This week kicks off the City of Jackson’s “Economic Development Week,” which started Monday with a breakfast at the Hinds County Economic Development Authority office.
Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba spoke on the annual event during his Monday press conference, along with other partners who helped host the event, including the city’s Department of Planning and Development, the Jackson Redevelopment Authority, the Hinds County Economic Development Authority and Visit Jackson.
“I want to be clear that economic development is not only about making money, right? It’s about changing lives, it’s about changing the quality of life,” Lumumba said.
Here is what is planned for Economic Development week, according to a press release from the City of Jackson:
- Monday, May 6: The event’s launch at 9 a.m.with an official proclamation and Kick-off Breakfast at the Hinds County Economic Development Authority office to celebrate the impact of regional community growth efforts.
- Tuesday, May 7: A “lunch and learn” session to welcome professionals, students, business owners and locals to learn the fundamentals of economic development from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.at the Capitol Club on Congress Street.
- Wednesday, May 8: A networking mixer from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Cathead Distillery for a night of conversations, libations and inspiration from like-minded professionals in a lively ambiance.
- Thursday, May 9: A bus tour starting at 9 a.m. that will give insight on downtown properties and hear the vision for future projects. The tour starts at Union Station on West Capitol Street. After, a community meeting from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.at Union Station will be held for the public to offer input.
- Friday, May 10: Events will wrap up with an open house from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for a behind-the-scenes look at Visit Jackson. Residents will hear how the city is promoting tourism and attracting visitors to the community.
This week’s activities include engaging professionals, students, business owners and residents for several networking opportunities, educational workshops and exclusive insights into downtown Jackson.
Lumumba touches on Medgar Evers receiving Presidential Medal of Freedom
During Monday’s press conference, Lumumba also commented on Civil Rights activist Medgar Evers receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Evers was honored with the nation’s highest civilian honor by President Joe Biden on May 3. He was one of 19 recipients to receive the honor.
“It is Medgar Evers that actually put this city on the map through his tireless efforts to fight for freedom,” Lumumba said.
Evers was the NAACP’s first field secretary in Mississippi. In 1963, he was shot in the back by white supremacist and Ku Klux Klan member Byron De La Beckwith on the front doorsteps of his home in Jackson. In 2020, Evers’ home in Jackson was established as a national historic monument.
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Lumumba reaffirmed his stance that there should be a statue of Evers outside of Jackson’s City Hall. In 2020, the Jackson City Council voted to remove the statue of the seventh president, Andrew Jackson, that currently stands outside of City Hall.
The mayor also congratulated entrepreneur and former mayor of New York City Michael Bloomberg who received a Presidential Medal of Freedom. Lumumba said Bloomberg has been supportive of Jackson through his philanthropic efforts and thanked him for his support of the city.
New parking kiosks go live in downtown Jackson
The city’s new parking kiosks were installed May 1 after years of broken meters have resulted in the city losing millions. Previous statements from Lumumba said the new parking system could bring in around $2 million per year in revenue for the city.
The parking kiosks will be overseen by the city’s infrastructure team, as well as the Jackson Police Department and SP Plus Corporation who installed the meters.
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