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Developers and Natchez dignitaries break ground on the Magnolia Trace RV Resort. (Jan Griffey | The Natchez Democrat)

Danielle Morgan, executive director of the Mississippi Tourism Association, speaks as, from left, Johnny Junkin of Natchez Now, Kevin Wilson, president of the Adams County Board of Supervisors, Natchez Mayor Dan Gibson and Developer Jonathan Starns listen. Natchez Inc. worked closely with the developers to bring Magnolia Trace to Natchez. (Jan Griffey | The Natchez Democrat)

Jonathan Starns discusses plans at Tuesday’s groundbreaking. (Jan Griffey | The Natchez Democrat)

Kevin Wilson, president of the Adams County Board of Supervisors, reminisces about hunting on the property when he was a young boy growing up in Natchez. He welcomed the development, investment and jobs and offered the county’s help in making it a success. (Jan Griffey | The Natchez Democrat)

From left, Danielle Morgan, executive director of Mississippi Tourism Association, Kevin Wilson, president of the Adams County Board of Supervisors, Dan Gibson, Natchez mayor, and Jonathan Starns, one of the developers of Magnolia Trace RV Resort. (Jan Griffey | The Natchez Democrat)

Rendering of Magnolia Trace RV Resort. (Jan Griffey | The Natchez Democrat)

NATCHEZ — Ground was broken south of Natchez on Tuesday morning for a $30 million investment that will turn 275-plus acres into a luxury RV resort development.

Natchez Inc. and the developers of Unwind Resorts announced the venture today on-site at 177 Southwind Drive, Natchez.

Developers Cody Martin, Jonathan Starns and Brandon Dodson, all from the south Louisiana area, plan to create Magnolia Trace RV Resort, which will include high-end RV lots, a clubhouse, cabins, a lazy river and other amenities that will be attractions for couples and families.

The developers purchased the property from the Nolan Biglane family.

Chandler Russ, executive director of Natchez Inc. said Martin, Starnes and Dodson bring a long history of experience in luxury RV resort development to Adams County and look forward to the positive impact the resort will have on the Natchez and Adams County economy.

“We are excited to bring this unique high-end amenity RV resort with a spacious rural feel to this area and anticipate our guests will fall in love with the charm of the City of Natchez, just like we have,” Starns said.

He said he expects construction to begin this summer and the first phase of the development to open in the second quarter of 2025.

Starns said Magnolia Trace RV Resort has been in the planning stage for three years and thanked Russ and Aimee Guido of Natchez Inc., Mayor Dan Gibson and Adams County Board of Supervisors President Kevin Wilson for their help, cooperation and patience.

“On behalf of the Adams County Board of Supervisors, we are excited to locate this upscale RV resort along with the sizable capital investment and jobs in Adams County. We wish them success as they work to add more tourists and travelers to our economy,” Wilson said.

In Natchez on Tuesday for the groundbreaking was Danielle Morgan, executive director of the Mississippi Tourism Association. She said the resort would be the first of its kind in the region and offer “another great reason to visit Mississippi.”

“We are extremely excited to be here,” Starns told the 50 or so city and county officials and Natchez Now partners gathered at the site for the groundbreaking.

“I feel like I am a lifelong visitor of Natchez. I have spent many days outdoors here growing up and obviously have witnessed the scenery and growth that has happened in downtown Natchez and have eaten some of the best food I’ve ever had here in Natchez,” said Starns, who grew up in Baton Rouge and continues to live there.

“This is a dream that has been in process for quite some time. Me and my partners — Cody Martin and Brandon Dodson — started (this) as a concept vision five or six years ago. About three and a half years ago, the concept started to gain some legs and we began thinking about where we want to go and what we want to do. In my heart, I always knew Natchez, Mississippi, was the spot. Through that and with the blessings of our wives, who allowed us to chase our dreams, we are extremely blessed and fortunate. We proceeded to do the right thing by hiring people who are smarter than ourselves, to come in and do feasibility studies. Ultimately, they came back to tell us what we already knew, which is that Natchez, Mississippi, is the perfect place for an RV resort,” Starns said.

Russ said the Magnolia Trace RV Resort is set to become a premier destination for travelers who seek a blend of comfort and natural beauty. This new camping and park facility will bring approximately 40 new jobs to Adams County during its peak season. Day passes will be available for local residents to enjoy the park’s amenities when the park is not full, he said.

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