By Jason C. Mattox

Representatives of the Panola County Farmer’s Market were given permission to set up their operation on the Downtown Square during a meeting with the Mayor and Board of Aldermen Tuesday afternoon.

Former alderman Bobbie Jean Pounders told city leaders the group wanted permission to use the area around the railroad tracks.

“That area would have enough shade and space for parking,” she said before turning it over to group founder Jennifer Tidwell.

Tidwell said one of the groups biggest concerns is knowing how the market will be funded and managed.

“There is grant money available for this if we go the non-profit route,” she said.

Ward 4 Alderman Eddie Nabors asked what kind of grant funding was available to the group.

“I have not been able to find out about those at this time,” she said. “I have tried to contact other markets in the area, but they won’t, or haven’t returned phone calls.”

Aldermen asked how often the farmers’ market will be operational.

“We want to open up one day a week from April to October when we start,” she said. “The issue is the growers. If we have growers who harvest more than once a week, we might add another day.”

Tidwell explained that she had not gotten firm commitments from many growers, but said she is targeting local growers within 100 miles of Batesville.

“We are reaching out to the smaller operations,” she said. “Those are the ones that are probably not already involved at other markets. Those growers that are already regulars at markets like Oxford are not likely to leave.”

Ward 3 Alderman Stan Harrison asked if the group had considered locations other than the square.

“We have discussed it,” Tidwell said. “But with something like this, it’s all about visibility.”

Assistant city attorney Colmon Mitchell said Code Enforcement Office administrator Pam Comer said the square is not zoned to allow a farmers’ market.

“The 2030 plan included consideration for an open air market, and we are working on our zoning regulations now, so this is something we can work on before the market is going to open,” Comer said.

Pounders acknowledged that a farmers’ market had been tried previously.

“We tried it before, and it kind of dissolved itself because we didn’t have enough growers,” she said. “But the city has put $10,000 in the budget for a possible structure. We are not asking for that right now, but we might come back in the future.”

Alderman-at-Large Teddy Morrow said to make the market work, the city might need to consider prohibiting vendors along Highway 6.

Aldermen voted unanimously to allow the market to set up on the square.

In other board business:

• Aldermen voted to re-advertise for bids on backhoes.

• The contract for the replacement of three stop lights was awarded to B and B Electric who had a low bid of $321,402.50.

• Police Chief Tony Jones was given permission to purchase a vehicle from Hallmark Ford for $22, 700.