J Broussard’s to Add Bakery to Downtown Landmark Restaurant

GOLDEN TRIANGLE REGION, MS

COLUMBUS

J. Broussard’s, 210 Fifth St. S., is in the final stages of opening up a bakery within their location. “Baked” will offer tasty good such as croissants, danishes, alfajores (dulce de leche sandwich cookies), cinnamon rolls, breads, cupcakes, tarts and more. Chef Beth Broussard Rogers said each delicacy will be made in-house and from scratch. Baked will also sell pimento cheese, chicken salad and take-and-bake entrees. The restaurant itself will continue to operate as normal.

“I think anyone who knows me even a little is not the least bit surprised we are finally bringing this dream into reality,” Rogers said. “I’ve always loved to bake. … I’m really passionate about good bread, and I spent a good portion of 2020 perfecting the crusty loaf that we now serve with our food each night at the restaurant. I want to be able to share that bread with more people, and opening the bakery is a good way to do that. I’ve always hoped to have a bakery one day, and I’m excited to share my dream with the people of Columbus who have wholeheartedly supported us through the pandemic.”

The restaurant is open Tues~Sat 5:30-9pm; the bakery is planned to be open Wed~Sat 10-6; they are shooting for this Spring.

STARKVILLE

Pop Porium owner Rosa Dalomba recently founded Elevate Mixology, a traveling mixology service. “It just makes sense,” Dalomba said. “Our popcorn is known for its service. After the compliments from customers (at sporting events), I realized I had a niche for customer service skills. . .I just loved it. Bartending is really fun and it fits my background in hospitality,” Dalomba said. “I’m excited to be a part of everyone’s special events and I’m ready to elevate everyone’s experience.”
elevatemixology.com is the website; it should be ready to roll in just a few days.

Please click here for the original article: https://cdispatch.com/news/2022-02-17/mary-means-business-j-broussards-bakery-coming-this-spring/

North Star Industrial Park to Expand thanks to Grant

STARKVILLE, MS — Courtesy of the Dispatch

THE GTR LINK announced that they have obtained a $3.4 million grant from the State of Mississippi to be used for expansion of the North Star Industrial Park.

“This grant is going to allow us to build a pad-ready site. It will be capable of building a 100,000 square-foot building,” LINK CEO Jos Max Higgins said. “The park has really just gotten to where we can market it,” he went on to say. “While we have been working on it for several years, I think this is our year that something good happens out there.”

Starkville Mayor Lynn Spruill gave thanks to the Governor for the grant: “I am very excited that Gov. Reeves has provided us this opportunity to expand our park, and I think we are going to be able to use it to make it more attractive to new industries.”

Please click here for the original article: https://cdispatch.com/news/2022-02-11/link-receives-3-4-million-grant-to-further-develop-north-star/

Incentives for New Businesses in Leigh Mall Could Mean Millions for City and County Infrastructure

COLUMBUS, MS – Courtesy of WCBI

The GT Link is working on a plan that could bring in plenty of cash to both the city and the county as a whole. They are working with Leigh Mall’s owner, the Hull Group, with regards to bringing in new business for the foundering mall while bringing in tax revenue to help fix up our citizenry and the roads they use every day.

“They’re telling us they’re going to invest several million dollars in the mall; Renovating it, making new stores, and relocating some of their other existing tenants,” says Link CEO, Joe Max Higgins. “What we’ve got to do is figure out what impact does that has on the city of Columbus and Lowndes County. . . “We gotta pay for roads. We gotta hire policemen. We gotta do drainage. We gotta do mold. All of the services that we have to deliver at our city and county level -gotta have money to do that.”

The GT Link is working on a plan that could bring in plenty of cash to both the city and the county as a whole. They are working with Leigh Mall’s owner, the Hull Group, with regards to bringing in new business for the foundering mall while bringing in tax revenues to help fix up our citizenry and the roads they use every day.

Higgins stated that an overview of an official plan could be presented by late February or early March.

Please click here for the original article: https://www.wcbi.com/what-leigh-malls-development-project-means-for-lowndes-county-citizens/

(file photo)

OMG! It’s OMG (For Some Good Food)!

