Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba said state government kept his administration from recruiting a "top five company" to Jackson. The mayor made the remarks at a September 27 community forum at New Jerusalem Church in south Jackson.
The Mayor said 'the notion that companies don't want to come to Jackson is a lie." He said "there was a top five national company that was prepared to come to Jackson, right." The Mayor said the company picked a site where the average daily traffic was "more than 55,000" cars per day. However, the state allegedly owned the property. Mayor Lumumba said "it was the state that had a different vision for what Jackson needed" as he blamed state government for blocking Jackson's economic development.
Mayor Lumumba did not name the company.
Kingfish note: Several realtors said the only street in Jackson the Mayor could be describing is Lakeland Drive.
85 comments:
Liar, liar, pants on fire, but the sheeple in his base demographic believe every lie he tells them, because he wouldn't lie in church, would he?
It will be interesting to see where that business does locate.
His daily deflection to hide his 100s of failures.
Chowke's weekly gaslighting comments to his ignorant base. Is it a mortal sin to lie in church?
Wasn’t Costco originally looking at a site on Lakeland ?
it is ALWAYS someone else fault....right?
Jokeway loves to blame everyone for his lack of leadership. He needs a mirror. And a new barber
Anyone know the five largest companies in the US? This suspicious-sounding claim, coming from a known liar, should be fairly easy to disprove.........
Y’all were warned and didn’t listen so this is exactly what y’all wanted.
People floated that they were trying to get the Top Golf at Lefluer's where the old golf course was.
It was Costco, who apparently considered Lakeland Drive.
The State should be taking directives from the little man-
Walmart, Amazon, Apple, CVS, and UnitedHealth Group. So basically, he's saying he wanted another Walmart on Lakeland Drive?
I can’t help but LMAO at how easily Mayor Lumumba has defeated you right-wingers! All you have left are silly school yard names! Can you get more impotent and pathetic?
It's easy to make claims when you don't have to support them with facts. And why didn't raise the issue whenever he alleged it was happening?
Politics would be a lot more fun if when someone was lying their pants actually did catch on fire. As in “liar, liar, pants on fire”.
Rumor has it Apple was planning to move it's headquarters to the Landmark Center but Tate blocked it. Typical.
@10:52 AM - Rukia, thanks for checking in, or is this DOCTOR Safiya?
@10:52
How exactly has this guy defeated anyone? As little as 5 years ago, Jackson wasn't great but it wasn't THAT bad. At this current time, this city is arguably one of the most dangerous places in the nation. If you live in Jackson, this directly affects YOU. You can say it's laughable all you want, but when you wake up with an AR-15 in your face being held captive by a bunch of gang bangers while they pilfer your belongings........ Are you really going to have Mr. Lumumba's back? This guy doesn't care about you, me, or anyone else, this is all smoke in mirrors and politics and it is directly correlated to your family's safety and quality of life.
Pandering to the low information crowd in south Jackson and west Jackson is all he does
Notice he didn’t show up for the original meeting with Jackson restaurant owners and he doesn’t do community events and speak to a NE Jackson crowd. He knows they read and are more informed. He’s a liar
Actually the intersection at UMC Woodrow Wilson and State st is the most trafficked cars per day in metro area if I’m not mistaken
@11:05 AM
Crime is on the rise in every corner of the world. You can’t blame that on Mayor Lumumba. What he has won is the fact that he successfully brought attention to the way Jackson has been treated by the MSGOP. And he is successfully battling, and will ultimately defeat, the old institutions of Jim Crow that currently strangle the City of Jackson. Mayor Lumumba is a revolutionary leader for the people!
The state owns a practically all of the undeveloped land on Lakeland Drive. That's why it's undeveloped.
There is no available/suitable land on Lakeland Drive within the city limits of Jackson that would have been large enough for Costco or any other major business.
@10:52 Who has he defeated? Jackson tax payers? Whatever “Top 5” company it was, it wouldn’t have lasted long anyways, If Jacksonians can’t “F-it” or steal it, they’ll destroy it. Tater Tot probably told them moving to Jackson would require them to bolt down or weld anything movable.
