Business Journal 20140606

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THE NORTHEAST MISSISSIPPI

M

BUSINESS JOURNAL

JUNE 2014

Northeast Mississippi a vital part of state’s economy

anufacturing tive to companies from is a vital part around the world. of our state’s Manufacturers’ economy, emNews, which publishes ploying thousands of an annual directory of our citizens. The manumanufacturers in Misfacturing industry in sissippi, recently reNortheast Mississippi is ported that a major part of that manufacturing emgrowing economic secployment in the state tor. has continued to grow.

Guest Mississippi has Northeast Mississippi, Column shown that it can comwhich is home to more pete for and attract than 48,000 manufachigher-skill, higherturing employees, had JAY wage jobs. The goal of an increase in indusMOON the Mississippi Manutrial jobs of 1.6 perfacturers Association is cent. to help our state conThe automotive and tinue to attract, keep and grow transportation equipment secgood jobs. tor employs more than 25,000 Northeast Mississippi has the people in Mississippi, and many highest concentration of man- of those companies are located ufacturers in the state. The area in the northeast region of the boasts an eclectic mix of manstate, including Caterpillar in ufacturers ranging from small Corinth, Toyota in Blue Springs entrepreneurial businesses to and PACCAR in Columbus. large, international companies.

Toyota and its myriad suppliWhile Northeast Mississippi ers currently employ more than has long been known as a hub 4,000 people in the area. PACfor quality furniture manufacCAR, which manufactures preturing, the area’s skilled workmium commercial vehicles in force and educational one of the most technologically institutions continually are advanced commercial vehicle making the region more attrac- diesel engine operations in the

world, began building engines for these vehicles in Columbus in 2010 and now employs about 200 people.

Other global companies that chose to bring their facilities to Northeast Mississippi in recent years include Dennen Steel in Iuka, Olin Corp. in Oxford, Yokohama Tire in West Point and Severstal in Columbus. In 2005, Severstal opened the first new U.S. steel mill in the U.S. in more than a decade. This groundbreaking, high-tech facility provides more than 500 jobs in the community.

Aerospace, wood products, metal fabrication, upholstery, food and electronics sectors also have a significant presence in the northeast region of the state, providing not only thousands of direct jobs, but also many secondary jobs that support these industries.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

The key to securing the type of advanced manufacturing jobs these industries have brought to the state is providing the necessary education and training for a quality workforce. Mississippi is fortunate

to have a strong community college system focused on providing students with relevant skills for the marketplace.

Many of the workforce training programs at these colleges reach out to local manufacturers to determine the workforce needs in the area.

In addition, Toyota has teamed up with the University of Mississippi to establish the Center for Manufacturing Excellence, located on the Oxford campus and offering degrees in engineering with an emphasis on manufacturing, along with other industry-relevant programs. Mississippi State University’s research facilities for years have partnered with companies in the furniture and aerospace industries, among others.

Another key component to bringing in and retaining jobs in Mississippi is creating a business-friendly environment.

During the past three legislative sessions, the Mississippi Manufacturers Association worked diligently with the state’s business leaders to reduce taxes and regulations on manufacturers and other busi-

nesses, and accomplished several other major legislative goals, which include: • Elimination of the 1.5 percent sales tax on energy used in manufacturing • The Inventory Tax Relief Act of 2012 • Comprehensive workers compensation reform • The Mississippi Taxpayer Fairness Act of 2014 • Reduction of the unemployment insurance premium • Elimination of sales tax on semi trailers • Enhancement of tort reform protections • Numerous economic development incentives for new and existing industries.

Preparing our workforce and creating a business-friendly environment in the state are essential in order for us to continue providing good job opportunities and to make sure that Mississippi’s manufacturers can continue to grow and compete in the global economy.

JAY C. MOON is President and CEO of the Mississippi Manufacturers Association

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Kingsford charcoal production depends on Glen facility “Like all companies, we’re trying to get more out of our existing assets and to maximize them,” he said.

But if there’s a sudden resurgence in charcoalgrilling – more than 5.9 million charcoal grills were sold in 2012, the most recent data available – then there might be that need for increased capacity.

“Grill with Kingsford charcoal early and often,” Waitman said with a laugh.

BY DENNIS SEID BUSINESS JOURNAL

GLEN – Barbecue and grilling season has officially kicked off, and Steve Waitman is one of its biggest fans.

It’s his job to make sure all those backyard grills are fired up and ready to go.

And his fuel of choice?

Charcoal. Kingsford charcoal, to be exact.

Waitman is the site manager of Kingsford’s plant in Glen, a small community in Alcorn County. The plant makes char, the primary ingredient for charcoal.

The facility, which opened in 2007, doesn’t actually make charcoal. But without the char it produces, the company’s other plants couldn’t make those black pillow briquettes that have seared meat, seafood and vegetables under the Kingsford label since the 1950s.

“We picked this location because of its location to hardwoods,”Waitman said.

“Kingsford has plants all over the country, and we supply the plants in Missouri and Kentucky.”

The first step in making char is wood – specifically hardwood scraps that come from area timber mills within a 100-mile radius of the plant.

“We’re operating 24/7,” Waitman said. “We get all sorts of wood waste from around the area, but no pine. It’s strictly hardwood.”

Making char begins with wood chips. At the Glen plant, two Caterpillar bulldozers are used to move and mix a towering pile of wood chips up to 60-feet high.

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LAUREN WOOD | BUY AT PHOTOS.DJOURNAL.COM

The Glen plant opened in 2007. It employs 17 people.

The process begins with a large quantity of wood chips, which come from area suppliers.

DID YOU KNOW?

|

• The Kingsford Company was formed by Henry Ford and E.G. Kingsford in the early 1920s. Charcoal was developed by Ford Motor Co.’s factory wood scraps.

• Originally called Ford Charcoal, the company was renamed Kingsford Charcoal • The majority of grill owners (62 percent) use their grills year-round

The chips must be cut to a uniform size before they’re heated.

Because the wood chips come from various mills and in various sizes, they must be cut to a certain size. Once that’s complete, the re-sized chips are moved to another pile.

From there, batches of the wood chips are dried to make the char.

The end product similar to mulch, but finer. It’s also black.

It takes less than three hours from wood chip to char, and large containers are filled every hour and shipped via truck to three charcoal-making plants in Missouri and Kentucky.

Once the charcoal is made, using the char, a binding agent such as cornstarch and other additives, including sawdust and limestone are added.

• Eighty-six percent of households own an outdoor barbecue grill or smoker.

The result is char, which is the main ingredient in making charcoal.

• Sixty-nine percent of households own a gas grill; 47 perThe pillow-shaped briThe Glen plant employs cent own a charcoal grill. quettes are placed in their 17 people, all of whom can bags and shipped to stores do each other’s jobs. nationwide.

They’re cross-trained so • The most popular grilling holidays are Independence Day, Kingsford, a division of they can rotate positions – Memorial Day and Labor Day. the Clorox Co., is the largest and fill in when necessary. charcoal supplier in the While the Glen plant is U.S., with nearly 50 percent configured to add a char- • Kingsford says the shelf life of its original charcoal is indefiof the market. coal production if needed, nite, as long as they stay in a “We’re shipping out 11- Waitman said those are cool, dry place. Match Light12 containers of char a day long-term plans that may brand Kingsford charcoal has – that’s a lot of barbecues or may not come to a shelf life of 1-2 years, going on,” Waitman said. fruition.

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BUSINESS JOURNAL

JUNE 2014

BUSINESS JOURNAL

JUNE 2014

Grinding away in Oxford

The Original Grit Girl finds fans, restaurants across the country

BY ERROL CASTENS BUSINESS JOURNAL

OXFORD – Georgeanne Ross isn’t a chef, but she’s a source for many a breakfast side dish, enchilada and shrimp-and-grits supper.

