< Previous30 MI S S I S S I P P I D E V E L O P M E N T G UI D Ef you’re looking for a vibrant Southern coastal community, look no further than Ocean Springs.With its pleasant, warm breeze blowing in from the Gulf of Mexico and the Biloxi Bay, not to mention its lively and colorful arts scene, it’s no wonder Coastal Living magazine named Ocean Springs one of the top 5 Best Places to Live and Visit by the Sea in 2015. Home to 17,000 residents, the city provides an incomparable lifestyle with more than 100 restaurants, a micro-brewery, numerous galleries and artist studios and some of the best schools and health care facilities in the state. Each year more than 350,000 to 500,000 visitors comb through the city’s bustling shops on Bienville Boulevard and soak up some rays on the white-sand beach at Horn Island National Park. This magazine spoke with Ocean Springs Mayor Shea Dobson about the Gulf Coast city and its abundant opportunities. What are some recent success stories in Ocean Springs economic development efforts?MAYOR SHEA DOBSON: Last year Ocean Springs contracted with Retail Coach to bring new developments to the city and recently we have seen plenty of new construction. Tractor by S AVA N NA H K I NGIC I T Y P R O F I L E – O C E A N S P R I N G SOCEAN SPRINGS: COASTAL LIVING AT ITS BESTPHOTO COURTESY OF VISIT MISSISSIPPIM IS S IS S IP P I D E V E L O P M E N T G U ID E31Supply has come to the east end of town which helps more development along that corridor. Recently we extended our entertainment district down the newly improved Porter Ave., which should jumpstart more businesses and events downtown. There is a very exciting new mixed- used development on Bienville Boulevard called the Inlet, which will bring new retail and residents. On top of some great new developments, we also have many existing businesses doubling down on Ocean Springs by expanding their current operations.What do you want businesses to understand about your community?DOBSON: Our community is extremely involved and appreciates civic-minded businesses. We have many organizations who do amazing work and we like to have fun. Businesses who come to Ocean Springs should expect many events and support from our amazing Chamber of Commerce. Ocean Springs is a vibrant community filled with creativity. The one-of-a-kind town is focused on the community enriched with a down-home feeling. How would you describe the workforce? DOBSON: Ocean Springs is big on small business. Small business is our bread and butter with more than 100 locally owned, small shops. In a community founded on the arts, creativity and growth is always flourishing throughout town. Mixed- use buildings and festivals keep the economy growing. From the AT&T Call Center and Singing River Health Systems functioning as some of the largest employers in town, Ocean Springs welcomes the big box to the mom and pop shops. How would you describe the business climate in Ocean Springs? DOBSON: Vibrant. As winner of the Great American Main Street in 2013, Ocean Springs has proven that its downtown district alone is always alive. It appears as an outdoor shopping center filled with all locally owned businesses. From the Walter Anderson Museum of Art to the Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Center and a thriving Ocean Springs Art Association with hundreds of working artists, the business vibe throughout town is welcoming, growing and holds an entrepreneurial spirit like no other. How would you describe the quality of life in Ocean Springs? DOBSON: Ocean Springs focuses on quality of life. It is one of its tourism aspects. As a town without casinos or department stores, the community’s economic success can be attributed to the numerous festivals and events held each year. Not only do the events boost the economy and help sustain our local businesses, but they also help to provide a wonderful quality of life to those who live, work and visit here. The town is situated on the Gulf of Mexico and is filled with natural beauty that enhances the quality of life of the community.What would people be surprised to learn about Ocean Springs? DOBSON: That it is one of the oldest communities around. Founded in 1699, the community pays tribute to the founders and history each April with a celebration that includes a parade, re-enactment and more. What industries would you like to attract to the region and why? DOBSON: Ocean Springs has its own charm and character that are enriched in the people and history who have made the community what it is today. TUPELO: TUPELO: hen you think of Tupelo, you probably imagine jars of golden Tupelo honey and the humble hometown of the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley. But, if you’re particularly astute you know what Tupelo really is — one of the best small towns for business. Tupelo is home to not one but two banks worth more than $10 billion — the smallest city in the country that can claim such a distinction. BancorpSouth and Renasant Bank are both headquartered in Tupelo. Renasant was recently named the “Best Bank in the South” by Money.com.Recently, San Francisco-based Williams-Sonoma Inc. announced it would be expanding its furniture manufacturing operation to Tupelo where it will hire 350 people. The factory will begin production of upholstered 32 MI S S I S S I P P I D E V E L O P M E N T G UI D EWC I T Y P R O F I L E – T U P EL Oby S AVA N NA H K I NGTHE SWEET SPOT FOR BUSINESSPHOTO COURTESY