Seems like only yesterday when Mayor Whopper shared that a number of the top zoo management companies in the country (who he couldn't name for confidentiality reasons) had contacted him to express an interest in managing the world class Jackson Zoo.
That company required low volumes of crime, potable water and reliable garbage service so they located elsewhere.
In other news, Richards is picking up my trash right on schedule. Monday morning, 10/10/22
10:24 No one, not his "demographic base" believes every lie he tells. People are voting for characters like him as the lesser of evils. That's all. Joe Biden is no different. Donald Trump was no different. Politics today is a cesspool of opportunists and wackos. No one of real character and a history of positive accomplishment will run for mayor of Jackson, That's sad but it's fact. So you get the unrealistic radical son of a semi-respected lawyer who appears more intelligent than the other clowns who want to rob the city. It's ALMOST hopeless, but not quite...
Well, it's not exactly undeveloped. Golf course, four museums, baseball stadium, ball fields, campground. Several state agencies hidden in the woods. Apparently Chokwe doesn't feel those places add any value to the city, which they do. There's plenty of vacant land in the City, it's just that no one with any sense would drop a dime developing.
@ 11:16,
11:05 here
Touché
You are correct about crime being on the rise in every corner of the world. I will concede that is not Mayor Lumumba's fault. While this is the case, the rhetoric and views that he espouses on issues such as police operations adversely affect the majority of the people. I would be the first to say good job if this guy were indeed doing a good job, but I just can't see it. I want Jackson to thrive and be a wonderful place for residents and visitors. You are right that a lot of it is society and not one man, but that one man has a powerful voice.....
@11:16 keep drinking the kool-aid
"The Jackson Planning Board agreed with the opponents last week, voting 6-3 on Aug. 27, with five members absent, against rezoning the area to allow for development there. The board refused to change the designation from special-use zoning to either community mixed use or C-3 commercial-use zoning.
A major topic of discussion at the meeting was a letter from Mississippi Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann, stating that a change in use of the land, which was deeded to the city specifically for parks more than 50 years ago, would trigger a reversion provision, allowing the state to take back control of the land. The reversion would be triggered, according to the letter, by the land being used for anything other than parks—not just by rezoning the land." - Jackson Free Press
I guess this national company will instead move to Detroit.
@ 11:36
Truer words were never spoken than those right there
In other news. Jackson, MS ran off a top 1 company from the city of Jackson who relocated from Jackson to Madison and Pearl.
I am pleased to realize that my blood pressure no longer rises over this clown show.
You cannot stop him and nobody cares about facts.
In the name of wokedom, the Jackson voters are going to suffer and it is going to be the white mans fault no matter what the truth is. They are too dumb to handle reality.
Just laugh and try to keep your 401k from bottoming out while they run the last of us productive Mississippians into the poor house. It cannot be helped when nobody is brave enough to say a person of color is an outright moron. Even when the facts blatantly show he is.
C'est La vie.
When you’re lack of any economic development in your city entirely hinges on one Costco choosing elsewhere… you’ve made the point crystal clear why that is.
Microsoft Corporation. 2,268 Billion US $
ALPHABET. 1,933 Billion US $
Amazon.com. 1,757 Billion US $
Facebook. 1,069 Billion US $
Tesla Inc. 736 Billion US $
So, you're telling me that one of these 5 companies planned to open shop in Jackson, MS? Which one was it Mr. Mayor, are we expecting a statement from Mr. Elon bemusing the lost opportunity a tesla plant could have brought the people of Jackson?
https://i.imgflip.com/6wel8p.jpg
It was Costco, under Yarber, and if you remember anything, it was decided there were 2 problems with it being located by smith wills stadium. THe ground was old landfill and unsuitable to bear the weight of Costco, and the land was donated to the state, and in the donation contract, the land could not be used by private businesses, it had to remain a state owned park.
https://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2015/06/02/costco-jackson-lakeland-drive/28375549/
State Legislators,
Take over the water system now! As in a brief special session now. It's obvious the Mayor has zero desire to attempt to work with the State.
