Asphalt Plant Proposal in Lafayette County Moves to Industrial Park After Resident Opposition
The developer proposing a new asphalt plant in Lafayette County, Mississippi, announced yesterday he will relocate the project from a site near the community of Taylor to the Lafayette County Industrial Park following significant opposition from residents and local agricultural leaders.
J.W. McCurdy, of JWM Development LLC, stated the decision was made “for the sake of peace” after weeks of public meetings and protests regarding a rezoning application. Locals voiced concerns about potential runoff into the Yocona River, air and noise pollution, and increased traffic. “Our site on (Mississippi) 328 is an outstanding industrial node, and that’s not changing, but I’m also happy to change for the sake of peace,” McCurdy said in a press release. The original rezoning request will be withdrawn, and a scheduled vote by the Lafayette County Board of Supervisors has been canceled.
The shift comes after Mississippi Agriculture Commissioner Andy Gipson visited Falkner Farms, a property near the originally proposed site, and publicly expressed concerns about the potential agricultural impact of the zoning change. The availability of utilities at the industrial park has been cited as a challenge, and McCurdy acknowledged increased costs and risks with the new location. This decision highlights the growing tension between rural preservation and economic development in rapidly expanding areas like Lafayette County, which is near the University of Mississippi in Oxford.
District 5 Supervisor Greg Bynum praised McCurdy’s decision, stating he had been “patient and professional” and was “sacrificing all his work for the betterment of the county.” McCurdy indicated he remains committed to bringing new commercial and industrial tenants to the county, even at the original highway location, and plans to move forward with other development projects there.
Officials say McCurdy will now work to address utility capacity issues at the industrial park before proceeding with the asphalt plant project.
