WALTHALL — The Board of Supervisors has formalized the creation of a new economic development organization for Webster County and hired a director.
The board passed a resolution creating the Webster County Economic Development District, providing funding and preclearing the board’s acceptance of the bylaws for the WCEDD on Oct. 17. The motion was made by Paul Crowley (District 4), seconded by Doug Burgess (District 5); and approved unanimously.
The resolution notes the county was last involved in economic development through an association with and financial support of The Enterprise, which was a partnership between Webster and Choctaw counties. The Enterprise was dissolved by the action of the Choctaw County Board of Supervisors in July 2021, when Choctaw officially withdrew from the interlocal agreement between both counties, thereby terminating that entity.
“Since that time Webster County has remained active in economic development but only through the efforts of some of the Webster County portion of the organization of The Enterprise and the direct efforts of the Webster County Board of Supervisors,” the resolution states.
The board formalized that economic development activity through adoption of the resolution creating the WCEDD as a department of the general county government of Webster County. Its stated purpose will be the “promoting, encouraging, fostering and advancement of economic, industrial, agricultural, commercial, civic and community growth, as well as general business” in the county.
The new entity is to remain in existence until terminated by the majority action of the Board of Supervisors, which will support and fund it “by the general levy of ad valorem and by such other funds, specifically including grants and endowments, as the funds become available.” The proposed bylaws, adopted Oct 3, were precleared by the adoption of the resolution.
------------------------------
Trustees Named,
Director Hired
In related action Oct. 17, meeting minutes show the Board of Supervisors appointed three members of the board of trustees on the WCEDD: Melissa Vaughan, Terry Willis and Jamie Stidham. All three had served on The Enterprise’s board. The new board of trustees appointed Willie Reed and David Dabbs, according to the minutes.
Additionally, the Board of Supervisors voted to hire Chad Winter of Eupora as executive director of the WCEDD, who will work only part time. He will be paid $20,000 annually, retroactive to Oct. 1. Winter will not receive insurance but will be included in the Public Employees' Retirement System of Mississippi, the motion states.
Winter served as president of The Enterprise board and in the same role for its successor after it unofficially commenced operations. He, Stidham, Vaughn, Wills and Reed were present Oct. 17, minutes reflect.
The principal office for the WCEDD will be in the Eupora Depot at 855 S. Dunn St., which is where The Enterprise office was located. The board of trustees will hold regular bimonthly meetings there.
Bylaws state the WCEDD will be directly supervised by that board, whose members must be adult residents of Webster County, and will have a president and vice president. It is to make bimonthly reports to the supervisors.
Minutes show that during a recessed meeting on Oct. 31, Winter addressed the Board of Supervisors concerning economic development issues.
