Local, national leaders unit to celebrate new $115M visitor center in Vicksburg

Last updated: October 22, 2026

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — At an event held Wednesday, Oct. 21, at the Vicksburg National Military Park, city, county, state and national leaders gathered to celebrate the announcement of a new $115 million visitor’s center.

The event drew not only local leaders but U.S. Senators Cindy Hyde-Smith, Roger Wicker and Congressman Bennie Thompson in addition to Mississippi Senator Briggs Hopson and State Representative Kevin Ford. Mississippi Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann, a Vicksburg native, was also in attendance.

The Vicksburg Board of Mayor and Aldermen and Warren County Board of Supervisors entered partnership earlier this week to support the development of the new interpretive center for the Vicksburg National Military Park.

Through a combined local commitment of up to $15.5 million, the City and County are helping advance a project which represents a total investment of approximately $115 million in tourism, education, historic preservation, and economic development.

The Vicksburg Board of Mayor and Alderman voted Monday to unanimously approve the partnership. Also in a meeting Monday all Warren County Supervisors but District 4 Supervisor John Carlisle voted for the relationship.

In a press release from the City of Vicksburg, the City said the partnership demonstrates how a targeted local investment can help leverage substantially greater state, federal, and private resources. In practical terms, the City and County’s contribution is expected to help make possible a project valued at more than seven times the amount of the local commitment. This approach allows Vicksburg and Warren County to participate meaningfully in a transformational project while maximizing the impact of local dollars.

Funding for the project is expected to come from a combination of state and federal funding, private donations, and contributions from the City of Vicksburg and Warren County.

Warren County Board of Supervisors President Dr. Kelle Barfield said the project will not cause an increase in taxes for residents.

Under the proposed partnership, the City and County would contribute up to a total $15.5 million toward construction costs. Warren County would be responsible for 60% of the local financing payments, while the City of Vicksburg would be responsible for 40%. The majority of these payments are expected to be funded through revenue generated by a fee-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement associated with Entergy Mississippi’s new development project.

According to officials, the local contribution is not intended to fund the entire interpretive center. City leadership said the locally funded construction is designed to help leverage the much larger project that will bring new public and private investment to Vicksburg and Warren County.

For every dollar committed locally, the partnership is positioned to help support more than seven dollars in total project investment. That leverage is an important part of the project’s value and reflects the benefit of working collaboratively with state, federal, and private partners.

A new, modern interpretive center will strengthen one of Mississippi’s leading tourist destinations, attract visitors from across the country, improve the experience for park guests, and create more opportunities for local businesses. When tourists visit Vicksburg, they spend money at our hotels, restaurants, shops, and other local businesses. That spending supports jobs, generates tax revenue, and helps grow our local economy.

“The City and County’s commitment of up to $15.5 million is helping position Vicksburg and Warren County to participate in a $115 million project,” said Mayor Willis Thompson. “That’s the significance of this partnership. We’re using a targeted local investment to help leverage a much larger investment in our community, our economy, and the preservation of our history.”

“The optics of this partnership are important because they show that Vicksburg and Warren County are not simply contributing to a project; we are helping attract and assemble the resources necessary to deliver this transformational public asset. This is a strategic investment intended to produce long-term benefits for residents, businesses, visitors, and future generations,” Thompson added. “The Vicksburg National Military Park is one of our city’s greatest assets. This investment is about bringing more visitors to Vicksburg, supporting our businesses, creating economic opportunities, and preserving our rich history for future generations.”

By working together with Warren County, the State of Mississippi, the federal government, and private partners, the City of Vicksburg has an opportunity to help deliver a project that the total value far exceeds the local contribution.

The City of Vicksburg remains committed to partnerships that strengthen tourism, promote economic growth, protect our historic resources, and help build a safer, stronger, smarter Vicksburg.