SCEDP Highlights

STONE COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP

“Sticking Together As One”

2009-2010 Year End Review

Industrial

• Secured Economic Development Administration grant for a Harrison and Stone county economic development plan and contracted with Broaddus and Associates/AngelouEconomics Team.  The Harrison and Stone “Accelerate to 2060” Study is underway with the Market Analysis and Target Industry reports completed.

• Participated in the Mississippi Power Project Ready site program to identify and certify industrial sites in the county.

• Conducted customer service workforce training classes for employees and high school students.

• Held quarterly industrial leaders' breakfast meetings and completed annual visits with all Stone County industries to discuss current and future plans and issues. 

•  Hosted meetings at the SCEDP office with Senator Roger Wicker and Congressman Gene Taylor; followed through on several project inquiries.

• Prepared and submitted Request for Information packets for industrial prospects seeking location; met with over 15 site selection consultants and hosted 1 industrial prospect visit.

Business Development Division

• Along with Chamber, hosted Pine Hill Festival on April 4, 2010- crowd estimated at 4,000 with 130 vendors and 142 antique cars registered for car show.  The fun run attracted 31 kids and the 5K/10K had 72 participants.  The Soap Box Derby had 10 entries and the Talent Show had 9 participants. The first Mutt Strutt was held.

• Conducted 5 Told-You-So Tours with over 75 tourists visiting Stone County sites to include Bodine Pottery, G&M Goat Farm, Pecan House, Country Girls Creamery, and Over the Top.  Serendipity hosted the visitors for lunch and entertained with Telling Trees presentations.

•  Hosted Mississippi Tourism Week May 9-16 with a Telling Trees performance at Serendipity and

              hospitality at Dizzy Dean Rest area.

• Articles featuring Stone County were included in each of the Newcomers' and Visitors' Guide and featured the Telling Trees Murals, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, Christmas activities, Stone County Hospital, Pine Hill renovations, Hog Wild Barbeque, and the Perk Paperboy.

• Conducted 13 ribbon cuttings for new businesses.

• Sponsored social networking workshops with 23 participants learning effective communication with new technologies such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn etc.

• Greeted Cruisin’ visitors at the Dizzy Dean Rest Area during Stone County Hospitality Week.

• Worked with Chamber to administer and promote the Merchants Trick-or-Treat, Halloween Costume Contest, Christmas Parade, Breakfast with Santa, and Mardi Gras Parade and promoted Christmas Open House for local businesses.

• Continued to host SBA for business consultations and programs.

• Supported five businesses’ participation in the Mississippi Wholesale Market in Jackson.

• Continued to distribute tourism and promotional materials around Stone County, Flint Creek, Courthouse, City Hall and Dizzy Dean Rest Area.

Physical Infrastructure

• Enhanced design of SCEDP Web site and integrated SCEDP’s Facebook into marketing and communication for Stone County.

• Worked to complete Wiggins Bike Trail into the Flint Creek Water Park, executed a MOU between Pat Harrison Waterway and SCEDP and are underway with completing the bike path extension.

• Engaged MDOT in discussions relative to highway improvements and KCS upgrade through Wiggins and Stone County.

• Provided funds to Board of Supervisors to assist with the Magnolia Ball Field Project.

• Prepared application to Mississippi Development Authority for recycling grant for the Stone County Board of Supervisors; approved for $25,000.

• Worked with webmaster and advertising consultant to design, develop and place online the Stone County Board of Supervisors’ website which is aligned with the SCEDP’s website and located at www.stonecounty.com.  SCEDP will continue to host the website for the county.  Held discussions with the City of Wiggins relative to the development and hosting of their website.

• To allow the county better representation in the Mississippi Legislature, worked with legislators and elected officials in realigning house and senate districts in Stone County.

Social Infrastructure

• Sponsored, in partnership with the Wiggins Police Department and the Stone County Sheriff’s Department, the third annual National Night Out Against Crime.

• Supported the MGCCC Festival of Lights.

• Contributed to the Fourth of July Fireworks Display at Flint Creek Water Park.

• Provided financial support for the VFW War Memorial.

• Sponsored the  “Timber Tough” Telling Trees Mural in Blaylock Park.

• The Asset Development Division, Mississippi Development Authority conducted an asset mapping study of Stone County and presented report identifying strengths and weaknesses.

• Sponsored Explosion of Excellence, recognizing the top 10 percent of the Stone High graduation class with scholarships provided by local businesses.

• Sponsored entrepreneurial classes at Stone High School and supported professional development for the instructor.

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2008-2009

2007-2008