Association – Through association with MEDC, your agency will strategically form alliances throughout the entire state.  These networks provide valuable resources and a wealth of knowledge that will further propel your agency’s economic and/or community development mission.

Networking - MEDC provides ample networking opportunities with agencies statewide that foster economic and community development as well as chambers of commerce.
  
Membership Directory - The online directory is easy to access and is updated daily making it easy for you to find others in your profession and for others to find you in your professional listing.  A hard copy of the MEDC Directory is updated from the online database and printed every October.  One directory is mailed to each member.  The directory allows members to easily stay in contact with each other. 

Membership Certificate – Each new member will receive a certificate with a gold MEDC seal and teal ribbon affixed, a nice look for your home or office wall. 

Newsletters – Periodic newsletters showcase Mississippi developments, MEDC upcoming events, new members, conference sponsors, and legislative updates.  Newsletters are mailed out quarterly.

Emails & General Mailings – Expect to receive emails regarding current economic development news and notices in the mail such as conference brochures and chamber workshop postcards regarding special events hosted by MEDC.  These forms of communication keep members abreast of what’s going on in economic development and in the chamber of commerce realm.

Economic Development News - Look for the "Economic Development News" email showcasing news and developments throughout the state on a weekly basis.

Mailing Labels - MEDC will furnish a set of printed labels for one-time use at a fee of $100. Labels are not for use in political purposes and may not be duplicated.

Website Amenities – In additional to showing detailed information about current MEDC events and registration payment by credit card, the MEDC website also is a clearinghouse for economic development information. The following is a list of some of the most used web pages.

Calendar of Events - MEDC members have the opportunity to list their economic development-related events.

In the News – News articles on job creations and investment are linked on this page and listed by location and chronologically.

Member News – Articles about member achievements are linked to this page.

Career Opportunities – Members may list in-state job openings in their economic and community development and chamber of commerce offices at no charge.

Conferences - Our two annual conferences are designed to provide awareness and knowledge of the latest economic and community development and chamber of commerce trends.  Winter Conference is in February, and Summer Conference is in July.    

Logo/Link on Website – Top-level conference sponsors with an MEDC membership may have their company logo displayed on the MEDC website leading up to the conference date. Each sponsor has their website linked on the conference page.

Education – MEDC offers the Joe Johnson Endowment in Economic Development Scholarship to provide financial assistance for an MEDC member who is a student in the University of Southern Mississippi’s Economic Development Master’s Program.  Students in this field can join MEDC at no cost!    

Professional Development Scholarships – MEDC makes available tuition scholarships to its members for Chamber Institute (Institute for Organizational Management), Community Development Institute, Economic Development Institute, and the New South Basic Economic Development Course following the MEDC Scholarship application process and scholarship guidelines.     

Discounts - Members receive a major discount for MEDC conference registration and Chamber Workshops.  Professional development discounts account for the entire tuition reimbursement by MEDC for the previously listed courses at Professional Development Scholarships.

Recognition –
Jimmy and Ray Heidel Economic Development Leadership Award - During the Winter Conference, a member, having been previously selected the week of the New South Economic Development Course, is honored and presented with the Jimmy & Ray Heidel Economic Development Leadership Award.

Community Economic Development Awards (CEDA) - During the Summer Conference, members who win the Community Economic Development Awards (CEDA) are honored and presented with their exquisite stained glass award for dedication to their community’s development efforts.  Recipient must have an active membership to be considered for either award.

Governor’s Cup Awards – Members may nominate a business who has contributed to the economic development of their community to received the Governor’s Cup Award during the Summer Conference.