Video: Housing Industry Booms In Starkville

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STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – If you are driving through Starkville, you might notice several new construction sites around town.
From The Mill Project to new housing complexes, it’s all to accommodate a fast-paced growth in student population.

Starkville is a town that almost doubles in size in the fall and in the spring.

That’s because Mississippi State has around 20,000 students enrolled.

With that number steadily rising, the demands for additional student housing is high.

Community Development Director, Buddy Sanders, says the city is meeting those demands by building new off-campus apartments.

“We’re feeling the multiplier effect of growth on campus throughout the city of Starkville. We have various condo projects that are just now kicking off that we have never experienced in Starkville,” said Sanders.

This fall, Haven Campus will be ready for students to move in.

That complex will have 320 beds available.

Kass Green is a local realtor and the property she has listed will be home to more than 100 students after the project breaks ground this summer.

“The plans are to have a multi-use development. It’s going to greatly benefit Mississippi State, it’s going to be student housing and the city is really excited to have a development this close to downtown,” said Green.

Students looking to live on campus will have new options as well.

“We’re anticipating 2 brand new residence halls opening in the fall of 2016 that will provide 752 additional bed spaces on campus,” said Interim Vice President of Student Services, Bill Broyles.

Broyles says a key to being prepared for enrollment increases is to always have a plan.

This summer on campus, a new dining hall will be open.

Also restaurants in the student union will be renovated.