could BearingPoint benefit east Hattiesburg

[JB2379]

If Bearing Point does locate to at the Cloverleaf Mall, is it possible that it will help increase economic activity in east Hattiesburg? Or would investors deem the east to be too risky, because currently crime is high in that area and the majority of economic development is moving out west?
Also, besides Bearing Point, would other business would you like to see in east Hattiesburg (wal-mart/cloverleaf area)?
I would love to see that area with a Waffle House, at least one decent hotel, and possibly a casual sit-down restaraunt.

[aaron]

It might do those things, I don't see it doing much more though.

[lamarrebel]

Unfortunately, I don't see much major economic development in East Hattiesburg beyond the Cloverleaf area. Not only is crime and safety an issue, it is also simple business economics at play.

Much of the wealth in Hattiesburg is moving West of I-59. The people who live out there frequent such places as Turtle Creek Mall, Super Wal-Mart and the like more often and spend more money while doing so than people living in other areas. With the growth in affluence and numbers to a lesser degree in the Petal area, you are now seeing considerable commercial growth on Highway 42 as well. In east Hattiesburg, unfortunately growth in neither area is really present.

It might not particularly be fair, but each individual business has to look at the bottom line, and best bottom line is in Oak Grove/Petal, not other areas

[Lylabean]

Yeah I don't think the addition of BearingPoint will do that much for the area. One thing about cloverleaf is that I don't understand why you can't get to businesses from inside? They did the same thing with the old Meridian mall..It'd be nice if it was more open..guess it'd take more security or other considerations but still...

I'd like to see a grocery store come to east Hattiesburg again.

Lynn

[aaron]

This thread is closed.