Mayor Thompson targets retail, restaurants for Vicksburg

The initiative centers on a proactive, data-driven strategy to identify retail gaps, market available sites, and recruit national and regional brands that align with Vicksburg’s market demand.

“We’re not just waiting for opportunity in Vicksburg, we’re chasing it,” Thompson said. “With billions of dollars in recent private investment shaping Vicksburg’s future, it’s important that we create opportunities for those construction workers and permanent employees to spend their money right here in our city,” Thompson said. “That directly strengthens our sales tax base while enhancing the options available to our citizens and visitors.”

City officials emphasized the effort is designed to complement, not duplicate, the work of the Vicksburg-Warren Partnership. While the Partnership supports business recruitment across sectors through its Chamber of Commerce functions, retail and restaurant development remain somewhat secondary to its core economic development mission.

The Vicksburg-Warren Partnership’s primary focus is on industries such as manufacturing, logistics, data and technology enterprises, and port-related development, along with advancing industrial sites, supporting existing industry, and expanding innovation initiatives tied to MCITy.

By contrast, the City’s retail recruitment effort is focused on growing Vicksburg’s consumer-facing economy by identifying opportunities, engaging retailers and developers, and positioning the city to compete for new stores and restaurants.

As part of this effort, the City has enlisted a nationally recognized leader in retail recruitment and economic development. The Retail Coach has more than 25 years of experience helping municipalities strengthen retail sectors and generate growth through data-driven analysis and targeted recruitment. With experience in more than 850 communities and a client retention rate exceeding 90 percent, the firm works to identify market gaps, recruit businesses, and support long-term economic growth.

The plan includes defining Vicksburg’s retail trade area using real consumer data, along with demographic and psychographic profiling to better understand demand. Officials will develop a targeted list of retailers and package available sites with detailed information for developers and site selectors.

The effort also includes direct outreach to retailers and developers, participation in national retail industry events, and ongoing tracking of recruitment progress to ensure accountability. The initiative is expected to support job creation, increase local sales tax revenue, and enhance quality of life for residents.

“This is just one more way we’re taking real steps to build a safer, stronger, and smarter Vicksburg,” Thompson said.