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Bay Springs Lake could be
turned into resort
Published Wednesday, August 20
By Kenny Goode
The Banner-Independent

BOONEVLLE -- If all goes according to plan, the eastern shore of Bay Springs Lake will soon be home to a world class resort and create a minimum of 400 new permanent jobs in the area to boot.

Richard Bowen, attorney for the Tishomingo County Board of Supervisors, said those officials passed a resolution on Monday to approve the proposed project and grant of lease.

Bowen said the project represents an approximately $300 million investment into this area and will promote the creation of jobs and other economic opportunities for the citizens of Tishomingo County and the surrounding area.

He emphasized the project's development and construction phases alone could generate as many as 1,200 non-permanent jobs.

The proposed location of the resort would be in the "Five Fingers" area of Bay Springs Lake. The Army Corp of Engineers has offered to lease approximately 1,000 acres of land along the east shoreline of Bay Springs Reservoir, just inside Tishomingo County, to Martel Resorts, LLC, for development of the resort area.

Martel Resorts, LLC, has proposed the development of Bay Springs Lake Sanctuary, a world class resort which will encompass the following:

- Hotels and a conference center, including a spa and culinary school;

- A chapel, restaurants, club memberships that include amenities and cabins;

- A marina with wetslips and dry storage, along with a marina village;

- A Tony Jacklin Signature Golf Course (45 holes) and a golf academy as well as golf course club houses. Leisure activities for families are planned for the site, including:

- Water sports which will encompass boating, sailing, water skiing, canoeing and kayaking;

- Hiking and biking trails;

- Equestrian activities, swimming pools, tennis courts, soccer and baseball fields.

The cost of the project will be paid entirely by the developer, according to the supervisor's resolution.

While the county would not invest any money into the project, 75 percent of the lease payments made to the Corps of Engineers by Martel Resorts, LLC, calculated at the rate of 2 percent of the gross sales revenues up to $5 million, and 4.6 percent of all revenues over $5 million, would in turn be paid by the Army Corps of Engineers to Tishomingo County. This will result in a significant increase in available funds for services and other development, thus lessening the burden on Tishomingo County taxpayers. Rhonda Greening, executive director of the Booneville Area Chamber of Commerce, said she is very excited about this turn of events.

"Even though the resort will be just over the county border in Tishomingo County, it will have a very important impact on our area as well. Not only is it likely to provide jobs for our local citizens, but with the completion of the Highway 30 bypass, it will also give potential visitors from south of the resort area quick and easy access to this wonderful new resort -- which is sure to be a favored destination for all of northeast Mississippi and beyond, both for tourism and conventions alike."

She added, "This development will go hand-in-hand with other tourist attractions in both counties such as Piney Grove and Old Bridge beaches and campgrounds and the Crows Neck Environmental Center. It is already a beautiful place and the announcement of this resort is just the icing on the cake."

In their resolution, Tishomingo officials remarked the development would preserve the natural beauty and aesthetic qualities of the Bay Springs area and would enhance its natural and cultural benefits while promoting tourism.

No dates for construction's beginning or finish has been given. More details are expected to be released about the Bay Springs Lake Sanctuary project within the next few days.

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