The historic portion of the project renovated and expanded the existing two-story historic Cooley Cotton Mill into a conference center and office space for the Stennis Public Policy Institute of Mississippi State University.  The non-historic portion of the Project includes the new construction of an adjacent, free-standing, four-story 110-room Courtyard by Marriott hotel used by conference attendees, student families, faculty, events goers, etc., two free-standing restaurant buildings containing approximately 8,500 square feet and 800 surface and garage parking spaces constructed by the City of Starkville with Community Development Block Grant proceeds. The project will generate 839 permanent jobs, $3.1M in new annual tax revenue, and enable the Stennis Institute to launch 4 new public policy initiatives. The Mill’s catalytic effect has resulted in $10M of additional housing & restaurants immediately adjacent.