Evaluation Summary
What We Did
With funding from the Heron Foundation, JMMF contracted with Success Measures, an evaluation consulting enterprise of NeighborWorks America. to conduct a multi-pronged evaluation of the JMM.
Evaluation activities were conducted between Spring 2021 and August 2023 and include:
- An Economic Impact Analysis which estimates the jobs, earnings and output supported by JMM and all of its tenants in the areas around the mall.
- Key Stakeholder Interviews with local leaders to learn about their perceptions of JMM’s influence on the community and suggestions for future strategic investment and partnerships.
- A Parent Focus Group to gather feedback about what parents like about JMM, what they view as its contributions to the community, and what else they would like the mall to offer.
- In-person Observations of blocks, lots, and buildings in areas around the JMM to document the impact of past investments and target future ones.
- An online Tenant Survey to gather feedback about the value of having their businesses located at the mall, the quality of mall facilities and services, and suggestions for improvement.
What We Discovered
The Jackson Medical Mall has provided significant economic benefits for tenants, the community, the County, and the State. Economic data and stakeholder perspectives confirm its substantial contribution to output, jobs, and taxes at various levels. Stakeholders view the mall positively for community revitalization, while tenants appreciate the economic advantages and rate their experiences highly.
Observation data point to the positive impact of JMMF’s development and co-development of numerous residential properties in the surrounding community, particularly on Prosperity Street. JMMF has invested in commercial properties and converted vacant lots into gardens, parks, and orchards, additionally adding to the quality of the community.
• The Jackson Medical Mall is a vital resource for health care and other services for the Jackson community. The University of Mississippi Medical Center and other healthcare services located at the mall have ensured that high-quality healthcare services are available to the community. The JMM provides other vital services to the community including a childcare center, food outlets, and an adult day program. The mall also houses a culinary kitchen and the youth-driven Young Futurist Project.
Interviewees stated that they would like to see JMMF continue revitalization efforts, including developing more retail establishments and working to ensure existing establishments stay in the community. Developing more affordable housing was also seen as a critical need. Parent focus group members and interviewees provided additional ideas for new programs and services at the mall including a resource center, legal services, mental health programs, workforce training programs, parent support groups, classes, and family-oriented activities.
$354.1M
Output supported
2568
Jobs created
$133.6M
In earnings
JMMF's Economic Impact Analysis
Key findings include:
- Jackson Medical Mall and its tenants supported $254 million in output, $47 million in new earnings, and 923 jobs in Hinds County in its most recent year.
- The economic impact on the Jackson Metropolitan area was $340 million in output, $128 million in earnings, and 2,473 jobs.
- The Jackson Medical Mall and its tenants supported $354 million of Mississippi output, $134 million of earnings, and 2,568 Mississippi jobs.
- In terms of local taxes, Hinds County received $2.5 million in sales tax as a result of Jackson Medical Mall operations and the Metropolitan area received $4.8 million.
- The State of Mississippi earned $10.6 of additional sales taxes and $2.6 million in income taxes because of Jackson Medical Mall operations.
