39042-22web

Our 

Town 

39042 

2022

CCooouuurrrrrrr ttttnnnnnnneeeeeey 

Ouuurrrrrrr tttteeeeeeaaaaaammm iiiiiisss ggrrrrrrrooowwiiiiiinnnnnnngg! 

McccKeeeeeeaaaaaattttiiiiiinnnnnnng 

Asssssssusssssssuoooooi lciniuccliiiiiitvaaaanNm tttttttteeeeeeee FFFiiiiiitvnnnnnnnnaaaanNm nnnnnnnnciniuccliiiiiitvaaaanNm lllapaal Coooooi lnnnnnnnnsssssssuuurr du lllapaalttttttttaaaanNm nnnnnnnntttttttt 

CCIaaaaaarrrrrrrleeeeee sss ?CCIaaaaaasss> 1uuuaaaaaalaaaaaannnnnnnE 

FFFiiiiiitvrrrraTeasssssssutttttttt Viiiiiitvciniuccleeeeeeee PrrrraTeaeeeeeeee sssssssuiiiiiitvddnnodddeeeeeeeennnnnnnntt 

FFFiiiiiitvnnnnnnnnaaaanNm nnnnnnnnciniuccliiiiiitvaaaanNm lllapaal 

Coooooi lnnnnnnnnsssssssuuurr du lllapaalttttttttaaaanNm nnnnnnnntttttttt 

Annnnnnndrrrrrrreeeeeeww 

FFFiiiiiitvnnnnnnnnaaaanNm nnnnnnnnciniuccliiiiiitvaaaanNm lllapaal 

CCooommmaaaaaannnnnnns 

Coooooi lnnnnnnnnsssssssuuurr du lllapaalttttttttaaaanNm nnnnnnnntttttttt 

Trrrrrrruuusssttttmmmaaaaaarrrrrrrk Fiiiiiinnnnnnnaaaaaannnnnnnccciiiiiiaaaaaal Seeeeeerrrrrrr viiiiiiccceeeeee sss 

11133366333 Weeeeeeee sssssssutttttttt Goooooi lvrrvvvvveeeeeeeerrrraTeannnnnnnnmte tmmueeeeeeeennnnnnnntttttttt SSSttttttttrrrraTeaeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeett 

aBrrrraTeaaaaanNm nnnnnnnnddnnodddoooooi lnnnnnnnn,, MSSS 3339004222 

(6600111) 8822255 -- 1118822255 

/Sbmldkmvrnccoueeeboe hv gcFiiinss tv gcFiiibmldkmvr ieissss.rrdrtdae inaaaeiain-naeedd.rrdrtdae inaa-naeedddnvvv gcFiiiieissssrsrooeeeboe h y.rrdrtdaieissssbmldkmvreeeboe h dnvvv gcFiiinccbmldkmvr ieissss.rrdrtdae inaaeeeboe hbmldkmvr.rrdrtdarsroofbmldkmvreeeboe hbmldkmvr-naeedd.rrdrtdanss tgteeeboe hrsroooueugt.rrdrtdaP(P ILLP(P .rrdrtda v gcFiiiaeiaine inaaaeiainnccv gcFiiie inaaaa.rrdrtda P(P ILLP(P CL).rrdrtdae inaa.rrdrtdaeeeboe hbmldkmvreuv gcFiiiieissssnss tbmldkmvreeeboe hbmldkmvr-naeedd.rrdrtdav gcFiiiaeiaindnvvbmldkmvr ieissssnss te(tbmldkmvraeiainnss t.rrdrtdae inaa-naeedddnvvv gcFiiiieissssrsrooeeeboe h.rrdrtdae inaaaeiain-naeedd.rrdrtdam hrsrooobmldkmvreeeboe hr-naeeddbmldkmvre inaaaabmldkmvreeeboe h.rrdrtda e(tbmldkmvre(tm bmldkmvreeeboe h.rrdrtda SFINR A/SSFILL PCL).rrdrtda nnnnnnnnsssssssuuurr du rrrraTeaaaaanNm nnnnnnnnciniuccleeeeeeee pppm p rrrraTeaoooooi lddnnoddduurr du ciniucclttttttttsssssssu aaaanNm rrrraTeaeeeeeeee oooooi lf oeeeeeeeerrrraTeaeeeeeeeeddnnoddd tttttttthhhu rrrraTeaoooooi luurr du gnggohhhu LLLhP PLLLh oooooi lrrrraTea iiiiiitvttttttttsssssssu lllapaaliiiiiitvciniuccleeeeeeeennnnnnnnsssssssueeeeeeeeddnnoddd aaaanNm f oiiiiiitvlllapaaliiiiiitvaaaanNm tttttttteeeeeeee sssssssu..t TsrrrraTeauurr du sssssssuttttttttmte tmmuaaaanNm rrrraTearrkkBm raaaanNm ttttttttiiiiiitvoooooi lnnnnnnnnaaaanNm lllapaal aBaaaanNm nnnnnnnnrrkkBm 

aaaanNm nnnnnnnnddnnoddd TsrrrraTeauurr du sssssssuttttttttmte tmmuaaaanNm rrrraTearrkkBm FFFiiiiiitvnnnnnnnnaaaanNm nnnnnnnnciniuccliiiiiitvaaaanNm lllapaal SSSeeeeeeeerrrraTea vrrvvvvviiiiiitvciniuccleeeeeeee sssssssu aaaanNm rrrraTeaeeeeeeee nnnnnnnnoooooi ltttttttt rrrraTeaeeeeeeeegnggoiiiiiitvsssssssutttttttteeeeeeeerrrraTeaeeeeeeeeddnnoddd aaaanNm sssssssu aaaanNm brrrraTeaoooooi lrrkkBmeeeeeeeerrrraTea--ddnnodddeeeeeeeeaaaanNm lllapaaleeeeeeeerrrraTea oooooi lrrrraTea iiiiiitvnnnnnnnnvrrvvvvveeeeeeee sssssssuttttttttmte tmmueeeeeeeennnnnnnntttttttt aaaanNm ddnnodddvrrvvvvviiiiiitvsssssssuoooooi lrrrraTea..t ReeeeeeeegnggoiiiiiitvsssssssutttttttteeeeeeeerrrraTeaeeeeeeeeddnnoddd rrrraTeaeeeeeeeepppm p rrrraTeaeeeeeeee sssssssueeeeeeeennnnnnnnttttttttaaaanNm ttttttttiiiiiitvvrrvvvvveeeeeeee sssssssu oooooi lfof LLLhP PLLLh oooooi lf oeeeeeeeerrrraTea pppm p rrrraTeaoooooi lddnnoddduurr du ciniucclttttttttsssssssu aaaanNm nnnnnnnnddnnoddd sssssssueeeeeeeerrrraTea vrrvvvvviiiiiitvciniuccleeeeeeee sssssssu uurr du sssssssuiiiiiitvnnnnnnnngnggo TsrrrraTeauurr du sssssssuttttttttmte tmmuaaaanNm rrrraTearrkkBm FFFiiiiiitvnnnnnnnnaaaanNm nnnnnnnnciniuccliiiiiitvaaaanNm lllapaal SSSeeeeeeeerrrraTea vrrvvvvviiiiiitvciniuccleeeeeeee sssssssu aaaanNm nnnnnnnnddnnoddd mte tmmuaaaanNm oa aaaanNm lllapaalsssssssuoooooi l beeeeeeee eeeeeeeemte tmmupppm p lllapaaloooooi loaeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee sssssssu oooooi lfof TsrrrraTeauurr du sssssssuttttttttmte tmmuaaaanNm rrrraTearrkkBm raaaanNm ttttttttiiiiiitvoooooi lnnnnnnnnaaaanNm lllapaal 

