Franklin Advocate
Okhissa Lake Lodge project takes major step forward with groundbreaking
By Paul Keane, Franklin Advocate
Steady steps toward an end goal brought local, state and federal leaders together Friday to break ground on the entrance road to the Okhissa Lake Lodge project.
Officials and community members all came together at the site for the lodge and convention center on Okhissa Lake to formally break ground on the roadway that will lead visitors to the facility which will also feature a Robert Trent Jones golf course. The facility will be in Franklin County and located within the town limits of Meadville.
"One of the things I've heard this morning is step by step," said Meadville Mayor Lane Reed. "We had to build a lake first, then build a dam, then stop up the dam so the water would get there.
"Many of you have been here 20-25 years or even 35 years and have seen this project move forward. I've often heard that incremental steps result in exponential results. Today is a testament to that."
Rev. Rickey O'Quinn offered prayer to start the event, pointing out that he also conducted the opening prayer for the groundbreaking of Okhissa Lake. "I had a lot of hair back then, and they were black," he said with a chuckle.
Former Congressman Chip Pickering — who has been a part of the development team for the facility — said Friday's groundbreaking was a major step toward the fruition of the project.
"It's been a long road but we are the destination and I couldn't be happier, more proud or more joyful as we celebrate that work that's been done," he said. "This is the groundbreaking for the road where we will have a world class resort, conference center and place that all of Mississippi can be proud.
"The process started a long time ago. Senator Thad Cochran, The Franklin Advocate and (newspaper owners at the time) the Webbs felt that we could have a gateway to the Southwest Mississippi area. Bill Dance designed the lake that is spring fed with clear water and is the deepest lake with the highest dam in Mississippi."
After the recession of 2008 hampered the project, Pickering said things picked back in roughly a decade ago.
"In 2017, Wade Creekmore wanted to have a place for the Franklin Chess Center to have a place to host tournaments where people from around the country could come and stay, see a beautiful place and see the great people of the community he loved," he said. "He wanted to build something to host those things. From that conversation with Wade Creekmore came the Scenic River Development alliance.
"(Senator) Cindy (Hyde-Smith) has been a tireless champion of this project. We wouldn't be here today without her assistance. This vision is better than the first vision. This vision is more than we ever imagined in the beginning.
"It is the local community, the Southwest Mississippi region, state officials, federal officials and a private partnership in Hyatt that makes this vision better than we ever hoped for."
Scenic Rivers Development Alliance Director Joseph Parker pointed out that this project is only the start of potential growth for the region that includes Franklin, Pike, Amite, Wilkinson and Walthall Counties.
"When Scenic River was formed, it was just one of those good ideas on how we could help Southwest Mississippi become more relevant," he said. "We needed to do things together. You've heard of the Golden Triangle and other alliances around the state, but Southwest Mississippi never had a group truly working together. You all here today are part of the Scenic Rivers Alliance and you are working together."
Parker said he envisions the facility being something not seen before in the state and especially in the region.
"We're going to build a magnificent, a beautiful facility that will attract people from all around the world," he said. "We've assembled a fantastic professional team to move this forward.
"The real thrill of this is you all working together. When this first started, we were told it wouldn't happen. Time and time again we've heard that now here we are."
The Alliance was formed in 2018 by legislative measure, and Parker said the group is now poised to accomplish some very positive things for the area.
"This is going to be a magnificent place," he said. "This was started so many years ago and we have just been moving forward step by step, passing the torch.
"This is not just a good idea any more — it's reality. It's going to be a beautiful facility, but this is just one project. You all are coming together so that we can do the next thing and the next thing for Southwest Mississippi. Saying that site development would begin soon after the road is completed, Parker again praised the efforts of Wade Creekmore.
"There is something special about him for me," he said. "When we would talk about the project, we did it in a group setting. Every time, without fail, he would always pull me off to the side.
"He didn't want to talk about the project. He would ask about my family, my health and things about my life. He was a special man."
Franklin County Board of Supervisors President Dr. Pat Larkin also praised the efforts of Hyde-Smith while saying it takes a partnership of many groups in order to make a project of this magnitude come about.
"I appreciate the attitude and compassion that you have for Southwest Mississippi," Larkin said of Hyde-Smith. "This is a partnership. We as a board — all five us us — are 100 percent committed to what you see going on here.
