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“Oasis: 1. A fertile or green area in an arid region (such as a desert) 2. Something that provides refuge, relief, or pleasant contrast.” Merriam Webster

As the second in a series of articles on the economic progress of Natchez, I am excited to discuss an enfolding new story for our historic city: “Natchez – The Retail Oasis.”

Drive 50 miles in any direction and one will find around us a desert of retail opportunity. Drive a little further and one will find destinations encircling us that are a source of major retail leakage from our city: Jackson, Baton Rouge, Alexandria, Brookhaven, McComb, Vicksburg… the list goes on and on.

It is time for Natchez to seize the opportunity to become a shimmering oasis in the middle of this retail desert. It is time to stop the leakage of jobs and opportunities to other cities. And this is exactly what we are doing.

Taking advantage of a reality now enfolding for smart cities across America, we are positioning Natchez to be a retail hub, what I prefer to call a “retail oasis,” a beautiful and safe alternative to larger, challenged cities within our geographic region. Current research shows tremendous potential for this to happen and for Natchez to be a safe haven for shoppers wishing to avoid the traffic and challenges of larger cities.

Current events are proving this to be true. In record time, a large number of retail clients have become interested in Natchez, and the coming months are going to bring many historic announcements.

In March of this year, Retail Strategies of Birmingham, Alabama, a nationally-respected expert in the retail development industry, provided the following data for Natchez:

Natchez’ Trade Area: 59,000+ from a 50-mile radius
Natchez’ Retail Leakage: $213 million
Some Key Leakage Breakdowns: $66 million in groceries; $58 million in restaurants; $23 million in hardware; $18 million in health/beauty/personal care.
This is an opportunity for Natchez. And the good news is we have already started. In April, we broke ground on a $40 million dollar redevelopment of Trace Town Shopping Center, an old retail center that has been dilapidated for decades. Soon to be the home of a Hobby Lobby and other great stores, Trace Town is coming back! I will forever be thankful to our own Jimmy Smith who embarked on this project with the city’s support several years ago.

Working with a national firm, Noon Development of Chattanooga, Mr. Smith now reports that the 17-acre development is full – all store sites spoken for. The list of retailers is impressive – we can’t wait for the announcements that are soon to come!

With Trace Town now full, major retailers wanting space there have turned their attention to the city’s other retail project, one we have been working on since February of 2024. One key client slated for this new development will offer more jobs and sales numbers than Hobby Lobby and prove to be an incredible draw.

This 30 acre tract, just north of Walmart, will be developed by Doug Horne, a Mississippi native who for over 40 years has completed over 140 commercial projects in 21 states. With a closing date to occur before February of 2026, this new development is expected to total another $40 million – and the job count for both Trace Town and this new development approaches 600 new jobs!

The site for this new development is located on a tract that the Mississippi Legislature mandated the city to sell in 2015. Originally owned by the state as a potential route of completion for the Natchez Trace, it was given to the city after the trace ended up taking another route in 2005. House Bill 787, passed by the legislature and signed by the governor in 2015, required the city to sell the property and split the proceeds with the National Park Service and Mississippi Department of Archives and History.

Now 10 years later, the city is finally complying with the state’s mandate and making a great thing happen for Natchez and for our region. And the city will soon be able to make $1.2 million available for projects at the Natchez Grand Village and Natchez National Historical Park, a true win-win!

It is hard to believe that a city once said to be in decline would now be on the verge of developing two historic retail projects, Southwest Mississippi’s largest investment in decades. But it’s happening – and it’s been happening for the past several years. The Natchez Renewal is real. The Retail Oasis is budding and will soon be blooming. Because Natchez Deserves More.

Dan M. Gibson is mayor of Natchez.