Thanks,
Jackson resident
When the city's planning board votes against a rezoning petition, this Mayor can claim that the 'state blocked it'. Yes, the Secretary of State, who is designated by statute to be the individual responsible for overseeing state-owned land did inform the city of the covenants that go with the land where Smith Wills stadium is located.
Damn those covenants - says Hizzoner who thinks his decisions override any law or pesky covenant. Why didn't he veto the planning board's action? Or hell, why didn't he veto the Secretary of State.
Or maybe its damn anyone that would try to follow the law?
Either way, this fool of a Mayor will make these statements - just as he did when he claimed the state didn't pay for the water used throughout the city - without shame while he lies.
Anyone who takes this man at word at this point is willfully blind, and beyond reach.
Why wouldn’t these 5 companies want to move here, except
1. One of the highest crime (murder rate in particular) rates in the country.
2. No potable water.
3. Streets which are in such bad shape that several years ago killed a high schooler.
4. Sewers that don’t function properly.
5. Drag races on the interstates, particularly at night.
6. A city council and mayor reminiscent of @ “Saturday night live” skit.
7. An at best a minimally functioning police department.
8. Etc.
Y’all keep it up with the insults. Mayor Lumumba may forgive, but he will not forget!
Don't think this has anything to do with Costco. The Mayor wasn't involved in that project and he was very specific about his own efforts, not someone else's.
@12:49
This is a public forum and for that matter, this is a free country. Freedoms that include freedom of speech.....None of the views expressed here have been hate-filled or otherwise demoralizing, just opinions on this man's job performance and overall goals. It is critical that YOU remember that WE (both white and black folks) don't give two shits what YOU whomever you may be.......think.
This is a free country, for now, don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out.
Chokwagon Sounds like trump more and more
Makes shit up out of whole cloth
Chokwagon been talking to the big liar? 🤔
No, Kingfish, it was indeed Costco. Lumumba 1 started it and handed it off to Yarber. Lumumba 2 is quoted several times about the deal his dad "started". There was a supposed meeting scheduled for the day Lumumba 1 died
"While in the hospital, Lumumba worried about missing the meeting because he knew how important it would be to bring the top retailer to his city, his son told the Jackson Free Press last week.
"If they're going to be in Jackson, that's where they demand to be," said Antar Lumumba, a local lawyer who unsuccessfully ran against Yarber to replace his father earlier this year.
Costco chose the site after researching the traffic of the area and calculating the profits it would bring. The big-box store had shown interest in two other Flowood locations on Lakeland Drive—both in Rankin County, which is largely dry. Costco is reserved about the Flowood locations for that reason, but Jackson leaders worry that if Flowood can accommodate Costco's requirements while Jackson refuses, it could be an economic blow to the city.
"If we find that Rankin County is willing to make concessions in its laws for Costco to come, then I think we've made an egregious error if we're not willing to do much less in order to get Costco here," Antar Lumumba said."
and remember, it's a mayor with a propensity to lie, much less obfuscate the facts.
Well, it wasn’t Tesla. The lady that landed that showroom in Brandon knew all she needed to know about Jackson. Not like we can’t see it for ourselves from across the Pearl. And again, a Tesla showroom is not going to affect the economic “equity” of Jackson.
Y’all keep it up with the insults. Mayor Lumumba may forgive, but he will not forget!
Be afraid....be very afraid. Wooooo....eep!
I could have made $3 million dollars selling my home, there was just one problem, I didn’t own it.
See how dumb that sounds Mr. Mayor?
Costco was shut down by the NE Jackson Eastover area…
So wht is the daily visitor count at the zoo?
Hwy 18 is possible for those who don't go south of High Street. As are a few other streets for the person with contacts at MDOT.
