It’s Official!

COLUMBUS, MS – Courtesy of the Commercial Dispatch and Grant McLaughlin

We recently reported on a major cash incentive that many hoped would bring more business to our area; as of yesterday, it will be doing just that! The state passed a package on Wednesday that will help to bring $2.5 billion worth of projects to the GTR area. As a result, Steel Dynamics will be building a biocarbon facility beginning this year and plan to finish by the end of 2023, bringing in 40 permanent jobs. They also plan to construct a new flat-rolled aluminum mill starting in 2023; it should be completed in 2025, and bring in 700 new jobs to the area. This is in addition to the years’ worth of a planned 30 thousand construction jobs needed for these projects. Details can be found at the link below.

Please click here for the original article: https://cdispatch.com/news/2022-11-03/quarter-billion-dollar-incentive-package-passed-for-new-sdi-aluminum-biocarbon-projects/

The new Triangle Crossing shopping center in Starkville held its ribbon cutting ceremony today!

Info and pics courtesy of the GT LINK.

STARKVILLE MS –

The new Triangle Crossing shopping center in Starkville held its ribbon cutting ceremony today! Info and pics courtesy of the GT LINK. It’s an exciting day in the Golden Triangle! The ribbon cutting for the Triangle Crossing shopping center was held this morning. The center will generate 200 jobs and $35 million in sales and property tax. Many thanks to developer Castle Properties and Rise Partners for helping our community grow! Read more here https://gtrlink.org/news/article/236 #retail

State Gearing up for Potential Thousand-Job, $2+ Billion Project Expected to be in Golden Triangle

JACKSON, Miss. (Courtesy of WCBI) –

Governor Tate Reeves recently announced a major new capital investment project which could bring a thousand new, $90K+ pay jobs to the state – and possibly to the GTR area. A massive corporate tax break package worth $2.5 billion is expected to pass soon, though the recipient company has yet to be announced. The special session to consider this project will take place Wednesday morning. There is speculation that Steel Dynamics, which already has a Lowndes County location, might be one of the candidate companies, as they have been looking to invest in new factory capacity.

Please click here for the original article: https://www.wcbi.com/gt-area-anticipates-largest-economic-development-project-in-history/

Ganja and Renos and Hairstyles, Oh My!

GTR AREA, MS – Courtesy of the Dispatch and Grant McLaughlin

COLUMBUS

Sweet Peppers Deli at 2017 Hwy. 45 N. in Columbus will temporarily close down for a month or so beginning this coming Monday. They will be remodeling the 25-year-old restaurant and giving it a new look. Owner John Bean said. “It’s time to remodel and refresh it. . . We’re doing all new floors, and it’s going to be repainted with fresh colors; it’s going to be a lot lighter.” The structure of the front area will be opened up and they will add a pickup window to the North side of the building. The plan is to reopen on Tuesday, Nov 29th; their Starkville and West Point locations will remain open.

George Pittman and his crew are preparing to convert the old Fitzner-Pontiac building at 901 Hwy. 45 N. into Magnolia Cannabis Services, a medical marijuana dispensary and grow house.

pOpshelf, a “$5 and under” store is planning to open up Friday morning in the old Rite Aid building at 1800 Hwy. 45 N. Most items will cost less than five bucks, and they offer general merchandise as well as party supplies, decor, and more.

STARKVILLE

Angie Carnathan will open Daisy and Sage Hair Studio at 112 Willow Road on Tuesday. “I want Daisy and Sage to be a place where people feel like they’re going to their friend’s house to have coffee and while they’re there, going to get their hair done,” she said.

Hungry Howie’s, Insomnia Cookies and Salsarita’s will be holding a special event at the Cotton Mill Marketplace at 327 Hwy. 12 on Tuesday to celebrate Halloween.

,

Please click here for the original article: https://cdispatch.com/news/2022-10-27/goings-on-with-grant-sweet-peppers-temporarily-closing/

New Shops and New Locations Inbound

GTR AREA, MS – Courtesy of the Dispatch and Grant McLaughlin

COLUMBUS

Allen Dale’s men’s clothing and candle shop, and Waverly’s Boutique, a women’s and children’s clothing store, recently joined forces under a single roof to create a store that has a variety of clothes and other goods for a broad range of clientele. They are located at 2401 Hwy. 45 N., where the former Endless Beauty Salon used to be. Waverly’s online store, Olivia’s Outlet, will continue operation.

STARKVILLE

Nick Plava, owner of Amore Italian Restaurant in Oxford, is opening the Double Headed Eagle Bar and Grill at 1545 Saint Andrews Lane in the next few weeks: “It’s set up with all the TVs and everything,” Plava said. “We’re going to have some pool tables, dart boards and hopefully DJs and bands.”

The third location of Spin City laundromat recently opened at 800 Louisville St., across from Starkville High School. “We got a coffee bar set up,” owner Jason Perry said. “You can come in here, bring your laptop computers, bring your devices. We have charging stations where you can do work if you want to while your laundry is set up.”