aBaaaanNm nnnnnnnnrrkkBm..t Tshhhu eeeeeeee sssssssueeeeeeee pppm p rrrraTeaoooooi lddnnoddduurr du ciniucclttttttttsssssssu aaaanNm nnnnnnnnddnnoddd sssssssueeeeeeeerrrraTea vrrvvvvviiiiiitvciniuccleeeeeeee sssssssu aaaanNm rrrraTeaeeeeeeee beeeeeeeeiiiiiitvnnnnnnnngnggo oooooi lf oeeeeeeeerrrraTeaeeeeeeeeddnnoddd tttttttthhhu rrrraTeaoooooi luurr du gnggohhhu LLLhP PLLLh oooooi lrrrraTea iiiiiitvttttttttsssssssu aaaanNm f oiiiiiitvlllapaaliiiiiitvaaaanNm tttttttteeeeeeee sssssssu,, ˜hhhu iiiiiitvciniucclhhhu aaaanNm rrrraTeaeeeeeeee sssssssueeeeeeeepppm p aaaanNm rrrraTeaaaaanNm tttttttteeeeeeee eeeeeeeennnnnnnnttttttttiiiiiitvttttttttiiiiiitveeeeeeee sssssssu fofrrrraTeaoooooi lmte tmmu,, aaaanNm nnnnnnnnddnnoddd nnnnnnnnoooooi ltttttttt aaaanNm f oiiiiiitvlllapaaliiiiiitvaaaanNm tttttttteeeeeeee sssssssu oooooi lfof,, TsrrrraTeauurr du sssssssuttttttttmte tmmuaaaanNm rrrraTearrkkBm raaaanNm ttttttttiiiiiitvoooooi lnnnnnnnnaaaanNm lllapaal aBaaaanNm nnnnnnnnrrkkBm oooooi lrrrraTea TsrrrraTeauurr du sssssssuttttttttmte tmmuaaaanNm rrrraTearrkkBm FFFiiiiiitvnnnnnnnnaaaanNm nnnnnnnnciniuccliiiiiitvaaaanNm lllapaal SSSeeeeeeeerrrraTea vrrvvvvviiiiiitvciniuccleeeeeeee sssssssu..t SSSeeeeeeeeciniuccluurr du rrrraTeaiiiiiitvttttttttiiiiiitveeeeeeee sssssssu aaaanNm nnnnnnnnddnnoddd iiiiiitvnnnnnnnnsssssssuuurr du rrrraTeaaaaanNm nnnnnnnnciniuccleeeeeeee oooooi lf oeeeeeeeerrrraTeaeeeeeeeeddnnoddd tttttttthhhu rrrraTeaoooooi luurr du gnggohhhu LLLhP PLLLh oooooi lrrrraTea iiiiiitvttttttttsssssssu 

aaaanNm f oiiiiiitvlllapaaliiiiiitvaaaanNm tttttttteeeeeeee sssssssu aaaanNm rrrraTeaeeeeeeee nnnnnnnnoooooi ltttttttt FFFß C iiiiiitvnnnnnnnnsssssssuuurr du rrrraTeaeeeeeeeeddnnoddd..t Tshhhu eeeeeeee sssssssueeeeeeee pppm p rrrraTeaoooooi lddnnoddduurr du ciniucclttttttttsssssssu aaaanNm rrrraTeaeeeeeeee nnnnnnnnoooooi ltttttttt oooooi lb blllapaaliiiiiitvgnggoaaaanNm ttttttttiiiiiitvoooooi lnnnnnnnnsssssssu oooooi lfof TsrrrraTeauurr du sssssssuttttttttmte tmmuaaaanNm rrrraTearrkkBm raaaanNm ttttttttiiiiiitvoooooi lnnnnnnnnaaaanNm lllapaal aBaaaanNm nnnnnnnnrrkkBm aaaanNm nnnnnnnnddnnoddd aaaanNm rrrraTeaeeeeeeee nnnnnnnnoooooi ltttttttt eeeeeeeennnnnnnnddnnodddoooooi lrrrraTeasssssssueeeeeeeeddnnoddd,, rrrraTeaeeeeeeeeciniuccloooooi lmte tmmumte tmmueeeeeeeennnnnnnnddnnodddeeeeeeeeddnnoddd oooooi lrrrraTea gnggouurr du aaaanNm rrrraTeaaaaanNm nnnnnnnntttttttteeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeddnnoddd boa TsrrrraTeauurr du sssssssuttttttttmte tmmuaaaanNm rrrraTearrkkBm raaaanNm ttttttttiiiiiitvoooooi lnnnnnnnnaaaanNm lllapaal aBaaaanNm nnnnnnnnrrkkBm oooooi lrrrraTea aaaanNm nnnnnnnnoa gnggooooooi lvrrvvvvveeeeeeeerrrraTeannnnnnnnmte tmmueeeeeeeennnnnnnntttttttt aaaanNm gnggoeeeeeeeennnnnnnnciniuccloa..t Tshhhu eeeeeeee vrrvvvvvaaaanNm lllapaaluurr du eeeeeeee oooooi lfof tttttttthhhu eeeeeeee iiiiiitvnnnnnnnnvrrvvvvveeeeeeee sssssssuttttttttmte tmmueeeeeeeennnnnnnntttttttt mte tmmuaaaanNm oa foflllapaaluurr du ciniucclttttttttuurr du aaaanNm tttttttteeeeeeee,, 

tttttttthhhu eeeeeeee rrrraTeaeeeeeeeettttttttuurr du rrrraTeannnnnnnn oooooi lnnnnnnnn tttttttthhhu eeeeeeee iiiiiitvnnnnnnnnvrrvvvvveeeeeeee sssssssuttttttttmte tmmueeeeeeeennnnnnnntttttttt iiiiiitvsssssssu nnnnnnnnoooooi ltttttttt gnggouurr du aaaanNm rrrraTeaaaaanNm nnnnnnnntttttttteeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeddnnoddd,, aaaanNm nnnnnnnnddnnoddd tttttttthhhu eeeeeeee lllapaaloooooi lsssssssusssssssu oooooi lfof pppm p rrrraTeaiiiiiitvnnnnnnnnciniuccliiiiiitvpppm p aaaanNm lllapaal iiiiiitvsssssssu pppm p oooooi lsssssssusssssssuiiiiiitvb blllapaaleeeeeeee..t 

2 • Our Town 39042


Our 

Town 

PUBLISHER & EDITOR 

Tahya A. Dobbs 

CFO 

Kevin W. Dobbs 

CONSULTING EDITOR 

Mary Ann Kirby 

SPECIAL PROJECTS MANAGER 

Brenda McCall 

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT 

Alisha Floyd 

SPECIAL PROJECTS ASSISTANT 

Caroline Hodges 

ADVERTISING ASSISTANT 

Lexie Ownby 

LAYOUT DESIGN 

3dt 

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER 

Othel Anding 

Whether you’re brand new to our community or have 

been here for years, Our Town–39042 will help you 

find answers to questions about how the city works 

and how to get things done. This is a reference book– 

and you’ll find plenty of information about our local 

businesses as well as opportunities to engage with 

the city and other residents. We’re so glad you call 

Brandon home. 

INSIDE 

• Letter from the Mayor 6 

• What’s New in Downtown Brandon? 10 

• Orleans Centre’ 17 

• On & Off the Field 36 

• City Government 51 

• Library 53 

• Childcare 55 

• Churches 59 

• Medical 61 

• New Resident Info 64 

• Clubs 68 

• Schools 78 

• Parks & Recreation 86 

• Brandon Alumni Q&A 90 

Copyright HTMags.com / 601.706.4059 

200 Felicity Street / Brandon, MS 39042 

All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be 

reproduced without written permission from the publisher. 

The management of Hometown Publications is not responsible 

for opinions expressed by its writers or editors. 

Cover Photo: Brenda McCall 

39042 Our Town • 3



From Mayor Butch Lee 

2022 brings another positive year of growth for the City of Brandon. From our board of aldermen 

to our city department heads and staff, it is a collective effort to address the needs of our community. 

Not only does it take those of us within the city administration; but it also takes the business owners 

and our residents to come together for the success of our community. We measure that success 

in better city services, safe homes and neighborhoods, and quality of life impacts, such as recreation, 

hospitality and entertainment, and a variety of good and services right here in your hometown. 

With these goals always in mind, we see another year of positive financial growth for the City 

of Brandon. Spreadsheets and numbers may be where the record-keepers see our financial 

success; just know as you drive around your hometown, you can observe that growth and success 

reflected in things like construction, new developments, and new faces sitting across from you in 

a restaurant at Sunday lunch. While it may take a trained eye to see the city’s financial stability, 

improvements to the city’s infrastructure are easily observed. Just take a ride down one of our 

major thoroughfares! 

Our good financial standing is allowing us and others to invest in the infrastructure and services 

that make long-term improvements to our resident’s comfort and conveniences. Roads, water, 

sewer, and emergency services are priority recipients to these long-term improvements. Some of 

these improvements may cause temporary inconveniences for now. However, today’s work 

paves a path for our long-range comprehensive plan. Along with things like pedestrian and biking 

paths that allow accessibility and recreation for the entire community, improvements come in the 

way of technological advancements, too. Our fire and police departments actively seek the latest 

in technological advancements that can help decrease response times, effectively communicate 

with our citizens, and offer the latest in training advancements for our first responders. 

All these improvements are what keep Brandon ranked as the 2nd safest city in Mississippi for 

six years in a row. Along with feeling safe, we hope you enjoy the many areas of recreation and 

entertainment developed right here in Brandon. The historic downtown continues to see restoration 

and development and has established itself as a gathering point for our community. Events 

like the 042 Farmers Market, Christmas Parade, Mardi Gras Parade, Hop Into Easter at the Vault, 


and this year’s addition of the first-annual MLK Jr. Parade, sponsored by local businesses and 

residents, allow for families to gather in our hometown where they feel safe and welcome. Each 

year the City of Brandon, along with residents and businesses, continue to collaborate to add new 

events you can experience here in our community. 

