“The current trend that I see in the Jackson, Mississippi, retail market is one of steady growth,” says Ted Duckworth, president of Duckworth Realty in Jackson. “We own the Amsouth Center in downtown Jackson; that property has seen a resurgence in interest in the retail space. The center has the only mall downtown.”

Duckworth Realty has announced the renovation/restoration of The Electric Building in downtown Jackson that will include office, residences and retail on the ground floor. In the next few months, the renovated Union Station with retail and restaurants will open downtown in the renovated Amtrack Station. “In addition to the increase in retail interest in downtown, we are seeing growth in the north part of town and in the east part of metro Jackson,” notes Duckworth.

In the Madison area to the north, Duckworth recently completed a shopping center called Madison Market, with tenants including Blockbuster Video, Pro Golf and El Charro Mexican Grill. The shopping center is 90 percent leased, and Duckworth is preparing for Phase II, which will add 25,000 square feet.

The Madison area is seeing a major jump in growth in the recent months. Wal-Mart has just opened its first Supercenter in Madison, and there are new outparcels being developed as a part of that master plan. Colony Crossing is a new 250,000-square-foot development with a new Home Depot; Kroger plans to begin construction at Colony Crossing in the next few months.

“Madison is experiencing this growth as the result of pent-up demand,” says Duckworth. “The area has been one of the fastest growing for the past 10 years but has just gotten to the critical mass needed to get the attention of national retailers.”

The new Nissan Plant to the north of town has created an increased interest in the area as well. The plant will employ 4,000 workers, not to mention the jobs created by suppliers. “The economic impact is definitely being felt in the Madison market,” Duckworth notes.

Lakeland Drive to the east is also feeling the growth. The recent opening of Dogwood Festival, anchored by McRae’s, Borders Books & Music and Linens ’n Things, has created a new market that did not exist 2 years ago. Outparcels under construction include Atlanta Bread Company and Mellow Mushroom. A second phase will include a Rave Motion Pictures theater.

Significant retail areas to watch include continued growth in Flowood (Rankin County) and Madison (Madison County). Kroger has committed to several new stores in Jackson, and specialty retail continues to be a very strong segment for the market.

“The retail story for the overall Jackson market is one of success,” says Duckworth. “In almost every sector in the metro area, the retail market has remained strong, even in the slow economy. The new developments around town show the continued strength of Jackson’s retail market and this growth is evidence that the population is growing by 10,000 to 12,000 people per year.”

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