Please click here for the original article: https://cdispatch.com/news/2022-09-29/goings-on-with-grant-two-online-stores-move-under-one-hwy-45-brick-and-mortar-roof/

K-Mart Building on the Auction Block

COLUMBUS, MS – Courtesy of the Dispatch and Grant McLaughlin

The commercial real estate agency Crexi recently posted a listing for the old K-Mart structure on Hwy 45, which has lain vacant since late 2018. The opening bid will be $750,000, and prospective bidders have until Oct 10 to put down a $10,000 deposit and pass a background check, as well as meeting other requirements. “The vacant box is 412 (feet) by 282.2 (feet), creating an ample amount of frontage for retail redevelopment,” the listing reads. “This will give investors flexibility when backfilling the center, allowing them to subdivide the space in a way that is suitable for prospective retailers.” Lowndes County tax records estimate the property’s value at $3.1 million.

Please click here for the original article: https://cdispatch.com/news/2022-09-24/kmart-building-slated-for-online-auction-in-october/

Much-Anticipated Triangle Crossing Mall Opening Soon in Stark Vegas

STARKVILLE, MS – Courtesy of WCBI

Triangle Crossing, located at Highway 12 and Industrial Park Road, has been under construction since October of last year. The former Garan Manufacturing site has been transformed into a retail and grocery center, featuring businesses such as ALDI, Marshalls, Rack Room Shoes, and more. While the other stores will be opening their doors in October, Five Below will be ready for shoppers on September 2nd. The mall itself will have a grand opening and ribbon cutting on November 2nd at 10 AM.

Developer Mark Castleberry said that “It will employ about 200 people and that’s a significant employer and it will generate approximately 35 million in annual sales . . . [and] there will be other secondary benefits to the community.”

Please click here for the original article: https://www.wcbi.com/the-shopping-center-in-starkville-is-almost-open-for-the-public/

Columbus Keeps on Rollin’!

COLUMBUS, MS – Courtesy of the Dispatch and Grant McLaughlin

Foxhole Comics and Games will soon be opening its doors at 109 Fifth Street S. They will offer comics, gaming supplies, and the like, as well as spaces where patrons can play games such as Pokemon, D&D, and Magic: The Gathering. Owner Daniel Criddle, a 22-year veteran, says that the store’s name was inspired by his time in the military. His inspiration for opening Foxhole was that “This is something that the city doesn’t have. It doesn’t have a gaming culture anywhere in the city . . . We have the Comic-Con maybe once every couple of years but it’s not been very consistent.”

A new seafood place called Fish Basket will also be opening in September in the former Little Dooey location at 928 Alabama St.

Finally, Gon Thai on Main St near the CAC recently began opening for lunch service once again.

Please click here for the original article: https://cdispatch.com/news/2022-08-25/goings-on-with-grant-foxhole-comics-and-games-coming-to-columbus/

…Nothing Really Rhymes with Billiards

STARKVILLE, MS – Courtesy of the Dispatch and Grant McLaughlin

The venerable Southern Billiards at 103 S. Washington St. in Starkville will be reopening tomorrow! They renovated the place in December 2019 and planned to reopen shortly after that, but certain events got in the way. Owner Sam Gilmer said, “There’s a lot of our regulars that have asked me over the years when I was going to get back open. . . So I expect to see a lot of them Friday and over the weekend and next couple of weeks.”

The Starkville Area Arts Council will soon be featuring the art of half a dozen locals at their new gallery at 122 E. Main St. in Starkville; the planned premiere date will be September 1st. Program Coordinator Juliette Reid said, “Hopefully with all the wonderful new people who are maybe coming to town for the first time, or they’re just going down Main Street before they go off to the game, we can get our name out there, get the artists’ information out there and sell some art.”

Ales Amazing Graze is an online seasonal charcuterie board business that sells specialty decorated food boards and boxes to customers. Please go check them out!

COLUMBUS, MS

Marvin’s at 939 Alabama St. will be holding a special event in the evening of September 1st. Patrons will enjoy a 15-percent discount on hunting gear from 4-7 p.m., as well as a cookout from 5-6:30. They will also feature demonstrations and info from a number of local hunting-related companies such as meat processors and taxidermists.

Please click here for the original article: https://cdispatch.com/news/2022-08-18/goings-on-with-grant-southern-billiards-reopening-in-starkville/

MSU College of Business to Receive Continued Grant Funding

STARKVILLE, MS — Courtesy of msstate.edu

The US EDA has awarded MSU’s College of Business a $550,000 grant to further its ongoing efforts to help entrepreneurs and businesses do what they do best. The grant will help by funding field studies, research, marketing strategies, and more in order to bolster the efforts of startups and other small businesses that might otherwise struggle to stand out. The program also provides education to K-12 students with regards to financial literacy and the basics of entrepreneurship.

Please click here for the original article: https://www.msstate.edu/newsroom/article/2022/08/economic-development-administration-awards-msu-grant-supporting-work-vital