Here in Brandon, you can work and play. Our community ranks 2nd in median household income 

over the entire state. The Brandon School District has an A rating, and we are also a certified retirement 

community. Development continues with the mountain bike and cross-country offerings at our Trails 

at Quarry Park. This beautiful natural landscape has existed here in Brandon and is now being 

cultivated into an oasis of recreational activity. Visitors to the trails can enjoy bird watching, running, 

walking, hiking, and mountain biking. These budding nature and recreational programs are just the 

first in many more to come. 

When you are not enjoying the solace of the outdoors, you can find excitement and entertainment 

at the Brandon Amphitheater. The Brandon Amphitheater hosts an average of 20 concerts and 

a variety of additional events throughout the year. We are proud to bring our community together 

with city-sponsored events like the Gumbo Cookoff, July 4th Celebration, Back-2-School Bash, 

Fall Festival, and car shows. You can look forward to many more years of growth and adding to the 

variety of events that we offer to the community. 

The excitement in Brandon is real! The city is continually seeking improvements in every aspect 

that touches your life. We hope you, too, are as excited as we are. Let’s move forward, together, on 

a path of improved health, wealth, and happiness as our common goal. 

All communities have many moving parts to their daily functions. In Brandon, our ability to come 

together makes for an ease to the growth and improvements. When we all work together, we all 

experience the benefits. It makes us a stronger and more united community of friends and families. 

It continues to be what keeps you here and calls others to join us. 

They see what we have and want a part of calling Brandon home. 




Brandon?Susan Marquez 

What’s New 

in Downtown 

For many years, downtown Brandon was much like other downtown 

areas in small cities across America. A strip of historic buildings is 

a clue that the area was once a center of commerce, but with the 

advent of interstate highways and big box stores, many of America’s 

downtowns became ghost towns. Fortunately for Brandon, many area 

businesspeople saw the potential in downtown Brandon, and today 

it is bustling with new life. 

One of the most exciting and ambitious 

projects in downtown Brandon is being 

spearheaded by architect Jamie Wier. 

With a growing trend for alternative living 

spaces nationwide, developers are taking existing 

buildings and repurposing them into apartments or 

condominiums. Jamie has mastered the concept 

with his innovative Wierhouse Lofts in downtown 

Brandon. Not only does it provide housing in a 

downtown area, but the repurposing helps to 

preserve historic structures that may have 

otherwise deteriorated. The Wierhouse Lofts 

have five units, and Jamie gets calls weekly from 

folks who want to live in one. 

“Studies have shown that the key to a thriving 

downtown area is to have inhabitants,” says 

Jamie. “When that happens, downtown areas are 

no longer daytime-only places. There is life in the 

area around the clock.” Jamie, a principal architect 

at Wier Boerner Allin in Jackson, fell in love with 

Rankin County and the vibe of downtown Brandon. 

“It has the nostalgia of Mayberry.” Wier has done a 

lot of work in Rankin County, including the design 

work of the Brandon Amphitheater, as well as 

work for Brandon Parks and Recreation and a fire 

station. “I really began to notice downtown 

Brandon when I attended a Christmas parade 

there several years ago.” 

Across the street from his first project, another 

project beckoned to Jamie. The old Rankin First 

Bank (later Trustmark) was designed in 1969, 

and added on to twice, once in 1972, and again 

sometime after that. “It’s the kind of project no 

one wanted to tackle on their own,” Jamie says. 

Because of that, he teamed together with a group 

of guys who formed a partnership to repurpose 

the building. The partners are from Wier Boerner 

Allin Architecture, Thrash Commercial Contractors, 

Trihelm Properties, and local real estate investor 

Brent Leach. “We all want to see Brandon move in 

the right direction,” says Jamie. “We were excited 

to find a building like that downtown, and we all 

wanted to be a part of it.” 


With 5,000 square feet downstairs and 11,000 

square feet upstairs, the building was spacious, 

but there were limitations when it came to use. 

“The bank layout lent itself to lofts on the top 

floor,” says Jamie. There are high windows and 

ceilings, which are desirable. Downstairs posed 

challenges due to the two vaults. “Those cannot 

be removed. We worked with the city to grant a 

mixed-use variance, and we talked to gym 

owners, boutique hotels and restaurants about 

the first-floor space, but the reality is that the 

building didn’t work for those uses.” Instead, the 

decision was made to put six units on the bottom 

floor and two on the second floor. All units are 

one bedroom except for one two-bedroom unit. 

One of the units is ADA accessible. “Each unit is 

configured differently,” says Jamie. “The units 

range in size from 560 to 850 square feet.” 

As the construction on the project progresses, 

Jamie says close attention is paid to preserving 

the mid-century design of the building. “When it is 

finished, it will have a very industrial, mid-century 

vibe.” Because the building was originally a bank, 

the group has decided to name it The Bank 

Downtown Lofts. “Everyone has always referred 

to the building as The Bank,” says Jamie, “so why 

change it? Besides, how cool is it to tell people 

you live at The Bank?” 

Construction on the project has already 

begun, and the hope is that units will be available 

to rent by the end of summer. “That is contingent 

upon many variables,” Jamie states. “The lead 

time on things like HVAC equipment, doors and 

appliances has held us up. At this time, we are not 

taking reservations or applications. We need to 

get to a place where we have a firm finish date.” 


Adair and Diane Jernigan recognized the 

value in opening a business in downtown 

Brandon almost five years ago. 

The couple lives in Brandon where he is a 

minister, and she is a sales director with Mary Kay 

Cosmetics. “We had considered opening a store 

for several years, and the time seemed right in 

September 2017 to open Vintiques,” says Diane. 

“The original concept was to open a store that 

sold vintage items and antiques. However, God’s 

plan was much bigger and better than ours. We 

still sell antiques; however, we are a boutique 

that features new clothing, shoes and accessories 

for women and kids, home décor, furniture, 

candles, bath & body products, fresh breads and 

desserts, jellies & jams, frozen soups, entrees and 

beautiful handmade merchandise by local artists 

and artisans.” The business is located in the 

historic Busick Building, which was a family 

western store that opened in 1865. The original 

building burned, and we are in the building which 

was built in 1935.” Diane says that their desire is 

for Vintiques to be a business where customers 

can experience a relaxing environment and feel 

the spirit of the Lord. “We are thankful for the 

growth and support of this community, and we are 

happy to provide a place where people can shop, 

visit, and relax during their busy day.” 


When Ryan Patrick was looking for a 

place to open another store in his chain 

of Pizza Shack restaurants, he set his 

sights on Brandon. 

“We like this area. Brandon is such a cool 

small town, and there is a lot going on in the 

downtown area.” His newest venture is located in 

a two-story building on West Government Street. 

“It was built in 1946 for the Grantham family,” 

says Ryan. “They lived upstairs and operated 

a dry-cleaning business downstairs.” Paying 

homage to the building’s original purpose, the 

restaurant is called The Cleaners by Pizza Shack. 

“Our kitchen and a few tables are located 

downstairs, while our main dining room and bar 

are upstairs. One feature is a 24-tap self-serve 

beer wall.” 

Brent Leach grew up in Brandon. 

“We drove through downtown Brandon our 

whole lives.” Brent says he “accidently” got 

involved in real estate in the downtown area. 

“I got involved with Jamie Wier and his projects, 

and with Burgers and Blues. Then we got a 

two-story building where The Glossary Salon is 

located. My wife’s Pilates studio, Downtown 

Pilates, is located downstairs in the building.” 

Brent has recently acquired a new building 

behind Vintiques. “We have a couple of tenants 

moving in, Tootsie Trends and The Beach Look, 

as well as Downtown Pilates.” Watching the 

downtown area come to life has been exciting 

for Brent. “It’s kind of neat to see vacant buildings 

come to life. When Genna Benna opened, it was 

the thing that got everyone excited.” 




financing Your dreams 

since 1876 

BANKOFYAZOO.COM 

YAZOO CITY | FLORA | FLOWOOD | CROSSGATES 


Our 

Town 


Orleans Centre’ 

SUSAN MARQUEZ 

The landscape of Rankin County will soon be changed 

with an ambitious new development. 

Main 601.933.3344 • Keith Clair 601.842.1225 • Jim DeFoe 601.842.1228 

Ergon Properties Brandon City Ad Mar2020 8x5.indd 1 

Orleans Centre’ is a project of Ergon Properties, 

Looking to expand or relocate your business? 

Inc. “We are very pleased and excited about this 

Consider Orleans Centrè in the city of Brandon, located at the southwest 

quadrant of I-20 and Hwy 18 (Crossgates Blvd. Exit). Several sites, from small 

to large acreage areas, are available. 

development,” says Jim DeFoe, president of Ergon 

Properties, Inc. “Bridge, road, utilities, and other 

public infrastructure improvements will begin in a 

month or so.” 

DeFoe believes it is the perfect time for the 

3/30/20 10:09 AM 

mixed-use development, which will be located on 

seventy acres of property to the west of Home 

Depot in Brandon, all within the Brandon city limits. 

“The Brandon Home Depot is one of the top three in 

the state. With the amphitheater and ballfield 

complete and doing well, this new development will 

add more businesses and services to the area. 

