The Enterprise of Mississippi representing Choctaw and Webster counties has published its 2019 annual report.
“Workforce development, property development, community development and business expansions are all pieces in our economic development puzzle,” the report states. “We are working to put together our puzzle to build strong communities. We have found some of the pieces to our success, but we are still working to solve and find the missing pieces.”
Highlights of the annual report follow:
Workforce Development and Appalachian Regional Commission Empower Grant
Main Initiatives of EmPOWER Grant:
• Provide the WorkKeys test to all graduating seniors for the next three years.
• Purchase manufacturing training equipment to be located at the career and technology centers in each county.
• Offer Manufacturing Basic Skills class on a rotational basis.
• Provide skilled workforce training classes in each county.
Equipment Purchased:
• Eight multiprocess welding machines at Choctaw
• Five tabletop hydraulic/PLC trainers at Choctaw
• One CNC programmer at Webster
• Nine additional pieces of training equipment and supplies
• Electrical wiring upgrades at both career tech centers
• 26 precision measurement kits
Classes Held:
• Three Basic Manufacturing Skills
• One Beginner Welding
• One Hydraulics
Other Information:
• $168,140: Amount of equipment purchased for Choctaw CTC
• $158,200: Amount of equipment purchased for Webster CTC
• All high school seniors earned a WorkKeys Certificate
• 75% of test-takers scored at Silver Level or higher
WorkKeys Certificates earned in 2019:
• +200 Choctaw County
• +160 Webster County
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Property Development
Red Hills Ecoplex:
• Second site visit from foreign direct investment company
• $100,000 for site development to grade and correct drainage issues at the Red Hills Ecoplex
Eupora Industrial Park:
• Due diligence completed through Mississippi Development Authority site development grant
• Plans finalized for installation of water and sewer lines
• $310,000 to install an access road on the west side of the Industrial Park
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Business Expansions
GDP Increase:
• Choctaw GDP increased 7.7%
• Webster GDP increased 4.5%
• Mississippi GDP increased 1.3%
Expansion Announcements:
• Sturgis Mat
• Brown Wood Preserving
• Polo Custom Products
Industry to Industry Meeting Topics:
• ACT Work Ready Communities
• Young Talent
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Community Development:
Choctaw completes MDA Aspire Program
High School Graduation Rate increases:
• Choctaw County: 84.4%
• Webster County: 89.8%
NMMC-Eupora named 2019 Rural Hospital of the Year
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Organizational Accomplishments:
• Updated website (www.TheEnterpriseMS.com)
• Presentations given to MDA and TVA on The Enterprise region
• Southern Economic Development Council Award for 2018 annual report
• Director graduates from TVA Workforce Institute
Platinum Level Sponsors: Southern Co., North American Coal and TVA
Silver Level Sponsors: Natchez Trace Electric Power Association, 4-County Electric Power Association and Bank of Kilmichael
For more information about The Enterprise, contact Executive Director Lara Bowman at 662-546-0075 or l.bowman@theenterprisems.com.
