THE MEMBERSHIP NEWSLETTER OF THE ITAWAMBA COUNTY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
itawamba
Trends
Fall 2017
THE MEMBERSHIP NEWSLETTER OF THE ITAWAMBA COUNTY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
The ICDC Jr. Leadership class returns for 2nd Year! School is back in session for Itawamba County’s up-andcoming leaders. On August 5th, the Itawamba County Development Council kicked off its second Junior Leadership Program, gathering together 27 of the county’s junior and senior high students for the eight-month course. The program opened with a weekend retreat at Itawamba Community College and the Jamie Whitten Center. The retreat helped the young participants learn to work together as a team, a vital skill to being a leader. Students also learned a great deal about each other, ways to communicate verbally and nonverbally, and showed the leadership skills each student possessed. The Jr. Leaders learned a variety of important lessons from local business leaders, including real estate agent Deborah Tierce and ICC Dean of Economic and Community Development Dr. Joe Lowder. They were also divided into four groups, which will tackle individual community projects throughout the duration of the program. The groups adopted projects focused on Vernon Presley’s historical marker, improvements to the grounds of the Oakland Normal Institute, adding features to Harman Springs and the creation of “little libraries” around the county. Each of the four groups will have initial funds of $500 to invest in their projects. Any additional funds, materials or labor the groups may need will be acquired through donations and grants. The program also includes monthly programs on a range of topics, including civic leadership, economic development, basic finance, advanced education, career development and history. These programs are hosted by local leaders in business, government, and civic organizations. As a whole, the aim of the Junior Leadership Program is to emphasize the importance of community involvement among the county’s younger demographic and help transform them into individuals who will help Itawamba prosper in the coming years.
ITAWAMBA TRENDS
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Fall 2017
THE MEMBERSHIP NEWSLETTER OF THE ITAWAMBA COUNTY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
ICDC hosted the Second ICDC B.A.S.H (Business Associates Social Hour) at The Tammy Wynette Legacy Park with more than fifty ICDC Members in attendance. We would like to thank Tremont Floral for sponsoring our second event.
If you or your organization would like to sponsor our next event, contact us at 662-862-4571.
Elected Officials Luncheon ICDC was proud to host 45 elected officials from Itawamba County to discuss the future of Itawamba County. We appreciate Jeremy Martin-Assistant Secretary of State, Joshua Thornton-TVA, Gary ChandlerThree Rivers, and Ellen Bourdeaux-MDA for presenting to us!
Thank you to everyone that came out today to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Itawamba County Welcome Center! We especially want to thank the staff for the wonderful Taste of Itawamba Reception and RJ's Eatery, Homer's, Bull Mountain BBQ, 2 Sisters Kitchen, Mi Toro's, Subway, Peking Palace, Dorsey Food Mart, Food Giant, and Peppertown Restaurant for donating the awesome food! We would also like to thank Sheila's Flowers for the beautiful flower arrangements and Walton's Greenhouse for the ferns! It takes a community of folks working together to get things done! Thanks ITAWAMBA TRENDS
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Fall 2017
25th Anniversary Celebration of the Itawamba Welcome Center!
Thank you to everyone that came out to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Itawamba County Welcome Center! We especially want to thank the staff for the wonderful Taste of Itawamba Reception and RJ's Eatery, Homer's, Bull Mountain BBQ, 2 Sisters Kitchen, Mi Toro's, Subway, Peking Palace, Dorsey Food Mart, Food Giant, and Peppertown Restaurant for donating the awesome food! We would also like to thank Sheila's Flowers for the beautiful flower arrangements and Walton's Greenhouse for the ferns!! It takes a community of folks working together to get things done! Thanks Itawamba County!!
Mantachie wins $25,0000 Healthy Hometown Grant! Congratulations to the Town of Mantachie for being chosen for the Healthy Hometown Grant. Mantachie won the grant with its first application as a Healthy Hometown contender. The Town of Mantachie is making significant progress in creating a healthy living and working environment for its residents. Members of the Mantachie Healthy Hometown Committee share the common goal of providing citizens with plenty of opportunities to make healthy living a priority, and their efforts earned the municipality a Healthy Hometown Award for 2017. The Town of Mantachie recently strengthened its smoke-free ordinance to ban the use of electronic cigarettes. The ordinance also prohibits smoking in 100 percent of all hotel and motel rooms, restaurants, bars, and workplaces, including tobacco and electronic smoking device retail store workplaces. An employee wellness policy was adopted by the Mantachie Board of Alderman allowing town employees the opportunity to exercise two times each week for 30 minutes during work hours. Employees are encouraged to bring healthy snacks, lunches, and beverages to work, as there are no vending machines on town property. Many local businesses also promote healthy living, Mantachie Rural Health Care providing a free on-site fitness center for employees. The Town utilizes the expertise of the Mississippi State University Extension Service to develop and implement health and wellness opportunities for all residents. Schools located in the Town of Mantachie completed raised bed gardens to encourage healthy eating. The Town’s schools provide supervision by adults modeling healthy eating behaviors in elementary school dining and snacking areas. Plans for the $25,000 grant award are to install outdoor fitness equipment at strategic locations around the walking trail at Mantachie City Park.
Ribbon Cuttings Help us welcome: Porch Swing Pickings, Van Sales, Old 25 Country Store, Saucy Pig, and congratulate Anytime Fitness 5th Year and Itawamba Welcome Center 25th year. Come out and support these businesses to ensure they stay and grow in Itawamba County!
Pictured Left to Right: Saucy Pig, Old 25 Country Store, and Van Sales
Pictured Left to Right: Itawamba Welcome Center, Anytime Fitness, and Porch Swing Pickings
UPCOMING EVENTS!!!