Southern Hospitality At Its Best

A Welcoming City that Does Not Lose Its Charm Amidst Dynamic Economic Expansion

 

In the heart of DeSoto County, Olive Branch, Mississippi, is a city brimming with residential warmth and economic potential.

Olive Branch’s hopeful outlook is a direct result of the meticulous planning and demonstrated managerial effectiveness of its leadership.

By taking even a cursory glance at the initiatives blooming throughout its charming cityscape, it becomes clear that urban development, community engagement, and visitor appeal are areas in which Olive Branch excels.

Take, for example, the city’s monumental, multi-million-dollar infrastructure expansions, which aim to lay the foundation for future quality development across its 18.8-square-mile annexation.

Its critical infrastructure projects, coupled with the forthcoming arrival of prominent employers choosing to expand in Olive Branch, have solidified its position as the future largest city in the county and a dominant force in the logistics sector.

Led by the stalwart operational philosophy of Mayor Ken Adams, Olive Branch’s leadership places a great priority on citizen feedback. By leveraging diverse advisory committees, the city ensures that all projects directly address community needs while generating revenue.

Additionally, the strategic presence of companies like Far & Dotter and Southern Pipe & Supply demonstrates that Olive Branch can meet needs in both community recreation and development.

And for prospective brick-and-mortar business owners, Olive Branch’s fiscal prudence makes it quite literally the best city in the region to set up shop, as it boasts the lowest millage rate in the county without having to burden residents.

Simply put, the City of Olive Branch, Mississippi, stands as a prime example of what happens when you combine small-town Southern charm with the dynamic amenities of a larger metropolitan area.

Neighboring cities in the region should take note, as Olive Branch is currently establishing a dual legacy of community prosperity and unyielding economic dominance.

An Engaged City in a Building Boom

With a population approaching 50,000, Olive Branch, Mississippi, maintains an exceptional community-minded spirit, actively engaging its residents through an impressive array of events and extensive city parks.

This deliberate balance creates an alluring work-life rhythm for its citizens, fostering a deep sense of belonging.

The city’s event calendar features beloved annual traditions, including Bucking in the Branch, a popular rodeo, and the highly anticipated Light the Way, a contemporary Christian music festival that draws attendees from all 51 churches of Olive Branch and across the Mid-South, showcasing top artists such as TobyMac and Cain.

During the holiday season, the Light Garden transforms Olive Branch into a captivating walk-through light show, attracting visitors from multiple states.

Year-round, events like Touch a Truck for younger enthusiasts, Movies Under the Stars for family-friendly outdoor entertainment, and the Wheels and Wings contest ensure there’s something for every age group.

“We also have a certified Mississippi Farmers’ Market, and the majority of the products that are sold are grown locally. All produce is grown in Mississippi, so that’s always a big crowd pleaser as well,” says Mayor Adams.

One of the most unique and community-oriented perks is Olive Branch’s community gardening initiative, which provides a communal space on city land that provides residents without personal gardening space the opportunity to cultivate their own crops, further fostering engagement and community connection.

With all of the above, it’s easy to see that Olive Branch is rooted in a collective lifestyle as diverse as its population.

However, with this year-round activity comes a significant need for maintenance and expansion to support it. Hence, the city is currently in, as Mayor Adams describes it, a significant “building phase.”

The investments are starting with a new $8 million Public Works facility, alongside a $3.1 million Animal Shelter, and the city’s sixth Fire Station, which carries a $6 million budget.

Beyond essential services, the city is also heavily investing in recreational facilities, with an 18-hole disc golf course nearing completion, six new pickleball courts and associated restrooms, four new international-sized soccer fields—bringing the total to nine—complete with concessions and over 400 new parking spaces.

On the infrastructure front, Olive Branch is also undertaking extensive resurfacing of its roadways. “We’ve put down more asphalt in the last four years than we have in the last ten years,” Mayor Adams says to put things in perspective.

Perhaps the most impactful project is the substantial sewer expansion, which began in 2021 with an initial estimate of $31 million and has now risen to $60 million.

“We’re providing sewer and water to 18.8 miles of annexation that took place back in 2021. It was the largest annexation in Mississippi’s history. So, once that’s built out, that’ll secure our growth for the next two decades,” Mayor Adams confirms, explaining how the presence of sewer and water directly correlates with quality development.

With Olive Branch currently the fifth-largest city in Mississippi by population and the third-largest geographically, at over 56 square miles, this annexation is expected to further elevate Olive Branch’s population ranking.

Revitalizing the Heart of the City

Olive Branch is actively revitalizing its downtown corridor and overall residential appeal, having taken critical steps to both preserve and enhance the historic charm of the city’s core.