There is a lot of action on Highway 18 on the south 

side of I-20. There are already many restaurants on 

the north side of I-20. We are looking to infuse even 

more options on the south side of the interstate.” 

DeFoe says the East Metro corridor forms the first 

true north/south pathway to the northern part of 

Rankin County. “That perfectly aligns with the 

Crossgates/Highway 18 interchange.” 

Adding to the convenience and quality of life for 

area residents, most tenants in phase one of Orleans 

Centre’ will be mixed-use related, according to 

DeFoe. “We want to bring life and energy to the 

area. We are looking at including a grocery store 

anchor and other businesses.” One possibility is an 

upscale wine and spirits shop. “We are thinking auto 

dealerships would be ideal. We are also in talks with 

a hotel group. In addition, we are hoping to bring in 

medical services as well.” 

Butch Lee, mayor of Brandon, says that city 

leaders have been working diligently on improvements 

to the city. “We have been working on quality 

improvements to our hometown, including public 

safety, infrastructure, streets, and the downtown 

area, knowing full well that quality in fundamental 

purpose of local government will bring private 

investment into our community. Business investors 

must know, beyond a doubt, that local government 

is financially secure and continuously working to 

protect the community and the private investments 

made here. The city board has, and will, continue 

working toward a higher quality community in which 

to live, work, and raise a family. It is this purpose 

which drives Brandon toward further development 

such as the Orleans Way project at I-20, exit 54.” 

DeFoe says the cooperation and support Ergon 

has received from both the City of Brandon as well 

as from Rankin County officials, has been monumental 

to the project going forward. “We could not do it 

without their support.” Future phases would open 

up approximately 133 additional acres to the west, 

extending well into Pearl, all with excellent I-20 

exposure. “Ergon’s vision is for Orleans Way to one 

day be a frontage road, linking the airport exit and 

Crossgates exit.” 

DeFoe says the project has been in the works for 

a long time and is a large undertaking with many 

moving parts. “We are excited to be a part of growing 

the offerings in the area in such an exciting way.” 

Ergon Properties, Inc. and its subsidiaries acquire and 

develop retail projects, commercial and industrial facilities 

across the southeastern United States. 




20 • Our Town 39042 

Congratulations to 

the Brandon High 

Volleyball team on 

their 2021 Class 6A 

State Championship





Brandon Elementary 

2021 National Blue Ribbon School Celebration 

Brandon Elementary held a huge celebration in October at the Brandon 

Amphitheater in honor of their school being chosen as a 2021 National 

Blue Ribbon School. Only 4 Mississippi schools out of 325 schools 

nationwide were chosen for this prestigious award. Congratulations to 

Principal Vallerie Lacey and her staff for this amazing honor.


Brandon Bulldogs 

Baseball Team 

Finishes the Game 

The Brandon Bulldogs baseball team has faced a lot of challenges 

this past season. During a season of loss, grief, and having to overcome 

the unexpected, the players built a strong bond with one another and 

played each game not only for a win—but for their teammate that was 

no longer with them. It wasn’t just about the game of baseball and 

playing for a state title this year, but about building lifelong friendships, 

working together, and finishing the game. 

The Brandon Bulldogs baseball team prospered through the season 

as one. They became district champions. The team also made their 

first South State appearance since 2014. No matter what challenges 

the team faced or what obstacles came at them head-on, they stuck 

together and remembered their purpose and to finish the game. The 

Bulldogs closed out the season with a 26-8 overall record. #Team29 





Congratulations to the Brandon High School Football team for 

advancing to the MHSAA Class 6A 2021 State Championship. 




INVEST. GROW. BUILD. 

WITH A BANK THAT 

KNOWS COMMUNITY. 

MEMBER FDIC • EQUAL HOUSING LENDER 




Building A Legacy 

On & Off 

the Field 

Mistie Desper 

“This sport is so much more 

than logging a win for me, 

it’s about being there, showing up, 

and about personal growth for 

each player that comes through 

this program,” said Sam Williams, 

Brandon High School athletic director and 

head football coach. 

Sam’s passion for sports began at an 

early age. Both of his parents as well as his 

grandparents were athletes. Sam’s father 

even went on to play professional baseball. 

Growing up with such role models laid a 

foundation for his future, long before he even 

realized it. Not only did Sam play baseball, 

football, and soccer, growing up, but he 

quickly realized that he had a “passion for 

leading people” in a positive way. 

After high school, Sam attended and 

played football for Mississippi State 

University while pursuing his degree. 

Realizing that he simply did not want to 

walk away from the sport, he decided to 

pursue coaching. “It was such an easy 

decision for me. I always helped the younger 

guys and helped lay that strong foundation. 

It was a great move for me and easy to 

transition into coaching.” 

Sam has created a true “family” among 

his players during his coaching career. He 

said, “I have worked at different size schools 

and in general, the larger the school, the 

less intimate it can be. I strive to find that 

connection with my players. Having over 

100 kids, I always ask how we can make 

communication better and ask how many 

times we have told each player how much 

we appreciate their time and effort to show 

up day in and day out doing the same 

workouts as everyone else.” 

Stressing that the wins are fun, Sam says 

really he cares more about each player as 

a person. “The kids know I am not perfect. 

I don’t try to be. I try to be as real as I can. 

Kids trust those who show up in their lives. 

We work hard in this program to bring 

these players up in a loving environment 

and we hope they strive to become like the 

men who have coached them. That’s the 

success I want for them.” 


Completing his first football season at 

Brandon High School, he has been able to 

take the team and school on an impressive 

journey this year that led to the 24-17 win 

over nationally ranked Oak Grove. This 

sparked quite a following within the 

community as former players, students, 

citizens, and local businesses rallied in 

support of the team. 

Admitting that the victory over Oak 

Grove was “way up there” on his list of 

greatest coaching memories, Sam admitted 

it has been the community that has made 

such a difference to him. He said, “Brandon 

is such a special place. I love being a part of 

a smaller community yet has a 6A school. 

They’ve managed not to lose that smalltown 

feel. This is one of those pure places 

and its so fun to be a part of it. So many in 

this town genuinely care about these kids.” 

When he is not on the field, Sam is the 

loving husband of Rachel and doting father 

of Caroline (6), Catherine (5), and Luke (3). 

Sam’s wife Rachel added, “I consider it a 

privilege to have a front-row seat of 

watching Sam use his gifts that the Lord 

has given him.” 

With several wins already under his 

belt at other schools and now at Brandon, 

Sam admits, “It’s real tempting to say my 

goal is to bring a state championship to 

Brandon. But really, for me, I want to help 

keep making Brandon a better place by 

developing kids to be leaders. I hope this 

program leaves such an impact on them 

that they want to return to this community 

as adults in a leadership role.” 

Rachel concluded, “It gives me great 

joy to know that the seeds he is planting in 

his athletes will continue to grow long 

beyond their football careers.” 





Brandon Mayor’s 

Prayer 

Breakfast 

May 5 / City Hall



©2022 JEA

may Market 

May 12 / Downtown Brandon 



CITY OF BRANDON 

Veterans Day 

BREAKFAST 

NOVEMBER 11 • BRANDON MUNICIPAL COMPLEX 


Get your 

favorites 

fast! 

OrDeR AhEaD 

On OuR ApP 

©2020 McAlister’s Franchisor SPV 405973 



Brandon Show Choir 

ELITE Stars Under The Stars 

March 22 

Brandon Amphitheater 

The 2021-2022 school year was one to remember for Brandon Show 

Choir. Brandon High School’s BRIO had a record-breaking season 

achieving four Grand Champion victories in a row, more than any other 

show choir in the state of MS this year. 

At the Jackson Academy Show Choir Invitational, Brio received 

Best Overall Effect and Grand Champion. At The Northeast Jones Show 

Choir Classic, Brio received Best Choreography, Best Show Design, and 

Grand Champion. At The Homewood South Central Classic in Alabama, 

Brio received Best Vocals, Best Choreography, and Grand Champion. 

At The Petal Show Choir Invitational, Brio achieved a full sweep with 

Best Vocals, Best Choreography, Best Show Design, and Grand 

Champion. And at the National Fame Competition in Orlando, 

Brio received Best Crew and 2nd Runner Up Overall. 

In addition to the great success of BRIO, Brandon High School’s all 

girls show choir, BELLAS, also had an amazing season. In their division, 

BELLAS received no less than top three at each competition in state and 

4th at the National Fame Competition in Orlando. What makes this year 

even more outstanding is that Brandon Show Choir Association hosted 

their very first show choir competition, ELITE, at the Brandon Amphitheater. 

It’s the first outdoor show choir competition in the state. 

Brandon BRIO and BELLAS are under the direction of Charlie and 

Lauren Woodward with co-directors Drew Crenshaw, Meg Willis and 

Mandy Brownlee. The Woodwards say that God has really blessed 

Brandon Show Choir. They attribute this great success to the incredible 

hard work of the students and their parents, outstanding feeder programs 

BLITZ & BOOM, a focus on excellence at all times, lots of prayer, and 

blessings from the Lord. Congratulations on a wonderful season! 



