Gala held at The MAX

“From developers to business consultants and other people, they get to see Meridian, they get to see that Meridian is open business, and it just pushes momentum our way.” -Mayor Percy Bland

Momentum was pushed through Meridian Friday night with the Gala held at the new Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Experience.

“It’s just amazing to see it come to fruition. It’s a gift to this state and people everywhere who come through here, because what they get to see is the richness. There’s got to be something in the water, because there are more talented people, indigenous to the state, more than anywhere on the planet.” -Sela Ward, actress

In the busyness of the chit chat and the music, many spoke before the crowd to bask on the accomplishment that The MAX is.

“Everybody just made their speech. Governor Phil Bryant spoke, Lt Gov. Tate Reeves, Mr. Tommy Dulaney, and Sela Ward. Now the theme of all their speeches was, basically, there really is no place like Mississippi. They all talked about how huge of an accomplishment this museum is and how it’s been decades in the making.” -Emily Erikson, reporting

“It will influence the entire state because what they’ll do is they’ll come here and they’ll see where Elvis Presley was born, there’s a Jimmie Rodgers museum, there’s a BB King museum, the Civil Rights museum; Mississippi has become one great big museum and tourist destination, and it’s going to mean all the difference for us.” -Gov. Phil Bryant

“This is a state museum, but it’s right here in the city of Meridian, and at the end of the day we’re going to realize the tourism dollars that people spend here. We’re going to do great things with our city because of that, and that’s what I’m most proud about.” -Mayor Percy Bland