This past weekend drew thousands to Meridian for Sipp & Savor, an Easter egg hunt, kid’s fishing rodeo and more, and more good news looks to be on the horizon as early feedback from a strategic plan under development by Lauderdale County Tourism hints at positive findings.

 

In a Council of Governments meeting Monday, Lauderdale County Tourism Director Laura Carmichael said planners visited Meridian last week and had good things to say about what all the Queen City has going on.

 

“Two of the members of Young Strategies were here Wednesday through yesterday. They left yesterday morning, and they had never been to Meridian,” she said. “The feedback I’ve gotten from them is so positive, and they’ve already given me some good recommendations on some things.”

 

Funded with money available through the 2021 federal American Rescue Plan Act, the strategic plan will help tourism and its local partners understand how to continue to bring more visitors to Meridian, increase hotel occupancy and more, Carmichael said. Planners will be back in town at a later date to meet with others in the community including local government and economic development organizations to get an idea of how their efforts play into Meridian’s tourism market as well.

 

While early signs from the strategic plan look promising, Carmichael said more good news is on the way with a feasibility study the county commissioned to examine a potential sportsplex.

 

A topic of discussion by Lauderdale County, Meridian and Marion officials for years, the idea of a sportsplex has never been fully examined to see if the demand for such a facility would warrant the cost. An earlier study looking at a potential sportsplex was started years ago but never fully finished.

 

Although the county is still early on in the process, Carmichael said feedback on the sportsplex so far has been positive.

 

“We’re definitely in the very early stages to see if that’s even something that’s feasible for the future,” she said.

 

In other tourism news, Carmichael said Visit Meridian offices are set to begin moving to their new location below the East Mississippi Business Development Corporation office early next week. The offices are currently located in the old Union Hotel.

 

Although already planning the move further down the line, Carmichael said the timeline was accelerated this past week when a water issue flooded the current location. Still, she said the new location is a great spot for Visit Meridian, and staff are excited about the move.

 

“We’re excited about that,” she said. “We feel like we’re going to be in a really good location as far as people coming over the hill, there we are.”