County ponders additional $2 million for Riley Center

By By Fredie Carmichael / staff writer
Nov. 26, 2003
The president of the Lauderdale County Board of Supervisors said today that the county is not likely to contribute an extra $2 million to the Riley Education and Performing Arts Center.
Craig Hitt, who represents District 3, said supervisors could, however, vote to give the center an additional $1 million instead when they meet Monday at the Lauderdale County Courthouse.
Mississippi State University President Charles Lee asked Lauderdale County supervisors in May for the additional $2 million, possibly to help acquire the old Newberry's department store building for the project.
The $2 million request became a hot topic with candidates for supervisor during this year's county election. Supervisors did not discuss the issue at their Tuesday work session, but Hitt said they would likely vote on the extra contribution Monday.
Meanwhile, supervisors did agree Tuesday to propose that the new industrial park be named the Meridian-Lauderdale County I-20/59 Industrial Park.
The name will be painted on the future city-built water tower at the park. Meridian Mayor John Robert Smith requested the county help name the park so the city could use it when seeking bids for water and sewer to the industrial park.
Hitt said he phoned Smith after the meeting to discuss the proposed name.
Hitt said city and county officials will work together to name the new industrial park.