GTR AREA, MS – Courtesy of the Dispatch

STARKVILLE

West Point’s OMG Grillhouse is opening up a new location in Starkville in the old Smokehouse 1883 location on Hwy 12. They plan to open their doors formally by February, and the renovations and new signage are being implemented. “(Business) has been good, especially during the pandemic with our curbside services,” owner TA Amos said. “The opportunity presented itself to open one in Starkville. We’ve done really well in West Point. In fact, we’d like to start franchising.”

Their offerings will include foods such as rib tips, hamburgers, wings, fried catfish, and more. Their hours will be Monday through Thursday 11 a.m.-10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

Spring Street Cigars has taken over the old Mugshot building, and they hope to be open soon; it will be a cigar lounge, shop, and place to just relax with a good stogie and a good drink, or even watch a game on TV. Owner John Higgins said he’s excited to share his passion for hand-rolled cigars with the downtown area: “The city has been just entirely supportive of us. . . I can’t say enough great things about Starkville. We want to make this city proud for letting us come here. They’ve been a great partner to us.”

WEST POINT

Farmhouse Amish Furniture, 11980 Hwy. 45 Alt., has opened its doors. Tues~Sat 9 to 4. Plenty of handmade furniture, pottery, small handicrafts, and more!

Please click here for the original article: https://cdispatch.com/news/2021-12-23/mary-means-business-new-restaurant-coming-to-starkville/

A Little Bit of Disc, a Little Bit of That

GTR AREA, MS – Courtesy of the Dispatch

COLUMBUS

Rezilient Hope Hydration Lounge, 3189 Hwy. 45. Suite J, recently opened its doors. It is a “hydration bar” that allows customers to get vitamins into their system intravenously, with the assistance of nurse practitioners. NP Erica Horton says that “Rezilient hope is a place where you can come to get rehydrated and refreshed while relaxing in a lumbar massage chair in our scenic atmosphere.” Mon~Sat, by appt only.

In dining news, Gon Thai on Main Street has shifted to a dinner-only schedule. Mon~Fri 5-10pm and Sat 3~10pm.

STARKVILLE

Disc and That, 329 B University Drive, just opened its doors this week. “I’ve wanted to own my own business for a while,” owner Andy Hunt said. “Disc golf has exploded over the past two years. I think Starkville’s growth along with the sport of disc golf growing, the time is right to open the store.” Tue~Fri 10-6, Sat 8~noon. They offer supplies for disc golf, lawn games, and other outdoor games such as cornhole, yard pong, and more!

Please click here for the original article: https://cdispatch.com/news/2021-12-02/mary-means-business-rezilient-hydration-opens-in-columbus/

Starkville Businesses Cropping up All Over the Place

STARKVILLE, MS – Courtesy of the Dispatch

Disc and That, a disc golf shop, will be opening on December 1st at 329 B University Drive. “Some of you know I have a passion for disc golf,” said owner Andy Hunt via a FaceBook post. “I’ve wanted to open a disc golf store since I started playing. That dream is coming to fruition.” The store will have yard games, toys, and disc golf supplies. The sport has become more and more popular over the past few years, and there are several courses spread throughout the GTR area, most of which are free to play!

In food news, Godfather’s Pizza is well on its way to opening up shop at 401 University Drive. They plan to be ready for business before the new year.

Jack’s Family Restaurant is in the midst of construction on their new location near Dirt Cheap on Louisville Street. No official word yet on when they plan to be open.

Finally, the former Spirit gas station with a McDonald’s inside is being converted to a standalone McD’s. It is located at 817 Hwy. 12. It is planned to be a fully-modernized store with ordering kiosks, ordering directly from tablets at the tables, and curbside delivery, in addition to the usual options.

Please click here for the original article: https://cdispatch.com/news/2021-11-11/mary-means-business-godfathers-in-starkville-aims-for-year-end-opening/

Triangle Crossing Shopping Center Under Construction in Starkville

STARKVILLE, MS – Courtesy of the Dispatch

Ground was officially broken at Triangle Crossing in Starkville not long ago. Construction is anticipated to be complete by next Fall, and will include vendors such as ALDI, Marshalls, Ulta Beauty Supply, Five Below, Rack Room Shoes, PetSmart, Sport Clips, and Aspen Dental. It is located at Highway 12 and Industrial Park Road, on the former site of Garan Manufacturing. It is expected to bring in 120 construction jobs to build it, and 200 or more jobs at the stores that will be coming upon completion.