The Oxford resident is the “Girl” part of “The Original Grit Girl,” a business that mills corn into wholegrain grits, polenta, meal and flour. It all started because her husband, Freddie Ross, couldn’t give up the tinkering that served him well through three decades of farming in the Delta.

“He restored an old flywheel engine and our first grist mill,” Georgeanne Ross said. “A chef friend of ours talked us into coming to Memphis and bringing that mill. It was one of the first organic-vegetable places to open in MidTown, and they needed something to attract people.”

Soon another chef friend called, wanting 30 pounds of home-ground cornmeal.

She intended to give him the batch just as a favor.

“I told him, ‘I’m not in the business, and I don’t know what to charge,” Georgeanne Ross said. “As it worked out, I took some to him, and he gave me a list of five chefs. They all wanted cornmeal, and on the way home I thought about what I would have to charge to make a profit. We were two hours away, and I

delivered but didn’t charge for that.”

That’s about the time that innovative chefs were beginning to pair traditional Southern foods with more avant-garde ingredients.

“That’s when somebody wanted grits,” Georgeanne Ross said.

Freddie Ross made adjustments to the mill to make grits, which are much coarser than cornmeal, and a new enterprise took hold.

Soon his wife was delivering and shipping grits, cornmeal and later polenta (a grind between grits and cornmeal in texture, favored for Italian dishes) and flour, the finest grind, which is formed into tortillas. Delta Grind – the brand under which she sold the first time around – was born.

“Polenta feels like sand, whereas my grits will actually stab you in the finger.

They’re a very coarse grind,” Georgeanne Ross said.

Every other Sunday, she grinds corn – sometimes as much as 5,000 pounds – and packages it in fivepound bags for the more than 100 restaurants – from New York and Florida to Arizona and California, along with many in the Mid-South – that order The Original Grit Girl products.

Freddie Ross, a real estate agent in his day job, is present only to keep the equipment running smoothly,

THOMAS WELLS | BUY AT PHOTOS.DJOURNAL.COM

The Original Grit Girl mills corn into whole-greain grits, polenta, meal and flour. ON THE COVER: George and Freddie Ross grind corn every other Sunday. while Georgeanne Ross takes a very hands-on approach to quality control.

“The Health Department comes out and checks everything,” Freddie Ross said.” The inspector said this is the cleanest mill he’s ever seen. She’s very particular about keeping it all clean.”

“I’m eating this stuff,” Georgeanne Ross said.

“Freddie isn’t allowed in “My mother had had a here when I’m milling. He’s stroke, I had 80 restaurants, maintenance.” she was in Memphis, and I couldn’t do it all,” she said.

BACK IN BUSINESS “Two people wanted to buy Several years ago, she Delta Grind, and I wanted found herself overbur- it to stay open, so I sold it.” dened by keeping up with After her mother’s death, all her business obligations former customers started – customer service, milling, asking Georgeanne Ross to deliveries, shipping, book- get back into the business. keeping and more – while She resisted for months but also being a caregiver. eventually conceded to

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have her husband set up another mill, and The Original Grit Girl came into being.

He has since added a second mill to speed the process, and both blow the freshly ground corn to a separating machine that sifts it into grits, polenta and flour. (Cornmeal, TURN TO GRITS, 5

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Tupelo company has solution for bed bugs

BY DENNIS SEID BUSINESS JOURNAL

TUPELO – A few years ago, Mark Lovil developed a fire ant killer that has grown in popularity with customers across the region.

County road crews who often run into the potentially deadly mounds have been buying the fire ant granules made by Lovil’s Rite-Kem company for more than a decade to help eliminate the pests naturally.

Homeowners and businesses also have caught onto the product, which is available at the company’s facility on Westmoreland Drive, or online.

Lovil has developed another product that’s being sought after nationwide, particularly the hotel industry.

It’s what Lovil calls BBT2000, and it treats the insidious bed bug. It is made by Lovil’s Swepe-Tite business division.

“The bed bug treatment came about after looking at the different formulations that are available,” Lovil said.

“We looked at everything that was on the market, and we wanted to develop something that wasn’t toxic, something that wasn’t harmful to humans or animals.”

BBT-2000, however, isn’t just for bed bugs.

It also is used to treat a variety of insects and bugs, like spiders, roaches and fleas, and pest control companies are among the biggest buyers of the product, along with hoteliers.

The treatment is best used with a fogger, which is provided by Swepe-Tite.

ADAM ROBISON | BUY AT PHOTOS.DJOURNAL.COM

Mark Lovil says BBT-2000 is a natural and effective solution for bed bugs. |

LEARN MORE

|

VISIT WWW.SWEPE-TITE.COM TO learn more about its bed bug treatment as well as other natural products.

A sprayer can be used, but it leaves a heavy residue and isn’t as effective in coverage.

A fogger puts out a fine mist, which enables it to get into every nook and cranny of a room.

Bed bugs, long a problem in the hotel industry, can also find their way into homes. No matter where they’re found, Lovil said treating them with BBT2000 is similar.

For a hotel, the room or rooms where bed bugs are found should be closed for

use. The fogger should be used once in the morning and again in the evening.

Then the room is ready for use the next day.

Treatment, however, should continue once a week for the next three weeks.

“We’ve discovered that heating up the room to around 80-85 degrees draws the bed bugs out,” Lovil said, “since they’re attracted to heat.”

The all-natural BBT-2000 uses a combination of cedar oil, soybean oil and other ingredients that also leaves a fresh, clean scent.

“One of the side effects, so to speak, is that it deodorizes a room,” Lovil said.

With 800 customers nationwide and growing, Swepe-Tite is finding traction with not only hoteliers

and pest control companies, but also with nursing homes and other multi-bed facilities.

“Bed bugs can find their way anywhere,” Lovil said.

“You might sleep in a bed not knowing there are bed bugs and you bring some home with you and you end up with it at your house.”

A preemptive strike against bed bugs doesn’t necessarily work – BBT-2000 works best when bed bugs are spotted and must be eliminated.

Keeping up with the treatments is a must, however, to kill off the bugs and any eggs that may have been laid.

Lovil said hotels shouldn’t use BBT-2000 as a substitute for a professional pest control program. Rather, the treatment should be used a supplement.

Grits FROM PAGE 5

which is popular for cornbread and hushpuppies, combines polenta and flour.)

“This is like a flour sifter (on the same principle as) one you would use as home,” Georgeanne Ross said of the nearly carsized machine.

Corn flour used to be a leftover of the milling process.

“I threw it away for years before I took it in to show a chef. There was such a big pile that the deer couldn’t keep up with it. It turns out there was a market for it – that’s where tortillas come from – so I started letting people know. It’s called ‘masa.’”

The push for innovation in the culinary world has the Rosses offering samples of a few unexpected products that Georgeanne Ross mills in small quantities.

Popcorn meal, she said, “is supposed to be an excellent breading, and they’re doing rice grits, black-eyed pea grits. Right now I just use a little mill at the house, and I furnish them as a thank-you for customers to experiment with, but if they start ordering 30 pounds, I’ll start charging.”

‘Polenta feels like sand, whereas my grits will actually stab you in the finger. They’re a very coarse grind.’

Georgeanne Ross Georgeanne Ross said she enjoys the challenges her customers offer.

“These are all culinarytrained, white-tablecloth chefs,” she said. “They’ve taught me so much, and they’re usually easy to work with. It’s a lot of fun.”

A fraternity of chefs, with Oxford restaurateur John Currence at its hub, has been a boon to The Original Grit Girl. Currence’s restaurants use thousands of pounds of her products per year, which has led to scores of other restaurant customers.

