< Previous88 MISSISSIPPI DEVELOPMENT GUIDE “Let me say that again: Mississippi will no longer tax the work, the earnings, or the ambition of its people,” he said. “The legislation I’m signing today puts us in a rare class of elite, competitive states. There are only a handful of states in the country that do not tax income. Today, Mississippi joins their ranks – and in doing so, we plant our flag.” Mississippi Welcomes You When it’s time to clock out of the office for good, communities across Mississippi are positioned to make life’s next chapter a memorable one. Over 30 years ago, the state’s leadership created the Welcome Home Mississippi program to attract retirees across the nation to the Magnolia State. The program highlights the quality of life and benefits of living in Mississippi, which drove $25.9 million toward the state’s economy and created more than 200 jobs in 2017 alone, according to a 2019 study conducted by Mississippi State University. Communities across every region of the state — Aberdeen, Brandon, Cleveland, Hattiesburg, Madison, Natchez, New Albany, Oxford, Picayune, Southaven, Starkville and Vicksburg — have secured certified retirement city status. Each city presents their own unique characteristics that translate across its local cuisine, retail, outdoor recreation activities, events and more. All Welcome Home Mississippi communities boast the same advantages of the state’s affordable housing, quality medical care, educational institutions, low property taxes, low cost of living and now, no state income tax. Olive Branch is the program’s latest arrival, announced as the 13th certified retirement city in April 2025. For over 15 years the city has experienced steady population growth according WHM certified city Southaven’s approach to welcoming new residents, including new offerings like mixed-use development Silo Square, inspired Olive Branch leadership to pursue the program. Photo courtesy of Silo SquareMISSISSIPPI DEVELOPMENT GUIDE 89 to U.S. Census Bureau data, welcoming an estimated 13,881 new residents since 2010. Olive Branch Director of Community Development Kim Terrell shares that the city’s leadership took notice of the program’s success in neighboring city Southaven over the years, aiming to emulate the same momentum moving forward. “It was one more opportunity for people to experience all that Olive Branch has to offer. We are a thriving community that offers both comfort and convenience as we continue to grow,” says Terrell. “Forbes and Money magazine have named Olive Branch as one of the ‘Best Places to Live’ and a ‘Top American City to Raise a Family,’ and yet we’re still a city we proudly say is a great place to live, work, play and worship.” Terrell, who will oversee Olive Branch’s retirement program, notes that as the city beings preparations we can expect to see involvement take on new levels from both local leadership and the community. This formula is designed to align the community, ensuring support is readily available to new residents. For retirees moving in, these connections will play a key role in raising awareness about ways to get involved in the city, new activities or educational opportunities to take part in, and most importantly, a helping hand where needed. “Our mayor began several committees where citizens serve and have an opportunity to voice an opinion, share experiences and get involved as much as they would like or simply receive the information they want and enjoy their new city. There will be potential growth as families come to visit the retirees who have moved here and see themselves living here as well,” says Terrell. “We are truly an open door.” Vicksburg is one of several Mississippi cities that are certified as Welcome Home Mississippi (WHM) communities. Photo courtesy of Visit Mississippi90 MISSISSIPPI DEVELOPMENT GUIDE PHOTO GALLERY Magnolia A Pictorial Tour of Mississippi Majesty Photo: Getty ImagesMISSISSIPPI DEVELOPMENT GUIDE 9192 MISSISSIPPI DEVELOPMENT GUIDE Ocean Adventures Marine Park in Gulfport Photo courtesy of Visit Mississippi The Crown Restaurant in Indianola Photo courtesy of Visit Mississippi Downtown Oxford at night Photo courtesy of of Visit Oxford MS The Noxubee National Forest in Starkville Photo courtesy of Visit MississippiMISSISSIPPI DEVELOPMENT GUIDE 93 Gulfport Harbor at Sunset Photo courtesy of Visit Mississippi The Lighthouse at Jones Park in Gulfport Photo courtesy of Coastal Mississippi Live music playing at Iron Horse in Jackson Photo courtesy of Visit MississippiA colorful mural greets visitors to Oxford Photo courtesy of Visit Oxford MS 94 MISSISSIPPI DEVELOPMENT GUIDE Windsor Ruins, Claiborne County Photo courtesy of Visit Mississippi Mardi Gras Parade in Biloxi Photo courtesy of Coastal Mississippi Elvis Presley Birthplace in Tupelo Photo courtesy of MDA Ridgeland, MS Photo: Getty Images Mal’s St. Paddy’s Day Parade Photo courtesy of Coastal MississippiMISSISSIPPI DEVELOPMENT GUIDE 95 Biking in Ocean Springs Photo courtesy of Coastal Mississippi The annual Walk of Champions in Oxford photo courtesy of Visit Oxford MS Downtown Tupelo Photo courtesy of Tupelo Convention and Visitors Bureau Sculpture Garden Photo courtesy of Visit ClevelandADVERTISER INDEX Accelerate MS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 https://acceleratems.org Atmos Energy Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39 https://www.atmosenergy.com/Msdevelopment BlueCross BlueShield of Mississippi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87 https://www.bcbsms.com Butler Snow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 https://www.butlersnow.com CDFL Architects + Engineers PA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46 https://cdfl.com City of Meridian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 https://visitmeridian.com Cooperative Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81 https://cooperativeenergy.com Eutaw Construction Company, Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45 https://eutaw.com Golden Triangle Development -Link . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67 https://www.gtrlink.org Greenwood-Leflore-Carroll Economic Development Foundation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65 https://greenwoodedf.com Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78 https://www.flygpt.com Hancock County Port & Harbor Commission . . . . . .76, 83 https://www.portairspace.com Madison County Economic Development Authority . .29 https://madisoncountyeda.com Millsaps College . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 https://millsapselseschool.com Mississippi Community College Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .IFC https://www.mccb.edu/workforce Mississippi Development Authority . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BC https://mississippi.org Mississippi Export Railroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75 https://mserr.com Mississippi Hospital Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89 https://www.mhanet.org Mississippi State University . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30-31 https://www.msstate.edu Rosedale-Bolivar County Port Commission . . . . . . . . . . .77 https://www.portofrosedale.com Tennessee- Tombigbee Waterway Development Authority . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79 https://www.tenntom.org University of Mississippi-Insight Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 https://insightpark.olemiss.edu University of Southern Mississippi / Trent Lott National Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22, 23 https://www.usm.edu/tlnc Wages Civil LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 https://www.wagescivil.com Wayne Sanderson Farms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61 https://waynesandersonfarms.com WBA Architecture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 https://wbaarchitecture.com Advertiser PageAdvertiser Page 96 MISSISSIPPI DEVELOPMENT GUIDENext >