Jackson approves $50,000 contract with Accelerate Jackson County; council also OKs engineering, demolition and funding measures and accepts LOCC pay increase

The Jackson City Council on Aug. 19 approved a $50,000 annual fee‑for‑service agreement with Accelerate Jackson County to provide economic development services including business retention, property marketing, redevelopment facilitation and strategic planning. The contract passed after council discussion and passed the vote; a council member later stated they were abstaining from the record because of a campaign donation.

The approval drew public comment critical of Accelerate Jackson and its predecessor, Enterprise Group. Public speakers said the organization does not include people of color on its board or staff and described the nonprofit as insufficiently transparent about how public dollars are spent. William Hastings said the professional services contract was “not in the best interest of the city” and highlighted that senior staff are not local. Another speaker who identified with Enterprise Group and Accelerate Jackson said the nonprofit does not open its meetings and asked how public dollars are spent.

Council member…