Supervisors vote to engage EMBDC in development talks

By By Steve Gillespie / staff writer
March 18, 2003
The Lauderdale County Board of Supervisors voted Monday to request the "full support" of the East Mississippi Business Development Corp. in helping local developer Morris Nicholson get what he wants.
Nicholson approached the board last month and again on Monday seeking help in obtaining access to Virginia Drive, near Bonita Lakes Mall, where he said he wants to develop property.
At question is how much control the mall has over how land around it can be developed. Ray Boswell, District 5 supervisor, made the motion to request the EMBDC's help; Jimmie Smith, District 2 supervisor, was the sole no vote.
Boswell said the road Nicholson wants access to is a public road.
In other business, supervisors were introduced to the county's new tourism director Wanda Grabert.
Grabert, the former Wanda Grant of Meridian, is the daughter of Maude and James Grant of Suqualena. She has moved back to the area from Gulf Shores, Ala., and Monday was her first day on the job.