The Enterprise of Mississippi (Choctaw and Webster counties) was selected to participate in Tennessee Valley Authority’s Economic Development’s Community Livability Initiative.
The goal of this program is to increase the likelihood that companies and talent-seeking locations will view the participating communities as inviting and vibrant.
Participating communities will:
• Identify and catalog their livability assets using a request for information document provided by Newmark Knight Frank
• Pitch their livability story to NKF consultants and TVA economic development staff at a Community Livability Showcase
• Receive livability pitch feedback, participation recognition and an invitation to a special Community Livability workshop led by NKF consultant
The Enterprise looks forward to gathering information and presenting to TVA in the summer of 2020 to learn how we can better promote the assets of our communities to attract business and industry.
Workforce Committee Online Meeting
The Enterprise of Mississippi was scheduled to host a luncheon for workforce partners on March 25 to discuss workforce initiatives and implementation of programs.
The meeting was moved online allowing for participants to connect virtually or through their phone.
Terry Treadaway from Three Rives Planning and Development District and Mille Hogue from the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services both presented to participants about their available resources.
Holmes Community College personnel gave updates on workforce development classes and the Smart Start program. All classes are currently on hold.
New Property Listing Tool
The Enterprise of Mississippi has a new tool available on its website (www.theenterprisems.com). The tool lists all current industrial properties available in the region, but will also allow The Enterprise to add commercial and retail property listings available in the coming weeks.
In addition the tool offers two other valuable services. Under the companies tab, you can obtain business listings for each county or town and the communities tab offers real-time demographic data for the region, county or town. We hope this tool can aide you in local searches of the area.
MDA Site Development Grants
The Red Hills Ecoplex and Eupora Industrial Park were recipients of Mississippi Development Authority site development grants. A ready site application was submitted for both industrial properties.
The ready site application requires a minimum of 20 acres, site-work ready within six months, with utilities capable of being onsite in 12 months. The grant requires a 100% direct local match. The maximum amount available to a community on a ready site grant is $50,000.
The Red Hills Ecoplex is receiving a $50,000 grant with the match ($50,000) being provided by the Choctaw County Economic Development District. The funding will be used on a 30-acre site at the Ecoplex to correct drainage issues and begin grading the site.
The Eupora Industrial Park is receiving a $15,000 grant with the match ($15,000) being provided by the city of Eupora. This grant will be used to complete the industrial access road being installed on the western portion of the park. The city has received multiple sources of funding for the industrial access road. This is the second MDA site development grant received by the city of Eupora.
The Enterprise will be working with both local entities to begin implementing the proposed projects in 2020.
COVID-19 note
We are working remotely during the COVID-19 crisis. The Enterprise of Mississippi is here to serve you and provide updates during this unprecedented time. Please do not hesitate to reach Executive Director Lara Bowman at 769-610-1795 or email L.Bowman@TheEnterpriseMS.com.
