Hey y'all! Big news for our little town of Laurel, MS - we've been voted one of the Top 50 Small Towns in the South for 2023! And let me tell you, it's been a long time coming.
For those of you who aren't familiar with our neck of the woods, Laurel is a small town in Jones County, Mississippi, with a population of just under 20,000. But don't let our size fool you - there's a lot to love about our community.
One of the biggest reasons for our recent success is the hard work of Ben and Erin Napier and the Home Town crew. If you haven't heard of them, you're missing out. Ben and Erin are HGTV stars who've brought a lot of attention to our little town through their show, Home Town. They've renovated countless homes in Laurel, showcasing our town's unique charm and character to a national audience.
But it's not just the Home Town crew that's responsible for our recent success. The City of Laurel, the Laurel City Council, the Jones County Board of Supervisors, the Economic Development Authority of Jones County, and Laurel Main Street have all played a role in attracting tourists, increasing economic development and viability in downtown Laurel, and making Laurel a destination.
Thanks to their hard work, downtown Laurel has become a hub of activity. There are plenty of unique shops and restaurants to explore, and the area has a real sense of community. Visitors come from all over to check out our downtown events, take a stroll through our historic district, and attend events like the annual Sertoma of Laurel Christmas Parade and the Loblolly Festival.
But it's not just the downtown area that's worth checking out. Laurel has plenty of other attractions, like the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art and the Landrum's Homestead & Village. And of course, there's always the chance to spot one of our famous Home Town stars out and about in town!
Overall, we're thrilled to have made Southern Living's list of the Top 50 Small Towns in the South for 2023. It's a testament to the hard work of so many people in our community, and we're proud to call Laurel home. If you haven't visited yet, what are you waiting for? Come see for yourself why we're one of the best small towns in the south!