Olive Branch leaders outline 2026 growth strategy at Industrial Council meeting

OLIVE BRANCH, Miss. — Local officials and regional planners gathered Wednesday at the Northcentral Electric Cooperative for the City’s Industrial Council quarterly meeting, signaling a unified front on infrastructure expansion and economic resilience heading into 2026.

Mayor Ken Adams opened the session by highlighting Olive Branch’s recent designation as a “boomtown.” Adams credited the city’s rapid economic and housing trajectory to a sustained focus on livability, citing high-performing schools and robust park systems as the primary engines for growth.

“Our progress toward our 2026 goals is a testament to the community’s foundation,” Adams said, noting that the city’s appeal continues to attract both residential and commercial investment.

Infrastructure and Safety Upgrades

A significant portion of the meeting addressed the logistical challenges of a growing population. Officials provided updates on several high-priority projects aimed at easing congestion and improving safety:

• Highway 305 Expansion: Work continues to widen the corridor to accommodate increased traffic volume.
• Craft Road Bridge: Updates were provided on the timeline for this critical structural project.
• Utility Infrastructure: More than $75 million has been earmarked for utility upgrades to ensure the city’s grid can support upcoming developments.

Pragati Srivastava of the Memphis Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) presented data on regional transportation planning, with a specific focus on safety initiatives designed to reduce traffic-related crashes across the tri-state area.

Regional Collaboration and Economic Resilience

The theme of the afternoon shifted toward the importance of looking beyond city limits. Anna McQuiston, executive director of the MidSouth Development District, emphasized that workforce development is a regional challenge requiring a regional solution.

McQuiston discussed strategies intended to build long-term economic resilience, ensuring that growth remains equitable across the Mid-South. This sentiment was echoed by Dr. Venard Asongayi, the city’s director of planning and development. Asongayi reviewed a pipeline of new residential and commercial projects, particularly to the east and south, stressing that expansion must be managed sustainably to preserve the city’s character.

Looking Toward the Future

The meeting concluded with a call to action from Jim Flanagan, president of the DeSoto County Economic Development Council. Flanagan urged business and community leaders to remain engaged as the city navigates the complexities of rapid urbanization.