Peace of Mind Knowing Your Loved One is Safe! 

PlainView is a unique Senior Living Community that offers the attention, care 

and home-like environment your loved one deserves. When your loved one’s 

care becomes complex, care at home may just not be enough. 

PlainView offers high-quality care from loving caregivers. 

Tracey Floyd, Executive Director 

214 Spell Drive Richland, MS 39218 

601-664-1966 

Business Office Hours: Monday through Friday 8a.m. to 5p.m. 

WWW.HICKORYSENIORLIVING.COM 

All Inclusive Assisted Living Community 

Meet our newest physician 

Dr. Charles McGuffey. 

Dr. McGuffey’s primary 

focuses will be: 

• CORNEA 

• CATARACT 

• SECONDARY LENSES 

Jackson Eye Associates is proud to announce the addition of Dr. Charles D. McGuffey 

to our Jackson office. A native of Madison, McGuffey earned his medical degree from 

University of Mississippi Medical Center before completing his residency at the University 

of Tennessee at Memphis. He completed a fellowship in cornea, external diseases, and 

refractive surgery at the Dean McGee Eye Institute at Oklahoma University. 

JACKSON 

601.353.2020 

MADISON 

601.853.2020 

JACKSONEYE.COM 

CLINTON 

601.924.9750 

©2022 Jackson Eye Associates 


Aldermen & 

Department Heads 

The Brandon Board of Aldermen meets twice a 

month, on the first and third Monday of each month, 

starting at 6:00pm. If a holiday falls on that Monday, 

the board meets the following day. 

All board meeting agendas and minutes can be found 

at www.brandonms.org 

Sharon Womack 

Alderman at Large 

swomack@brandonms.org 

601-624-3603 

Jarrad Craine 

Ward 1 

jcraine@brandonms.org 

601-454-2506 

Cris Vinson 

Ward 2 

cvinson@brandonms.org 

601-824-8884 

Harry Williams 

Ward 3 

hwilliams@brandonms.org 

601-825-8970 

Lu Coker 

Ward 4 

lcoker@brandonms.org 

601-573-0281 

Dwight Middleton 

Ward 5 

dmiddleton@brandonms.org 

601-278-9637 

Tahya Dobbs 

Ward 6 

tdobbs@brandonms.org 

601-750-7972 

DEPARTMENT HEADS 

Angela Bean 

City Clerk 

abean@brandonms.org 

Brian Roberts 

Fire Chief 

broberts@brandonms.org 

William Thompson 

Police Chief 

wthompson@brandonms.org 

Matt Dodd 

Community Development 

Director 

mdodd@brandonms.org 

Charles Smith 

Public Works Director 

csmith@brandonms.org 



Library 

1475 W. Government Street, Brandon, MS 39042 

601.825.2672 / cmrls.lib.ms.us 

Branch Manager: Amy Lee brbm@cmrls.lib.ms.us 

Hours of Operation 

Monday - Thursday 9:00am - 8:00pm 

Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm 

Saturday 9:00am - 4:00pm 

Services Offered 

• Black and white printing/copying • Color printing/copying 

• Scanning • Faxing • Wireless Printing 

Services provided by the Friends of the Brandon Library 

• Free shredding services 

• Notary services / Nominal fee of $3. 

Available 10am-7pm Monday-Thursday, and 10am-4pm on Friday. 

Additional times available by appointment. 



Childcare 

For many years, childcare services have been an 

important and essential part of today’s working 

parents’ needs. 

Infants to kindergarten-age children are given 

care, training, and environments for learning social 

interactions. Our community offers these exceptional 

“second homes” for our children. 

Brandon Methodist Kindergarten 

Ages 3-5 years old 

www.brandonfumc.org/kindergarten 

205 Mary Ann Drive / Brandon, MS 39042 / 601.825.5958 

Circle of Friends Learning Center II 

Ages 6 weeks - 4 years old 

2006 Creek Cove / Brandon, MS 39042 / 601.825.2387 

Crossgates Baptist Kindergarten 


crossgates.org/weekday 

8 Crosswoods Road / Brandon, MS 39042 / 601.825.2734 

Crossgates Methodist Children’s Center 


thechildrenscenterbrandon.com 

21 Crossgates Drive / Brandon, MS 39042 / 601.825.0555 

First Baptist Brandon Children’s Center 


www.fbcbrandon.com/childrens-center 

309 S. College Street / Brandon, MS 39042 / 601.825.8686 

Kids Are Kids Learning Center 


462 Luckney Road / Brandon, MS 39042 / 601.825.0402 

Little Cam Cam’s Learning Center 


305 W. Jasper Street / Brandon, MS 39042 / 601.825.7951 

Miss Mandy’s Christian Daycare 


783 Marquette Road / Brandon, MS 39042 / 601.825.6224 

Silver Spoon 


213 Woodgate Drive South / Brandon, MS 39042 / 601.824.6093 

Tikes 2 Tots Family Childcare 


213 Commerce Drive / Brandon, MS 39042 / 601.825.3101 



Hometown Magazines 

congratulates the 

Brandon High School 

2021-2022 Cheerleaders 

for winning 

NCA National Champions 

and 

Grand National Champions


Elite offers a wide range of physical therapy services including 

orthopedics, pre- and post-op rehab, sports medicine, TMJ 

rehab, vestibular rehab, geriatric rehab and much more! 

2015 Highpointe Drive • Brandon • (601) 724-7310 

115 Village Square, Stuite E • Brandon • (601) 829-0505 

1201 Highway 49 South, Suite 2 • Richland • (769) 233-8844 

To request an appointment, visit myelitept.com 


Churches 

Living in our hometown of Brandon with churches 

“on every corner” is a blessing and freedom we often 

overlook. Read our list of local churches in a spirit of 

thanksgiving! 

“And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some 

people do, but encourage one another, especially now 

that the day of his return is drawing near.” 

– Hebrews 10:25 

Brandon Assembly of God 

995 South College Street 

Brandon, MS 39042 

601.825.8188 

ag.org 

Brandon Baptist Church 

100 Brandon Baptist Drive 


601.824.1781 

brandonbc.org 

Brandon First United Methodist 

205 Mary Ann Drive 


601.825.5958 

www.brandonfumc.org 

Brandon Presbyterian Church 

209 South College Street 


601.825.5259 

www.brandonpres.com 

Crossgates Baptist Church 

8 Crosswoods Road 


601.825.2562 

crossgates.org 

Crossgates United 

Methodist Church 

23 Crossgates Drive 


601.825.8677 

www.crossgatesumc.org 

Crossview Baptist Church 

687 Burnham Road 


601.825.0412 

crossviewbc@att.net 

First Baptist Church 

of Brandon 

Office: 309 College Street 


Sunday Worship: 

175 Boyce Thompson Drive 


601.825.6766 

601.825.3141 

www.fbcbrandon.com 

First United Pentecostal 

Church of Brandon 

1368 West Government Street 


601.825.7569 

brandonupc.com 

Grace Baptist Church 

1013 MS-471 


601.824.7334 

www.gracebaptistonline.net 

Hope Fellowship 

500 North College Street 


601.824.9088 

www.hfcbrandon.org 

Journey Church 

1000 Municipal Drive 


601.874.9595 

journeypeople.cc 

Meadow Grove Baptist Church 

3221 Louis Wilson Drive 


601.825.5704 

www.meadowgrove.org 

Nativity Lutheran Church 

495 Crossgates Boulevard 


601.825.5125 

www.nativitylc.org 

New Life Assembly of God 

300 Shiloh Road 


601.824.3030 

ag.org 

New Vision Fellowship 

652 Luckney Road 


601.591.1267 

nvfms.org 

North Brandon 

Church of Christ 

1029 MS-471 


601.825.6497 

northbrandoncc.com 

Rock Star Baptist Church 

303 Tamberline Street 


601.825.2560 

www.facebook.com/ 

RockStarMBChurch 

St Luke’s Episcopal Church 

104 North College Street 


601.825.5839 

stlukes.dioms.org 

The Pointe 

1120 Star Road 


601.591.1154 

www.thepointebrandon.com 



Medical Facilities 

Healthcare delivery is changing. In addition to great 

medical care, patients expect easy access, affordability 

and convenience. In Brandon, we have a high standard 

with a focus on quality, convenience and a personalized 

care experience. We are able to bring acute and 

long-term care services closer to home through 

the following providers: 

Baptist Medical Clinic Family Medicine - Brandon 

1490 West Government Street / Suite 10 

Brandon, MS 39042 / 601.825.1936 

Family Health Care Clinic 



Greenfield Family Healthcare 

762 Highway 468 

Brandon, MS 39042 / 601-824-0988 

Merit Health Medical Group Primary Care Brandon 



Merit Health Rankin 



Rankin Children’s Group, PLLC 

1405 Crossgates Drive West 


Rankin Primary Care Clinic 

103 Service Drive 


Region 8 Mental Health Services 

613 Marquette Road 


Richard C. Randolph, M.D., P.A. 

