Meridian, county leave good impression

By By Steve Gillespie / staff writer
October 14, 2004
Meridian's first turn at hosting the Mississippi Association of Supervisors fall conference this week was a complete success, according to Jimmie Smith, Lauderdale County's District 2 Supervisor.
He said he worked to bring the conference to Meridian this year. The conference was a three-day government workshop that ended Wednesday. He said the association did not have a fall conference last year because it was an election year.
Smith said the workshop included discussions on economic development, lobbying and state funding that counties did not receive last year.
Smith said the workshop also was an economic boost for Meridian and Lauderdale County, and that more than 200 hotel rooms were booked for the event.
The workshop was mostly attended by supervisors, but county administrators, other county officials and their spouses also attended.
Besides educational sessions, Smith said tours were provided to the site of the Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Center at Bonita Lakes and the Riley Performing Arts and Entertainment Center under construction in downtown Meridian.
Social events and golf at Naval Air Station Meridian also were part of the workshop.