Construction of a $50 million conference center and hotel adjacent to the Flowood city golf course will begin in early 2018. The project will include a 200-room luxury hotel and 54,000 square foot conference center. The city of Flowood will own the conference center and MCC Real Estate of New Orleans will operate the conference center and the hotel. Plans include a resort-style pool, 15-acre lake, a spa and a culinary school. Flowood Mayor Gary Rhoads says the project will provide tourism and recreational opportunities for Flowood residents. The Mississippi Development Authority approved the project for the Mississippi Tourism Sales Tax Program to offer incentives to development of the area near the Jackson airport.