Page 2 - Test

D'IBERVILLE RETAILERS EXPECT TO GROW - DEVELOPER - Sun Herald (Biloxi, MS) - May 15, 2002 - page A8
May 15, 2002 | Sun Herald (Biloxi, MS) | TIMOTHY BOONE / THE SUN HERALD | Pag e A8
D'IBERVILLE --- An annexation ruling T uesday will allow D'Iberville to expand a growing retail market that has captured customers from Biloxi, which has little room for growth on its peninsula.
Chancery Judge Shannon Clark, who presided over the annexation case, commented in his opinion on D'Iberville's development.
"D'Iberville is in good financial shape," Clark wrote. "In 1996, D'Iberville received sales tax revenues of $1,253,234. In the year 2000, that amount had increased to $2,389,868."
Lakeview Village, an 85-acre commercial development north of Interstates 10 and 110, has contributed to that revenue. It is home to Lowe's, Wal-Mart, clothing stores, fast-food restaurants and other retail outlets. Lakeview Village will eventually have 150,000 square feet of retail space.
Patrick Barber, president and chief executive of Encore Enterprises, the developers of Lakeview Village, said the annexation ruling is a "major coup" because D'Iberville will add households, making the area even more attractive to retailers.
But many D'Iberville customers are crossing the peninsula from Biloxi.
"With the annexation, D'Iberville will be able to capture even more retail tax dollars as development occurs in the area," said Mike Olivier, executive director of the Harrison County Development Commission.
Biloxi Mayor A.J. Holloway said the annexation ruling could help his city in the future, because Clark didn't give a large amount of land to either city.
While Holloway said the proposed intersection of Mississippi 67 and Interstate 110 could become a retail hub partially located in Biloxi, D'Iberville officials are working with developers to establish an interstate interchange on I-110 for commercial development.
Copyrig ht (c) 2002 The Sun Herald