Annual Report 2009-2010

2009-2010 ANNUAL REPORT PURPOSE STATEMENT The Cleveland-Bolivar County Chamber of Commerce is organized for the purpose of advancing the civic, commercial, industrial, economic, social, and general interests of the people of Cleveland and Bolivar County. CHAMBER EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE President ................................................................................................................ James Glorioso Member Services Council, Vice President (President Elect) ............................. Diane Makamson Marketing and Communications Council, Vice President ............................................ Will Jacks Community Development Council, Vice President ................................................... Libbi Logan Team Cleveland/Main Street, Vice President and Chair ........................................... Mark Ponder Economic Development Foundation, Vice President and Chair ............................... Chris Collins Tourism Council, Vice President and Chair ............................................................ Bootsie Lyon Treasurer .................................................................................................................. Becky Nowell Immediate Past President ......................................................................................... Bootsie Lyon

Dave Alford

Lee Aylward

Mike Brister

Michael Clark

Beverly Ray Card

John Cox

Bob Eley

Mark Hargett

Nancy Havens

Robert Heslep

Aaron Lasker

Susan Morgan

Ryan Short

Homer Sledge III

Danny Whalen

Peter Woods

Ex-Officio John Hilpert (DSU President)

Will Hooker (County Administrator)

Randy Hutchison (Economic Development District)

Billy Nowell (Cleveland Mayor)

Wes Sigler (Hospital Administrator)

Jackie Thigpen (Cleveland Schools Superintendent)

Robert Maxwell (Port Director)

Appointees Michael Aguzzi • Lucy Janoush • Mark Williams

Members

1 Chamber of Commerce Annual Report

2009 S. E. Kossman Award Winner Coach Sank Powe

With over 500 career victories, Coach Sank Powe ranks as one of the South’s most outstanding coaches. The Cleveland High School baseball field was named in his honor in 1990. He was inducted into the Mississippi Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1999. He has been recognized for his professional successes as well as his many contributions to civic and educational projects in his community and the State of Mississippi. He is also a member of the Jackson State University’s Sports Hall of Fame. He and his wife, Rebecca, have two daughters, Veranikie and Calandra, and two grandchildren.

We salute Coach Sank Powe, recipient of the 2009 S. E. Kossman Award.

Chamber Board of Directors

September 27, 2010 Dear Chamber Members, It is hard to believe that my year as Chamber President comes to a close tonight. This year has meant so much to me and I will take away from it great memories of the year that I will cherish for a long time. I want to thank Judson and his staff for their support this year as I could not have done it without them. It has been a very busy campaign with a lot of success stories. The lists of accomplishments in the Annual Report are numerous but it does not detail the entire story of the support we have received from our Chamber members, staff, and volunteers to help with our accomplishments. It is with great community pride that we pull together for events like Octoberfest, Italian Festival, and our Teach For America registration and Fourth of July celebration. I hope that we will continue that community pride with our Branding Campaign to promise and deliver what our area is all about. I want to wish Diane the best of luck over the next year. I think it is an exciting time to not only be a member of our Chamber, but a great time in the history of Cleveland and Bolivar County. I want to thank you for allowing me to serve as your Chamber President.

Sincerely

James Glorioso President

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

Chamber of Commerce Annual Report 2

OVERVIEW OF CHAMBER ACTIVITIES

The Annual Membership Banquet was held on September 28, with approximately 250 people in attendance. Coach Sank Powe was the S. E. Kossman Award recipient. The keynote speaker was Dr. Luther Brown.

The 27th Annual Octoberfest on October 10-11was once again a success with 50 cook teams and over 100 arts and

crafts booths. Although the rain kept some of the crowd away, there was still plenty to do with some great entertainment.

The Chamber hosted its Annual Christmas Open House on December 11.

Cleveland and Bolivar County were well represented at the Delta Legislative Day in Jackson on February 3. Our Chamber partnered with

other Chambers around the Delta to host this successful annual event. The purpose of this event is to thank our State legislators and elected officials for their consideration of the needs in the Delta.

