After years in court, Meridian’s annexation of several nearby areas finally took place in 2008.

Reluctant residents of affluent subdivisions in what is now North Meridian fought hard against the annexation and the additional taxes they will have to pay as city residents. Along with those residents, many of whom own homes in the Eagle Pointe subdivision on Hwy. 39, the Town of Marion and Lauderdale County opposed the annexation in court.

The Mississippi Supreme Court upheld the annexation, calling the annexed areas “very much a part of Meridian” and saying the annexation was necessary for development in Meridian.

Several large business are in the newly annexed area, including Avery Dennison, Van Zyverden, and Waste Management. After this year’s municipal election, the new city council will assign annex residents to new city wards.