Back in the 1990s, Lauderdale County leaders said bringing in a new state prison would create jobs and give the local economy a boost.

The East Mississippi Correctional Facility opened six and a half years ago in the Lost Gap community in the southwestern part of the county.

The prison employs 220 people, far fewer than original estimates of 350 possible jobs.

Some hotel owners and other business people say it is difficult to measure the economic impact the prison has had.

But, a truck stop near the prison sees steady business daily from prison employees who stop by for coffee or snacks.