Multiple businesses expanding
Clay County and the city of West Point have taken large strides to improve economically and socially.
ARPA
Clay County and the city of West Point are both in the process of deciding how to spend federal American Rescue Plan Act dollars.
West Point received $2.5 million, and, like Columbus, is working with Waggoner Engineering to decide how to spend it. The primary focus seems to be infrastructure, especially water, sewer and stormwater needs. Public meetings are planned to allow citizens a voice in how the money will be spent.
Clay County, meanwhile, received $3.2 million, the bulk of which will be put toward roads and bridges across all five districts. The county is also considering improvements to voting precincts and volunteer fire stations.
Festivals and Christmas trees
The Prairie Arts Festival, which was canceled altogether in 2020 and held in a smaller form in 2021, will be back to normal for 2022. Planning for 2022 is in its early stages.
A festival focusing on Black history is also in the works. Organizers hope to launch a new annual festival centered on historic Cottrell Street during the Mother’s Day weekend. The three-day festival will include music and arts and crafts offerings, culminating in a Mother’s Day-themed gospel concert on the holiday itself.
An old city tradition is also turning over a new leaf. For the past 30 years, citizens have gathered at the park by City Hall to decorate a Christmas tree. The cedar, which was transplanted there 30 years ago, was dying and had to be cut down. A new green giant arborvitae — which looks much more like a Christmas tree — will replace it and will see the tradition survive for future generations.
Industry news
Peco Foods, which operates a chicken processing facility in West Point located in the old Americold building on West Church Hill Road, has continually expanded operations since they first opened. It has nearly tripled the initial anticipated investment of $40 million, and has created 700-plus jobs on a promise of creating around 300. Plum Creek Environmental has also invested $3 million in expanding its business. It acquired the old 60,000-square-foot Better Brands building, which it will use in addition to its current space. The business makes waste and recycling containers, and the expansion is expected to create about 50 jobs.
Solar projects have continued to be strong, with three projects announced in the Golden Triangle. One of those is a 200-watt farm coming to Clay County built by Origis. The site is built on land located near the Yokohama Tire plant just outside of West Point, and has an estimated completion date of 2023.
STORY BY BRIAN JONES
OPENING PHOTO BY RORY DOYLE
OTHER PHOTOS BY DEANNA ROBINSON
