So much has been said and written since February 2007, when Toyota announced it had officially selected Mississippi for its latest North American automotive assembly plan, that anything else would almost be overkill.

At the same time, though, arguably no other economic development in the history of this region has had or will have the impact Toyota’s planned facility will have. The Japanese automobile manufacturer plans to hire 2,000 workers at its facility, with another 2,000 expected to be hired by supplier industries. The economic fortunes of this region, once cloudy because of the weakening furniture industry, have turned bright and sunny again. And it’s so big it demands more press.

Though not necessarily brought on by Toyota’s announcement, but certainly helped by it, two large apartment communities are either nearing construction or have already begun springing up in Tupelo. These two properties – one in Belden (northwest Tupelo) and the other just south of Barnes Crossing) – will add close to 400 rental units to the city’s landscape. These properties are at least one answer to the question of what to do about middle-class housing inside Tupelo city limits. And, with the rental market having been tight the last couple of years, these new units are expected to be welcomed additions to the market.

VistaRidge Apartments, a 160-unit development, is planned to be built on a swath of land sandwiched between Highway 45 and North Gloster Street, just south of Highway 78. Austin, Texas-based Madison Interests is developing the project. It’s at the same site where a planned apartment community failed to materialize about two years ago. That project was much larger in scope.

As planned, VistaRidge will have 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom units with rents ranging from $650 to $1,000 per month.
To the west, off McCullough Boulevard, a 13-acre site should soon be the new home of a 216-unit apartment community. That development would feature all two-bedroom, two bath units that would rent from $600 to $650 per month.

Other rental properties could join the mix in anticipation of the growth expected from Toyota’s new plant. But just how much growth is expected here, population-wise? Not too much, at least on the front end, experts say. Tupelo might see its population increase temporarily during the construction phase of the plant, but most employees of Toyota and related companies are expected to commute initially. It could be as much as six to 10 years before measurable growth comes to the area in the way of population as by then many of those commuters are expected to move closer to where they work -- especially those who initially drive from more than 25 miles to get to the factories.

Any growth that comes from the new factory, where Toyota will build its popular Prius hybrid sedan, will be on top of the steady growth the Tupelo area has seen in the last 20 years. The big winners growth-wise will be those communities located adjacent to the Wellspring site at Blue Springs, where the plant is being built. Blue Springs, Sherman, Pontotoc, New Albany and Tupelo are expected to be the biggest winners in related development.

STEADY GROWTH PART OF 20-YEAR TREND
Tupelo’s population, 23,905 in 1980, now stands at an estimated 35,673, according to Census Bureau estimates (through July 2005) released in June 2006. That’s an increase of 1,462 people since the 2000 Census count. Saltillo and Guntown have seen equally strong growth in that same period.

The growth can be traced to the area’s manufacturing and retail sector, and strong education and healthcare. The Tupelo/Lee County economy remains one of the most resilient in the state. In January, Policom Corp., an independent economic research group, ranked Tupelo and Lee County as the 18th strongest economy among 573 “micropolitans” in the United States. A micropolitan is a city, county or group of cities with a population between 10,000 and 50,000, among other criteria.

Tupelo and Lee County are known nationwide for their industrial growth efforts and commitment to present industry. The recruitment efforts by Tupelo’s Community Development Foundation (CDF) have earned the area national acclaim and much envy among cities and counties around the United States. CDF has been recognized as a national model for promotional organizations in cities and counties large and small.

CDF’s efforts are now being aided with the help of the federal government. In 2004, U.S. Highway 78, which runs between Memphis and Birmingham and splits Tupelo, was designated the future Interstate 22. The designation is one of many factors believed to have aided this area in landing the Toyota facility.

The Tupelo/Lee County area is the predominant furniture manufacturing region in America. Tupelo is home to the Tupelo Furniture Market, (closed to the public) held twice each year, which brings in hundreds of furniture makers and thousands of buyers annually. On the downside, Lee County has lost some 700 furniture manufacturing jobs in the last year as the industry faces mounting challenges from imports. The furniture market has faced tough times, too, primarily from a new market in Las Vegas. The difficulties faced by the furniture industry have placed added pressure on area leaders to seek new and diversified industry that complements the skills and abilities of Northeast Mississippi’s excellent workforce.

Offsetting this has been an expansion at Cooper Tire, job growth at other factories, and the opening of San Diego-based General Atomics’ new 32,500-square-foot facility in the South industrial park. General Atomics builds and tests parts for high-tech Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch Systems for U.S. Navy aircraft carriers. The plant initially employed 35, but that number is expected to possibly double to 70 within a couple of years.

This is good news in more ways than one: The announcement adds diversity to Tupelo/Lee County’s industrial base, and could be a draw for more high-tech jobs. An announcement in 2005 of another 100-150 jobs in the technology sector coming to Tupelo was even more good news. Circadence Corp. develops technology and software used by the Department of Defense, and has set up shop in the Journal Business Park on Green Street.

Signs announcing U.S. Highway 78's designation as the future Interstate 22 have gone up along the route’s stretch from Memphis to Birmingham.

REGIONAL RETAIL HUB
The Barnes Crossing area has led to Tupelo becoming the retail and shopping hub of Northeast Mississippi. It has been a boon to the city’s retail economy. The Mall at Barnes Crossing opened in 1990 and has since been joined by eight other shopping centers with major anchor stores. Four full-service banks, two motels and two medical clinics are also located in the area.

The year 2007 saw a renewed uptick in retail development following a cooldown in 2006 and the blistering pace of openings in 2005. Olive Garden, Ashley Furniture Home Store and Best Buy electronics each opened in Tupelo Commons in 2005. Much work and development remains to be done in Tupelo Commons, and it could be several years before that center is developed, although the purchase of most of the property in 2007 by local businessman V.M. Cleveland could boost development.