"This is bigger than Franklin County. There is something being built here that nowhere else in the nation — I said nation — will have. We are going to have it sitting right here."
Larkin also referenced the Robert Trent Jones golf course that is going to be part of the resort.
"I am not a golfer, but apparently golfing is real important to a lot of people," he said. "We're going to have a Robert Trent Jones golf course and a Bill Dance lake. If that doesn't get your fire lit, then your wood is wet.
"It's bigger than Franklin County, and we ecstatic to have this."
Mississippi USDA Rural Development Director Dane Maxwell said he received a call from Hyde-Smith shortly after he was appointed to the position by President Donald J. Trump.
"We are proud to be a partner in this," he said. "Thank you allowing me to give you money, which is what I do."
Rochelle Hicks with the Mississippi Development Authority said the facility will be a huge boost for tourism to the area and the state.
"I can't imagine what an amazing place this will be to invite our tourist to visit," she said. "Outdoor tourism is one of the top things visitors come to Mississippi to do, and this will compliment that nicely.
"This destination will offer visitors an opportunity to immerse themselves into this area with boating, fishing, hiking and the simple joy of being outdoors. I have no doubt this is the only project of its type in the state."
Representing Hyatt Resorts, Rica Lisslo said she and her company were proud to be a part of the partnership and were looking forward to developing this project.
Hyde-Smith said she can't wait to enjoy the amenities of the resort.
"I can just envision sitting on the porch in a swing reading a book titled 'Moments,'" she said. "There have been so many moments that have happened during this process.
"This happened by the praying people of Franklin County. Even from the beginning of it, to think that Franklin County is getting a Hyatt? I would just tell people to hang on and wait."
She added that the addition of the Robert Trent Jones golf course came about because another location in the state fell through.
"I got to meet Robert Trent Jones, Jr., at the announcement of a golf course in Jackson," she said. "The funding for that project was taken out of the bond bill that year.
"I called Robert Trent Jones soon after that and told him there was another place in Mississippi where a Robert Trent Jones golf course would be perfect for. I told him about this project.
"He said that there were two states — Mississippi and South Dakota — where he doesn't have a golf course and that he wanted one of his courses in each state. I told him that Southwest Mississippi wants one."
While saying she appreciated the gratitude and praise, Hyde-Smith said it wasn't only her that brought the resort this far along.
"I have touted this all over the state and all over the country," she said. "Miracles happen for praying people. Wade Creekmore was an angel sent from heaven who was determined this project was going to work.
"We told (Lieutenant Governor) Delbert Hosemann that we needed $10 million for this project, and he came through. There have been many people working on this project, and I get such a big smile when I talk about this project."
In a prepared statement, Governor Tate Reeves said the project is a big victory for both Meadville and the area.
"The Lake Okhissa Lodge project is a tremendous win for Meadville and all of Southwest Mississippi," he said. "This investment highlights the incredible outdoor resources in this part of our state and will help bring more visitors, more jobs and more economic opportunity to the
local community.
"Projects like this ensure that rural areas such as Meadville continue to grow while preserving the natural beauty that makes this region so special."
Franklin County Chamber of Commerce President Brad Jones said the project shows what teamwork can produce.
"Starting construction of the entrance road illustrates how private business, government, foundations, non-profits and chambers can work together to develop rural areas," he said. "With rural travel increasing post-COVID, business opportunities throughout Southwest Mississippi will grow with this project."
Franklin County Economic Development District Executive Director Catherine Sanders echoed similar sentiments.
"Incremental progress — starting with land acquisition and now construction — will soon lead to a lodge and conference center that brings 165 full-time jobs, construction jobs, spin-off industries and housing starts," she said. "With work beginning today, real dollars will flow into the Scenic Rivers Region."
During the ceremony, it was also announced that 10 rooms at the resort will be reserved for family members who have a loved one going through the chronic ventilator program at Franklin County Memorial Hospital.
It was also announced the culinary arts and hospitality students at both Co-Lin Community College and Southwest Mississippi Community College will be able to utilize the facility for teaching and training. In addition, Hyatt is expected to utilize the facility as a corporate training site for its employees.