The complex formerly known as the Lincoln County Multi-PurposeFacility is now operating under a new name and with new amenities,both of which are aimed at drawing in and keeping customers.

The Lincoln Center, with its sophisticated new moniker, also hasnew parking spots. To be specific, 39 concrete recreational vehicleslots, complete with water, sewer and electrical hookups.

Area dignitaries gathered at the Lincoln Center Monday to cutthe ribbon on the new RV park and to christen the facility underits new name. Lincoln Center Manager Quinn Jordan said the RV parkproject was one that made a lot of financial sense.

“We looked at what would be the best return for our investment,”he said. “This will bring people into Lincoln County where they’llspend their tax dollars, shop in local shops and eat at localrestaurants. We thought it was the best way to create economicimpact in Lincoln County.”

The multi-purpose commission also chose to undertake the RV parkproject because of its potential to pay for itself, officials said.It cost $575,000, with $250,000 available via a grant from thePearl River Basin Development District.

“An RV park is needed in this area, because when there areevents at the multi-purpose building, it gives another option forpeople who come to Brookhaven,” said commission member McNairSmith. “We hope to see this really impact our community. This is abeautiful place and we have a lot of pride in what’s going onhere.”

Some local leaders are excited about the project because itallows visitors to park their RVs and stay for days.

“We hope to draw as many people to this area as we can,” saidDistrict 92 Rep. Becky Currie. “This is one more tool that we canuse, because it’s a place for people to hook up and stay when theycome in for events in Lincoln County.”

District 39 Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith said the addition of the RVpark at the complex is one that has been needed for some time.

“Throughout the state, when we attend many functions, you canbring your RV and hook it up, but until now you couldn’t do thathere,” she said. “This allows us to market to more events and moreindividuals … so many people have campers, it’s great for us tobe able to offer this opportunity.”

PRBDD Executive Vice President Mike Davis said officials of thePearl River Basin Development District are happy to help LincolnCounty with improvement projects.

“Lincoln County has been a member of the district since it wascreated in 1964,” he said. “We’re very active in Lincoln County,and there have been a lot of improvements in the multi-purposebuilding as well as the RV park.”

There are a few specific groups of people officials hope the RVpark will draw to the county. The first, of course, is thedemographic brought in by events at the Lincoln Center, as well asat the neighboring Hansel King Sports Complex.

The facility currently hosts rodeos and livestock events, aswell proms, balls, weddings and wedding receptions, family reunionsand other gatherings. Multi-purpose officials said the commissionaims to host car shows, gun shows and other trade events at thefacility in the future.