Supervisors approve TIF for Ramey's development in Poplarville

Urban Developer, Laurence E. Leyens, addressing the PRC Board of Supervisors

The Pearl River County Board of Supervisors approved a $7.13 million-maximum tax increment financing plan for a Ramey’s supermarket, Monday, that once expected developments are completed, could provide hundreds of new jobs to Poplarville residents.

The proposed development is planned for property, owned by the county, directly across the highway from Pearl River Community College, in Poplarville.

According to urban developer, Laurence E. Leyens, the project is expected to provide 175 part to full time jobs and generate over $180,000 a year in sales taxes for the city of Poplarville.

The board voted 4 to 1, to approve the plan to construct the new Ramey’s grocery story, with Board President, Sandy Kane Smith, being the one vote against it.

“Just to be clear, I'm not one hundred percent against this project, I'm against the TIF plan. I just don’t believe in TIF plans as a whole,” Smith said. “I don’t think it’s a fair program. I've seen similar projects go bad. But I hope they prove me wrong.”

More on this development, as well as TIF plans and the way they affect the county to follow.