It wasn’t too long ago that what is now the city of Gluckstadt was a few scattered neighborhoods, a couple of churches, and mostly hunting land. But now, Mississippi’s newest city is nearly five years old and “absolutely booming,” according to its mayor.
Mayor Walter “Bubba” Morrison, who was appointed mayor after a lengthy incorporation process was finalized in June 2021, provided an update on the city he leads during the annual Madison County Business League and Foundation League & Legislature Luncheon on Wednesday at the Westin hotel in downtown Jackson.
“We’re getting ready to be five years old, and it’s amazing the growth that has happened in those five years,” Morrison said. “Not too long before that we were shooting doves where they have the bank buildings now. So, a lot has changed.”
Experiencing an annual population growth, Gluckstadt now has a population of approximately 3,600. While new neighborhoods like Mission Park, Glenwild, and Glendale have popped up in recent years, what catches the eye of most who drive through is the sheer number of businesses located in the city.
From restaurants and retail to the city’s first grocery store and more, Gluckstadt’s business directory currently boasts 370 businesses with that number seemingly growing by the day, Morrison joked.
“Private investment in our community is amazing. People are knocking down our door to build in our community. Something I never thought I’d se to the level that I’ve seen it,” he said, adding that four or five economic development projects are currently in the works.
With growth comes growing pains, too, and Morrison said the biggest problem the city currently faces is an influx in traffic.
With an annual budget of $10 million – $5 million of which is reserved for “rainy-day” use and matching grant opportunities – any major traffic calming projects would need assistance from the state.
“Traffic is a disaster. It is a major, major hurdle that we have. You know, hopefully, the legislature will help us,” Morrison said. “The county has done a good job of helping us. So, I think that we have some answers to the problems, but they just don’t happen overnight, and they also cost an enormous amount of money to get accomplished.”
Either way, Morrison said the core of Gluckstadt – safe neighborhoods, good schools, quality health care, and productive citizens – is what has brought Mississippi’s newest city this far, and that same core is going to be what continues its success for generations to come.
“I get too much credit for how good the city is doing, and the truth of the matter is that it is our department heads, rank-and-file employees, and [citizens] who deserve all the credit,” Morrison concluded. “We have just wonderful people. The city could do just fine without me, but it couldn’t survive without those people.”