With a population of approximately fifteen-hundred people and a footprint of 2.3 square miles, Ackerman is a small town in anyone’s estimation. But being a small town does not mean that it is a place of importance.
How many small towns can boast two former governors on its roster of celebrated residents? As the birthplace of James P. Coleman and Ray Mabus Ackerman is a town that can make that claim.
Coleman was the 52nd governor of the state and Mabus the 60th. Mabus, along with Coleman’s grandson, Josiah Coleman, and many honored guests, including U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, gathered at The Governor’s Park on Ackerman’s Main Street this past September for a special unveiling of markers commemorating the governors and their service to their state and country.
And in recent months the Board of Aldermen considered making Ackerman a somewhat bigger town as an annexation study was undertaken. But according to Mayor Tim Cutts the decision was made to forego those plans. Cutts stated that the Town wants to make strides in the right direction, but annexing just for the sake of annexing didn’t make sense.
He stated that Ackerman is what Ackerman is and that’s is a small town. But there are some big plans in the future.
The sale of Tom Glasgow Park to the Choctaw County School District has already been negotiated, and is awaiting final approval from the Federal Government. Once the deal has been approved the school can begin construction on new athletic facilities which will add to the overall appeal of the Town itself, and hopefully attract new residents and helpto keep some of the youth who have grown up in Ackerman.
Cutts stated that as part of the deal the Town will be gifted the current location of the school’s football facilities and will construct a new park on land already owned by the town.
Also, in the works is a sidewalk renovation project, along Main Street, that will greatly improve the appearance of the Town, with hopes to begin work in the late fall.
As with any town or city there are ups and downs, and Ackerman experienced that this past year when the Hardwire operation relocated to Louisville as part of Taylor Logistics.
The up-side of that is that Polo Custom Products of Louisville is currently in the process of expanding into the Hardwire facility. Cutts said, “We’re excited about that operation coming into Ackerman. It’s a very quality operation.”
In looking to the future Cutts said, “The biggest thing that Ackerman has going for it is the fact that we have very low taxes, and that’s a good thing.”
Ackerman boasts a very low tax rate, and Choctaw County one of the lowest rates in the entire state.
For those looking for the simplicity of small-town life, Ackerman has much to recommend itself.
