Articles by Grant McLaughlin
SDI opts out of $2 million port land purchase
A $2 million deal for Steel Dynamics Inc. to purchase 90 acres of the Lowndes County Port Authority’s East Bank has fallen through.
Goings on with Grant: Ranch House Diner reopened Tuesday
To me, there are a few local restaurants people love so much that they can’t let them fade away.
Democrats win all 3 contested supervisor races in Clay County
It was a good day to be a Democrat in the three contested supervisor races in Clay County Tuesday.
2 arrested after traffic stop, 1 possibly armed passenger flees
A traffic stop at a Sprint Mart on Alabama Street has landed two men in custody and the Columbus Police Department on a chase to find another.
Region lands 4 of state’s top 10 industrial projects since 2018
Of the top 10 most valuable economic development projects announced in Mississippi since 2018, four are in or near the Golden Triangle.
West Point sanitation worker wins 1-in-4 chance at $1 million
When Stephanie Walker signed up for the Mississippi Lottery Corporation Insider, she never thought it would amount to much beyond information on certain lottery competitions.
Goings on with Grant: Boardtown Pizza and Pints now open for lunch
When it comes to lunch, it’s always been difficult for me to pass on a good slice of pizza, and on the weekends, maybe even a beer to wash it down.
Carpenter leaving CVB at end of March
Columbus-Lowndes Convention and Visitors Bureau CEO Nancy Carpenter will leave her position when her contract expires March 31, and the CVB board has already formed a search committee to find her replacement.
Oktibbeha, Lowndes, Clay unemployment rates fall to near 3%
September unemployment rates throughout the Golden Triangle improved by between 0.7% and 1.7% from August.
Community interest in limited renovation of Elk’s Lodge could prompt further work
Renovation work is ongoing at the Elk’s Lodge building to prepare the space for Columbus’ annual Arts’ N Antiques Show and Sale this weekend.
$209 million Paccar expansion to create 100 jobs
Paccar Engine Company’s Lowndes County plant is investing $209 million to build a new remanufacturing facility next to its existing operations and will modernize its current production line.
Part of Kerr McGee site to be encased in 4,550 ft. concrete barrier wall and lid
It could be another two months before the Environmental Protection Agency has a finalized plan to clean up 22 acres of the former Kerr-McGee plant site, and another three years before that effort is complete.
New jets to replace T-38Cs at CAFB by 2028
Columbus Air Force Base plans to phase out the T-38C Talon Flight training program with 61 to 77 new T-7A Red Hawk jets and begin overnight training missions in 2028.
Recruiting the next generation of skilled labor? Bring a nail gun.
As West Lowndes High School eighth-grader DeMarion McCoy considers his options for a career track next school year, all he knows is he wants to be a skilled laborer.
Goings on with Grant: Travel company specializes in destination weddings, special events
It’s about this time of year that many folks, myself included, start looking at holiday travel destinations.
Community Profile: ‘Quirky’ art hobbyist looks to break into festival market
When Clara Ortega was growing up in Yuma, Arizona, she often found herself adding color and cool designs to the barren walls of her family home.
New strand-board lumber plant to begin construction in 2024
Construction for a new $418 million strand board lumber plant in Noxubee County is slated to begin in early 2024.
Lowndes County Sportsplex holds soft opening Saturday
The Lowndes County Sportsplex off Highway 82 held a soft opening Saturday, kicking off the completion of a $12 million project with a one-day baseball
Home goods retailer locating in former Korean church in 2024
Construction is about to begin on a $1.4 million project to convert the former Starkville Korean Church on Lafayette Street into two separate business spaces.
Columbus, Starkville begin FY 2024 sales tax revenues with 4.2% growth
Columbus and Starkville kicked off their Fiscal Year 2024’s sales tax revenues with 4.2% growth from October 2022, and West Point showed growth for the fourth month in a row.
Slimantics: Robotaxis beware: NYC eats hesitation for breakfast
June 24, 2025
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