Hattiesburg on the Move? (Madison, Petal: construction, schools, colleges)

[viverlibre]

I've visited Hattiesburg several times over the past few months and the town seems to be doing well. There is a lot of construction inside the city limits (construction that would normally go to Madison or Flowood if in the metro), and the city seems well run. The roads seem to be in much better shape than in most MS towns I visit.

If either MSU or UM (SEC Schools) were located there, Hattiesburg would be even better. USM is a fine school, but due to never getting into a major conference, its sports programs are on life support.

I understand Hattiesburg has a new mayor who is doing great things and is an up and comer.

[Mississippi Alabama Line]

Hattiesburg has a good economy going right now. As far as MSU and Ole Miss, both need Hattiesburg to do well, because it is attracting people. Great manufacturing base and Camp Shelby. Two colleges.

Unfortunately it suffers from the same problems many southern towns do, the tax base is moving out to Petal and Lamar County which makes the schools suffer, but at least the schools still have 'some' support, and people around there come downtown to play, which is aided by the students.

Barker isn't exactly new, he's been there since 2017 and yes he's doing good things.