The Meridian City Council voted to close Sweet Gum Bottom Road in an effort to accommodate a new economic development plan aimed at attracting high-paying industries to the area. The road will be replaced by a new route, West Malone Ranch Road, which will be paved by the spring of 2020 at a cost of $420,000. Mayor Percy Bland and Chief Administrative Officer Richie McAlister emphasized the importance of creating jobs in the area, citing the ready workforce in East Mississippi.
However, residents living near the road expressed frustration at the lack of communication and unkept promises regarding the construction of the new road. Projected costs for the new road rose significantly, causing concern among locals. Despite the initial miscommunication, President of the council Tyrone Johnson assured residents that their concerns would be addressed and that there would be no unkept promises this time around.
Johnson emphasized the need for tough decisions to be made in order to bring jobs to the city, and expressed his commitment to closely monitoring the road’s progression. The overall goal of the city and county is to attract high-paying industries like aerospace or automotive companies to the area. The project has received contributions from state, county, and city governments, with the eventual aim of providing livable wage jobs for the community.
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Photo credit meridianstar.com