“It is a great day for Starkville, Oktibbeha County and our surrounding communities,” developer Mark Castleberry of Castle Properties said. “It has taken many people to get to this day…“In previous groundbreakings, I’ve been proud to make the statement ‘Castle Properties brought $100 million of investments to Mississippi,’” he went on to say. “Later, I was able to say that Castle Properties brought $100 million to the Golden Triangle. Today, I can be proud to state that upon completion of the project, I brought $100 million of investments to Starkville.” He also credits Starkville city government for their invaluable assistance with obtaining funding for the project.

Mayor Lynn Spruill said that “Mr. Castleberry is looking to the future in ways that we all want him to do. . .He has invested in Starkville, and Starkville is our home and a place we are proud of. We are delighted to see people who believe Starkville is a great place to do business.”

Please click here for the original article: https://cdispatch.com/news/2021-10-22/construction-begins-at-triangle-crossing-shopping-center/

Students Get Entrepreneurship Training at EMCC

COLUMBUS, MS – Courtesy of WCBI

Flex Factor and EMCC recently concluded a program that allowed local 9th-grade students to work on proposals for their own business ideas, “Shark Week” style. The program also educated students about subjects such as networking and establishing a digital presence.

WCBI has more: https://www.wcbi.com/flex-factor-and-emcc-educates-students-on-a-career-path-to-advance-manufacturing-and-technology/

Sale of Historic Church Nearly In the Books

COLUMBUS, MS – Courtesy of the Dispatch

First Baptist Church of Columbus began work on its new, larger location on Bluecutt Road in 2009; their old location had been on the market for nearly that long, and is now under contract. It is hoped that the deal can be finalized early next year. The original structure has stood for nearly two hundred years. The complex, which takes up most of a city block, was originally listed for nearly $5 million, but the most recent asking price was shown as $450,000.

“It just went under contract today, so we’re still getting all our ducks in a row,” Joshua Holder, the buyer’s Realtor, said Monday. “The plans are for a multi-functional property that will include single-family housing, office and commercial space. We may keep the day care center open and use the sanctuary as a wedding venue. But at this point, we’re not too far into specifics. It’s such a large property. We’ll be talking to local contractors to come up with ideas about how we can best use the property.”

Among possibilities for the old property, a planned zoning change to Mixed-Use Residential permitting, are things such as single-family dwellings, small-scale office space, and a small number of high-end apartments. 

The church will have the option to lease out the Sanctuary for events: “That gives the church some flexibility as they transition to the new facilities on Bluecutt,” Royce Hudspeth of Rhett Real Estate said, representing the seller. “We know it’s going to be sad for some of our members to make the move, but everyone understands it is for the best.”

Please click here for the original article: https://cdispatch.com/news/2021-11-02/downtown-first-baptist-property-under-contract/

FedEx Ground Building New Facility Near Airport

Columbus, Mississippi – Courtesy of the GTR LINK

FedEx Ground is constructing a new facility as we speak in the Golden Triangle Regional Industrial Aerospace Park in Lowndes County. The site, which is NE of the GTR Airport, is in the site prep phase, and the plan is for it to come online in the fall of next year.

“We’ve seen an uptick in interest in our region for last-mile delivery and other logistics projects, so it is not a surprise that FedEx would want to increase their footprint in the Golden Triangle,” said Joe Max Higgins, CEO of the LINK. “We’re happy to continue our partnership with them and look forward to more opportunities for work for our community.”

FedEx says that the new location will replace a smaller extant facility in the area, and will provide both full-time and part-time jobs.

For company information, please contact Allie Addoms at allie.addoms@fedex.com or 412-747-4277.
For local information, please contact Joe Max Higgins at jhiggins@gtrlink.org or 662-328-8369.

Please click here for the original article: https://gtrlink.org/news/article/227