The Webster Progress-Times

Members and directors of the Webster County Development Council heard updates on various projects and programs during its quarterly meeting on Sept. 18 at the Eupora Depot.

Bubba Weir, vice president for community services with the Mississippi Technology Alliance, was the guest speaker.

Executive Director Cynthia Wilson said the WCDC now has 84 members and that a membership drive will begin at the end of November. She gave these highlights as part of her September progress report:

€ Promoting Webster County: Starting in July, the council began running a series of different radio spots on WLZA promoting Webster County. The spots focus on the schools, recreational opportunities, health care and quality of life. Wilson said she had some calls from individuals wanting information and has had a good bit of positive feedback from people who have heard the spots. She thanked North Mississippi Medical Center for helping cover the cost for one month of the ads.

€ MEC Summer Conference: Wilson attended the Mississippi Economic Development Council Summer Conference in Tunica. Stephanie Stewart was recognized at the banquet as of the Volunteers of the Year in the state.

€ ECMEC Familiarization Tour: The East Central Mississippi Economic Council hosted a familiarization tour for site selectors to give them the opportunity to see what industrial properties are available in the counties that belong to ECMEC.

Wilson said this was a valuable opportunity for her to get to meet and get to know many of the site selectors. Participants were able to find out from them some of the priorities when they start looking at a site to recommend. She said rail access is high on the list along with infrastructure and high-speed connectivity.

€ Strategic Planning: Phil Hardwick with the Stennis Institute of Government at Mississippi State University and Wilson conducted strategic planning sessions in each of the four municipalities and with the county Board of Supervisors. She asked that members become involved in their communities to help the elected officials fulfill the goals they set.

Wilson said she had positive feedback from the elected officials and the process had given her a better idea of how she can help move them forward with economic and community development efforts.

€ Christmas Market Plans: The first planning session for the Christmas Market Festival was Sept. 7 and plans were made to contact prospective vendors. The Miss Merry Christmas Beauty Pageant will be Dec. 1; the festival will be Dec. 2 and the Eupora Christmas Parade will be that night. Plans are being developed for numerous activities that will be taking place on both Friday night and all day Saturday. Anyone interested in volunteering their assistance may contact Wilson at 258-7835.

€ Existing Industry Survey: During the last week of September, Wilson was to work with a team from the North Mississippi Industrial Development Association, Tennessee Valley Authority and Mississippi Development Authority to conduct surveys with local existing industry. This process is to help discover areas where they may be having problems so Wilson can work them to solve them.

€ MEC Trailblazer Tour: The WCDC co-hosted the MEC Trailblazer Tour on Oct. 3 at MSU's Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems in Thad Cochran Park. State Superintendent of Education Hank Bounds shared with the group his plan to redesign education in Mississippi for the 21st Century.

The meeting was to focus on the role that the K-12 system, community colleges and institutions of higher learning are having on reducing Mississippi's 35 percent dropout rate and improving the educational system when it comes to creating a better-prepared workforce.

Other Business

In the treasurer's report, Belinda Stewart said the organization spent $17,425 during the last quarter and had about $85,000 in the bank. According to Stewart and discussion at the meeting, the council had previously budgeted going into reserves about $10,000 but is still within the budget.

Webster County and the city of Eupora have kept their funding to support the WCDC at the same level as last year: $15,000 each; both entities had been requested to restore funding to their original contributions of $40,000 each. The county cited the expense of 911 implementation for not being able to increase its funding, according to discussions. Projected contributions from other entities are $1,500 from Mantee, $5,000 from Mathiston and $2,500 from Walthall.

The next WCDC meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Nov. 20.