By By Ben Alexander/The Meridian Star
Dec. 9, 2000
A dispute over the price of timber on the final piece of land needed for a new industrial park is causing the Lauderdale County Board of Supervisors to explore the possibility of eminent domain proceedings.
Lauderdale County Administrator Rex Hiatt said the property in question is a 105-acre tract that belongs to Dr. Phillip McDonald and Dr. Thomas Crowson.
The supervisors met in special session Friday to approve an application to the Mississippi Development Authority for a "Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity, Establishing Standard Industrial Park or District."
In short, Barry said an approved application would empower the supervisors to enter into eminent domain proceedings for outstanding parcels once they have acquired 75 percent of the land needed.
The supervisors already have more than 75 percent. If the application is granted, they could proceed with an eminent domain request.
However, Hiatt said he is optimistic that negotiations for the land can be concluded successfully.
Ben Alexander is a staff writer for The Meridian Star. E-mail him at balexander@themeridianstar.com.