After nearly 30 years of cohesively working under one umbrella, it seems Tate County Economic Development Foundation will be separated from Senatobia Main Street.
Formed in 1995, TCEDF was the result of a cooperative combination of the Chamber of Commerce, Senatobia Main Street and the Industrial Development Board.
In a letter dated July 24, 1995, addressing then chamber members it was stated the new organization would be directed by two members of the Chamber Board, two members of the Main Street Board and two members of the Industrial Development Board. Additionally, the Town of Coldwater, City of Senatobia and Tate County Board of Supervisors would each provide a board member. There would also be three “at large” members.
The original intent of the foundation was to pool resources and form a united front for economic development in Tate County. Each municipality and the county government would contribute a percentage of public monies to fund the foundation. Additional funds are raised by fundraising efforts, donations and membership dues.
The initial announcement letter was signed with the statement, “UNITED WE STAND.” However, now the sentiment seems to no longer be shared by all of the individual entities.
Due to the growth of Senatobia Main Street, the organization is in the works of being made independent of TCEDF.
Senatobia Board of Aldermen began working on the idea of having a Community Development Director last November. The goal of the position would be to promote the city and focus on development within the limits of Senatobia. The city’s role in TCEDF included monies paid to the organization and the donated use of the TCEDF building. The city also paid the utilities for the building.
At the Feb. 6, 2024, Senatobia Board of Aldermen meeting, Building & Planning Director Stephen Hodges presented a proposal for a Community Development Director position.
According to minutes from the meeting, Alderman Larry Simpson made a motion to authorize the hiring of Main Street Director Jamie Sowell as a full-time employee to be the Community Development Director at a yearly salary of $58,500 falling under the Building & Planning Department while allowing her to continue her position as Main Street Director and Tourism Director. The motion was seconded by Alderman Brian Hale.
According to sources, TCEDF had no knowledge or understanding the city desired further development until after the motion was approved.
Less than a month later, on Feb. 22, the TCEDF Board accepted the resignation of former Director Britt Herron. The Tate County Board of Supervisors released a letter dated Feb. 27, to TCEDF Board President Bailey Hunt. In the letter, the BOS stated it felt a public statement was needed on the future of TCEDF and Main Street.
It said: “Realizing that our neighboring counties were flourishing with economic growth, we the Tate County Board of Supervisors began discussing our desire to move Tate County forward and in doing so we came to the conclusion that we were not satisfied with the direction that our Economic Development Director was leading us. With a new county board in place along with the positive relationships that exist with our legislature we felt that the time was ripe for change. As additional issues within the EDF/Main Steet, we realized that there was further need for restructurings to advance Tate County.
Through this process unnecessary conflict arose as to the ownership and structure of the Main Street which has now resulted in business relationships being tested. We then met with the executive board for the EDF and City officials in an attempt to resolve differences as to how to move forward. The original intent of the EDF/ Main Street was that the activities for the Chamber of Commerce as well as the Senatobia Main Street and the Industrial Development Authority would continue under the auspices of the EDF.
We are committed to the citizens of Tate County and committed to continue under this business plan as established by our forefathers. We as your Board of Supervisors, are and will continue to be dedicated to support EDF/ Main Street as it works to restructure in an effort to further advance the economic growth in Tate County which ultimately will benefit all citizens of Tate County.”
At the March 19, Senatobia Board of Aldermen meeting, Mayor Greg Graves advised the Board that EDF had proposed numbers concerning the amount of money the City of Senatobia was to contribute to the partnership. Alderman Simpson asked if the city was going to continue the current payments from April 1 until the end of the fiscal year. It was determined that the city would wait until after Five Star City Fest to revisit the situation.
The EDF Board of Directors held a meeting on March 28. The attendees of the meeting included members of EDF, Main Street, NWCC, and government officials from Senatobia, Coldwater, and Tate County. The group was addressed by Mississippi Development Authority Executive Director Bill Cork, who has more than 30 years of experience in economic development and urban planning.
At the Senatobia Board of Aldermen meeting held April 2, Mayor Greg Graves gave an update. He stated that the city had been considering the deals with EDF and the addition of a Community Development Director. Graves stated it was up to the Board on whether the city wanted to contribute anything to EDF for the third quarter.
When questioned by the Board, Graves explained, “We paid them October through December and we paid them January through March. Then our plan is to get a Community Development Director, take our building back and then we were just going to just continue the amount directed to them to pay our Community Development Director. That’s probably looking to be late May or June. Do you have any interest or not in paying anything for the third quarter? And they are without a director.”
In an effort to have the city be included in TCEDF and have an independent CDD, Alderman Hale stated he wanted the issue to be separate from what the city might contribute to an Economic Development Director when the time comes.
Alderman Simpson said that since the issue concerned economic development, he wanted the topic moved to executive session and made a motion. Alderman Dear seconded the motion.
At the April 16, Board of Alderman meeting, City leaders heard from EDF President Bailey Hunt in Executive Session.
Tate Record reached out to Hunt to understand the current view of EDF. Hunt said EDF had learned a lot over the past few months. He said the meeting with Cork was especially beneficial.
“During this meeting, Mr. Cork provided us with an outline for success. It outlined the Four Ps for Economic Development Success. He was adamant that without all four working in tandem that the success of economic development would not work.
1. Political Alignment
2. Product
3. Program Funding
4. Patience
Our board is and has been working towards accomplishing these things, with political alignment and program funding currently at the forefront.” Hunt went on to address the current political atmosphere. “When it comes to political alignment, we won’t be able to maintain a level of success for any period of time if everyone isn’t on board. It might sound like an elementary and/or simple statement, but for economic development to work in Tate County, MS, the City of Senatobia, the Town of Coldwater, and Tate County must work together and must be on the same page. Companies are not going to want to invest millions, hundreds of millions, billions of dollars in a community where nobody seems to get along. With that in mind, we have been working with officials from the City of Senatobia, the Town of Coldwater, and Tate County to create alignment around certain economic objectives and ensure their ability to mobilize resources in a coordinated fashion.”
Hunt said program funding and political alignment go hand in hand. Cooperation with the City of Senatobia, Town of Coldwater and Tate County is vital to the foundation. Additionally, EDF has partnered with Northwest Mississippi Community College and the foundation is excited about continuing to strategize and look for opportunities to move forward together.
Mayor Greg Graves said he looks forward to the continued support of TCEDF and for the future of Senatobia’s own development under the helm of Sowell.
“The City of Senatobia's leadership is proud to acknowledge the significant growth and development taking place within our city and county. With the recent completion of our new comprehensive plan, we are proactively taking steps to prepare for the ongoing progress and expansion. We are eagerly anticipating future initiatives in community development and Main Street revitalization. Collaborative efforts between City of Senatobia leadership, Tate County government, Tate County EDF, and Northwest Community College have been instrumental in driving our success,” said Graves.
According to Hunt, EDF has engaged a search firm to help search for the next EDF Director. To better equip Tate County for future development, a planned increase in salary for the position is in consideration.
