Additional $8 Million in State Funding Clears Way for Clinton’s Development Project to Move Forward

MC President Blake Thompson, right, will lead some of the community tours during the infrastructure phase of the mixed-use development across Highway 80 from Mississippi College.

One of the most eagerly anticipated upscale development projects in Clinton’s rich history is about to go full throttle.

Before Thanksgiving, Century Construction Group will begin surveying and site preparation on about 50 acres of land directly across Highway 80 from Mississippi College. The work represents the infrastructure phase of a partnership between MC, the City of Clinton, and local developers to create a mixed-use retail and living space to attract retailers, restauranteurs, grocers, bankers, and hoteliers throughout the Southeast.

Incorporated into House Bill 1353, the state’s initial $8 million investment has been supplemented by a second $8 million legislative grant from the State of Mississippi to the City of Clinton to fund infrastructure development on the property. Soon, streets, water systems, sewer systems, and storm drainage systems for retail, commercial, and professional space will take shape.

Mississippi College President Blake Thompson said the project, which has been in the planning stage for more than a year, will enhance the reputation of the University and the city.

“We’re on the verge of creating a dynamic mixed-use space that builds on and complements the essence of Olde Towne Clinton, but with a modern twist,” Thompson said. “The goal is to create a walkable, vibrant space connected to the MC campus that embodies the charm of a small-town experience.

“This development represents Clinton becoming one of the great college towns in this country, and I’m convinced we will be the best Christian college town ever.”

The portion of the land owned by private interests has been cleared, but MC holds the lion’s share of the property, bounded to the west by the Choctaws’ practice football field. Importantly, plans call for removing some timber, with intentional preservation of large swaths of trees. Once surveying and clearing have been completed, the movement of dirt will begin.

A natural spring that has served as a water source for the people of Clinton for generations will become a feature of the development, and its historical significance will be preserved.

“The land across Highway 80 represents an opportunity to take an asset that the University has owned for decades and turn it into something that will pay dividends for the University and the community for years to come,” said Laura Jackson, Mississippi College CEO and COO, “Projects of this nature require endless hours of planning, topographic site research, and geotechnical analysis.

“The engineers developed a traffic study to determine the effect of the proposed development on the roadways and intersections. That information was used to develop engineering plans and, ultimately, construction documents. Before any dirt could be moved, permits had to be obtained from various government entities. It took many hours of work behind the scenes to get to this point.”

She said the infrastructure phase of the project is expected to take up to a year to complete, weather permitting. Shortly after that, some “vertical” construction is scheduled to begin.

“Nothing ever happens as fast as we would like, but we are on schedule with this project,” Jackson said.

Merchants and other occupants of the development will lease space from the partners, who will maintain ownership of their respective properties. Once construction on the current property site has been completed, the partnership calls for the remainder of MC’s land south of Highway 80 to be developed.

“Across the street is about to look remarkably different,” Thompson said, “and I want everyone to be ready.”

Mississippi College will provide additional updates as the project continues, including offering “community tours” of the property as it develops. Dr. Thompson himself will lead some of those tours. Those interested in touring the site may schedule a time at https://www-dev.mc.edu/tour.