Lumumba is exactly where he needs to be. Do you believe Pimping Pickett doesn’t know which way the wind blows? The fact that Chokwe is delivering his message at New Jerusalem means that he is untouchable. Untouchable. Lumumba is your mayor until he crosses Pickett or the feds convict him. #facts
@11:41
You must not have been to Detroit lately huh. The place is doing well. Of course you can’t say that bc people will claim it’s racist bc they have a white mayor. Plenty of high end new houses and developments in the city of Detroit. Cass park is one others around Greektown and people here are dumb to compare Jackson to Detroit. Detroit is home
To plenty top 100 companies… little ceasers dominos comerica bank ford GM etc… many many more
Watch the clip. All of it. He speaks in future tense. It's not Costco.
Was Amazon looking at a Jackson site before choosing Madison County? That could be wishful thinking on Lumumba's part, though.
There’s a liquor store that’s top 5 in the country?
That State property, NorthWest corner Lakeland and Ridgewood, is being reserved for a purpose to benefit the State.
Got to be Lakeland at Smith Wills stadium, where Costco was gonna go back during the Yarber administration, before he fumbled that ball.
Actually, Pitt, the real deal is Costco and crew played Jackson.
The whole time they were talking to Jackson, they were pushing Ridgeland. Got nice sweet deal. 30% sales tax rebates, TIF's etc.
A shame the County Line Road project was not underway. That site where the auction place used to be would be great for Costco.... or a new zoo.
This is too funny to be for real, Right? Back in 90’s and early 2000 the City tried to get Farish Street moving but financing was an issue and confidence in investors returns more than likely as I worked ONE block from there. I believe there was only One restaurant & Obama ate there but nothing developed. End of story. If Indeed a Business wanted to come to Jackson, Chockwe would have been on MSNBC & every channel touting it. Don’t believe false narratives!
There's only one reason why a company would want a location which sees a high volume of daily traffic. Someone wanted to locate a retail outlet, or a fast food place, or a showroom, or an entertainment venue. That sort of thing does not qualify (legitimately, at least), as 'Economic Development'.
Factories and corporate offices (which DO count as 'Economic Development', when they move to a town) do not need lots of cars driving past them. They need sites near transportation infrastructure capable of handling the volume of traffic which their presence will generate. They need well-developed transportation infrastructure (hence the location of Nissan, to a spot with two highways and a railroad).
I know the area very well and it could not be used for that type of use.
Wonder if Bumble’s vision for Jacktown includes getting them off the most violent crime ridden city in the US per population? That would be a great start to recruiting top companies to the bold new city.
Maybe he meant Top 5 by market cap? Apple, Microsoft, Alphabet/Google, Amazon, and Tesla? Yeah, I doubt it.
I always thought North State at Woodrow Wilson was the busiest intersection in town as well.
Speaking of which and speaking of going to crap, what is Millsaps doing with that area that used to be a Wendy’s and Cabot Lodge?
The Mayor is a joke.
Why not take care of the existing businesses in Jackson and downtown first? The ShopKeep which was a super cute store tried to get involved and was told “you’re not a minority business,” and she responded she’s a female owned business and the response was “that’s not our kind of minority.” Maybe instead of throwing the race card and undermining humanity the mayor could start with what’s in place and work it’s way up. But then again - ShopKeep had to close because not enough traffic due to water, garbage, crime, etc. But keep it up mayor. Play the race card because it’s the biggest cop out there is.
It is not the state's responsibility to recruit and set up a business site for every town/city in the state. The city is responsible for 95% of what is needed unless it is a large employer with 100 or more employees then the state may help and get involved. Is it the state's responsibility to collect the city water bills, garbage also? Oh that's right it is now!
He is just going to shuffle the cards of blame options from now on since it worked with his utter failure on water maintenance and bill collection and mafia level garbage deals.
Race card, mean ol' city council, white flight or the State will be the fall guy(s) henceforth.
Nobody cares if its true and he knows it.
Just a deck full of aces for him with no consequences. Must be nice.
I have a serious question.
Has Paypal taken monies from Antar's accounts for all of the misinformation he puts out?