“I don’t advertise at all; everyone I have as a customer now came to me,” she said. “I do the MidTown Farmers’ Market out of loyalty. These people here in the community let me know if grits are still a good thing.” errol.castens@journalinc.com

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BUSINESS JOURNAL

JUNE 2014

W

BUSINESS JOURNAL

JUNE 2014

Getting comfortable with titles

hat is your title?

It is a simple question. However, to some small business owners it is a source of dread, discomfort and uncertainty.

Should you be a CEO, an owner, a partner or have no title at all? Will owner sound too mundane?

Maybe partner would make you sound bigger.

All of these thoughts are valid and indicative of how stressful a simple question can be.

Advice in the area can vary wildly. Some claim that titles do not matter, while some place high importance on them. Regardless, it is a safe bet to be able to answer with confidence the question, “what is your title?”

The first criterion you must look at is legal requirement. In some instances, the question being asked is a legal one and is indicated by your organization. In a Limited

Marketing Matters JOSH MABUS

If you are considering an outlandish title, please do so with consideration of your audience. If you cater to a conservative, straightlaced crowd, it would be prudent to reflect this in your title.

Liability Company (LLC), you might be a member, manager or in certain instances, a partner. It is important to know the purpose of the question and have adequate background on your business type. Check with your attorney or accountant to make sure you have a clear idea on how you are organized.

Perhaps the situation is

a bit more lax – you are simply trying to determine what to put on your business card. The first advice is “honesty is the best policy.” Never name yourself a partner in a business without partners. One might believe this is outlandish, but it can be more common than you think.

Many add phrases such as “and associates” to a business to give it a false sense

of size.

Another less intentional misstep lies in naming yourself CEO. It is common knowledge that CEO stands for Chief Executive Officer. When thinking about applying this title, you must ask yourself “am I an executive?” In the strictest sense of the word, one can be an executive just by being in a leadership position.

However, one must look a bit more into the perception of the word.

An executive is generally understood to be a leader of a large employment base – one that is atop other management levels.

It is quite easy to get into a semantic argument in this area, but it is no stretch to assume some put on airs with a title such as this.

In a completely different spectrum are those who consider unorthodox titles. This is particularly true in the creative industry where you see “idea ar-

CottonBolt the

chitects” and “grammar gurus.” There are cases where titles like these can be well received and others where they are a gross turn off.

If you are considering an outlandish title, please do so with consideration of your audience. If you cater to a conservative, straightlaced crowd, it would be prudent to reflect this in your title. However, there are advantages to appro-

priately setting yourself apart from competition.

At the end of the day, you have to be comfortable with your title. More importantly your customers and clients have to be comfortable, too.

JOSH MABUS is the owner of The Mabus Agency, a marketing and advertising company in Tupelo. Contact him at (662) 8232100 or josh@mabusagency.com.

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PAGE 6

ChamberConnection A publication of Journal Publishing and the CDF Chamber Division – June 2014

CDF

CDF named top economic development group

celebrates success

The Community Development Foundation (CDF) and CDF members from various industries celebrated an exceptional year in economic development for Tupelo/Lee County at the foundation’s annual meeting. One of CDF’s most successful years since its inception in 1948, CDF ended its year with high momentum and growth. Notable accomplishments include:

• #2 micropolitan in the U.S.* • 99 CDF member businesses, restaurants, bakeries, and caterers participated in the • Top 10 economic Taste of Tupelo development group* •15 new or expanded industries

• Over 1,400 Taste of Tupelo attendees

• 1,264 new jobs created

• CDF ambassadors recruited 59 new members, mentored 450 member businesses, and volunteered over 1,827 hours

• $37 million in new payroll • $240 million in capital investment •10,437 CDF event participants • 96 ribbon cuttings

• 9 new office spaces added to the Renasant Center for IDEAs • 46 Mississippi Scholar graduates

*Awarded by Site Selection Magazine

The Community Development Foundation’s fiscal year begins May 1 and ends April 30.

The Community Development Foundation (CDF) has been named one of the Top 10 Micropolitan Economic Development Groups in the United States for 2013, by Site Selection magazine.

“We are thrilled over this exciting news for our community,” said Chauncey Godwin, 2013-2014 CDF Chairman. “This recognition stems from the great partnerships that exist between our city and county officials, as well as the Tennessee Valley

Authority, Mississippi Development Authority, and Itawamba Community College. I am confident that Tupelo and Lee County will continue to succeed as we work with our partners to foster economic development in our community.”

Site Selection magazine first ranked local economic development groups according to four objective categories: new jobs, new jobs per 10,000 residents, new investment amount, and new in-

vestment per 10,000 residents. The groups were then scrutinized for more subjective attributes including innovation, leadership, and customer service.

“The Lee County Board of Supervisors is proud to serve as a partner with CDF, creating more and better jobs in Lee County,” said Darrell Rankin, Lee County Board of Supervisors President. “As CDF ends its 65th year of service to Tupelo/Lee County, we TURN TO TOP, 14

Tupelo participates in sustainable communities development program Tupelo has been accepted to participate in the Valley Sustainable Communities Program.

This program, now in its second year, is sponsored by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and managed by Boyette Strategic Advisors (BSA).

The Valley Sustainable Communities Program was initiated by TVA Economic Development in 2013 as part of its community preparedness offerings. Sustainability has become a key issue for economic development organizations and communities as more corporations have demonstrated an increasing commitment to sustainability. In addition, more than 90 percent of corporate real estate executives who responded to a CoreNet Global survey said that sustainability is a consideration in their com-

pany location decisions.

The typical reasons for this corporate commitment are reduced operating costs for increased profitability and greater employee satisfaction.

The goal of the program is to increase the likelihood that communities will be viewed as progressive and competitive by companies planning to invest in new or expanded business locations. BSA and TVA staff will be administering the program and meeting in person with communities’ sustainability teams to help inventory, develop and implement sustainable initiatives and increase awareness of their sustainable assets.

The program recognizes communities at three levels – Silver, Gold and Platinum – based on the sustainability programs in place. While a wide variety of sustain-

able initiatives contribute to a community’s level of recognition, those programs directly related to business and industry support and economic development receive greater emphasis. In its first year, the Valley Sustainable Communities program recognized 13 communities throughout the Valley for their commitment to sustainability.

Read more at TVAed.com/sustainable.

“Tupelo has already made a significant commitment to sustainability. This new program provides us with the opportunity to document, further develop and be recognized for our sustainable initiatives, which will help differentiate us in the tough competition for new corporate investment and job creation,” said Tupelo Mayor Jason Shelton.

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A CDF

CHAMBER CONNECTION

Chamber Focus I went to a friend’s funeral a few weeks ago. Although his passing was sad, it was good to know his life was full and he was leaving his tired earthly body for joy everlasting. Jim was a wonderful man, but I learned some new things about him from the pastor who presided over the service. I learned he was a volunteer leader in many orGeddie ganizations including youth football, Boy Scouts, the Tupelo Christmas parade, Helping Hands, and Sunday school; he was also co-founder of the Gum Tree Art Festival, the Gardner-Simmons home for Girls, and the Association for Excellence in Education. In a period spanning just over half a century, Jim quietly made a big difference in the lives of countless individuals.

It is difficult to imagine where our community would be without people like Jim. Thankfully, there are many. George McLean, co-founder of Community Development Foundation (CDF), was one of them. Another is Jim Ingram, for whom the Jim Ingram Community Leadership Institute (CLI) is named. Both of these men were passionate about helping others and understood the importance of developing leaders throughout the community, so that everyone would have an opportunity to provide for their families and prosper.

