A single shovel struck the earth Monday in the middle of avacant five-acre lot adjacent to the Lincoln County Multi-PurposeFacility, signifying the official beginning of construction on anexpansive RV park.

Supervisors president the Rev. Jerry Wilson wielded the shovel,surrounded by local government and business leaders and a few stateofficials, scooping up the first load of sand for the project thatofficials hope will bring an economic boon to the county.

“The long-term goal for the park is to allow the facility tobring in multi-day functions, as well as support other long-termprojects in Lincoln County in order to stimulate the economy byindirect dollars spent,” said LCMP General Manager Quinn Jordan.”It is designed as a fully-functional RV park, not just a supportmechanism for our facility.”

Jordan said the park, which should be finished by late July orearly August, will feature 39 RV slots, complete with water, sewerand electrical hookups, allowing visitors to stay onsite formultiple days. The park will be well-lit and complete withbathhouses, with future plans to add a pavilion.

Jordan said the park would allow the facility to begin hostingbigger, longer events at its arena, bringing in more people forlonger stays and increasing the rental amounts for slots, stallsand goods.

“The direct revenue that will be generated will be substantialtoward our operating budget,” Jordan said. “The commission’s planis to help the facility support itself as much as possible.”

Jordan said the multi-purpose commission chose to undertake theRV park not only because of its ability to bring more visitors tothe county, but because of its potential to pay for itself. Theproject costs $575,000, with $250,000 available via a grant fromthe Pearl River Basin Development District.

Commission Chairman Dr. William Kimble said the RV park isnecessary to allow the facility to function at its fullest as aregional attraction.

“We feel like, because of the geographical location of thecomplex and Lincoln County, we’re sitting in a position to become acultural center for Southwest Mississippi,” he said. “That’s whatwe’re trying to build the facility into – a region-wideattraction.”

Kimble pointed out the facility already hosts numerous highschool proms, balls, weddings and wedding receptions, familyreunions and other group-oriented events. He said the commissionhopes to one day host car shows, gun shows and other trade eventsat the facility.

More upgrades to the facility are being studied, Kimblesaid.

The commission’s next goal will likely be the installation ofnew technology that would allow for satellite conferencing, hesaid, making the facility a hub for various training, instructionaland governmental meetings. He said the commission is currentlyexploring funding opportunities for future additions.

“The RV park is certainly the first major add-on project to thefacility, and it hopefully won’t be the last,” Kimble said.