Hours after Mayor John Horhn took the podium Tuesday afternoon for his first State of the City address and spoke on future economic development coming to Jackson, the city council voted in favor of a move that could result in more construction surrounding Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport (JAN).
The city council voted 5-2 in favor of an agreement between the city of Jackson and Rankin County that will make it easier for not only the city of Jackson but also suburbs like Pearl and Flowood to legally include portions of the land within their municipal boundaries for purposes of planning and taxation. Those voting in favor were Ashby Foote (Ward 1), Tina Clay (Ward 2), Vernon Hartley (Ward 5), Lashia Brown-Thomas (Ward 6), and Kevin Parkinson (Ward 7) and those opposed were Kenneth Stokes (Ward 3) and Brian Grizzle (Ward 4).
Horhn’s office reiterated after the vote that the interlocal agreement does not transfer or surrender any property owned by Jackson and simply aims for shared economic growth in the metro area.
“It is important for the public to understand that this agreement does not transfer or surrender any City of Jackson property. The City of Jackson continues to own all airport lands, including the surrounding acreage,” a statement from Horhn, in part, reads. “What has changed is simply the incorporation status of that land, allowing Jackson, Pearl, and Flowood to legally include portions of the land within their municipal boundaries for purposes of planning and taxation.”
JAN is made up of roughly 3,380 acres with much of it lying within the incorporated city limits of Jackson and owned by the city of Jackson. At least 1,000 acres are in unincorporated Rankin County but still owned by the city of Jackson.
Approximately 1,200-1,500 acres are currently unused or underutilized, per a master plan released in 2018 by the Jackson Municipal Airport Authority (JMAA). The idea of Tuesday’s vote, according to Horhn, is to make it easier for that land to be used for developments such as hotels, offices, industrial parks, and aviation-related manufacturing.
“For Jackson, this means new opportunity where there was none before. Currently, this area is not incorporated and therefore generates no sales or property tax revenue for the City,” the statement continued. “Under this agreement, the portions incorporated by Jackson will now allow our city to collect property and sales taxes from development, leasehold interests, and business active, all while maintaining full ownership of the property.”
Horhn’s office added that any land incorporated by another city will not mean an ownership change but will allow cities to extend essential services such as water and sewer. Pearl has already agreed to provide water and sewer services within the next 18 months, relieving Jackson of financial and operational responsibility.
“This deal does not give away one inch of land. The City of Jackson remains proud owner and steward of the airport and its surrounding lands, and we are committed to ensuring that this partnership strengthens, rather than diminishes, our city’s economic future,” the statement concluded. “Simply put: Jackson is not giving away land. We’re putting it to work for the people of Jackson.”
The agreement between Jackson and Rankin County comes as the state of Mississippi has actively been pursuing more control of JAN for over eight years. A trial date in the ongoing federal lawsuit is scheduled for June 2026 after lawmakers passed a bill in 2016 to dissolve JMAA and transfer control of JAN to a state-dominated regional board.