SUPPORT GROWTH
EMBDC , as the Chamber of Commerce for Meridian , Marion and Lauderdale County , is a member-based organization made of local businesses . We support our members through “ buy local ” campaigns , marketing member-to-member initiatives and providing members opportunities to network and connect with one another .
Most people know our primary focus as one that is intended to “ grow our community ”. To “ grow our community ” includes every facet of our city / town / county , all of which need constant attention and support . EMBDC , led by our area ’ s business leadership , works in tandem with our local governments to support these many activities and initiatives .
EMBDC is also Lauderdale County ’ s Economic Development Organization . In this role , we work with our existing industries , supporting them in whatever issues arise . Often situations occur when our local industries need introductions to
Bill Hannah key people in departments / agencies in our local and state governments and EM-
BDC steps in to provide those contacts and connections . Our existing industries , in addition to those industrial companies in our industrial parks , also includes our two largest employers in the area ... our health care providers and our military . EMBDC often works with these two major sectors of our local economy on various opportunities as they arise .
An additional role of EMBDC , as Lauderdale County ’ s Economic Development Organization , and what is most often thought of first , is that of “ working ” with prospective companies that consider our area for investment . These opportunities come to us through multiple avenues but most of the time these prospective companies are introduced to us via the Mississippi Development Authority , our state ’ s economic development organization .
CONNECT PEOPLE
If EMBDC ’ s work is about anything , it ’ s about “ connecting people ”. One of the main reason ’ s companies join the EMBDC is to be connected to other companies ( people / leaders ) through our many activities . Literally , every event , every function , every meeting , every initiative of EMBDC involves connecting people . This one thing , connecting people , is the lifeblood of our work . This happens as we promote / market / assist local businesses . This also happens when we work with state and local agencies / departments . The idea of a “ local business association ” working together to grow our community starts with connecting people .
BUILD LEADERS
The one effort of EMBDC that has lasted the longest , been the most successful and has involved ( and connected ) the most people is our Leadership Lauderdale program . For over 25-years more than 650 local business , community and elected leaders have been through the Leadership Lauderdale program . It is a year-long program that exposes participants to all the different sectors of our community ( and the leaders in those sectors ). A second portion of this program is the very intentional time spent working through Stephen Covey ’ s “ The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People ”.
Another program that “ Builds Leaders ” is the Youth Leadership Lauderdale program . This program was begun by one of the early Leadership Lauderdale classes and for many years was run by the Mississippi State Extension Service . Several years ago , this program was handed off to EMBDC to continue . Imagine a community with 550 youth , 11th-graders , over the past 20 + years having gone through a leadership program about their community and learning “ The 7 Habits ”. The future truly does look bright for our community !
Bill Hannah is President / CEO of the East Mississippi Business Development Corporation .
44 • MERIDIAN LIFE