[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 20070]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




CITY OF BRANDON, MISSISSIPPI NAMED AS ONE OF THE BEST PLACES TO LIVE IN 
                                  2009

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. GREGG HARPER

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 29, 2009

  Mr. HARPER. Madam Speaker, the City of Brandon, Mississippi was 
recently named as one of America's top small towns in which to live, 
according to Money magazine. The CNN magazine named this Rankin County 
city number 54 in its annual list of 100 Best Places to Live. As a city 
in the Third Congressional District, which I am proud to represent, 
Brandon is the only Mississippi municipality to make the 2009 list.
  The list of 100 American municipalities compares communities with 
populations of less than 50,000 and takes into account an area's school 
system, crime rate, median income and racial makeup.
  Brandon's job growth was 30.4 percent from 2000-2008 versus about 
19.6 percent nationally and the city posts a median income of $77,679. 
The city's population is currently 20,600, up from 16,436 in 2000 
according to the latest census figures.
  A low crime rate was also a key point for Brandon making the study. 
This is why many of the city's residents consider locking their doors 
as optional.
  Brandon Mayor Tim Coulter said, ``I think people are finding out what 
we've known for years, that Brandon is a great place to live.''
  Rankin County Chamber of Commerce director Gale Martin attributes 
this honor to Brandon's quality of life. He said, ``You've got a small-
town atmosphere with the big-city amenities,'' said Martin. Martin 
credits quality schools, closeness to cities like Jackson, Meridian and 
Vicksburg and its short distance from Jackson-Evers International 
Airport to spurring Brandon's tremendous growth.
  The residents of Brandon should also share the honor of this national 
recognition. Since 1829, residents, first responders, school teachers, 
pastors and local elected officials have worked tirelessly to ensure 
that Brandon maintains its standing as the ``City of Red Hills with 
Golden Opportunities.'' I salute Brandon, Mississippi and the State of 
Mississippi, both great places to live in America.

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