348 Crossgates Boulevard / Suite 2200 


St. Dominic’s 

Family Medicine - Brandon 



TrustCare 

1645 West Government Street / Suite F 





New Resident Info 

• Brandon was incorporated in 1831 as the county 

seat of Rankin County, Mississippi. Over the years, 

Brandon has experienced positive growth while 

maintaining its small-town charm. 

• A-rated school district 

• 2nd safest city in Mississippi 

• Class 4 fire rating 

• The City of Brandon is 1 of 13 Certified Retirement 

Cities in the state, as recognized by the Mississippi 

Development Authority 

Brandon Police Department 



601.825.7225 

Brandon Fire Department 

601.824.4636 

Station 1 



Station 2 

6577 Grants Ferry Road 


Station 3 

147 Kennedy Farm Parkway 


Station 4 

1058 Star Road 


Station 5 

16 Woodgate Drive 


Station 6 

213 Poindexter Street 


Rankin County 

Emergency Management 



601.825.1499 

Rankin County Safe Room 



601.825.1480 

Rankin County Tax Collector 

Vehicle Registration and Title 

211 East Government Street 


601.825.1467 

DPS Driver’s License Location 


Pearl, MS 39208 

601.420.6342 

Circuit Clerk’s Office 

211 East Government Street 

Suite A, Brandon, MS 39042 

601.825.1475 

M-F 8:00am - 5:00pm 

Marriage License 

• No appointment is needed, 

but you must arrive by 4:30pm. 

• The bride and groom must 

come to the circuit clerk’s office 

together to apply. 

• Marriage license cost $37 

- CASH ONLY. 

• Proof of age must be provided 

in the form of a driver’s license, 

birth certificate, or other legal 

documents. If either applicant is 

under 21 years of age, he/she 

must have consent from parents 

or legal guardians. 

• If applicants have previously 

been married and divorced or 

lost a spouse through death, the 

applicant will need to provide 

the month, day and year the 

marriage ended. 

• Once a license is issued, it does 

not expire. 

Rankin County Chamber 

of Commerce 

601-825-2268 

Brandon City Public Works 



601.824.4579 

www.brandonms.org/ 

departments/public-works 

water@brandonms.org 

The City of Brandon Public 

Works Department consists of 

four divisions: streets, water, 

sewer, and sanitation. Together 

these divisions provide many of 

the basic services that affect the 

daily lives of everyone who lives 

and works in the City of Brandon. 

Some of the Public Works 

Department services include 

• Maintenance of city rights of 

way and stormwater drainage 

systems 

• Major and minor infrastructure 

construction projects, pothole 

repair, roadway shoulder 

maintenance, roadside ditch, 

and creek cleaning 

• Operation, placement, 

maintenance, and repair of 

traffic control devices, including 

traffic signals/controllers, 

pavement markings, and street 

and speed signs 

• Water, sewer, and residential 

grinder pump repairs 

• Garbage pick-up 

• Mosquito abatement services 

and herbicide spraying for 

creeks and ditches 

• Review of subdivision 

construction plans 

• Emergency response during 

adverse weather (i.e. removing 

fallen trees, treating bridges 

when experiencing icy road 

conditions) 


Community Development 

601-825-4580 

www.brandonms.org/departments/ 

community-development 

A building permit is required for: 

Shops and other accessory 

buildings, roofs, pools, additions 

and structure remodels. A building 

permit is not required for: fences, 

painting, replacing rotten wood, 

small cosmetic remodels. 

For code enforcement questions: 

code@brandonms.org 

Demographics 

• Population: 16% growth 

from 2010 

• 53% growth from 2000 

• 2000: 16,436 

• 2010: 21,705 

• 2019: 23,930 

• 2020: 25,138 

• Daytime Population: 30,658 

• Children at Home: 5.657 

(population in households under 

18 yo; 2010 Census) 

• Under 18 years old 5,807, 2020 

• ACS 5YR Est table ID S0101 

• Retired/Disabled:65 years and 

over with a disability: 1,160 

• Homemakers: 9,569 

• Student Populations: 6,691 

• Work at Home: 2,510 

• Employed: 12,144 

• Unemployed: 307 

• Median Household Income: 

$80,924 

Brandon’s household income is 

the highest for municipalities in 

Mississippi with populations less 

than 25,000, and 2nd overall for 

the entire state. 

Permit Info 

456 new single family homes 

in last five years 

Commercial Permit Evaluation 

2017: $9,248,084 

2018: $14,168,233 

2019: $32,749,325 

2020: $11,485,819 

2021: $7,540,824 

TOTAL: $75,192,285 

Residential Permit Evaluation 

2017: 120 ($30,481,854) 

2018: 62 ($18,538,866) 

2019: 85 ($25,062,940) 

2020: 110 ($35,122,040) 

2021: 79 ($21,578,532) 

TOTAL: 456 ($130,784,232) 

Amphitheater 

The Brandon Amphitheater, 

completed in 2018, is an 8,500- 

seat concert and event venue. 

City Hall Live 

The City of Brandon also holds 

concerts and events at Brandon 

Municipal Complex. There are 

6-8 events held at “City Hall” 

annually, and they average 

600-1200 visitors per event. 

These events bring an average 

of 6,600 visitors. 

Parades & Events 

The City of Brandon hosts annual 

events that have been extremely 

successful for the community 

and attracts visitors locally and 

regionally. 

2022 

• July 14 

042 Farmers Market 

• August 4 

Back 2 School Bash 

• August 11 


• September 8 


• October 27 

042 Farmers Market/Boo 042 

• October 29 

Fall Festival 

• November 11 

Veterans Day Breakfast 

• December 2 

Christmas Parade 

• TBA 

Quarry Christmas Lights 

2023 

• February 10-11 

Princess Ball 

• February 17-18 

Krewe de Roux Parade 

& Gumbo Cook-Off 

• May 4 

Mayor’s Prayer Luncheon 

Parks & Recreation 

Parks and Recreation facilities 

continue to be a local and 

regional draw for 

athletics, tournaments, and 

events. Brandon has eight parks 

spread across 

425 acres. 

SHILOH PARK 

• 7 Baseball/Softball Fields 

• 11 Soccer Fields 

• 4 Pickle Ball Courts 

• 3 Playgrounds 

• 1 Splash pad 

QUARRY PARK 

• 6 Baseball/Softball Fields 

with artificial turf 

CITY PARK 

• 7 Full-Size Tennis Courts 

• 3 Junior Tennis Courts 

• 1 Children’s Playground 




Clubs 

The definition of a club - a group of persons organized 

for a social, literary, athletic, political, or other purpose. 

Brandon offers a great choice for those inclined to 

organized social gatherings. Our area clubs have united 

members who have invested in the advancement of our 

hometown. Check out this list in our area: 

Crown Club 

Service Project of Junior Auxiliary of Rankin County 

Crown Club encourages the young women of Rankin County during 

their 8th through 12th grade years to build leadership skills, foster 

good character, and understand the importance of good citizenship. 

Crown Club members experience the act of caring for others through 

community service projects. 

Kiwanis Club 

Kiwanis International is a global organization of members dedicated to 

serving the children of the world. Kiwanis and its family of clubs - nearly 

600,000 members strong - annually raise more than 100 million dollars 

and dedicate more than 18 million volunteer hours to strengthen 

communities and serve children. Members of every single age attend 

regular meetings, experience fellowship, raise funds for various causes 

and participate in service projects that help their communities. Members 

also make an impact throughout the world by participation in Kiwanis 

International’s Global Campaign for Children, The Eliminate Project: 

Kiwanis eliminating maternal and neonatal tetanus. The Rankin County 

Kiwanis Club meets every Wednesday at noon at Penn’s. 

www.kiwanis.org / rankinkiwanis@aol.com 

Rotary Club 

Founded in 1905, Rotary is the world’s oldest and largest international 

service organization. The 34,000 Rotary clubs across the globe are 

composed of 1.2 million business leaders, friends, and neighbors 

located in over 200 countries and territories. Together they create 

positive, lasting change in their local areas and around the world. 

From community service to working for a polio-free world, Rotary’s 

universal motto is “Service Above Self.” Rotarians in Rankin County 

participate in a multitude of service projects such as children’s literacy 

and reading programs, student scholarships, helping needy families 

at holidays, hosting community blood drives, assisting with building community 

parks, providing dictionaries to third graders and supporting 

clean water projects abroad. The Rankin County Rotary Club meets 

every Thursday at noon in the Buchanan Room at Genna Benna. 

601-540-2995 


The Exchange Club of Crossgates 

Exchange, America’s service club, is a group of men and women 

working together to make our communities better places to live through 

programs of service in Americanism, community service, charities, youth 

activities, and its national project, the prevention of child abuse. This club 

was formed in 1976 as a local chapter of the National Exchange Club 

dedicated to the Exchange Club covenant of service. The Exchange 

Club of Crossgates meets at Penn’s Restaurant in downtown Brandon 

on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month at 6:30pm. 

