JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – New and established developers came together this week to learn at the first-ever Real Estate Developer Training Academy to come to Jackson.

This week-long academy gave 25 developers a chance to learn from experienced real estate developers about the business, the problems they may face in this career, and many tips on how to succeed.

This is made possible by Jackson’s Planning and Development Department and Grow America, bringing a special training session to prepare new and established developers for what they may see in the real estate industry.

“They learned about the whole gambit of real estate development. From pre-development to building a team, to financing. We did public-private partnerships yesterday and today, they are just hearing from experienced developers about how to raise money, how to manage construction, and how to lease your property,” Jhai Keeton, Jackson’s Director of Planning and Development, said.

This program is part of Grow America’s Supporting Empowered Emerging Developers Academy, which has brought major development to multiple cities throughout the country.

“We have seen developers build affordable housing, do for-sale affordable housing, do new retail centers, build shopping centers anchored by grocery stores. So, it has been a very successful program from the standpoint of the training that we provide, but also the mentorship that we provide,” Courtney Pogue, Grow America’s Senior Director, said.

The next step for participants is an 18-month mentorship program where they can work on their own projects, which will conclude with a capstone.

For one student, she says she learned a lot and hopes this could bring future developments to the Capital City.

“Coming into this academy has given me a holistic view as to what that really looks like and how to really be able to apply the things that people say, like, why can’t people just build this into the city. It is a process and you are coming into a space for a week-long to learn so much about what that looks like and bring those types of activities and development structures into the city of Jackson,” Brandee Harrington said.

Organizers are hopeful they can bring this program back to Jackson for years to come.

Click here for more information on this program.

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