Last month the twelfth CLI graduating class was honored at CDF’s annual meeting. This program has graduated more than 250 local leaders since its inception. One of the features of the

class is a team project, where the class members team up to propose a counter strategy for an issue our community is facing.

This year’s graduates successfully continued the great tradition established by their predecessors when they set out to improve the perception of Tupelo Public School District. The team worked with TPSD and the Daily Journal to implement the publication of monthly “Progress in Action” reports highlighting updates on the status of programs and issues in the school district that are relevant to the community. They also developed the “Excellence…we’ll take you there” campaign, which offers a link for local businesses to include on their websites promoting the best attributes of TPSD. In addition, the team created the GIFT (Getting Involved for Teachers) Foundation, which is partially funded by the new TPSD license plates you see around town. Foundation funds will be used to provide signing bonuses for new teachers, bonuses for existing teachers that meet high goals within TPSD, and down payment assistance to teachers new to the area.

These leaders made a difference. I am honored to know them, and thankful for the vision Mr. McLean and Mr. Ingram had years before.

And thanks to you too, Jim.

Mr. Tillmon Calvert Mr. Scott Cochran Mr. Clay Foster Mr. Bryan Hawkins Ms. Blair Hughes

Mr. Guy Mitchell, III Mr. Barry Smith Ms. Jane Spain Mr. Buddy Stubbs Dr. Dick White

2013-2014 Board of Directors Nettie Davis Mike Eaton Doug Formby Clay Foster Chauncey Godwin, Jr. Julianne Goodwin Bryan Hawkins Lisa Hawkins Reed Hillen Frank Hodges Shane Hooper Blair Hughes Trentice Imbler David Irwin Jamie Kennedy

A. Dixon Properties, LLC Mr. Wayne Dixon P.O. Box 1468 Saltillo, MS 38866 (662) 678-3065 Real Estates, Appraisers, & Property Development

Blue Springs Metals Mr. Kirk Lewis 1036 Corolla Ln. Blue Springs, MS 38822 (662) 539-2719 www.bluespringsmetals.com Manufacturers/Distributors Elite Physical Therapy Mr. Van Johnson 715 Hwy 45 Baldwyn, MS 38824 (662) 365-5610 www.elitetherapysaltillo.com Health Care JMT Consulting Mr. Mike Tonos 2300 Shady Wood Dr. Tupelo, MS 38801 (662) 322-9399 Consulting

Landmark Surveying Mr. Rex Smith 391B Mobile St. Saltillo, MS 38866 (662) 869-2478 Engineering

Right at Home Ms. Karla Strickland 2686 Hwy 145, Ste. D Saltillo, MS 38866 (662) 260-4102 www.rightathome.net/tupelo Health Care St. Jean’s Bakery & Café Ms. Melissa Murphy 206 W Main St. Tupelo, MS 38804 (662) 260-5058 www.stjeansbakery.com Restaurants & Catering Tupelo Tennis Academy Mr. Morgan Baldwin 1107 Joyner Ave. Tupelo, MS 38804 (662) 687-2445 www.tupelotennisacademy.com Recreation

Karen Geddie

2013-2014 Executive Committee

Mike Armour Bernard Bean Jim Beane Roger Bland David Brevard Mark Burleson Bo Calhoun Tillmon Calvert Gary Carnathan Grace Clark Mike Clayborne V.M. Cleveland Scott Cochran Fred Cook David Copenhaver

New CDF Members

Vice President

The Community Development Foundation thanks the 2013-2014 Board of Directors for its service Mr. Chauncey Godwin, Jr., Chairman Mr. Shane Hooper, First Vice Chairman Ms. Lisa Hawkins, Second Vice Chairman Mr. David Rumbarger, President/Secretary Mr. David Copenhaver, Immediate Past Chairman

JUNE 2014

Bob Kerley Jeff King Gearl Loden Neal McCoy Robin McGraw Larry Michael Guy Mitchell Ted Moll Mabel Murphree Mary Pace Jim Pate Aubrey Patterson Jason Shelton Darrell Rankin Harry Rayburn

Jack Reed, Jr. Scott Reed Eddie Richey Drew Robertson Chris Rogers David Rumbarger Barry Smith Bobby Smith Jane Spain Gary Sparkman Buddy Stubbs Kiyoshi Tsuchiya Jimmy Weeks Dick White Tollie White

2014-2015 Ambassadors Club Jesse Bandre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Exceed Technologies Rashni Barath . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Trustmark National Bank Betty Baxter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bishop's BBQ Grill Stephanie Browning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hampton Inn & Suites Tupelo Will Conn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Morgan Moving & Storage Shirley Curry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Crye-Leike, Realtors Sheila Davis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PPI, Inc. Becki Duffie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kelly Services Cheryl Foster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wingate by Wyndham Romanda Hampton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hilton Garden Inn Dianne Harris . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Summit Group Companies, LLC Toby Hedges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shelter Insurance Jim Jolly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Denise Kennedy-Brown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Special Occasions by Denise Justin Kirk. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.S. Lawns of Northeast Mississippi Charlise Latour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sprint Print Molly Lovorn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C Spire Bea Luckett . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TRI, Inc. Realtors Brad McCully . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sportsman Lawn & Landscape Chuck McIntosh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . McIntosh Creative Services Katie McMillan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Key Staff Source Scott Medlock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Elite Pro Wash Holley Meriweather . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Community Bank Leigh Monroe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Main Street Family Dentistry Carolyn Moss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Quality Inn Kelsey Norrett . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Comcast Spotlight Allen Pegues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Premium Productions Fred Pitts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Safestore of Tupelo, Inc. Ashley Prince . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . local MOBILE Mendy Ramey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Renasant Bank Mortgage Lending Torrie Robertson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Cotton Bolt Molly Scott . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Harveys Jennifer Stephens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hibu Jacob Thomas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C Spire Mary Sue Tudor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lamar Advertising Pam Turner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Monts Paper & Packaging Lisa Wadley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sylvan Learning Center Ross Weems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BancorpSouth Mary Werner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Robinson & Associates Stephanie West . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Best Western Plus Grady Wigginton . . . . . . . . . . Legal Shield - Grady Wigginton & Associates June Wigginton . . . . . . . . . . . Legal Shield - Grady Wigginton & Associates Christy Wright . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hibu

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Mississippi Scholars graduates recognized in Tupelo and Lee County Forty-six graduates of the Mississippi Scholars program were recently recognized during senior award ceremonies at Mooreville High School, Nettleton High School, Saltillo High School, Shannon High School, and Tupelo High School. Since 2003, Lee County schools have participated in the program designed to motivate students to enroll in rigorous high school courses that will prepare them for college and careers.

Tupelo Public Schools began participation in 2010 and graduated its first class of MS Scholars this year.

“This challenging program encourages students to graduate from high school and go the extra mile for their future and economic success,” said Gina Black, project manager and MS Scholars coordinator for Community Development Foundation. “Whether they plan to attend college, join the military, or go directly into the workforce, the MS Scholars program helps every student become more prepared.”

Each Mississippi Scholars graduate was awarded a medallion of distinction and certificate of recognition for their accomplishment. Each student also received a gift card as a special token of appreciation for graduating from the program.

The course of study for MS Scholars includes four credits each of English/Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and one art credit. Additional expectations of Mississippi Scholars graduates include community service, 95% school attendance, a letter of recommendation from a principal or guidance counselor, and a 2.5 cumulative high school grade point average.

