By By Ben Alexander/The Meridian Star
Mayor John Robert Smith on Tuesday announced the creation of a 15-member community group charged with developing strategies in hopes of sparking growth in the city.
Smith said with a rebirth in Meridian's retail market and important projects like the revitalization of the Grand Opera House scheduled to take place soon, now is the time for the city to focus on its long-term goals.
Smith said the Grow Meridian Team's main goals will be to develop strategies to address a two related problems, shrinking population and the need for a broader tax base.
To head the team, Smith chose Bill Crawford, who successfully led the community through three rounds of base closure hearings threatening Naval Air Station Meridian.
Smith said the group will work together until the end of March to develop suggestions.
To contact the Grow Meridian Team with your comments or suggestions, please send typewritten statements no later than Monday, Dec. 18, to: Bill Crawford, 910 Highway 19 North, Meridian, MS 39307.
Ben Alexander is a staff writer for The Meridian Star. E-mail him at balexander@meridianstar.com.