After more than two decades of planning, Madison County has given final approval to move forward with a new conference center in Ridgeland, MS, just north of Jackson.
The 50,000-sf Madison County Conference Center will accommodate up to 1,800 attendees and is planned as part of the Prado Vista development, alongside a privately financed 250-room Dolce by Wyndham hotel. The center is being financed through $48 million in bonds, with the overall project representing an investment of approximately $120 million.
“This conference center changes the landscape of Madison County. It’s not just a building; it’s a recruitment tool that helps us compete for corporate relocations, conventions and investment we simply couldn’t pursue before. This is exactly the kind of infrastructure that sets Madison County apart,” said Joseph P. Deason, Executive Director, Madison County Economic Development Authority, in a statement.
The public-private agreement includes a provision directing approximately $18.9 million—essentially 100 percent of the project’s tourism rebate proceeds—back to Madison County to accelerate repayment of conference-center construction debt. County and city officials say the structure will help strengthen the project’s long-term financial foundation while keeping tourism-generated revenue in the county.
The project has been a priority for the local business community for years. According to Sam Kelly, Chairman of the Madison County Business League & Foundation and President of the Madison County School Board, the Business League first passed a resolution supporting a conference center in 2015. Despite that long-standing support, the financing passed 3-2 following a contentious, two-hour meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 8.
“The Madison County business community has talked about the need for a conference center for as long as I can remember,” Kelly said. “Local restaurants, school districts, retailers and service providers from throughout the County will benefit from this project for decades to come.”
The adjoining hotel will bring Dolce by Wyndham’s upper-upscale, design-driven meetings and resort concept to Ridgeland. The brand’s global portfolio includes properties in destinations such as Versailles, France, and Miami Beach.
The property will feature multiple dining venues and amenities designed to support conference business as well as the broader Prado Vista development, where it will be located. The development is currently home to Topgolf.
“Prado Vista at Ridgeland is an exciting setting for Dolce by Wyndham, a brand built around bringing people together through distinctive destinations, thoughtful design and exceptional meetings experiences,” said Geoff Ballotti, President and CEO, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. “We believe this hotel has the potential to become a signature hospitality destination for Mississippi and the broader region, pairing the strength of Dolce with a conference center designed to welcome major events and memorable gatherings.”
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