“We’ve recently been designated as a Mississippi Main Street Association member, and we’ve also become a Welcome Home Mississippi Retirement city,” Mayor Adams explains, noting that Olive Branch is one of only 12 in the state, positioning it as an attractive destination for retirees seeking a fulfilling lifestyle.

Another notable example of this revitalization is the refurbishment of an old cotton gin into a vibrant complex housing three existing restaurants and a fourth, which is set to open soon.

A key aspect of Olive Branch’s governance, and crucial to its ongoing success, is its deep commitment to citizen feedback.

“My focus has been to let the citizens tell us what they want instead of us telling them what they need, so I’m big on committees,” Mayor Adams says.

Olive Branch’s robust system of advisory committees includes groups for young adults, senior citizens, HOAs, pastoral and ministerial leaders, an industrial roundtable of large employers, and a Parks and Recreation advisory committee.

These committees meet quarterly, providing citizens a direct avenue to influence city initiatives and foster a profound sense of community ownership and influence.

“The people who tend to get involved in our city tend to be those who have a deeper appreciation for it and know what’s going on in our city. So, there’s something here for everybody to do at every age level and every background,” says Communications Director Jay Nichols.

As both Nichols and Mayor Adams explain, this feedback directly shapes the services and developments provided, reinforcing the cherished small-town feel despite the city’s substantial growth.

It’s essential to note that Olive Branch’s substantial growth is due to its remarkably strong and diverse economy, significantly bolstered by its strategic geographic location and a robust logistics sector.

“We have hundreds of logistical operations and truck lines in this area. That’s what we do. We have an estimated 3382 acres of land, over 30 million square feet of logistics space and industrial warehousing,” Mayor Adams states.

The city is situated just 10 minutes from where five Class 1 railroads intersect and 15 minutes from both FedEx’s global air hub and UPS’s air hub in Memphis. These modern facilities, which leverage robotics and automation, also offer a wealth of high-paying jobs.

Additionally, the Olive Branch Airport is the busiest in Mississippi in terms of fixed-wing and corporate aviation takeoffs and landings. It serves as the only airport in DeSoto County and provides relief to Memphis International.

The presence of three flight schools at the airport actively trains future pilots for military, commercial, cargo, and corporate aviation, contributing significantly to the airport’s high activity levels and creating a vital talent pipeline.

Local Business Impact and Future Outlook

Olive Branch’s economic vitality is also powerfully driven by its diverse range of local businesses, which not only provide substantial employment but also contribute significantly to the community’s welfare and tax base.

The Homer Skelton Foundation and its car dealerships stand out for their exceptional philanthropy, donating $600,000 towards the city’s new pickleball courts and providing body-worn cameras for police officers.

Other significant investments include a $9.2 million, 116–job investment from OSB Services LLC, a $13.17 million, 80–job investment from Voyant Beauty Supply, and a $14.5 million, 300–job investment from Material Bank.

The city is also home to major distribution centers for prominent companies like Milwaukee Tools, Amazon, Walmart, McKesson Pharmaceuticals, and Cardinal Health.

These large industrial employers are instrumental in maintaining Olive Branch’s remarkably low unemployment rate, which is under 2%, and contribute significantly to its tax base, helping Olive Branch maintain the lowest millage rate in DeSoto County.

“We’ve run the numbers and seen that a one million square foot warehouse will pay–even with tax breaks and incentives–as much in taxes as 700 residential homes,” Mayor Adams proudly states, noting how this directly helps to keep property taxes lower for residents.

The city also boasts a unique partnership with OBAP (Organization of Black Aeronautical Pilots) and the Luke Weathers Flight Academy, which traces its roots back to the Flying Tigers.

This organization, run by Captain Albert Glenn and his son Albert Glenn Jr., actively trains underserved and underprivileged children to become future pilots, creating a crucial pipeline into the aviation sector.

With all of these things considered, Olive Branch’s future is exceptionally bright.

Fueled by its massive annexation and forthcoming announcements of even more leading enterprises choosing to locate there, Olive Branch expects to become the largest city in DeSoto County within the next four to five years.

With the recent implementation of a 1% hotel and motel tourism tax and the state legislature’s ongoing reduction of income tax, Olive Branch anticipates an open floodgate for businesses across Mississippi.

Olive Branch’s strategic game plan clearly resonates with both residents and businesses, and the city’s reality aligns perfectly with its motto: “to be one of the best cities in the state for a person to live, work, worship, and play.”

AT A GLANCE

Who: The City of Olive Branch, Mississippi

What: One of Mississippi’s fastest-growing municipalities, strategically expanding both in population and infrastructure while retaining its strong community character.

Where: Located in DeSoto County, Olive Branch borders the Tennessee state line and benefits from direct access to the Memphis metropolitan area.

Website: www.obms.us