Jackson Mayor Scott Conger gave the “State of the City” address Tuesday to the The Jackson Exchange Club at the civic club’s weekly meeting at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Jackson.
Conger began by discussing Operation ROSMO; which he says stands for “Repair Our Stuff And Maintain Our Stuff.”
The first-term mayor, whose reelection campaign is currently underway, said numerous city facilities that were in need of repairs – including T.R. White Center, city parks, the fairgrounds, the civic center, and others – have been improved.
Tennis courts and volleyball courts at Malesus Park that were unusable have been resurfaced. The Westwood indoor tennis center has been refurbished, and there is now new playground equipment at several city parks.
The mayor said a masterplan to revitalize Muse Park is also in the works.
The kidnapping and murder of Memphis mother Eliza Fletcher in September was “way too close to home for a lot of us,” said Conger. “The city is making a concentrated effort to upgrade lighting and security on walking and running trails in our parks.”
The Jackson Baseball Stadium has been restored to welcome the Jackson Rockabillys of the Prospect League, with the home opener set for June 2.
The nearby Sportsplex hosted over 1,000 travel baseball teams throughout 2022, and continues to thrive and bring thousands of families to Jackson each year.
For those who are not happy to drive the city’s rough streets, Conger says in the past two years 180 streets have been repaved, and there are plans over the next four years to repave 269 more city streets.
As for money matters, the mayor says the general fund balance increased to $32 million in 2022 (from $16 million), and general debt is down to $43 million (from $76 million) since he took office.
With the approval of the City Council Budget Committee, the city will be able to write a check for $4 million to purchase Jackson Plaza for a planned multi-use arena, hotel, and convention center. Plans are now underway for the demolition of buildings on the 21-acre site at Old Hickory and North Highland and the hiring of an engineering and design firm.
In further business happenings, Georgia Pacific is making the largest investment in Jackson history, having broken ground on the $425 million Dixie Jackson. Conger said when the disposable tableware plant opens, a high school graduate has the potential to make between $45,000 and $50,000 per year.
In recruiting new business to Jackson, Conger said: “The goal is to create new jobs, but fewer jobs with higher pay instead of more jobs with lower pay.”
Conger said there is a housing shortage despite the approval of 750 lots for new construction, though the city will expand its master plan in anticipation of new growth from Blue Oval City. Two new Fire Department stations will be constructed, one on Lower Brownsville Road and one near the future site of Great Wolf Lodge.
“It’s the city’s job to make sure that Jackson is a place where people want to buy,” Conger said.
Conger added that his office is committed to offering quality housing and adequate salaries to hire and retain quality city employees.
The 39-year-old mayor concluded the address by saying he gained a true partner in 40-year-old AJ Massey’s recent election as the Madison County Mayor, and the days of the city and county being at odds are long in the past.
(PHOTO: Jackson Exchange Club President Trey Cleek (left) and Jackson Mayor Scott Conger.)