On the horizon for Barnes Crossing is a Kohl’s department store, a Ross clothing store, and other retail establishments at King’s Crossing. Walgreens’ second store in Tupelo will be open by year’s end at Barnes Crossing, at the corner of Barnes Crossing Road and North Gloster. Additionally, Carlock Toyota is building its new dealership behind PetsMart and Staples. And it is rumored that bookstore Barnes & Noble, Talbot’s and Chico’s are slated to join retailers at the Mall at Barnes Crossing. And in August GBT Realty Corp. of Brentwood, Tenn., announced a new shopping center, Tupelo Crossing, set to go at the intersection of Tom Watson Drive and Barnes Crossing Road. Though no retailers are committed to the spot right now, the plans do call for a big-box retailer of almost 126,000 square feet and a smaller anchor of 65,000 square feet.

Could 2008 be the year Target finally announces its plans to build here after teasing Tupelo residents in 2006? Problems with the costs of developing the land investors eyed for the project stymied the retailer’s landing in Tupelo last year, but many hope this year will be the year the bullseye lands at Barnes Crossing. Watch for some announcement to come soon from Tupelo Commons that could hold promise for those in the region who want Target here.

Metro Ford relocated its dealership to Barnes Crossing in 2005, bringing the number of new car dealers in the area to three. David’s Bridal, Southern Kitchens and Baths, and Quizno’s Subs joined Bed Bath & Beyond in the Shoppes at Barnes Crossing. Over on Tom Watson Drive, Scruggs Home, Farm & Ranch Supply opened in 2005. The huge home-owned store features home, garden, farm and hunting supplies, and includes a John Deere dealership and service center.

THE RENAISSANCE OF DOWNTOWN
While Barnes Crossing has been Tupelo’s hot spot for more than a decade, Downtown has seen a major rebirth since 2000. City Hall opened its doors in Fairpark District in February 2002. Fairpark District is the redevelopment of the old fairgrounds. The Tupelo Automobile Museum, also part of the redevelopment, houses some 150 cars collected by Tupelo businessman Frank Spain. About 110 are on display. The collection of antique and rare automobiles is considered the second best collection in the nation.

Children’s laughter can now be heard echoing from the newly resurrected brick gates at the entrance of the park. Their laughter comes from the fun they’re having while playing in the new water fountain feature in front of City Hall in Fairpark. The fountain was a gift to the city from the Reed family, and it has quickly become one of the favorite draws of Downtown.

Commercial development continues to boom in the region. A new 140-plus room Hilton Garden Inn and BancorpSouth Center convention center opened in late 2006 adjacent to BancorpSouth Arena. New businesses announced for the area include at least three restaurants, two of which will be new to Tupelo. Park Heights will be relocating its fine dining atmosphere to a new development, Fairpark at Main, and will be joined by The Grille. The Grilled and Oby’s, the other restaurant planned for Fairpark District, are two staples of the Starkville area.

Also in 2006 CDF’s new business incubator, the Renesant Center for IDEAs, opened just east of the Coldwell Banker building. Already it has its first tenants, and Toyota will be taking over the top floor to begin its office operations in Tupelo.

Aesthetically, the streets in Fairpark District have been divided with a grassy median, new lighting lines the street and stamped concrete has been poured at all crosswalks.

SATLILLO A FAST-GROWING COMMUNITY
Saltillo is also bustling with commercial and residential growth. Around the highways 45/145 interchange several businesses have sprouted. So much growth has occurred that four new traffic lights are now managing traffic flow on Hwy. 145 in the city. BancorpSouth opened its first branch in the city in late 2006, and a new shopping center is under construction just across the street, with the expansion of another shopping center planned across Hwy. 145. McDonald's is expected to be building in the Center City Market shopping center soon.

Saltillo has beefed up the city’s athletics offerings to its youth. Some 500 youngsters take part in baseball and softball programs there, while almost half that number also participate in city soccer programs. A large new city sports complex opened in 2005.

HEALTH CARE AND EDUCATION
Tupelo and the region are blessed with the abundant availability of quality health care. North Mississippi Medical Center, located on South Gloster Street, is the largest non-metropolitan hospital in the United States. With satellite offices throughout Lee County and Northeast Mississippi, and a host of medical professionals to treat almost any affliction for a person of any age, the medical attention residents of the area enjoy is second to none. That’s not to say there haven’t been some issues with health care and costs, though. There has been some debate in the community on the need for a second hospital to compete with NMMC, but there are no plans as of yet to bring that to fruition.

The quality of education in Tupelo and Lee County is also a major draw for both businesses and residents. Two new elementary schools, Parkway Elementary and Lawndale Elementary, opened in 2002 in Tupelo. A bond issue approved by voters in 2002 led to major construction, expansion and upgrading of facilities in Lee County schools, including Guntown, Mooreville, Saltillo, Shannon and Verona.
Tupelo’s schools annually receive kudos, and education in the city and county benefits from serious support from both industry and individuals. Tupelo’s school district boasts four National Blue Ribbon schools, 91 National Board Certified staff members, four Milken Award winners, and ACT core scores that are above the national average. Athletic opportunities abound at the high school.
Lee County’s school system is strong, too, with many parents moving to Saltillo to take advantage of the high quality of education and lower student population count.

Tupelo and Lee County residents looking to continue their education and life-long learning need look no further than home. The University of Mississippi and Itawamba Community College both offer classes on a shared campus on Hwy. 6 in southeast Tupelo. The Advanced Education Center offers residents here a chance to take classes and earn degrees and credits toward degrees in a number of programs from Ole Miss, ICC, and Mississippi University for Women.