For more information on the Mississippi Scholars program or to learn how your business can be a part of Mississippi Scholars, please contact Gina Black in the CDF office at (662) 842-4521.

|

GRADUATES LIST

|

SHANNON HIGH SCHOOL MISSISSIPPI SCHOLARS

Jayla Foster Morgan Holmes Courtney Ivy Laken Lyons Alivia Roberts Isaiah Wren

TUPELO HIGH SCHOOL MISSISSIPPI SCHOLARS

Karli Wood Carley Cole

SALTILLO HIGH SCHOOL MISSISSIPPI SCHOLARS

SALTILLO HIGH SCHOOL

Taylor Buttrum Shelby Carswell Megan Corrie Mitch Edwards Sydney Gully Dillon Hall Brittany Irby Kerson Jumper Kourtney Koehn Auburn McCormick Hunter Olson Payton Pearce Bailey Raiford Gabi Raines Lacey Reed Latashia Russell Ally Savery Hayley Schrock Ashton Smith Leigh Sumner Searcy Swain Sydney Weber

NETTLETON HIGH SCHOOL MISSISSIPPI SCHOLARS

SHANNON HIGH SCHOOL

Caymen Bell Juaneisha Finnie Ryan Gillentine Megan Laney Laken McKinney Marley Oswalt Emily Smith

MOOREVILLE HIGH SCHOOL MISSISSIPPI SCHOLARS

Logan Abel Tiana Allen Krista Clifton Miah Edmonds Rachel Hodnett Samantha Horton Shelby Miller William Pate Myriam Sanders

NETTLETON HIGH SCHOOL

TUPELO HIGH SCHOOL

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CHAMBER CONNECTION

JUNE 2014

CHAMBER CONNECTION

AMBASSADOR OF THE YEAR

CDF first Vice Chairman Lisa Hawkins and CDF President/CEO David Rumbarger present Jesse Bandre, middle, the CDF Ambassador of the Year award at the foundation’s 65th Annual Meeting. During Jesse’s sophomore year as an Ambassador, Jesse mentored 39 businesses, volunteered 89 hours at CDF events, and recruited 15 new members. “Jesse has been an invaluable asset in the success of the Chamber’s work this year. He is a great representation of CDF and we appreciate his partnership in our community’s development,” said CDF President/CEO, David Rumbarger. Jesse is the Director of N MS Operations for Exceed Technologies.

JIM INGRAM COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE CLASS OF 2014

Graduates of the Jim Ingram Community Leadership Institute (CLI) class of 2014 were recognized at CDF’s Annual Meeting. Created by the CDF and CREATE Foundation, the Jim Ingram CLI is a two-year leadership program that enhances community leadership development, as well as personal and professional growth. The program consists of one year of training and one year of community reinvestment.

Pictured (l-r), sitting: Shirley Moon (relocated), Heather Redwood, Britni Beasley, Katie McCustion, Emily Leonard, Katie McMillan, Kerry Coke, Natalie Ellis, and Rachel Ethridge; standing: Rick Hill, Randy Gammill, Billy Joe Holland, Joey Grist, Toby Hedges, Chan Brown, Preston Whittington, Tim Long, T. J. Adams, Jamie Osbirn, Christian Reed, Larry Coggin, Robin Haire, and Kevin Smith.

SIMPLY IRRESISTIBLE TREATS

JUNE 2014

MDES means business The Mississippi Department of Employment Security (MEDS) has a new focus - provide better services to the job seekers and businesses of Mississippi.

Striving to expand employment, improve workforce skills, and enhance productivity in our state, MDES works to help employers find the most qualified, prospective employee through its network of WIN Job Centers.

By improving its business services, MDES encourages employers to post job openings with the agency on its new, awardwinning website (mdes.ms.gov). The userfriendly site, allows businesses to easily submit job openings as well as search for and invite qualified, prospective employees apply online for the job. In addition to its website, MDES has released the country’s first job placement mobile app. The free, MSWorks app is available for download from Google Play or App Store.

Encouraging businesses to hire recent college graduates, MDES has partnered with state colleges and universities to create msgradjobs.com. The initiative aimed at retaining Mississippians in the state after college graduation, encourages graduating seniors to post their profile to the site, highlighting his or her college major and work experience. The innovative MDES computer system will then automatically match students with Mississippi job openings that best suite the student’s major and experience. Employers may also search those student profiles at mdes.ms.gov or at the MSWorks app.

MDES WIN Job Centers

The MDES website offers resources to businesses in search of potential employees as well as those seeking employment. also saves businesses time and money through its free services. TheWIN Job Center staff assists employers with posting job openings, screening job applicants, and referring qualified job candidates for interviews.

The Job Centers even provide space for employers to conduct job interviews at the center, with most centers providing space for employee training. MDES will also E-Verify prospective employees in addition to completing the required federal I-9 forms upon employee hire.

MDES holds job fairs around the state allowing businesses to interview a number of prospective employees at one, convenient location.

To encourage businesses to hire veterans and members of other specific groups, MDES offers the Work Opportunity Tax Credit. This tax credit enables a business to offset its federal taxes by up to $9,600.00 for each em-

ployee hired from the designated categories. Once a new employee is hired, a business can receive as much as $2,500.00 from MDES for on-the-job training.

In addition, MDES offers the Mississippi Level Payment Plan to smooth out a business’s unemployment tax payments. Just like the utility bill, an employer can choose to pay the same amount for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd quarters of the year, and then settle up in the 4th quarter.

Working to provide Mississippi businesses premier workforce services, every MDES initiative is directed toward achieving this goal.

Each time a Mississippian gets a job or learns enhanced job skills; that is both a win for Mississippi’s business and for our economy.

To learn about MDES’s free services for businesses, contact your local WIN Job Center or visit us online at mdes.ms.gov.

Interested in starting a business? Let the Renasant Center for IDEAs and the MS Small Business Development Center help you get started.

Simply Irresistible Treats held a ribbon cutting in celebration of its grand opening.

Simply Irresistible Treats offers a variety of sweets including custom and gourmet cakes, cupcakes, chocolate suckers, pies, hand-spun milkshakes, dipped apples and berries, and more. Simply Irresistible Treats is located at 499 Gloster Creek Vlg., Ste. I-3 inside Midtown Pointe and can be contacted at (662) 304-0968, online at simplyirresistibletreats.vpweb.com, or on Facebook.

‘Starting a Business – First Steps’ June 10 1:00pm – 2:30pm

‘How to Develop a Business Plan’ June 12 1:00pm – 2:30pm

‘Introduction to Exporting’ June 19 1:00pm – 2:30pm

To register for a workshop or for more information,contact Dana Cawthon at 1-800-725-7232 or (662) 680-6988.

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PAGE 10

3Qs

with CDF’s summer interns

PAGE 11

Enhance your marketing strategy with event

sponsorships The best marketing strategies involve more than throwing your logo on a sign and calling it a day.

Increasing your company’s reach calls for non-traditional marketing strategies developed to drive visibility. Sponsoring a CDF Chamber event helps your business gain exposure, build goodwill, and connect with a specific audience. Here’s why: BUILD RAPPORT WITHIN THE COMMUNITY

Outside its office walls, businesses have few opportunities to establish rapport and build trust with clients and prospects. Attending an event is important, but standing out in the crowd as a sponsor projects your business as dependable and creditable to a captive audience.

TARGETED MARKETING

WENDELL GOSS

ABIGAIL CONDIT

College/University: Mississippi State

College/University: Hendrix College

Major/Minor: Industrial and System Engineering

Major/Minor: Economics and Business

Why did you want to intern at CDF? I want to be a part of the great things CDF is doing right here in Tupelo and the surrounding areas while gaining skills that will help me in my future career, whatever that may be. I also thought I might as well apply, understanding that the worst thing that could happen would be that I wouldn't get the job and would then have the option of sleeping until noon everyday.