Let’s not forget Northpark mall built across County Line road 38 years ago because Ridgeland offered better tax benefits and growth opportunity and for a few decades it worked. Forget one of the top 5 companies coming to Jackson. . They weren’t actively recruiting/business friendly then and they certainly aren’t now under this caustic leadership. Only businesses surviving here are young fresh blood restaurants and entrepreneurs who have a dream and a major community following. Wish the city would get out of the way for more to do the same. Small businesses and independent contractors/self employed folks are carrying this city’s economy and the mayor just wants to blame and shame and rob the rest of us blind. . Get out of the way. Give basic services and people will (because they already do for the food scene.)
KF, I usually agree with you, but you keep assuming in your rebuttals that Lumumba is telling the truth. Why should we make that presupposition?
Hell, 5:19, don't have to go back 38 years ago
Lowes tried to deal with Jackson for similar benefits that Ridgeland was offering to go on the old K-Mart site (where Carmax and Comcast are/were) on I-55 N frontage road. Same deal. Worldcom wanted to build its corporate HQ across Amite from its then existing office and the city wouldn't approve the parking lot area for a zoning change (thanks to the objection filed by the plantiff lawyers across the street.) And just recently one of the largest taxpayers for the city (property plus sales rebates) left and built a $20M facility in Rankin because Jackson wouldn't deal with access/security - that the company was willing to pay for, but the 'leadership' wouldn't allow.
If anybody believes that the mayor had a Top5 company even talk about locating, much less had it done, let me sell you a piece of state owned land I know of -- I'm sure we could make as good a deal on that as beachfront property in Omaha.
So the state blocked Jackson from getting another gas station? That appears to be Jackson version of economic development
Ahem! What available property does the state allegedly own on Lakeland Drive?
It was Top Golf, Jamie.
So the investors of Top Golf were helpless babes in the woods, willing to ignore crime, infrastructure, sky high taxes and increasing blight to build in Jackson...until the mean ol' state blocked it?
Ok.
Dear God, how dumb can his minions be?
12:08 these Jackson bashers , some of whom probably don't even live in Mississippi, don't want the facts or truth.
Nor will they ever admit that they have been a key element of the reason few companies come here and the few who do, are given a free tax ride no other State would offer.
But,I know as a marketer, that Mississippians provide the worst publicity for the State and some of the towns. It's too bad,as you "bubbas in a bubble" don't seem to understand not everyone airs their dirty laundry or is amused by ill mannered people.
It's too bad as their are many brilliant and well educated, well mannered people here.
Tate is nationally a joke even in conservative States as was Bryant. They look and sound and dress like Cliff Finch.
The saddest of all is more than a few businesses started in Mississippi that succeed, very soon find that they can get more qualified employees and better living conditions elsewhere so do not expand their headquarters but open one or more satellites. And, Mississippians who are very successful elsewhere don't bring their business back home.
The Mannings were ( past tense) a nice exception.
Where is all this inside Jackson "land" on Lakeland?
Y'all do know that Rankin County starts at the bridge, right?
Really, sometimes it's pretty obvious some of you haven't driven in Jackson for decades if ever.
Let's see...the zoo is dead, the libraries are shuttered for mold,the streets ae a disgrace, water failure, and then we have the airport, run by the city and it sucks too, Cant eve get a beer and a burger for at least 2 1/2 years. You idiots that vote people in based solely on race, and zero chief executive experience, you reap what you sow. Jackson is gone. There is no saving it. Hey lets blame the white man shall we?
To see the picture, just look at development on Highland Colony Parkway—from I220 to the Madison County line (Jackson) versus that point north (Ridgeland, Madison the City)… been that way for years…why such a stark contrast?
Shut up Chowkie. The last big company that would’ve been a serious economic development win was Continental Tire. Instead of wooing them, you jumped in front of the news cameras and started gum flapping about minority participation demands and the need for them to have a unionized workforce. The latter must’ve been the poison pill, because right after that Continental decided to focus on Clinton instead. You’re a fool and a loser. As long as you’re mayor, Jacksonians will lose too.
We need more Kenny Stokes to calm the situation.
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