Madison County’s economic future is very positive, according to a recent report released by researchers at the University of Southern Mississippi.
The report was commissioned by the Madison County Business League and Foundation and the Madison County Economic Development Authority.
The study found, among other things, Madison County’s population to be youthful, productive and growing.
The report found that Madison County has a 7.8 percent growth in population in the last five years and is the highest among the five counties in the metro Jackson area.
It also found that the county saw a 3.9 percent growth in jobs last year with over 2,000 new jobs. This is well above the state average of 1.6 percent and the national average of two percent.
“As you can see, Madison County is well above the state average,” the studies abstract concludes.
In addition to economic and population expansion, the report found that nearly one-fourth of the county’s population was younger than 20 and nearly half of the population was younger than 40 years of age.
The report found by looking at the April 2016 Sales Tax by Industry numbers that the construction and retail trades are the industries with the highest grossing sales tax.
“Retail trade has been a top grossing industry for many years, this is no surprise and something to keep in mind recruitment wise,” the report said.
Other areas covered in the study include education opportunities and millage rates.
County Zoning Administrator Scott Weeks reported that his office has seen a lot of activity over the years and that’s indicative of continuous growth. Weeks said it is hard to compare the current year to previous years, but the numbers look good.
“It fluctuates form year to year but there is a lot going on,” Weeks said.
Weeks’ office has seen 40 new commercial buildings and buildouts worth $5,142,605 in the county this year. Weeks said they have seen about 300 projects in new construction and additions for residential properties worth $66,716,480 and are well on track to reach 550 by the end of the year.
“That’s consistent with what we usually see. We usually end up with between 550 and 600 residential projects a year,” Weeks said.
He said construction has been centered around Gluckstadt and where Yandell Road crosses Highway 51.
Future projects include a new Hedderman Brothers Printing building, a Mac Haik Dealership on the Calhoun Station Parkway and the new Madison County School Transportation and Maintenance facility.
“There is a lot that’s going to happen pretty soon and Gluckstadt seems to be where most of it is happening,” Weeks said.
Ken Oilschlager, interim executive director of MCEDA, said they have seen “a good bit of activity.” He cited the firm foothold of Nissan and Levi bolstered by strong retail areas in the south of the county as well as marked growth and interest in Gluckstadt, Canton and Flora and the continuing development of the Livingston Community are all strong indicators for the county.
“By all accounts we have had a good year so far and it has been that way for lots of year,” Oischlager said.
“I don’t think you can look at what is happening in the county right now as anything but a positive.”