Brandon Mayor’s Youth Council 

The City of Brandon Mayor’s Youth Council is a group of approximately 

40-50 students from area high schools, both public and private. Mayor’s 

Youth Council mission is to serve as role models in the community and 

among the youth of Brandon by serving as an example and by taking 

an active role in community sponsored activities and volunteer work. 

Members are required to earn service hours through sponsored events 

to raise funds for community projects that improve our city and unity all 

age groups in our community. 

www.crossgatesec.com / 601-825-5442 

Rankin County Chamber Youth Leadership 

The Youth Leadership Program helps young leaders develop responsible 

community leadership roles and impact the future of Rankin County! 

The students will familiarize themselves with community opportunities, 

needs, problems and resources. They will have effective dialogue, 

establishing friendships among participants and community leaders. 

Students will learn advanced leadership and management skills such as: 

• Goal setting 

• Effective communication 

• Decision making 

• Team building 

• Motivation and organization 

• Work ethic development 


Junior Auxiliary of Rankin County 

Junior Auxiliary of Rankin County is a non-profit service organization 

for women who desire to serve and improve their communities. 

Through a variety of hands-on projects that cover a wide sector of 

the community, JARC members implement the ideals of their national 

motto: “Caring Hearts. Helping Hands. Changing Hearts.” 

rankinja.org / elationsjarc@gmail.com 



City of Brandon 

2022 

Princess 

Ball 



Garden Club 

Brandon Garden Club Makes Things Happen! 

In 2022, Brandon Garden Club, Inc. was 

awarded “Garden Club of the Year” by The 

Garden Clubs of Mississippi, Inc. Since its 

organization in 1952, Brandon Garden Club 

has been a driving force for beautification and 

preservation in Brandon. Hard-working club 

members are involved throughout the year in 

projects to support its underlying theme of 

beautification through gardening in our homes, 

gardens, and the Brandon community. 

Brandon Garden Club’s annual Tablescapes 

Luncheon fundraiser is scheduled for February 

24, 2023. It is supported by an impressive list 

of businesses and individual contributors that 

recognize Brandon Garden Club’s value to the 

community. Get your name on the ticket list now 

by contacting any Brandon Garden Club 

member. 

The theme for the current year is “Brandon 

Garden Club Makes Things Happen!” Our 

projects support the goals of our federated 

organizations, The Garden Clubs of Mississippi, 

Inc., Deep South Garden Clubs, Inc., and 

National Garden Clubs, Inc. 

Some of the club’s ongoing projects include: 

Old Brandon Cemetery – spring and fall 

cleanup and planting, including memorial trees 

Brandon Municipal Complex – plantscaping 

for the atrium and main lobby, providing 

year-round plantscaping maintenance, and 

decorating for Christmas 

Rankin County School District – providing 

gardening related programs for special 

education students at The Spot Downtown 

Commercial landscape awards – recognizing 

outstanding commercial landscaping 

Veterans – decorating for the Veterans Day 

breakfast and maintaining Blue Star Memorial 

Marker flower beds 

Cancer awareness – planting and maintaining 

the “Plant It Pink” flower bed in downtown 

Brandon 

Education – providing displays and programs 

at Brandon Public Library and scholarships at 

Hinds Community College and Mississippi State 

University 

Brandon Garden Club welcomes new members 

and volunteers for projects. Find us on Facebook, 

visit www.thebrandongardenclub.com, or email us 

at thebrandongardenclub@gmail.com 

1 

2 


3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

1 Brandon Garden Club received Garden Club of the Year. 

(L-R): Delena Hamel, ex-officio; Dixie Vance, president, Brandon Garden 

Club; Pat Young, president, The Garden Clubs of Mississippi, Inc. 

2 Distinguished servers at Brandon Garden Club’s Tablescapes Luncheon 

Fundraiser 

3 Commercial Landscape Award given to Brandon Public Library for its 

“Garden of Curiosity” 

4-5 Decorating for Christmas at Brandon Police Department and Brandon 

Municipal Complex 

6 Helping Aspire students in the Rankin County School District spread dirt 

at The Spot Downtown in Brandon 

7 Brandon Garden Club members at Tablescapes Luncheon fundraiser 

8 Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast centerpieces created by Brandon Garden Club 

9 Members created centerpieces for the annual Veterans Day Breakfast 

10 Blue Star Memorial Marker flower bed maintenance at Brandon Public 

Library 

8 9 10 


the 

Redefining 

Industry... 

Construction 

one project at a time. 

Stay up to date 


Senior Center 

The City of Brandon Senior Center is a recreation 

center for persons 55 years of age and older. We are 

located on Highway 80 in the Brandon Municipal 

Complex. The Senior Center offers a variety of 

programs, special events, activities, and classes 

which are low-cost or absolutely free! 

Visit www.brandonms.org/residents/senior-services/ 

for a daily schedule of events or call 601-824-7095. 


Schools 

Rouse Elementary 

Rouse Elementary School is home to kindergarten 

and 1st graders in the Brandon Zone of the 

Rankin County School District. 

151 Boyce-Thompson Drive / Brandon, MS 39042 

rse.rcsd.ms / 601.825.5437 


Brandon High School 

Brandon High School is a 6A high school and is home to 

9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th graders in the Brandon Zone 

of the Rankin County School District. 

3090 Highway 18 / Brandon, MS 39042 

bhs.rcsd.ms / 601.825.2261 


Schools 

Brandon Middle School 

Brandon Middle School is home to 6th, 7th, and 8th graders 

in the Brandon Zone of the Rankin County School District. 

408 S. College Street / Brandon, MS 39042 

bms.rcsd.ms / 601.825.5998 


StoneBridge Elementary 

StoneBridge Elementary School 

is home to 2nd and 3rd graders in the 

Brandon Zone of the Rankin County 

School District. 

115 StoneBridge Boulevard 


sbe.rcsd.ms / 601.824.3287 


Schools 

Brandon Elementary 

Brandon Elementary School is home to 

4th and 5th graders in the Brandon Zone 

of the Rankin County School District. 

125 Overby Street / Brandon, MS 39042 

bes.rcsd.ms / 601.825.4706 





Parks & 

Recreation 

Brandon Parks & Recreation 

105 Kennedy Farm Parkway 


601-825-3047 

www.brandonparkandrec.com 

Facebook: Brandon Parks & Recreation 

Instagram: brandonparks_rec 

Jennifer Byrd 

General Manager 

Dawn Errington 

Financial Manager 

Matt Hopkins 

Business Development & Events Director 

Julie Hopson 

Director of Operations 

Carrie Drummond 

Facility Maintenance Manager 

Brandon City Park 



Bill Vance Park 

72 Golden Estates Drive 


Crimson Lane 

809 Crimson Lane 


Diamond St. Park 

120 Diamond Street 


Ponderosa Park 

230 Appleridge Road 


Quarry Park 

222 Boyce Thompson 


Shiloh Park 



Sunset Park 

810 West Sunset Drive 



SPECIAL EVENTS 

Carley Keyes 

Events Coordinator 

Brandon Municipal Complex 



601-825-5021 

Spaces for rent for private 

parties and or meetings 

available at City Hall or the 

Public Library 

Located at City Hall 

Two meeting spaces with 

660 square feet per room. 

Both rooms come with a drop 

down screen, ceiling projector, 

and counter for refreshments. 

Rental rates begin at $200 plus 

a $100 refundable deposit. 

For a larger room we offer our 

Senior Center with 132 capacity 

and 2,646 sq. ft. room. The 

center features a drop down 

screen, ceiling projector, sound 

system, microphone, and full 

kitchen. Rental rates begin at 

$400 plus a $200 refundable 

deposit. This rental includes 

sixteen tables and 128 chairs. 

Additional tables and chairs are 

available for an additional rental 

charge. 

The largest room we offer is our 

Civic Center with 3,771 square 

feet room. The center offers two 

drop down screens, two ceiling 

projectors, sound system, 

microphones, and prep kitchen. 

Rental rates begin at $1,750 plus 


This rental includes twenty tables 

and 160 chairs. 

Located at the Public Library 

At the city’s public library we offer 

a larger room with 1,748 square 

feet. The room offers a number 

of tables and chairs, drop down 

screen and a full kitchen. 

The rental fee if $400 plus 


A smaller conference room is 

available at the library during 

library hours only. The room 

includes a projector, drop down 

screen and a large conference 

table which can hold 20 people 

comfortably. Rental fee for this 

conference room is $125 plus a 

refundable deposit of $75. 

*all fees and deposits are 

subject to change 

There is a flag depository for 

old flags located at City Hall. 

SENIOR CENTER 

Shelley Livingston 

Senior Services Coordinator 

601-824-7095 

Brandon Municipal Complex 



601-825-5021 

Monthly Fee of $5 or $10 for 

non-residents. Activities include 

arts, crafts, games, fitness classes, 

informational lunches, and field 

trips. 

Baseball/Softball 

• Spring registration usually 

begins in January. 

• Fall registration typically 

takes place in July. 