The Chamber hosted the annual DSU Welcome Back Party at The Warehouse on August 12. This event was once again very successful with over 200 people in attendance. The Chamber has hosted this event for years to show

appreciation to the DSU faculty ands staff as they begin another school year and to continue the great “town-gown” relationship.

Chamber Board members held a retreat at the Janoush cabin to plan the upcoming year. The 2010-2011 Program of Work was developed at this work session that was facilitated by Dr.

Michelle Roberts.

The Chamber worked with the City of Cleveland Park Commission to submit a successful bid for the 2012 Dixie Youth “O Zone” World Series.

3 Chamber of Commerce Annual Report

Chamber of Commerce Annual Report 4

The Education Committee was very active this year. They gathered items for M.E.S.S. kits (Materials and Essential School Supplies) for each high school in Bolivar County and sponsored the Teacher Appreciation week, as well as another successful year of Chamber Scholars. An ACT Workshop, facilitated by the Princeton Review, was held on October 3 and 4. The Committee also organized a county-wide College/Career Day held at Delta State on November 12. Colleges, universities, and various businesses and industries were on campus for upcoming graduates to visit.

The President’s Club, formerly called the Ambassadors Club, represented the Chamber at ribbon cuttings, grand openings, DSU events, After Hours as well as other events throughout the year.

The Chamber distributed monthly newsletters that highlight upcoming Chamber and community events. The newsletter has also included board meeting actions, new and current member spotlights, and general information about things happening around the County.

The Chamber has continued to provide administrative support for the Cleveland-Bolivar County Crime Stoppers Program. This program encourages the public to provide anonymous tips to law enforcement about crimes that have been committed. Over $2,400 has been paid out this year for tips received.

The Chamber Directory was updated with current information about Cleveland and Bolivar County. It includes maps, information about local hotels, an overview of the Chamber, brief histories of Cleveland and Bolivar County, emergency telephone numbers, a directory of government offices and officials, and the Membership Directory in alphabetical order and by the business category. The directory is available for members and visitors to our communities.

The Chamber participated in the Blue Cross/Blue Shield Healthy Campus Initiative by challenging City and Delta State administrators in a 250-mile walking competition. The opening of the fitness trail at Delta State, and the subsequent health challenge, marked the first phase of the “Healthy Campus/Community Initiative” which seeks to build a campus and community culture of

wellness while addressing the unique health challenges of the Delta.

The Chamber hosted its 14th

Leadership Bolivar County Program, with 21 graduates. The purpose of this program is to train and develop young leaders for our community.

Participation in this program is open to persons age 40 and under who live in Bolivar County.

The Chamber kept the membership informed with regular email blast and Community Calendar updates.

5 Chamber of Commerce Annual Report

The Chamber assisted with Business After Hours at local businesses, providing great networking opportunities for our members. Thanks to Coopwood Communications, SouthGroup Insurance, Partnership Properties and Western Sizzlin for serving as hosts.

The Chamber hosted a Public Forum on the restructuring of the Cleveland School District. The district school board met with an audience of approximately 100 concerned citizens, gave reports, and answered questions from the public.

Teach For America

The Cleveland-Bolivar County Chamber of Commerce was overjoyed with the news of Delta State University’s selection as the site for a Summer Training Institute! While there was a tremendous economic boost to our local economy, more importantly, our children were greatly impacted by the summer programs with the low student to teacher ratio offered with 800 teachers in the region. The community “came out” as they usually do for important events. For TFA Registration Day, there were over 150 volunteers involved including Delta State faculty and staff, Boy Scouts, football players, fraternity members, Chamber members, and people from all over the County. As the corps members arrived, they had assistance with their luggage to their dorms, a Welcome Wagon for information and refreshments, and even a shuttle bus to get supplies from Wal-Mart. Comment after comment from the TFAers suggested they found out very quickly about our southern hospitality!

