You have to have demand for that. It happens naturally and comes second, it's not an economic engine. Oxford is a different animal than MSU. Again, closer to the Memphis Metro and significantly more rich kids with parents' money to spend. More people will come there for a night or so, and leave.
MSU actually needs better lodging options, because most people that come, stay a few days. And they can't be super expensive.
This is a reason we need industry, expansions in large volume National chain and regional chain businesses, and other recreational and entertainment venues other than this related to MSU. Hotels will not come to provide extra rooms for 7 weekends in the fall, and 10 weekends in the spring, and the few weeks of camps, orientation and graduation. There needs to be 70 to 80% occupant for Major hoteliers and even modest rate hotel chains to build properties. Starkville cannot promise that when Columbus and West Point also offer hotel rooms within 22 miles.
Oxford has Batesville to the west and New Albany to the east but neither have major hoteliers. So they have similar lodging issues.
I have my suspicions about why’s Oxford is considered a better retirement choice than
Starkville . Heck, we have had well known State grads and former State athletes retire in Oxford.
No need to focus on that reason. But I kind of mentioned it in my other post.
