JACKSON — Lincoln County Rep. Vince Mangold co-authored a bill which would issue bonds to the Scenic Rivers Development Alliance for various projects. The most well known project being the development of the Lake Okhissa Lodge site. 

The bill is currently in the Mississippi State House of Representatives Ways and Means committee. It was introduced January 20, 2025. The total amount of bonds issued can not exceed $10 million. 

As previously reported by The Daily Leader, Hyatt Hotels Corporation announced plans to open a new lodge in partnership with the Scenic Rivers Development Alliance Tuesday at Lake Okhissa. The lodge is expected to open in 2027 according to a press release from Hyatt Hotels. 

The lodge will have 200 rooms, a 1,000 person capacity conference center, a swimming pool, spa, restaurants and a boardwalk overlooking a marina in Franklin County. Scenic Rivers owns 141 acres fronting Berrytown Road, US98 and Lake Okhissa.

In total, Lake Okhissa covers 1,075 acres and is owned and managed by the United States Forest Service. The lake was restocked and reopened after needed upgrades were made in 2023.  Homochitto National Forest District Ranger Shaun Williamson said he looked forward to a continued relationship with Scenic Rivers. The new lodge will not affect the forest’s prescribed burn program.

According to House Bill 1642, a special fund called the “2025 Scenic Rivers Development Alliance Fund,” would be created in the state treasury. Monies deposited into the fund would be disbursed by the Department of Finance and Administration to assist the alliance with paying costs associated with various projects. 

One project is the Lake Okhissa Lodge site development and other facility development in Franklin County. The alliance could also use funds under the bill for “development; acquisition of facility equipment; parking repairs and improvements; road repairs and improvements; building repairs and improvements; river/lake access; erosion control/repairs; utility improvements; trail improvements; and other facility related upgrades in,” Franklin, Walthall, Pike, Amite and Wilkinson Counties. 

If passed out of both legislative chambers and signed by Gov. Tate Reeves, the bill would go into effect July 1, 2025.