By Rupert Howell, Editor
What will the proposed shooting facility at Charles Ray Nix Wildlife Management Area mean for Panola County?
Plenty.
Except for adjacent landowners who may hear shots fired and residents along the road leading to the WMA whose narrow road will see increased use, the proposal is a win-win.
I can most liken it to Lee Garner’s Arena One west of Batesville. The arena itself is out of sight for the majority of Panola Countians, but you would have to be blind to not see the high-end trucks and trailers at local businesses or cowboy hats in local restaurants during one of the many activities held there during a year’s time.
That’s revenue for our municipalities’ hotel and restaurant tax in Batesville, Como and Sardis.
Range specialist Scottie Jones with Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks said approximately four people would be employed. Maybe that doesn’t sound like much of an economic boost but partnered with money spent on peripheral items including construction, maintenance and the potential of money being spent locally by users at restaurants, convenience and gas stores, the impact will be significant.
The idea around the project is getting more people involved in the outdoors and shooting sports, mainly children and women. Both county public high schools have ROTC programs, one with a once-nationally-ranked rifle team. There’s no reason regional or national events could not be held at the new facility.
Two other MDWFP shooting ranges are in operation in Mississippi, but the difference may be that Winchester has partnered in the local range named, McIvor Creek Shooting Facility.
That plant in Oxford is a Panola County asset as it employees include many Panolians who make the ammunition used by fighting forces and law enforcement, according to Governor Phil Bryant.
A site in Lafayette County west of Oxford was earlier considered, but speculation is land prices weighed heavily in favor of the Panola County site with property already in possession of the foundation.
Remington CEO Tom O’Keefe said Tuesday that MDWFP, their foundation and friends such as Winchester, are building the, “World’s Most Impressive shooting sports facility,” and indicated it was no coincidence it was located, “ a stone’s throw away for 1,300-employee facility in Oxford.”
And MDWFP foundation President and CEO Billy Redd was quoted as saying, “There’s not another range in Mississippi even remotely close to it. It’s going to be a world-class. . .This is a large project. It has everything.”
So far, funding is coming from outside local sources but don’t be surprised when the MDWFP Foundation comes back to Panola County and asks that roads leading to the facility be upgraded.
Anticipating the success of the facility, it might be a small price to pay.