City, County to schedule joint meeting for industrial park

The Starkville Board of Aldermen and the Oktibbeha County Board of Supervisors look to plan a joint meeting to decide the future of the proposed Golden Triangle Development LINK-backed industrial park.

The development could face a delay after property owners appealed an Oktibbeha County Circuit Court-approved city rezoning of the property to the Mississippi Supreme Court.

Mayor Lynn Spruill said there was not a turning point that triggered the call for this meeting. But it is a decision that needs to happen sooner, rather than later.

She said there is not a set date for the meeting, but both boards are working to make a meeting happen.

“We are really at a time where we need to make a decision,” Spruill said.

The meeting will serve as a way for both the city and the county to be together to discuss the decision on the industrial park, saying it will help make an “informed decision.”

Board of Supervisors President Orlando Trainer said although this project needs a decision, a rapid one may not be the right answer.

“(The Board of Aldermen) want to hit the ground running,” Trainer said. “But (the Board of Supervisors) do have some concerns with the reality of this project.”

Trainer said with how much both parties have invested in this project, a quick decision may not be the best idea while moving forward. With many moving parts, Trainer said it is important not to make a misstep.

“We have too much invested to walk away from this when we could invest a little bit more to be successful,” Trainer said.

Due to many scheduling conflicts, there is not a set date for the joint meeting.