DESOTO COUNTY, MS (abc24.com) - If you build it they will come. The International Trade Corridor is under construction, running right through DeSoto County.
For two years planners have been questioning residents about what they want to see built along Interstates 69 and 269. A plan is slowly taking shape.
Right now the corridor is a blank slate, and the county's focusing on building over the next 20 years and beyond.
"To go out in the breadth of county and drive those roads, you can see evidence of what a large area that affects," says planning director Ted Garrod.
Construction may be years away, but the county's spent the last two years prepping for what will be built.
"Questioning what is it that's most appropriate in that corridor. Obviously it will affect land uses. It will affect intersections," says Garrod. "We're looking at a more well-planned community, balancing economic growth to residential growth."
Garrod wants to see the right number of homes being built alongside whatever business and industry develops.
"You need a supporting balance between that. You don't want to exceed one at the cost of another or people won't have jobs. You have to have the employment base to support residential growth."
While the vision is 20 years or more, homes are already under construction along the planned route.
"That those housing sights are along this corridor, I think, is a pretty good indicator of what the area is going to witness as a result of the development," Garrod tells abc24.com.
The county has held a series of public meetings on this project over the last two years. There is another one mid-July.
