A rose to Airbus Helicopters, which is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its Lowndes County facility. When it opened as American Eurocopter in 2003, the Columbus facility occupied a modest 85,000 square feet. Airbus, which acquired the facility in 2014, now operates in a 331,000 square feet facility, providing a range of helicopters to customers such as the U.S. Army, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and multiple hospital and law enforcement operations. They produce about 100 helicopters each year. The story of Airbus is a success in its own right, but is also part of a larger success story – the booming industrial landscape of western Lowndes County. The diversity of manufacturing production in Lowndes County – from steel to engines to helicopters and other products – is remarkable for a county its size. We thank Airbus for their continued commitment to our community and look forward to another 20 years of growth and prosperity.
A rose to animator, illustrator and children’s book author Andy Harkness, who continues to inspire young artists in the Golden Triangle. Harkness grew up in Starkville and ultimately became an animator for Disney, further establishing the area’s link to Disney that started with Columbus native Josh Meador becoming one of the first and most influential animators for Walt Disney’s young company. In addition to credits on films such as “Wreck-It Ralph,” “Frozen,” “Zootopia” and “Moana,” Harkness began writing and illustrating children’s books, including his first book “Bug Zoo” based on events from his childhood in Starkville. Harkness has often returned to share his passion for art with other kids, most recently this week where he visited schools and libraries in Columbus and Starkville for book readings of his latest book “Wolfboy Is Scared.” No doubt, Harkness’ success has and will continue to inspire young artists in the Golden Triangle.
A rose to Mississippi State University, the city of Starkville and the Mississippi Department of Transportation, which on Friday officially opened the “College View Connector,” a one-mile multi-use path that connects the MSU campus to the city at the Old West Point Road/Highway 182 interchange. The $2 million project, funded by a MDOT grant as well as money from both the university and the city, is a picturesque paved and lighted path that promotes healthy lifestyles – walking, running, biking – as well as providing convenient access between the campus and the city. Starkville and the university continue to work on ways to make themselves pedestrian friendly, something that isn’t always the case in major college towns. We congratulate the university and city and predict that the College View Connector will quickly become a well-traveled and much-appreciated path and a symbol of what can happen when university and city officials work together.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 35 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
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