Commissioners review Endeavor/Dozier museum plan; staff to gather edits before final vote

Jackson County staff presented a business plan for an Endeavor/Dozier museum and memorial park intended to preserve and interpret county history while incorporating Dozier School history.

Kelsey Jackson (speaker 8) walked commissioners through a phased approach focused on building stabilization, exhibit design and community engagement. She said phase 1 has $1 million secured (half state funds, half TDC bed tax), full build-out estimates range from $8 million to $15 million, and the project is expected to be grant-driven. "This will be a largely grant driven project," Jackson said, adding the plan seeks to minimize long-term reliance on tourist development tax. The presentation estimated 200–400 direct and indirect construction and related jobs during build-out and a small number (up to 10) of ongoing museum positions.

Commissioners asked about storage for artifacts, the impact of potential sales of other campus parcels, and the plan’s treatment of Dozier history. Several commissioners and community members, including Leon Kelly (speaker 21), spoke in favor of a community-driven approach that would tell the complete story: "We have an opportunity to bring the good along with the things that need to change," Kelly said. Commissioners asked staff to gather edits and return the plan for further review; staff said updated copies will be distributed and the item could return at the May 26 meeting or the next appropriate meeting during the grant cycle.

Next steps: staff will solicit commissioner comments, incorporate reasonable edits, provide printed copies to commissioners, coordinate an educational session if needed, and return the plan for final action in a subsequent meeting.