Winners recognized at the 2009 MEDC Summer Conference for 2008 projects:

CATEGORY I - Population less than 5,000:

THE CITY OF MORTON - KOCH FOODS FEED MILL PROJECT

Mayor Greg Butler accepted the award for the city.  He was joined by Brenda McCaughn, Executive Director, Morton Chamber of Commerce, who nominated the city.

Koch Foods acquired a feed mill from B. C. Rogers Poultry when purchasing the company several years ago.  The mill was in the heart of downtown Morton and for years, its location had been a major concern for the community.  While providing much needed jobs, the mill was inadequate for the future needs of the company and was technologically outdated.

In 2008, a new Koch Foods Feed Mill became a reality.  The mill was relocated to the outskirts of town.  It is one of the most sophisticated feed mill operations ever built in North America and quite possibly the world.  Capital investment in the new mill is approximately $42,000,000.  The City of Morton and the Mississippi Development Authority participated in the project through grant funds that supported water line extensions and road upgrades.  Improvements to the rail crossing and a new entry road accommodate 250 trucks per day while the loop track handles 125 car unit trains.

New employees have been hired at all levels, with additional hiring expected as the economy improves.  There are 197 broiler farms, 44 breeder farms and 27 pullet farms serviced by the new feed mill.

A business was expanded in Morton.  Jobs were added to the economy.  Infrastructure was upgraded for the local community as well as the expanding industry.  Environmental needs were met and the appearance of downtown was improved.

Morton is definitely the winner in this project by locating a sophisticated operation, in a small town, during difficult economic times.

CATEGORY II - Population 5,001 – 15,000:

THE CITY OF KOSCIUSKO - MONTFORT JONES MEMORIAL HOSPITAL AND MARKET STUDY AND FACILITY CONDITION ASSESSMENT. 

Mayor Jimmy Cockroft accepted the award for the city.  He was joined by Steve Zea, President, Kosciusko Attala Development Corporation, who nominated the city.

In January of 2008 the Kosciusko Attala Development Corporation held a planning retreat that involved all aspects of the community. The highest priority objective was to continue to improve the health care industry of the community. Specifically, improvements to the health care facilities in Kosciusko were the top priority by a wide margin. Leadership from the city and county and the hospital board and administration had the courage and vision to chart a course that would result in a comprehensive market study and facility condition assessment.

The leadership of the KADC came back together with the government leadership, hospital leadership, private sector leadership and the medical community and decided they must determine measurable objectives for the hospital.  The firm of Jones Lang LaSalle was retained.  The project was paid for by cost sharing with the KADC and doctors through the Kosciusko Medical Clinic; the City of Kosciusko; Attala County Board of Supervisors and Montfort Jones Memorial Hospital each paying 25 percent.

Currently, as a result of this effort, the hospital is following the recommendations and implementing both marketing and facility design changes that will result in a remodeled improved facility.       


CATEGORY III - Population 15,001- 40,000:

THE CITY OF OXFORD - OXFORD COMPLETE STREETS PROGRAM.

Mayor Pat Patterson accepted the award for the city.  He was joined by Christy Knapp, Executive Vice President and Max Hipp, President and CEO of the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Foundation who nominated the city.

The City of Oxford’s Complete Streets program was an effort that started with the initiative and support of City leadership and the formation of local volunteer citizen commissions that studied ideas, made recommendations, and engendered broad support to address Oxford’s needs for alternative transportation methods.  The City partnered with the University to design and create a comprehensive mass transit and pedestrian/bicycle pathways plan:  a transportation system linking a network of community roadways, pedestrian bridges, city parks, facilities, commercial districts and schools; made accessible to everyone through public transportation or bicycle-pedestrian pathways -- an idea whose time had come to the City of Oxford. 

The Complete Streets Program incorporated the Pathways Project – when completed, over 21 miles of pathwaysoffering complete integration of the University of Mississippi and additional bicycle lanes to many city transportation arteries – and the Oxford-University Transit program, a system managing five buses and covering two separate routes serving the Oxford-University communities. The City saw an increase in ridership within the first six months of 598% and will soon add seven more buses to cover three additional routes resulting in a comprehensive grid of transportation services for the City and University, leaving no part of the City inaccessible to its citizens and visitors.  The total investment to date in the Complete Streets Program by the City and University, together with federal match grant funds totals approximately $3.5 million; creating over 37 jobs and retaining or improving 47 jobs for the citizens of Oxford.

CATEGORY IV - Population 40,001 - 100,000:

THE CITY OF TUPELO AND LEE COUNTY - LEE COUNTY / MARCHBANKS HELPING HAND TUITION GUARANTEE PROGRAM

Tommie Lee Ivy, President of the Lee County Board of Supervisors, accepted the award.  He was joined by David Rumbarger, President and CEO of the Community Development Foundation who nominated them.

In 2008, the Tupelo-based Community Development Foundation partnered with the Lee County Board of Supervisors and CREATE Foundation to develop a program that would make a college education more attainable for a greater number of high school graduates in Lee County. As a result of this partnership and with funding by the Lee County Board of Supervisors and CREATE Foundation, the Lee County / Marchbanks Helping Hand Tuition Guarantee Program was established. 

Beginning with the Class of 2009, Lee County residents who graduate from Baldwyn, Mooreville, Nettleton, Shannon, Saltillo, and Tupelo high schools can attend Itawamba Community College (ICC) for two full years, tuition free.

The program, which is the first of its kind in the state of Mississippi, is designed to guarantee fully-paid tuition for four regular semesters of instruction. Graduating seniors will receive tuition assistance, if needed, to close the gap between available federal, state, and private aid. The purpose of the program is to improve educational attainment levels in Lee County, thus strengthening community and economic development.


CATEGORY V - Population over 100,000:

THE GREATER HATTIESBURG AREA which includes FORREST, LAMAR AND PERRY COUNTIES and the cities of HATTIESBURG AND PETAL - PINEBELT IN BLOOM.

Annie McMillan, Vice President of Community Development of the Area Development Partnership, accepted the award.  She was joined by Michael Webb, Assistant Vice President of Economic Development of the ADP who nominated the project.

The Area Development Partnership engages in cultural and community development as part of its overall mission to enhance the Greater Hattiesburg Area’s economy.  They organized a major initiative called Pinebelt in Bloom, designed to engage numerous organizations in an effort to enhance the area’s aesthetics.  Launched in 2008, Pinebelt in Bloom involves many components including the planting of ginkgo trees, creation of an “oasis” of special landscaping at select high-traffic areas, planting of daylilies throughout Hattiesburg in seeking certification as a “Daylily Community”, commissioning of sculptures for the Festival of Swans, sponsoring flower-themed art exhibits, and distributing ten thousand packets of Black-Eyed Susan seeds, to name a few. 

Pinebelt in Bloom is a region-wide project with large buy-in from community organizations. The primary benefit of enhanced quality-of-life for citizens is a better community and the ability to sell the area to prospective industries.  A notable spin-off opportunity came when William Carey University was chosen to host sculptures of the renowned American artist Charles Parks for one month in an Oasis created on campus specifically for Pinebelt in Bloom.  Participating groups for Pinebelt in Bloom include the University of Southern Mississippi, William Carey University, Southern Mississippi Art Association, Pine Belt Quilters, Cameraderie Photography Society, and Visit Hattiesburg.  The website www.pinebeltinbloom.com contains detailed project information and aides ADP in marketing Pinebelt in Bloom.