OF VISIT MISSISSIPPIfurniture in early 2019, just north of Tupelo in Baldwyn. The company has a distribution center in Olive Branch, a suburb of Memphis, Tennessee, on the Mississippi side. Located in northeastern Mississippi at the intersections of highways 78 and 45, Tupelo is a small town of just over 38,000with big-time reach. This magazine spoke with Mayor Jason Shelton about Tupelo’s uncanny ability to grow businesses.How would you describe Tupelo’s overall business climate?MAYOR JASON SHELTON: Tupelo is a five-time All American City. We’re home to the largest non-metropolitan hospital in the United States. We’re one of the top per capita manufacturing counties in the state of Mississippi. We’re a regional leader in banking and finance and we’re one of the top furniture manufacturing areas in the country. We’re a regional hub for shopping and retail and entertainment. We have a growing food culture with a lot of great restaurants here in town. And, we’re in the middle of both a residential and commercial construction boom. So, all of that is great for the city. We’ve had five consecutive years of record economic growth, which is something we’re very proud of. We have a great business climate here and a vibrant local economy. Things are looking great, we just have to keep the positive momentum. Tell us about some of the more exciting projects or developments happening in Tupelo.SHELTON: We just recently, through our partnership with the county and the Community Development Foundation, opened a new business park here called The Hive. It’s for more high-tech facilities that have agreements with all of our economic development partners to develop and recruit new businesses to the area. How would you describe the local workforce?SHELTON: We just have a great workforce with a strong background in manufacturing which is positive. We’re a small area population wise and we don’t have the number of people that some locations do. But for the size of our area, we have a great trained workforce here. We have a phenomenal local public school district, the Tupelo school district. We have a fantastic partnership with Etowamba Community College, which has two different campuses here in Tupelo. One includes a workforce development center that partners with local manufactures to train their employees. Tupelo is full of surprises. But what is something you think our readers might be most surprised to learn?SHELTON: I think people might be surprised that we have those kinds of big-city amenities in a small-town setting. For companies that might be looking for a site, if you’re just sitting behind a computer looking at the statistics of the area, that doesn’t tell the whole story of the City of Tupelo. When you look at the population, at the size of the city and things like that, you wouldn’t think that we have the amenities that we have. But we have three distinct shopping districts in town, several museums — the birthplace of Elvis Presley, and the largest automobile museum east of the Mississippi River. We have a great park system and a world-class aquatic center. I think when you look at all the factors: the cost of locating here, the available workforce, the quality of life opportunities, the quality of public schools and the proximity of two major universities, all of those factors combined make Tupelo a very desirable area to locate a new business. PHOTO BY SHAY LA’VEE34 MI S S I S S I P P I D E V E L O P M E N T G UI D Eaybe it’s the rich Delta soil or the uniquely Southern sense of hospitality, but one thing is certain, Greenwood is growing. Located at the meeting point of three rivers on the eastern edge of the Mississippi Delta, Greenwood is a small town, home to 16,000 residents. Historically known as the Cotton Capital of the World, these days Greenwood has a diverse economy with a strong and capable workforce.by S AVA N NA H K I NGMGREENWOOD: GROWING STRONGC I T Y P R O F I L E – G R EEN W O O DPHOTO BY SHAY LA’VEEM I S S I S S I P P I D E V E L O P M E N T G U I D E 35Greenwood is the county seat of Leflore County which is significantly involved with a regional economic development initiative called Delta Strong. Delta Strong has identified several target industries that are thriving within the region including value-added agriculture, food production, plastics, metalworking, automotive, aerospace and distribution. Three local colleges, Mississippi Delta Community College, the Capps Center and Holmes Community College provide industry-specific training programs to help local employers train their employees. The area’s labor shed pulls from 13surrounding counties and with a reliable and trainable workforce, businesses in the area are comfortable in investing and expanding their operations within the city. In fact, local manufactures often boast about their low turnover rates, which is less than 3 percent. “This year we have been able to create over 500 jobs with local existing industry expansions. We are also a certified Work Ready Community,” says Angela Curry, executive director of the Greenwood-Leflore Industrial Board. “To date, we have administered the National Career Readiness Exam to over 1,100 individuals in Leflore County with the majority of those individuals scoring above average.”Curry notes the presence of four corporate headquarters is “rare for a city our size” but their presence and consistent growth tells its own story. Staplecotn, one of the oldest and largest cotton