To the editor:

Vicksburg has another blighted area being addressed in the form of the erstwhile Town and Country apartments by an out of state company.

As we have realized over the years, urban decay is setting in fast in the city and many such projects need priority to reestablish them as functional pieces of the Vicksburg network. Rather than talk of new projects, which are still dependent on correct due diligence for their projected success, we should reconsider existing blighted buildings for conservation and reuse.

Be it the casinos or Mississippi Hardware, whenever a project comes up there is always an outside company stepping up rather than a local initiative. This siphons off all profits to an outsider thereby not reinvesting in the city, which we desperately need.

What keeps Vicksburg entrepreneurs from redeveloping areas existing in their town? Is there a lack of local funding or workers that we collectively cannot shoulder such a task? I am sure there is no dearth of people wanting a challenge to show their mettle.

Are the financial institutions shying away form taking the risk by financing such projects? Is the administration not offering enough initiative for people to dive into such waters? We need answers to such questions to see the local population to succeed financially and develop a strong urban fabric.

Michael Thakur

Vicksburg