Mississippi State partners with Jackson universities to revitalize downtown

Mississippi State University’s School of Architecture is teaming up with Jackson State University and Millsaps College to bolster small businesses and stimulate economic development in Jackson’s downtown district. The initiative involves nonprofit Downtown Jackson Partners, MSU’s Jackson Center, Jackson State’s Department of Urban and Regional Planning, and Millsaps College’s Else School of Management.

The collaboration centers on the Urban Studio program, which offers high-performing students and recent graduates hands-on experience with urban revitalization, research-backed small business support, and physical investment pathways in Jackson. Aaron White, director of MSU’s Jackson Center, said the partnership aligns with the School of Architecture’s fifth-year curriculum goals.

White noted that MSU’s School of Architecture has been involved in downtown Jackson since its founding in 1973, with the Jackson Center serving as a catalyst for city revitalization. He said the Urban Studio program allows students to apply their skills to real-world challenges while working alongside community leaders and institutions.

While MSU’s main campus is in Starkville, its architecture students typically complete their first four years there. The fifth-year architecture program, however, is based in downtown Jackson, emphasizing the university’s ongoing commitment to urban development.

Source: Original Article