Why did you want to intern at CDF? CDF is the type of place where people work hard to better the community around them. This particular community has done so much for me in the past ten years that I’ve lived here. I hope to use my interest in economic growth and the skills I’ve learned in school to somehow give back to northeast Mississippi.

Where do you see yourself professionally in 15 years?

Hopefully, I will not still be in school trying to get another degree. I would like to be working in logistics or living in DC working for the government in transportation. Best-case scenario: I will have a job that I can’t tell people about.

Where do you see yourself professionally in 15 years?

I’d love to have a job where I can make a difference. I’d like to use economics and business in order to create ways for people to better their way of life. Basically, I’d like to create jobs.

How do you like to spend your spare time?

Playing Ultimate Frisbee, sleeping, and relaxing with friends.

How do you like to spend your spare time?

I like to play the violin, help my dad with his beekeeping, and play roller derby.

marketing strategy that typically includes logo placement in advertisements, postcards, invitations, websites, and e-mail marketing campaigns in addition to recognition through radio and television promotions.

Sponsorships communicate value and support to the large audiences targeted through event promotion.

Additionally, sponsorships often provide an opportunity to make permanent impressions on attendees by distributing marketing materials and giving away promotional items.

Event sponsorships offer a variety of opportunities to reach various market audiences. Just as no two events are alike, an event’s audience varies. By working with CDF, your business can ensure COMMUNITY maximum exposure to a INVOLVEMENT crowd that will benefit the Sponsoring community most from its services. events sends a message to event attendees and the enBRANDING tire community that the comEach event carries its own pany genuinely cares for its

community’s well being.

Businesses that display generosity for a cause will spark human interest and appeal to the public.

Whether you represent a Fortune 500 company or are a sole proprietor, collaborating with CDF by sponsoring a Chamber event is one of the best investments your business can make. With a variety of sponsorship opportunities available including Wake Up! Tupelo/Lee County, Industry Education Day, Business After Hours, Business Boxed Lunch & Learn seminars, and more, your company can be sure to invest in the right event tailored to fit its needs.

For more information regarding event sponsorships, contact Karen Geddie or Mallory Rutledge at (662) 842-4521.

THANKS TO OUR 2013-2014 CDF EVENT SPONSORS BUSINESS AFTER HOURS Event Sponsors Busylad Rent-All Carlock Toyota of Tupelo Mitchell Distributing Park Heights Restaurant Snelling Staffing Services Corporate Sponsors Busylad Rent-All La Vino Wine & Spirits Mitchell Distributing BUSINESS BOXED LUNCH & LEARN Express Employment Professionals Momentum Consulting Watkins Uiberall, PLLC CPAs CDF MEMBERSHIP CUP Driving Range Sponsor TruGreen Midsouth Putting Green Sponsor U.S. Lawns Northeast MS Golf Cart Sponsor Carlock Toyota of Tupelo Luncheon Sponsor Tupelo Recycling Beverage Sponsors Mitchell Distributing Pepsi Beverages Company Tupelo Coca-Cola Bottling Works

Water Depot of Tupelo Hole Sponsors BancorpSouth BNA Bank Buffalo Wild Wings Community Bank Eat With Us Group Express Employment Professionals First American National Bank GLM Associates GoBox of Tupelo Health Link, Inc. HoneyBaked Ham Humana- Jeff Hamm Magnolia Business Centre’ Renasant Bank Select Staffing ServiceMaster Restore Tombigbee Tooling, Inc. Watkins Uiberall, PLLC CPAs INDUSTRIAL SPORTING CLAY SHOOT Atmos Energy Tupelo Recycling INDUSTRY EDUCATION DAY Doctorate Level BlueCross BlueShield of MS BNSF Railway Magnolia Business Centre’ Bachelor Level

Custom Engineered Wheels NEW, an Asurion Company Omega Motion Style-Line Furniture, Inc. Associate Level B&B Concrete Community Bank HoneyBaked Ham Hunter Douglas Metals & Distribution JESCO, Inc. Kimes & Stone Construction MTD Products Tupelo Small Animal Hospital Star Student Level Dossett Big 4 Murphy Engineering, Inc. Southern Diversified Industries State Beauty Supply Industry Tour Participants Adlam Films, LLC Advanced Innovations East Bauhaus USA, Inc. FXI General Atomics Hawkeye Industries Hickory Springs Manufacturing Co. Martinrea Automotive Structures H.M. Richards Hunter Douglas Metals & Distribution

ICC Workforce Solutions Center ICC Health Science Center MTD Products NMMC Central Sterile Processing Philips Lighting RockTenn Tecumseh Products Company TEK2GO ADVANCED MANUFACTURING CAMP General Atomics Hawkeye Industries Hyperion Technologies Itawamba Community College Stevens Resource Group Universal Asset Management TUPELOYOUNGPROFESSIONALS BancorpSouth Mitchell Distributing Renasant Bank WAKE UP! TUPELO/LEE COUNTY Event Sponsors C Spire Hardy Reed, LLC Corporate Sponsors Health Link, Inc. Robinson & Associates BancorpSouth Conference Center

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CHAMBER CONNECTION

JUNE 2014

CHAMBER CONNECTION

JUNE 2014

SERVICEMASTER COMMERCIAL CLEANING SERVICES

ELITE PHYSICAL THERAPY

In celebration of its new location at 1746 Cliff Gookin Blvd. in Tupelo, ServiceMaster Commercial Cleaning Services held a ribbon cutting. ServiceMaster Commercial Cleaning Services specializes in janitorial, green, healthcare, post construction, and residential cleaning as well as carpet and floor care. ServiceMaster can be contacted at (662) 842-5301 or online at 4clean.biz.

A ribbon cutting was held in celebration of Elite Physical Therapy’s new location at 715 Hwy 45 in Baldwyn. Elite Physical Therapy specializes in outpatient physical, occupational, speech, and aquatic therapy, as well as the treatment of sports injuries, surgery recovery, work related injuries, and more. Elite Physical Therapy can be contacted at (662) 365-5610, elitetherapysaltillo.com, or on Facebook.

Are you interested in promoting your business with a ribbon cutting?

Contact Emily Addison at (662) 842-4521 or eaddison@cdfms.org.

JBHM

Architecture

“JBHM has done a wonderful job in delivering an exceptional facility on a tight budget. They have been a pleasure to work with. I greatly appreciate their professionalism and attentiveness to our needs and goals.”

— Don Lewis City of Tupelo, Chief Operating Officer Former Parks and Recs. Director

www.jbhm.com

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PAGE 12

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ST. JEAN’S BAKERY & CAFE

REED’S

A ribbon cutting was held in celebration of the grand opening of St. Jean’s Bakery & Cafe. St. Jean’s offers an antique collection of breads, cakes, and pies, as well as Creole/Cajun breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus. St. Jean’s is located at 206 W Main St. in Downtown Tupelo and can be contacted at (662) 260-5058, online at stjeansbakery.com, or on Facebook.

Reed’s celebrated the “re-grand opening” of its newly remodeled store at 129 W Main St. in Downtown Tupelo with a ribbon cutting. Since 1905, Reed's has provided the Southeast's best in southern merchant, quality shopping. Reed’s can be contacted at (662) 842-6453, online at reedsms.com, or on Facebook.

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Seating Files Reception Break Room Book Cases Desks Conference Used Office Furniture New Office Furniture Systems Furniture Design Services All Brands Delivery and Installation

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CHAMBER CONNECTION

JUNE 2014

CHAMBER CONNECTION

JUNE 2014

Plantersville revitalizes Grant Wuichet Park A model park meets the immediate needs of a person seeking relaxation or recreation, but also fulfills a deeper yearning for a sense of community. In fact, new research suggests that those with strong community ties live longer, healthier lives. This correlation between the presence of a good park and the quality of life of its adjacent community inspired the Town of Plantersville to revitalize Grant Wuichet Park. Initiated in 2013 by Mayor Gloria Holland, community activists and volunteers focused on attracting residents to the park with a new playground and landscaping.

