Retail, restaurant development coming up across from Amazon Data Center near Madison, MS

Area businessman Bob Lloyd bought 14 acres of property in 2021 as an investment near what was then the Madison County mega site.

Four years later, 14 acres has grown into nearly 50 and he is building out what may become one of the most sought-after locations for a multitude of businesses.

The new Madison County development known as Highland Data Park hopes to reinvigorate a historic building that was a long-time tourist attraction that sits within spitting distance of what is now the Amazon Web Services campus.

The Madison County development is the site of the old Madison County landmark, the Sale Barn.

“It all started out with the Sale Barn and 14 acres,” said Lloyd, who began his career in the real estate appraisal field after graduating from Ole Miss in 1983. “I first saw the Old Sale barn property as having potential for several uses due to its location and visibility. AWS had not been mentioned when I purchased in 2021, there was just a gut feeling every time on the site that good things could happen here.”

The historic place is where livestock of all kinds was gathered and sold via auction for more than 40 years.

In fall of 2023, five additional acres were purchased to bring the total to 19 acres.

Six additional contiguous parcels were purchased in 2024 and Highland Data Park currently sits at 50 available acres.

In January of 2024, AWS announced a real estate investment 3-times larger than any Mississippi investment in history. Lloyd said that is when the real vision for Highland Data Park began.

“I really felt like this was the right place for a light industrial park, and now that I am across from the largest hyperscale data center in the world, I feel like there is an opportunity for more businesses to follow,” Lloyd said. “AWS was originally announced as a $10 billion project. It’s probably already at $16 billion and going to get closer to $20 billion. When you already own a piece of property across the street from an investment of that size, it was a no-brainer to me that I wanted to be part of the AWS neighborhood and community and what is developed around there.”

Following through on a vision is not new for Lloyd.

In 1994, his passion for the self-storage industry began with the construction of the first climate-controlled facility in the state of Mississippi. By 1997, he had rebranded the stores under the StorageMax trademark and completed the state’s first multi-level Climate-Controlled Self-Storage and Data Management (RecordMax) facility.

The vision is paying off.

Plans are in the works to extend Commercial Parkway Drive through the development to Highway 22 which will open The Park to multiple users benefitting from the huge investments occurring in the commercial neighborhood.

Lloyd has already leased the 45,000 square foot Sale Barn to what he calls “one of the major suppliers and subcontractors” at the AWS site.

The old Sale Barn represents Phase One of HDP and will be known as the Showroom Building. This new flex concept will change the worn out 1975 building to a modern attractive multi-tenant office, warehouse, showroom. The facility is currently occupied by Edwards Electric as the proximity across from the AWS campus allowed Edwards an excellent location for serving the construction project.

Phase 2 – Park Central

Phase 2 of the project would likely be the face of the franchise.

The purchase of 21 acres which was to be the future home of Kudzu Medical Cannabis growing facility occurred in May of last year. The project was partially complete at the time of purchase and the Phase Two Park Central warehouse has now been completed.

“We are currently in negotiations for a new tenant in the 35,000-square-foot Park Central Building which will compliment The Park’s development,” Lloyd said.

Edwards Electric is also part of Phase 2.

More Madison development: Madison, MS, development to include new restaurant location and office space. Get details

Best bourbon in Mississippi: Best bourbon in Mississippi? There might only be one real choice. Get the details

Phase 3 – Highland Park Market

Highland Park Market represents the possible retail/showroom Phase Three of HDP along Highway 22 frontage and located at the Park’s entrance from Commercial Parkway Drive.

“The presence of thousands of workers in the AWS Mega site and growing residential developments to the area, The Market concept will be a welcome addition to the west corridor of Canton,” Lloyd said.

The remainder of Highland Data Park sits vacant and poised to welcome new businesses to Canton and the AWS neighborhood.

Lloyd, who lives in Canton is also a staunch advocate for the county seat of Madison County and its future economic development and believes this project is part of the process.

“While HDP has become a pet project for me, the opportunities that AWS represents for the City of Canton have become the real passion,” he said. “This era represents Canton’s doorway to move out of Madison County’s last-place-city status and become one of the county’s most unique places. Maybe this time next year we can discuss how Canton teamed up with AWS to revitalize its town square and beyond.”

Ross Reily is a writer for the Clarion Ledger, part of the USA TODAY Network. He can be reached at rreily@gannett.com or 601-573-2952. You can follow him on the X platform, formerly known as Twitter @GreenOkra1.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: New Madison County, MS development near Amazon Data Center campus

EMEA Tribune is not involved in this news article, it is taken from our partners and or from the News Agencies. Copyright and Credit go to the News Agencies, email news@emeatribune.com Follow our WhatsApp verified Channel