Board sets hearing on Starkville area tax‑increment plan after developer pitches hotel and road access

The Oktibbeha County Board of Supervisors voted to set a public hearing on a proposed tax increment financing (TIF) predevelopment plan for development near the Walmart corridor in Starkville. The hearing date was set for the board's next regular meeting; the board authorized publishing notice and scheduling the hearing so citizens can attend and comment.

Developer representatives, including hotel developer Sunny Desai and planner Christiana Sloog, presented the project concept and provided a fiscal snapshot. Sloog summarized anticipated local tax changes under the proposed development: the presentation showed projected incremental increases of about $239,000 for the city, $387,000 for the county and $466,000 for the school district if the full development reaches the projected build‑out. She also read current baseline tax receipts for the area shown on the plan: roughly $1,700 (city), $2,700 (county) and $3,300 (schools).

Sunny Desai said the hotel component is key to jumpstarting the larger development and that access improvements (a road connection described in the plan) are needed for the project to move forward. Desai said the hotel would be an extended‑stay brand and added that without the proposed access work the hotel would not be financially viable.

Board members asked questions about tax risk and how the TIF reimbursements would be limited to newly generated revenue. The county attorney and staff clarified the board was being asked only to set a public hearing at this meeting, not to approve TIF financing.

Ending The board set the hearing and will receive a formal resolution and public notice before the hearing. County staff will publish required notices and provide documents in advance of the hearing so the public can review the proposed plan.