With a population of just over 1,000 residents, overcoming the low funding barriers formed by a low income tax base and low median household incomes proved a great challenge in revitalization efforts. Yet what the town lacks in population, it makes up for in community spirit. By proactively seeking potential grants and awards in addition to garnering community support, the park project was not out of reach.

The park called for a number of improvements

to its landscape, one of which involved hiding an exposed sewer pipe running the length of the park.

Seeking a reasonable and affordable solution, the town applied for and was presented with the 2013 Mississippi Community Green Connection grant awarded by the Mississippi Nursery & Landscape Association. The $1,000 grant was used to purchase dense trees to conceal the sewer pipe. Now that the plants have been purchased, community leaders plan to engage the Mayor’s Youth Council to help plant, fertilize, and maintain the growth of the trees. With the council’s support, leaders hope to instill a sense of ownership in the success and maintenance of the park. The town continued its enhancement efforts by planting over 2,000 flower bulbs donated by the America Responds with Love organization.

Plantersville’s commitment of bringing people to Grant Wuichet Park to interact and maintain community spirit launched a new initiative that encouraged residents to get physically active. To fulfill this vision, the town required a playground that would

AMBASSADOR OF THE MONTH

Torrie Robertson was named CDF Ambassador of the month for April. She received this honor by attending five CDF events, mentoring one member, and recruiting one new member. Torrie works in sales and customer service at The Cotton Bolt, and is also a manager at Romie's Grocery

Over 180 volunteers worked with public officials and community leaders to construct a new playground at Grant Wuichet Park in Plantersville. Plantersville was awarded the playground by winning the “MS Let’s Play Challenge” sponsored by the Dr Pepper Snapple Group and non-profit KaBOOM! Organization provide a safe, enjoyable place for children and families. Seeking a partner in building the playground, Plantersville entered the “MS Let’s Play Challenge” sponsored by the Dr Pepper Snapple Group and non-profit KaBOOM! organization. The challenge, fully dependent on community support, promised a new playground to the city or town that received the greatest number of pledges percapita to devote 60 min-

utes of active play each day. Garnering support through social media, handing out flyers at community events, and engaging local institutions, churches, and community groups, Plantersville residents pledged the most extra playtime and were awarded the new playground.

Although winning the playground represented a major milestone for the town, community leaders encountered another chal-

COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS CASE STUDY TRIP TO GREENVILLE, SC

A group of 22 elected officials, community leaders, and CDF staff, representing the Lee County Council of Governments, took a case study trip to Greenville, South Carolina, May 28-30. The group spent time with elected officials and representatives from the City of Greenville sharing ideas and discussing the redevelopment of downtown Greenville and its regional impact.

lenge when faced with its actual construction. In order to build the playground, the community reached out to its citizens yet again, this time, calling for volunteers to help in the physical work. Over 180 volunteers working together with public officials and community leaders to build the playground that features an interactive fire truck, rock wall, and plenty of slides.

The completion of the park’s revitalization proj-

ects demonstrated not only the true co-ownership of the park between the community and its public officials, but also served as a physical representation of the community’s incredible spirit.

Because Plantersville residents were invested in multiple opportunities to contribute to the park’s future, Grant Wuichet Park is now instilled with new meaning and public commitment for generations to come.

Top FROM 7

congratulate them on this distinct honor.”

Site Selection magazine, published by Conway Data Inc. since 1954, delivers expansion planning information to 48,000 subscribers, many of them employed by fast-growing firms. Site Selection is also available via online (www.siteselection.com).

Site Selection's growing family of e-newsletters includes the weekly Site Selection Dispatch; The Site Selection Energy Report, The Site Selection Life Sciences Report, and Site Selection International (monthlies); The Site Selection Aerospace Report (bimonthly); and The FDI

Report from Red Hot Locations.

Founded in 1948, CDF is the exclusive agency charged with providing chamber of commerce, economic development, and planning and property management services for Tupelo/Lee County, Mississippi. The Community Development Foundation is a non-profit membership organization composed of civic, business, and professional leaders representing the region.

CDF has been selected six times as one of the top 10 industrial development agencies in the nation by Site Selection magazine, a leading trade magazine for industrial development consultants.

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BUSINESS JOURNAL

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JUNE 2014

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BUSINESS JOURNAL

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Business Directory Apartments

Automotive Commercial Vehicles

Barley Court Apartments

Bank

1608 S. GLOSTER TUPELO

Accepting applications for 1, 2, 3, & 4 bedroom Affordable Housing

Call Robin Barnett today!

662-841-8743 rbarnett@trustmark.com

840 Barley Court • Tupelo, MS 38801

662-566-2553

M-F 9am - 12pm • 1 pm - 5 pm Office Manager: Melissa Phelps

THE FAST LANE FOR SMALL BUSINESS

CALL JIM BROWN 662.231.2392

Apartments

Affordable Luxury Apartment Homes

Automotive Services

RICK’S CHASSIS WORKS • Insurance Claims Welcome • Free Estimates • Body & Paint Repair

111 Grand Ole Oaks Drive Belden, MS 38826 Carey Wilson Manager

www.GrandOleOaks.com

“We Specialize in Frame Work”

1875 Nelle St. Tupelo, MS

844-0260

Apartments

Bank

***HILLDALE APARTMENTS***

Tupelo Lending Office

Applications For 1 ,2,3 & 4 bedroom apartments are currently being accepted!!!

Our management office is open during the hours of 8:00AM5:00PM and is located at 320 Monument Dr., Tupelo, MS 38801. Only one application per household will be accepted.

If you have a disability and are unable to come into the office, call 662-844-4267 and request one to be mailed to you. All applications will be date & time stamped & reviewed in the order in which they are received. ** Preferences & Income Restrictions Apply **

Bath Remodeling Shower Remodeling Tub-To-Shower Conversion Bathroom Accessories Handicap Accessible

Foreign - Domestic

1, 2 & 3 Bedroom

office: 662.823.1470 • fax: 662.823.1474 • cell:662.231.7508

Bath Remodeling

Give Us One Day… We’ll Give You A Beautiful New Bathroom!

662-205-8548

2015 McCullough Blvd. • Tupelo, MS 38801

431 W Main Suite 201 Jamie Osbirn Ron Roper Leslie Stacy

662.844.3419 fanb.net

Member

Apartments

Equal Housing

LENDER

Bank

Building Supplies Rex & Diannah Coggins, Owners

Apartment Homes

Ask about our Military & Law Enforcement Discount

Call 662-891-5000

3260 Hwy 145 N. • Tupelo, MS 38804

Automotive Commercial Vehicles

Licensed And Insured

Blinds

FDIC

1, 2, & 3 Bedrooms Move-In Special *FREE RENT

FREE IN HOME ESTIMATE

www.bathfitter.com

Bank Of Okolona

Okolona Houston Banking Center P.O. Box 306 321 W. Madison St. Okolona, Mississippi 38860 Houston, Mississippi

(662) 447-5403

(662) 456-3347

Bank of Mantee 54 1st Street Mantee, Mississippi

(662) 456-5341

www.bankofokolona.com

Bank

Ph: (662) 365-7021

N H A R Fax: (662) 365-8902 Y DW & DW AR L E SUPPLY, INC. BA • Full Service • Hardware • Building Supplies • Plumbing • Hydraulic Hoses

• Electrical • Glass • Valspar Paints • Welding Supplies • Portable Carports

1187 North 4th St. • Baldwyn, MS 38824

Collision Repair

Your 5-Star, A Rated Bank

by Bauer Financial and Weiss Ratings

Whether you’re hauling or delivering...Call

DWAYNE BLACKMON CHEVROLET for your commercial vehicle needs!

