Meridian has been selected as the future location of the Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Center (MAEC). The Mississippi Legislature approved the idea in 2001 and in 2006 promised $4 million in funding if private contributors could raise $8 million. The city donated $50,000 to the cause in September 2007. The MAEC, as proposed, would be located on at Bonita Lakes and consist of an outdoor amphitheatre, an indoor concert hall, and a Hall of Fame honoring Mississippi artists. The Hall of Fame will be located downtown in the old Montana's building. That property and the adjacent Meridian Hotel building were acquired in July 2010 for $300,000. In February 2009, the MAEC revealed its Walk of Fame outside of the Riley Center in an attempt to promote the planned Hall of Fame. The first star on the walk was dedicated to Jimmie Rodgers, a Meridian native. In September of the same year, the second star was revealed, recognizing B.B. King, a famous blues musician from Mississippi. On June 1, 2010, authors Tennessee Williams, Eudora Welty, and William Faulkner were added to the walk. Sela Ward was added to the walk on June 24, 2010. The MAEC plans to add many more Mississippi-born stars to the Walk of Fame; names mentioned include Morgan Freeman, Jimmy Buffett, Elvis Presley, Conway Twitty, and others.
meridian has been selected as the future location of the mississippi arts and entertainment center (maec) the mississippi legislature approved the idea in 2001 and in 2006 promised $4 million in funding if private contributors could raise $8 million the city donated $50000 to the cause in september 2007 the maec as proposed would be located on at bonita lakes and consist of an outdoor amphitheatre an indoor concert hall and a hall of fame honoring mississippi artists the hall of fame will be located downtown in the old montana's building that property and the adjacent meridian hotel building were acquired in july 2010 for $300000 in february 2009 the maec revealed its walk of fame outside of the riley center in an attempt to promote the planned hall of fame the first star on the walk was dedicated to jimmie rodgers a meridian native in september of the same year the second star was revealed recognizing bb king a famous blues musician from mississippi on june 1 2010 authors tennessee williams eudora welty and william faulkner were added to the walk sela ward was added to the walk on june 24 2010 the maec plans to add many more mississippi-born stars to the walk of fame; names mentioned include morgan freeman jimmy buffett elvis presley conway twitty and others