The Tate County Economic Development Foundation (EDF) has released its executive director from employment, effective December 31.
Anna Cardona has served the community as EDF Executive Director since September 2024 and was brought in to work in both retail and industrial development. She previously served at the Economic Development Growth Engine (EDGE) for Memphis and Shelby County, where she played a role in business expansion and investment.
“This decision was made following careful consideration and with the best interests of the Foundation and Tate County in mind,” EDF President Matthew Raff said in a statement. “The EDF remains fully committed to its mission of promoting economic growth, job creation and long-term development across our community.
“The Board has a plan in place to move forward, including initiating the search for a new Executive Director,” the statement added. “In the interim, the Foundation’s work will continue without interruption, and efforts for strategic planning and to recruit new businesses and support existing industries will remain a top priority.
“We appreciate the community’s continued trust and support as the EDF moves ahead with confidence and purpose,” Raff concluded.
Cardona had also served as the Economic Development Business Director for the Greater Memphis Chamber of Commerce, and as the Marketing Director for Simon Property Group. She is a University of Memphis graduate.
Cardona filled the post vacated by Britt Herron and was selected after a multi-state search.
Tate County, Senatobia and Coldwater are poised to benefit from growth coming out of Memphis and Northwest Mississippi. Good schools and Interstate 55 have put the community in an enviable position to attract industry, real estate development and the families and jobs that go with them.
Earlier this month the state announced the Coldwater industrial site will receive $429,286 for access road improvements, utility line relocation and demolition of an existing structure on site from the state. At the same time, Senatobia was awarded $50,000 to do due diligence work on a spec site.
A sign put up on property south of Senatobia and between the interstate and railroad earlier this month touted an industry seeking to locate in one of only a few sites zoned for industry in Tate County.
That revelation prompted concern from those living nearby as the industry would haul in plastic waste by truck and train and convert it to petroleum products to be shipped out by highway and rail.
How many jobs the industry would create and what kind of taxes it would generate or abatements it would receive have not been made public.
Senatobia’s population grew from roughly 6,600 people to 8,000 between 2000 and 2010 and has leveled off with the 2020 Census giving the community a population of 8,354 and only 8,428 in July 2024.
Tate County 2025 EDF Board Members are: Matthew Raff, President; Chris Fleming, Vice President/Secretary; Jennifer Bouchillon, Treasurer; Bailey Hunt, Past President, Amy Gabbert, Michael Heindl, Cole Massie, Doug McClure; David Slocum and Jamie Sowell. Ex-Officio Board Members are: Coldwater Mayor Glenn Billingsley; Tate County Supervisor, Leigh Ann Darby; and Senatobia Mayor Greg Graves.