marketing cooperatives in the US, has grown into 11 states since it was founded in Greenwood back in 1921. Heartland Catfish, too, has found success in Greenwood. The company has been raising and processing catfish in the Delta since 1996. Another major US catfish producer, America’s Catch, is located in the area and its 5,000-acre farm is the largest single-location catfish farm in the nation. “We have a very friendly and accommodating business climate,” says Curry. “In our small, rural community, local and prospective businesses are able to interact with local governing authorities to help with any issues; we manage to nurture a close, personal relationship while always being professional. We have a strong existing industry program and a very active Chamber of Commerce that strives to nurture businesses.”The friendly business community stems from the community’s delightful quality of life. A progressive city, Greenwood’s historic downtown and retail areas offer abundant amenities. From the popular Yazoo River Trail and 13 parks throughout the city, outdoor recreation is just around the corner.“We are a small city with big appeal. For a city of our size, we have many amenities that bring tourists from far and near. The Alluvian Hotel/Spa and cooking school, our blues heritage, diverse restaurant offerings, and hunting or fishing venues are only a few of the diverse offerings that we have.”36 MI S S I S S I P P I D E V E L O P M E N T G UI D Eocated on the east bank of the Mississippi River and some 40 miles west of Jackson, the city of Vicksburg has served as a hub of commerce and culture for nearly two centuries. Indeed, the proximity to the Mighty Mississippi and the Yazoo rivers have given the city of 22,900 an unparalleled advantage during its earlier years that continues to this day. The Warren County Port in Vicksburg was ranked No. 11 among the country’s inland ports. The port primarily serves industries ranging from steel and lumber to coal and petroleum. Vicksburg’s quality of life has also recently made headlines. In December 2018, Vicksburg was named one of the country’s 10 best undiscovered towns in Where to Retire magazine’s annual edition of America’s 100 Best Places to Retire. The report cited the area’s historic and cultural amenities as well as its affordability. Several companies have made by S AVA N NA H K I NGLRIVERSIDE IN VICKSBURGC I T Y P R O F I L E – V I C K SB U R GPHOTOS COURTESY OF VISIT MISSISSIPPIsignificant investments in the area which has seen the creation of more than 600 jobs over the last year. Unified Bands announced plans in August 2018 to restructure its manufacturing, engineering and support facilities and as a result will open a manufacturing operation in Vicksburg. The Conyers, Georgia-based commercial kitchen equipment manufacturer will invest $9.5 million in the facility. Vicksburg Forest Products also selected the city for its multi-million-dollar investment into a new manufacturing facility where it produces Southern Yellow Pine lumber. Jackson-based Vicksburg Forest Products has made significant plant upgrades and sources its raw materials from local landowners. “Our company is proud to be investing in Vicksburg where we believe there is both a talented workforce and a strong sense of community,” said Billy Van Devender, manager of Vicksburg Forest Products. “We are especially appreciative of the pro-business environment that the State of Mississippi and Vicksburg have showcased to us through the coordinated efforts of the Vicksburg-Warren Economic Development Partnership and the Mississippi Development Authority. We look forward to having a long prosperous future in the Vicksburg community and the Warren County area.”This magazine spoke with Vicksburg Mayor George Flaggs about the city’s unique charm and abundant opportunities. How would you describe the business climate in Vicksburg?GEORGE FLAGGS: The current climate in Vicksburg is conducive to business growth and creation. It’s a climate that enhances and encourages business development. There’s never been a better time to invest in Vicksburg. We will continue to make every effort to support business creation in Vicksburg and we will stop at nothing to grow this city. Our city is in business to stay in business.Which industries would you like to attract to the region and why?FLAGGS: We would like to attract a multimodal port because of our close proximity to transportation resources — the Mississippi River, the railroad and Interstate 20; additionally, Vicksburg is around 20miles from Continental Tire and less than 60miles from the Nissan plant. What advantages does your community offer in terms of workforce development?FLAGGS: As a result of our relationship with Hinds Community College, Vicksburg has one of the best workforce training programs in the state of Mississippi. Hinds does a phenomenal job for Vicksburg by continuously offering workforce training to our residents, so we will be able to support the next business that decides to place their roots in Vicksburg.What would people be surprised to learn about Vicksburg?FLAGGS: Vicksburg is a great city to live in due to our greatest assets — which includes our people. In fact, more PhDs per capita go to work each day in Vicksburg than in any other city in the nation. The quality of life in Vicksburg is excellent and revolves around economic opportunity and education. Vicksburg is a great place to live, work and play. Next >