Downtown Laurel sees business growth

LAUREL, Miss. - Downtown Laurel has seen business growth in the last few years and is starting to attract a lot of attention.

Executive director of Laurel Main Street, Judi Holifield said, "What we're seeing is the result of some extremely concentrated effort on behalf of our board and our committees."

Laurel Main Street started a business recruiting packet a few years ago, which helped enable downtown Laurel to see economic growth.

Many say it is young adults who are running these businesses.

"Many of them are starting their families. They want to be close to their parents or they already started their families. So, they're re-investing in the historic district and investing back in the place they grew up and loved," said Holifield.

Sales tax revenue is up $65,000 from last year. Largely in-part, because of downtown businesses.

Mayor of Laurel, Johnny Magee said, "The city is here to try and do whatever we can to help them succeed. We're looking for some great things in 2017, and I'm glad to be a part of it."

"We've just been blessed. I jokingly say, but it's true. Every dreamer that came through this office and said, 'here's my dream.' They're seeing it turn into reality," said Holifield.

Holifield said they are in the process of creating a New Orleans style maker’s alley in downtown Laurel.