merce also provides professional-level training in leadership, marketing, and a range of complementary courses that are enhancing small businesses’ bottom lines across the region. The rise of MCITy has been intentional and strategic, matched with heavy investments in recruitment efforts in the Information Technology sector that aim to attract complementary industries and create high-tech jobs.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP & COMMERCE
The Vicksburg Entrepreneurship Bootcamp, developed by the Chamber of Commerce, complements the community’ s efforts to maintain a healthy and growing small business sector. Vicksburg’ s history testifies to the entrepreneurial spirit and resilience of its people, and the Bootcamp provides a gateway for more residents to follow in the footsteps of those who helped build the community’ s prosperity through commerce. The future of Vicksburg rests in part on the shoulders of residents willing to take risks and launch new businesses. The Bootcamp equips them with the knowledge, tools, and resources to do so successfully, helping ensure that their new enterprises can thrive and endure for the long term. This focus on developing small businesses is matched by major investments in large-scale industrial growth, particularly the new Port Project on U. S. 61 South. This project will make Vicksburg the only community in Mississippi with a Mississippi River megasite capable of attracting heavy industries that require substantial gas, electricity, water, sewer, and interstate access. This transformative initiative has support from the Governor’ s Office, the State Legislature, the City of Vicksburg, Warren County, and the member organizations of the Vicksburg Warren Economic Development Partnership.
As we invest in our residents and build a strong foundation to leverage our greatest assets— our entrepreneurs, the Mississippi River, and the surrounding industrial base— our city is positioning itself to become a magnet for new ideas, new investment, sustained economic growth, and future population growth.
THE COOL FACTOR, HISTORY, AND THE ARTS
Economic development is not only about jobs and industry; it is also about creating a community people are proud to call home. A city that reinvests in its amenities and adapts quickly to cultural trends enhances its“ cool factor” with younger generations while honoring its history and heritage. Vicksburg and Warren County are already among the most unique and attractive communities in Mississippi. To sustain and grow this appeal, we must continue to reinvest in our cultural assets, natural beauty, and quality of life features— ensuring that more people choose to live, work, and build their futures here. History and art, together, deepen the life of a community: art draws from history to tell stories, inspire imagination, and challenges us to build a better tomorrow.
As a community— and as an economic development entity— we march forward with a clear vision of the future, one that honors our historic past and channels our present ingenuity. To ignite the spark that will shape the future our community deserves, we must remain steadfast in our commitment to invest and to work diligently. The rewards ahead
PLATINUM
GOLD
SILVER
Bailess & Rector Big River Shipbuilders Blackburn Motors Co. Boolos + Oakes CPA Firm Cadence Bank Chick Fil-A Curb Appeals Real Estate Delta Bank DIMCO, Inc. Edward Jones- Ryan Lee Ellis, Dees, Sadler & Nasif, P. C. Falco Chemical Foam Packaging Guaranty Bank & Trust International Paper J. Mack Varner Kelle Barfield
will allow us to compound our successes, accelerate progress, and enable Vicksburg and Warren County to embody the vision we set forth from the very beginning.
INVESTORS
EDF BOARD
Chairwoman Linda Fondren Fondren Investments
Incoming Chairman Austin Golding Golding Barge Line
Past Chairman Riley Nelson May & Company
Treasurer Jeremy Kiser Ergon
Secretary Pablo Diaz Vicksburg Warren Chamber of Commerce
Tim Cantwell Newbreak Communications
Mike Curtis Delta Bank
May & Company McDonald’ s Merit Health River Region Miss-Lou Lithotripsy Mississippi Lime Company MMC Materials Monumental Financial Partners Morrison Companies Regions Bank RiverHills Bank Riverwalk Casino Teller, Hopson & Schrader, LLP The Vicksburg Post Trustmark National Bank Waring Oil Company Yazoo River Towing
Stuart Green DIMCO Inc.
Robert Morrison Morrison Companies
Oren Ruth International Paper
Patrick Smith Yazoo River Towing
Laura Beth Strickland Visit Vicksburg
Blake Teller Teller, Hopson & Schrader, LLP
Charles Waring Waring Oil Company
Written by Pablo Diaz Vicksburg-Warren Partnership
2026 CHAMBER GUIDE • 13