County Lists Charley Pride Museum and Hotel Phase Three Plan

Quitman County’s public documents posted on the county website now include a formal Scope of Work entry for Phase Three of the Charley Pride Museum and Hotel project, the long discussed redevelopment effort to establish a museum and related hospitality accommodations in Marks. The project is explicitly listed among the county’s redevelopment planning items, and references to the museum and hotel appear within the county’s HUD application materials and broader downtown revitalization documentation.

The inclusion of the Scope of Work Phase Three listing in the county’s repository represents a step in formal planning. It places the Charley Pride project squarely within the county’s economic development portfolio and links it to federal grant application processes. For residents and local officials, that connection matters because HUD documentation typically supports applications for federal programs that can provide capital for streetscapes, building rehabilitation, infrastructure and adaptive reuse projects in small towns.

Economically the proposal is framed around two core goals. One is cultural preservation, specifically the legacy of country artist Charley Pride through a museum in Marks. The other is heritage tourism and downtown economic renewal, through hospitality accommodations that could broaden visitor stays and spending. County officials have used the Charley Pride project as part of a larger downtown strategy. By listing the Phase Three scope publicly, the county is signaling that the museum and hotel are more than an aspirational idea, they are incorporated into formal project planning and funding efforts.

For Quitman County residents the possible impacts are tangible. A completed museum paired with lodging would aim to attract visitors to Marks, supporting local retail, restaurants and service jobs. It could also create construction phase employment and expand the county tax base if visitation increases. At the same time, the documents posted do not establish a timeline or guarantee funding. Phase Three implies prior phases and staged work, and the success of the overall effort will depend on securing grants, matching funds, and continued local support.

Policy and planning implications deserve attention. Leveraging a cultural asset for economic development is aligned with broader trends in rural revitalization that prioritize heritage tourism and adaptive reuse of downtown buildings. Participation in HUD related application processes suggests the county is pursuing federal resources rather than relying solely on local funding. That choice carries trade offs, including compliance with program requirements and the uncertainty of competitive grant awards.

The county’s document list is available on quitmancountyms.org for residents and stakeholders who want to review the Scope of Work Phase Three entry and related HUD materials. As planning continues, the questions for Marks and Quitman County will be whether funding follows the planning, how the project’s phases are sequenced, and how the museum and hotel will fit into a broader long term strategy for downtown economic vitality.