JACKSON, MS (Mississippi News Now) -
The Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership revealed a 10-year economic plan which includes lake front development and flood control.
Tuesday, the organization unveiled Vision 2022/One Voice at the Jackson Convention Center.
It is a decade long plan to transform the metro area into a destination community.
The plan addresses 10 initiatives including the healthcare corridor, education, infrastructure, aerospace, transportation and the arts and culture.
Work on the regional plan began 18 months ago.
"From a regional basis we're so fortunate...The area mayors, the supervisors that we didn't have speak but then the business community really never has a problem with going along across the lines of jurisdiction. Everybody is working together better today than we ever have in the past," said Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership president Duane O'Neill.
Automobile dealership owner Paul Moak spoke to the audience about attracting and retaining talent and healthcare.
Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. addressed the core city's role and regional transportation.
AT&T Mississippi President and current Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership chairman, Mayo Flynt, announced that there was a consensus of all parties on a lake development plan.
He also told the audience about arts and culture.
Flowood Mayor Gary Rhoads discussed the opportunities for expansion into the aerospace industry and the supporting regional infrastructure.
Incoming Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership chairman and businesses owner Socrates Garrett touted the education systems, more than 40,000 students attending six major local colleges and two community colleges.
He also discussed regional marketing.
Business and community leaders visited thriving metropolitan areas in search of ideas to attract families, tourists and industry.
They found water as a common theme.
Officials said a 1,500 acre lake along the Pearl River has received regional support and is at the center of the economic plan.
The lake front development will include housing, shops and recreation extending from Lakeland Drive to Savannah Street.
"It creates waterfront property in a city that will help add enough wealth and economic development to make the cost of it worthwhile," said developer John McGowan.
"This is one that not only will allow us to protect the area that flooded in '79, but it also will bring recreational and economic development opportunities to the city," said Mayor Johnson.
Supporting efforts include building on the education system where more than 40,000 students attend six local colleges.
Officials said the levee board has signed a contract with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to begin the process of preparing lake development studies to be presented to federal agencies for approval.
At the end of the Vision 2022/One Voice announcement, the chamber partnership presented the Pearl River Vision Foundation with a $200,000 check to help fund the lake studies.
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