• We also offer Pickleball in 

the summer and table tennis 

in the spring. 

• Football registration typically 

begins in July or August. 

• Soccer registration information 

can be found at 

www.brandonfc.com. 

• Pavilion rentals can be made 

online at 

www.brandonparkandrec.com. 

• Tennis reservations can be 

made with the Club at 

Crossgates. 

601-591-2582 

Pickleball-all year 

Tennis Pro - David Kimball 

318-364-6689 

Splash Pad 



601-824-9509 

Monday-Friday 10am-5pm, 

Saturday 10am-6pm, 

Sunday 1pm-6pm 

$5 Admission (Ages 1 - 49) 

Individual Season Pass $50 

Family of 4 Season Pass $150 

Party packages available for 

$150 for residents, $200 for 

non-residents for 2 hours and 

25 kids. 

Private parties also available 

after-hours for up to 50 participants, 

$250 for residents and 

$300 for non-residents. 

BRANDON AMPHITHEATER 

8190 Rock Way Drive 


Grace Young 

Box Office Manager 

601-724-2726 

601-278-3876 

Facebook: BrandonAmpMs 

*Tickets available through 

Ticketmaster 

or the box office 

CITY HALL LIVE 

*Tickets available through 

Ticketmaster 

CEMETERIES 

(Grounds maintained by 

Brandon Parks & Rec) 

Brandon Memorial 



Plots at can be purchased 

through 

City Hall at 601-825-5021 

Ponderosa Cemetery 

231 Appleridge Road 


Brandon Historical Cemetery 

165 Old Depot Road 


Light of Liberty 

School Road 




Founded to serve Mississippi’s petroleum industry 

back in 1954, Ergon is trusted today by customers 

in more than 90 countries around the world. 

We offer innovative solutions for asphalt and 

pavement preservation, specialty oils, specialty 

chemicals, transportation and terminaling, industrial 

and commercial construction and much more.

2022 Brandon Amphitheater Announced Shows 

6/18 Whiskey Myers 

6/26 Bert Kreischer Fully Loaded 

Comedy Festival 

6/29 Kenny Chesney 

7/2 Maverick City Music 

7/16 Chris Stapleton 

8/2 Encanto Live 

8/6 Brooks & Dunn 

8/7 All This Future Summer 

Festival ft. Hillson UNITED, 

TobyMac, and more 

8/21 Jamey Johnson 

8/27 Brantley Gilbert & Jelly Roll 

9/1 Parker McCollum 

10/22 Maxwell 


Brandon High School Alumni Reflections 

What is your favorite memory from high school 


and what is the best thing about living in Brandon? 


Nathan McLaurin 

BHS Class of 1999 

Being elected Mr. BHS and playing at Louis 

Gene every Friday night are my favorite 

memories. The atmosphere was always 

electric, and the community was always there 

to support us. 

The thing I like most about Brandon is that it is 

a very close-knit town, and the community 

always rallies together. 

Kayla Bryant 


There are too many memories to just pick one! 

Some special moments that stand out to me 

are Beauty and Beau week each year, winning 

a state championship in cheerleading, playing 

tennis under Coach Huskey and being the first 

class in the new high school. 

I have friends whom I am often trying to 

convince to move here and ask all the time 

why I like living in Brandon. It’s so hard to 

pinpoint exactly why I love it so much. Yes, 

it’s the people, but it’s so much more. It’s the 

simplicity of the lifestyle here. It’s the wonderful 

schools and churches. It’s hearing the yells 

from Shiloh Park, the amphitheater, or the 

football stadium on any given night. I really 

can’t put my finger on it, but I know it’s a very 

special place! 

Charla Mitchell Jordan 


My favorite memory from high school is being 

in the Brandon High School band. The band’s 

activities provided opportunities to build 

character and create cherished memories. 

I was a majorette during football season, 

I played flute during the concert season, and 

double string bass in the stage band. I still like 

to talk about marching in freezing weather in 

the Greenwood Christmas Parade before 

pantyhose! Special bonds made through 

BHS band continue to this day. 

The best thing about living in Brandon is that 

even though Brandon is a thriving city, it still 

has a small-town feel. All my activities include 

people that I have known since childhood, 

and we are all civic-minded and active in our 

churches and in the community. 

Lauretha Bellinder 


My favorite memories from high school are 

Friday pep rallies followed by lunch at Silver 

Dollar Pizza and Brandon vs. Pearl week. 

I love the community feel of Brandon and how 

we come together as that community when 

it’s needed the most. There is no place like 

Brandon, Mississippi. It’s home. 


Purvie Green 


Favorite memories include Friday night football 

battles with great teammates and the many 

friendships, not only in my own class, that 

stretched across different classes. 

For me, being close to my family and seeing 

people that had a positive impact on my life 

including former teachers, coaches, and 

long-time friends is what’s great about living in 

Brandon. Secondly, watching the city grow, 

progress, and reach its full potential. 

Waymon Tigrett 


Brandon was a small school, and everyone 

knew everyone. Thirty people were in my class. 

We had great teachers. School was fun! Brandon 

had one red light and was a small town and a 

wonderful place to grow up (population was 

about 1500 in early 50s). We were blessed for 

sure. Even though we are a larger city now, 

Brandon is still an exciting fun place to be. 

I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. 

Reagan Grubbs 


My favorite memory from my time at Brandon 

High School was the Friday night football 

games at Louis Gene. I will always cherish 

those nights on that field being able to dance 

on the side lines with some of my very best 

friends. There is nothing like Friday night lights 

as a Brandon Bulldog! 

I have lived in Brandon for 25 years and will 

continue to live here. Brandon is a place where 

I have made memories as a child, teenager, 

and now as an adult. This city has always been 

a safe place for my family and my friends. 

Even though Brandon is a big town, it has 

such a charming, small-town feel to it. Brandon 

is an incredible city with kind, compassionate 

people. Brandon schools are a part of the 

Rankin County School District, and they are 

truly remarkable. I am so proud to say that I 

work for the Rankin County School District as a 

3rd grade teacher at StoneBridge Elementary 

School. I have loved Brandon, Mississippi, 

my whole life, and I cannot wait to see all the 

amazing things that are to come here. 

Chas Gualano 


My favorite high school memory is just being 

part of the Class of 1992. We were all so close 

and lived high school life to the fullest. 

Living in Brandon has all the conveniences 

but still feels like a close-knit small town. It is 

a great place to focus on church and family. 

Blair Jussely 


My favorite memory includes being a part of 

the varsity cheerleading squad when we won 

the state championship my sophomore year. 

The best thing about living in Brandon is the 

down to earth people and the strong sense 

of community. 


Sam McCreary 


My favorite memory from my time as a student 

at Brandon High School would probably be my 

senior year when we played in the state 

championship in football and how the whole 

Brandon community came together as one big 

family to support our football team. 

I believe the best thing about living in Brandon 

is the hometown feel that it has, from sports 

teams to church and community organizations, 

The people of Brandon are always ready and 

willing to do whatever it takes to support each 

other. 

Aaron Jussely 


It’s really tough to just mention one favorite 

memory because there are so many I could 

name. We beat Moss Point in the second 

round of the playoffs my junior year and they 

had beaten us the two years prior so that was 

a super fun night. Honestly, it may have just 

been all those good times hanging out with 

everyone at the village or at someone’s house. 

Brandon was a great place to go to school with 

tons of great people. 

The best thing about living in Brandon is how 

everyone comes together in times of adversity. 

Brandon is not a huge town, but it has grown 

since I moved here in the 5th grade, but it still 

has the small-town feel. It is hard to go 

somewhere around town and not run into two 

or three people you know, and I love that 

about living here. 

Don Bass 

Brandon Academy Class of 1981 

Graduation! The class of 1981 has always been 

a small, tightly knit group of friends who look 

out for each other and do our best to stay in 

touch with each other. Another special aspect 

of my class is that we were part of the first 

group to win a football state championship for 

our school. 

I have always loved our small-town values of 

God, family, and country that are still evident 

today in our expanding community. I loved 

growing up in this small town where someone 

could drive a tractor to school or ride a horse 

to the city pool and no one gave it a second 

thought. As Brandon continues to grow, I hope 

we never lose our safe, small-town feel. 



POOLS 

CHILDCARE 

601-591-CLUB 

FITNESS 

gROUP 


Free to do what’s right for you SM 

You need an 

independent insurance agent. SM 

We are different. We are Brandon. 

BRANDONBUSINESS.ORG 




YOUR HEART IS IN 

THE RIGHT PLACE. 

THEY SAY HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS, 

SO WE PROVIDE HEART CARE CLOSE TO HOME. 

Our team of heart specialists are here for your routine 

and preventive cardiac care through lifestyle support, 

minimally invasive treatments and in emergent situations. 

When you put your heart in our hands, you get the 

benefit of skilled, experienced cardiovascular specialists 

and Merit Health Heart’s collaborative approach to care. 

To learn more, visit MeritHealthHeart.com 

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911.

39042-22web

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?