During its annual awards banquet, the Greater Starkville Development Partnership honored Mark Castleberry, the Golden Triangle developer behind the Russell Street corridor-redefining Mill at MSU project, and other local business leaders and activists.
For the $40 million investment along the economic front door to the university, Castleberry and his Columbus-based business, Castle Properties, received the 2014 R. Clay Simmons Exemplary Enterprise Award, which recognizes the totality of a person’s or business’ impact to the local economy.
Other award winners included: OCH Regional Medical Center, the Industry of the Year Award; Wesley Jones and Jones Shoe Shop, the Steve Langston Downtown Revitalization Award; Michelle Jones, the T.E. Veitch Community Service Award; Candy Crecink, the Ambassador of the Year Award; Stan Miller, Educational Hall of Fame distinction; and Mississippi State University’s football program, the Crystal Pineapple Tourism Award.
Long lauded by local leaders and economic development representatives, the $40 million Mill project broke ground last year and will renovate MSU’s historic Cooley building into a 74,000-square-foot office and conference center, with a 1,000-seat ballroom. Nearby, a 450-spot parking structure and Marriot Hotel will be built.
Construction efforts should conclude later this year.
“The initial procurement and development of the project is only the beginning. Mark believes in aligning with great projects and partnerships that will have a long-term, lasting effect on communities,” said GSDP CEO Jennifer Gregory. “Great hospitality is the best gateway to any city to set a positive vibe that attracts people and industries to relocate to the area. This results in a cycle of growth that delivers great economic gains.”
Castleberry founded Castle Properties while he owned Prairie Concrete Inc. from 1992-1997. Castle Properties, a commercial real estate development and management company, developed a specialty in retail, hotel and office properties in numerous Mississippi cities.
Partnership officials said Castleberry’s numerous projects have created more than 1,000 jobs in the Golden Triangle since 1992.
He was previously given the Main Street Columbus’ Design Award and the Partnership’s Committee of 100 — Investor in the Vision award. Castleberry was also inducted into the Honorary Commander Program of Columbus Air Force Base’s Flying Training Wing for his support of the base.
Carl Smith covers Starkville and Oktibbeha County for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter @StarkDispatch
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