trauma center. It is the only state in the nation that does not have a Level I trauma center.

http://www.arkansasnews.com/archive/2007/0...ews/341470.html

[sleepy]

While everyone is lambasting Mississippi, I would just like to point out that not only does North Mississippi owe much to Memphis, but Memphis owes much to North Mississippi. Memphis musical heritage was built largely on the backs of Mississippi talent such as Elvis Presley, BB King, Rufus Thomas, Little Milton, Howlin' Wolf, Ike Turner, Muddy Waters, Conway Twitty, and many others who were either born or raised in Mississippi and brought thier sound to Memphis.

Memphis owes Marks, Mississippi native Fred Smith (and Little Rock, AR for turning down the offer) for locating Fed-Ex in Memphis. While we are talking about the people of Mississippi, let's not forget the ones who have made a huge impact on Memphis for the better.

As for racism, Mississippi gets a raw deal. There are people who are openly or covertly racist in our state but that holds true in all states. I consider myself open-minded, non-judgemental, and a non-racist person, and I was born and raised in Mississippi. This post was not meant to evoke confrontation or ill-feelings, just defending the state I call home, which has contributed so much to the culture of our entire country.

[tombarnes]

Waving the Confederate battle flag in Iowa? That's creepy. I just wish that many good people in Mississippi would remember that their symbol of "heritage" is a symbol of repression to others. I do think that it is time for a revisitation of this discussion in Mississippi. I have ancestors on both sides of the battlefield. My views on this issue have been stated clearly before, but I'll reiterate that the Confederate battle flag is doing no favors for the image of Mississippi.

[scaffdog]

I am moving to the Memphis area soon for work and I was wondering what northern Mississippi Cities are growing. I heard Tupelo is groing with the new Toyota Plant and all and Tunica from what Ive heard is growing a lot due to thier Casinos. What other areas between Jackson and Memphis are growing? What about Oxford and Starkeville? Im looking foward to the move and Im just wondering what areas are really booming, which are steadily growing, and what areas are slowing or stopping.

Thanks!

[tombarnes]

Tunica, Southaven, Oxford and Tupelo are showing the strongest growth. Sorry I don't have figures for you- perhaps I can dig something up. What sort of town are you looking for? Oxford is a good deal closer to Memphis than Tupelo, so it might suit your purposes better. There is a remarkable new development near Oxford called Plein Air in Taylor.

[Memphis Love]

I would also add Olive Branch and Horn Lake to this list.

[Rural King]

Senatobia lands auto parts manufacturer and upwards of 150 jobs

The Commercial Appeal is reporting that Japanese based PK USA will build a 200,000 square foot facility in the Senatobia Industrial Park that will supply components for the Nissan plant in Canton (Madison Co) and the new Toyota Plant new Tupelo. The company hopes to employ upwards of 150 employees when at full production. The company is going to expand an existing spec building to suit their needs and the State of Mississippi has already issued block grants to build any necessary infrastructure improvements required for the firm's operation.

Great news for Senatobia. This once again illustrates why regional co-operation and support is key when communities compete for large industrial projects like auto plants. The impact of a large industrial operation often is felt well beyond the city it's built in, with support plants, tool and die shops, etc. springing up, or increasing operations and employment, in order to service these large facilities.

[tombarnes]

Northern Mississippi- or perhaps I ought to say northeastern Mississippi- seems to be picking up a head of steam from the Toyota plant in Blue Springs. With any luck, this will be just the beginning. It would appear that the area has a better future ahead than ever before. I wish the same could be said for the Delta.

[jetjockey75]

Northern Mississippi- or perhaps I ought to say northeastern Mississippi- seems to be picking up a head of steam from the Toyota plant in Blue Springs. With any luck, this will be just the beginning. It would appear that the area has a better future ahead than ever before. I wish the same could be said for the Delta.