HORN LAKE, Miss. (AP) - A retail consultant hired by Horn Lake to help recruit businesses says initial research has identified trade areas that could be developed or redeveloped for potential investors.
Chuck Branch of Birmingham, Ala.-based Retail Strategies told The Commercial Appeal (https://bit.ly/1nC5Jql ) the research shows areas available for multiple types of development, from smaller businesses to possibly “big box” retailers along the Interstate 55 corridor.
Branch said the size of the market also suggests that a number of restaurants and retailers with locations east of Interstate 55, or in Southaven, should have second locations on the west side of the interstate in Horn Lake.
Branch said the area studied shows a market size of about 190,000 people.
“We’ve talked to regional retailers who we believe should be in this market,” he said.
Walmart announced in December that it would build a supercenter on a 24-acre site in western Horn Lake. Walmart already operates supercenters in Southaven and Hernando. The Walmart development is expected to add 300 to 500 jobs and spur surrounding development.
“It certainly doesn’t hurt (recruitment efforts) that you have a new Walmart going in,” Branch said.
Horn Lake signed Retail Strategies to a three-year $80,000 contract last year to help lure business to a city that is competing for economic dollars with other areas of DeSoto County.
Branch said there are some opportunities for quick return by filling in existing locations, but he said any new major development would require 6-to-9 months before visible evidence was seen.
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Information from: The Commercial Appeal, https://www.commercialappeal.com
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