1410 SOUTH GLOSTER / TUPELO / 842-3611

24 Hour Wrecker Service

We take care of your money.

We take care of you.

◆ Junior Burns - Cell 662-728-0524 ◆ David Denson - Cell 662-416-5591 100 W. Veterans Drive • Booneville, MS 38829

Phone 662-728-4459 • Fax (662) 728-4150

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BUSINESS JOURNAL

JUNE 2014

BUSINESS JOURNAL

JUNE 2014

Business Directory Building Supplies

Concrete

Commercial Cleaning Services

Lumbe ville r Boone Company Full Line of Lumber, Hardware, Plumbing and Electrical Supplies 2300 E. Chambers Dr. • Booneville • 728-0094

Booneville Hardware & Supply

224 Starlyn Ave. New Albany, MS 38652

403 Church St. • Booneville • 728-0032 "For all your hardware needs"

662-534-4448

401 Elizabeth St. • Tupelo 662-842-7305

Commercial Plumbing

Event Venue

Fine Furniture, Fabric, & Flooring

RH PLUMBING, INC. Commercial Plumbing, Gas & Industrial Piping RICHARD HANLON (662) 447-3213

P.O. BOX 417 Okolona, MS 38860

Thank you for choosing RH Plumbing. We appreciate your business

Furniture

T h e G o o d l e tt M a n o r

Available for Weddings, Receptions, Parties and Meetings For Information Call 844-2772

at affordable prices.

662-489-1176

7540 Veterans Hwy. West • Pontotoc, MS 38863

Healthcare

Mon.-Fri. 9am - 5pm

219 N o r t h B ro a d way • Tu p e l o

Fine Furniture, Fabric, & Flooring

Gifts

Glass & Overhead Doors

Okolona Drug Co.

We’ve got all your

home furnishings

903 Varsity Dr. Tupelo, MS

Complete Prescription Service

We Accept All Medicare Part D Plans • • • • •

Gifts & Fenton Glass Tyler Candles Aromatique Arthur Court Lenox & Gorham China

• Adora Dolls & Lee Middleton Dolls • Ole Miss & Miss. State Collegiate Items • NEW Casseroles to Go!

210 West Main Street Okolona, MS (662) 447-5471

Home Improvement

Serving Tupelo for 3 Generations

24 Hour Emergency Service

Store Fronts • Mirrors Shower Doors • Garage Doors Commercial Doors Hollow Metal Doors

662-844-4540

“Serving Tupelo for 3 Generations”

711 ROBERT E. LEE DR. • TUPELO, MS

“Experience Is The Difference”

FAX:662-620-7754 Insulation

Serving Lee, Chickasaw, Monroe, Pontotoc, Union, Calhoun, Itawamba, & Lafayette Counties.

Call 601-427-5973 Between 8am - 1pm

Insurance

Hancock Insurance Agency INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES ATV • Life • Health Annuities • RV • Automobile Motorcycle • Home Mobile Home Medicare Supplements

Scott Hancock

Allen Hancock

Monthly Rates Available

662-534-2661 720 W . Bankhead St. New Albany

(662) 963-2825

rafcomhs@gmail.com

Windows, Doors, Tubs, Skirting, Fixtures, and More!!

Installation available!!!

Kennels

Member of the QCN Network. Saving You Money And Making You More Comfortable For Over 38 Years Residential & Commercial Insulation, Installation Blown-In Attic Insulation - Blown-in Wall Insulation - Batting www.nsul8or@att.net www.nsul8or.com

662-844-1306

3166 West Jackson, Tupelo, MS

Locksmith

MILLER’S SAFE & LOCK SERVICE, INC.

NEW & USED SAFES

• Safes Serviced & Installed • Locks Installed • Locksets • Combinations Changed • Locks Rekeyed • Lost Keys Replaced • Master Key Systems • High Security Keys AUTO RESIDENTIAL COMMERCIAL

(662) 842-7720

1219 1⁄2 NELLE STREET • TUPELO

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Business Directory Moving

Medical

Furniture

, PA

Comprehensive Medical Care For Your Family or Business

Call for a Free Estimate

Bronzie Morgan

Appointments & Walk-Ins Welcome

Mon-Fri. 8 - 6:30 Sat. 9 - 6 Sun. 1 - 6

1154 Cross Creek Dr. (Next to Home Depot)

840-8010

Relocation Specialist

662-842-1120

Lee Wallace, CFNP David W. Bell, MD Leigh Ann Weatherly, CFNP

30,000 SQUARE FT. WAREHOUSE QUALITY PREOWNED OFFICE FURNITURE

“The Morgan Family has been moving families like yours for over 50 years”

277 Community Dr. • Tupelo • 662.871.0568

Real Estate

Real Estate

Paint

www.whittingtonofficefurniture.com

Thinking of Selling Your Home or Property?

Residential Rentals

We Have Six Full-Time Agents Pontotoc Ridge Realty, Ltd. Who Call MOSSY OAK PROPERTIES OFFICE Pontotoc Home. ISEACH INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATED

Call Us Today 662-489-2848

renttupelo.com Call 662.844.2772 • Hoyet & Helen Pitts

Restaurant

Restaurant

Restaurant

Party Trays for all Occasions!

• Pizza Spaghetti • Salad Bar • Sandwich • Pasta Special Every Thursday

365-7059

1101 W. Main • Tupelo 842-3774

709 S 4th St. • Baldwyn, MS

Mon.-Thurs. 11-10 • Fri.-Sat. 11-11 • Sun. 12-10

at

W • Drink Not Included • Kid's Menu Only

Storage Building

Roofing

Restaurant

• Max 2 FREE Kids with Adult Entree • 12 Years and Under

HE

EL

ER

RO

INC.

OF

Mooreville

ING

• Residential • Commercial • Industrial FREE Estimates

411 CLARK ST. ❖ TUPELO ❖ 844-4481

Technology

Uniforms

LICENSED & INSURED

Achieve greater network per for mance with less.

ADVANCED RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT FACILITY 1150 SOUTH GREEN ST • BUILDING 1, SUITE E • TUPELO,MS 662-821-2500 • www.circadence.com

7 DAYS!

795 S. Gloster, Tupelo • (662) 844-4272 2316 Hwy. 45 N. Columbus • (662) 328-7777 1151 D. Frontage Rd. Oxford • (662) 513-0341

www.scrubsandco.com

Minnows Available Live Bait, Tackle, Rod & Reels

LOW MONTHLY PAYMENTS

397-2907 662-680-6916

JOURNAL PUBLISHING COMPANY PRINT

Keeping Professional People Looking Professional

BAIT SHOP

OPEN

“A Family Business Since 1946”

Tupelo • Tuesdays 3 - 9 pm • 495 S. Gloster • 680-3354 New Albany • Thursdays 5 - 9 pm • 534-2700 Corinth • Tuesdays 4 - 9 pm • 286-9007

It's time to get more performance from your network with far less. As in less bandwidth utilization, fewer resources, and less cost.

499 Gloster Creek Village, Tupelo, MS 38801 Phone: (662) 844-4888 Fax: (662) 844-3006

ONLINE

INTERACTIVE

LEIGH KNOX

Classified Advertising Consultant leigh.knox@journalinc.com PO Box 909 Tupelo, MS | 38802-0909 1242 South Green Street Tupelo, MS | 38804

Phone 662.678.1626 or 1.800.270.2614 ext.626 Fax 662.620.8301

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JUNE 2014

BUSINESS JOURNAL

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