A magnificent Fourth of July celebration was hosted by the Chamber and the City of Cleveland at Statesmen Park. TFAers and Chamber members were treated to a great meal of barbeque, blues music, games, and a spectacular fireworks show. The comment most heard after that night was “Cleveland sure knows how to do it right!”

Community Branding Initiative

A Team Cleveland/Main Street Project

A community brand is a promise that a place makes with people. A successful brand will communicate that promise and deliver. One of the major objectives of a branding initiative is to build community pride around an agreed upon set of images and phrases and then use those to project that pride to potential investors, visitors and businesses. Communities must have a unified, professional image if they want to build local businesses and attract tourism. The colors, type, and designs will be available to the public and can easily be incorporated by other local festivals and groups, and to local merchants. That is the overall purpose of the branding; to get the whole community operating with a consistent message. We want someone to see our brand and immediately relate that brand to Cleveland and Bolivar County. Congratulations to our Branding Initiative Committee for a job well done!

Chamber of Commerce Annual Report 6

TEAM CLEVELAND/MAINSTREET

Participated in the “Great American Cleanup” in conjunction with Bolivar Earth Day. With the help of the Cleveland Public Works Department, the County Road Department, local civic clubs, DSU football players, and individuals, an extensive cleanup took place in Cleveland and the outlying areas.

Worked with the City of Cleveland to complete the downtown rooftop lighting project. Also helped coordinate the Christmas

Open House and the “Shine, Shopping, and Song” promotion during November and December.

Held the 4th Annual Italian Festival of Mississippi at the Bolivar County Expo Center. Large crowds gathered for the grape stomping competition, spaghetti eating contest, bocce tournament, cooking competition, arts and crafts, as well as other areas of interest.

Presented monthly Customer Service Awards to employees nominated by the public. Dr. Macklyn Hubbell assists with this program.

Provided coupons from merchants for events bringing visitors to Cleveland.

Held “After Hours” meetings where merchants and members discussed issues and plans for the future.

Helped organize and promote the Merchant’s Open House.

Continued to work with the City Beautification and Mosquito and Litter Control Committees on projects that benefit Cleveland.

Organized ribbon cuttings for new businesses.

TEAM CLEVELAND BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Executive Committee

Chair ................................................................ Mark Ponder Organization ......................................... Charlotte Edwards Design ....................................................... Cindy Sauerwein Promotions .................................................. Monica Holder Economic Restructuring ....................................... Ken Pate Treasurer ................................................. Diane Makamson Past Chair ......................................................... Libbi Logan Chamber President ..................................... James Glorioso

Board Members

Colleen Bailey Kay Bullock Donna Campbell Sheila Clark Linda Collins Sandy Huerta Lucy Janoush Greg Korb Lisa Miller Brett Moorman

Anna Muzzi Bob Naron Hilda Povall Heather Robinson John Sauerwein Lee Speakes Amy Vance Wilma Wilbanks Neysa Yeager

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION

7 Chamber of Commerce Annual Report

Hosted the “Salute to Industry” at the Port of Rosedale. In attendance were a number of dignitaries from various local, state, and federal government organizations. Retiring Port Director David Work was honored for his 33 years of service to the Port of Rosedale, Bolivar County, and the State of Mississippi.

The final Environmental Impact Statement has been completed for a 120-mile stretch of the new I

- 69 through the Mississippi Delta. After a review period, a Record of Decision must be prepared and approved. This approval is expected by the end of the 2010 calendar year. Once approved, transportation officials may then focus on right of way acquisition and construction activities. Although this project may be years away, this Record of Decision is a milestone.

The Council changed its name to the Economic

Development Foundation to include in its focus all businesses and business opportunities while at the same time continuing its focus on existing industries.

Continued to maintain close working relationships

with the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA), Entergy, Delta Council, Mississippi Delta Developers, and other economic development allies.

Worked with several prospects seeking information

about Bolivar County and hosted a number of visitors to the County to look at available buildings and land.

Sponsored meetings of the Human Resource Managers

from Bolivar County industries to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas on operations, policies, and issues.

INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Executive Committee

Chair ................................................................ Chris Collins Organization Vice Chair (Chair Elect) ..... Mark Williams Marketing Vice Chair ............................... Scott Coopwood Existing Industry Vice Chair ................................ Bob Eley Treasurer ..............................................Russell Gainspoletti Past Chair .................................................... Cheryl Comans Port Director .............................................. Robert Maxwell Appointee ................................................ Gary Gainspoletti Chamber President ..................................... James Glorioso

Board Members

Jerry Bullock Jeff Byrd Calvin Dye Dennis Gates Mark Hargett Will Hooker Mike Howell Randy Hutchison

Mark Koonce Henry Mosco Joe Reed, Jr. Michelle Roberts Homer Sledge III Jackie Thigpen Jimmy Yeager

Chamber of Commerce Annual Report 8

TOURISM COUNCIL The Chamber and the Tourism Council provided information to

attendees on many events during the year, such as: the New Life Ministries Conference, the Cleveland Park Commission tournaments, the Mississippi Swimming Long Course Championships, Teach For America, and the Mississippi State Senior Mixed Championships. Cleveland brochures were distributed throughout the year to hotels, DSU, the Depot, and to all Mississippi Welcome Centers.

The media schedule included: Southern Living, Mississippi Magazine, Delta Magazine, Memphis Magazine, Group Tours Magazine, VIP Magazine (Jackson), and Mississippi Tour Guide.

The Tourism Web Site has been updated to

provide more information with a much more user-friendly navigation. The site points out the “Top 10” attractions for our tourism efforts. More photos and videos continue to be added. A database has been added to capture visitor information.

Po Monkey’s continues to be a hot commodity. People from all over the world want to visit this one-of-a-kind authentic juke joint.

The Council continued its cooperation with the Friends of Dahomey in the development of outdoor opportunities for locals and tourists.

Members of the Council attended the Governor’s Conference on Tourism, as well as Mississippi Delta Tourism Association and Mississippi Tourism Association meetings.

The Mississippi Blues Trail has added three new sites

in and Bolivar County: Shelby honored Bluesman Henry Townsend; Winstonville commemorated the history of the Harlem Inn; and Benoit honored Eddy Taylor. Bolivar County now has nine markers on the Blues Trail.

CLEVELAND TOURISM COUNCIL

Board of Directors

Bootsie Lyon ....... Chair and Member-at-Large Luther Brown ................................ Delta Center Dinesh Chawla ...................... Lodging Industry Gary Gainspoletti ..................... City Alderman Sandy Huerta ................... Restaurant Industry John Lindsey ......................... City of Cleveland Ned Mitchell ......................... Member-at-Large Jimmy Williams ............... Restaurant Industry Lisa Miller ................................. Train Museum James Glorioso .................. Chamber President

9 Chamber of Commerce Annual Report

2009-2010 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

James Glorioso President

Diane Makamson Member Services

Vice President (President Elect)

Will Jacks Marketing and

Communications Vice President

Libbi Logan Community

Development Vice President

Mark Ponder Team Cleveland Vice President

and Chair

Chris Collins Economic

Development Foundation, Vice

President and Chair

Bootsie Lyon Tourism Council Vice President

and Chair; Immediate Past

President

Becky Nowell Treasurer

2009-2010 CHAMBER STAFF Judson Thigpen, Executive Director Anne Dilworth, Chamber Special Events Coordinator and Team Cleveland Manager Cheryl Line, Tourism Manager Brian Blansett, Marketing and Communications Director Heather Fuqua, Community Special Events Coordinator and Office Manager Emily Morris, Bookkeeper

MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY

Chamber of Commerce Annual Report 10

21st Century Cleaners Aaron’s Abraham’s Clothing Shoppe Advance Physical Therapy Ad-Venture Frames Agriliance Aguzzi Farms, Inc. Air-Evac Lifeteam Airport Grocery Alexander, Johnston & Alexander Allan’s Shoes Andy’s 5th Avenue Quickstop Animal Medical Clinic Anytime Fitness AT&T Atmos Energy - 5136 AutoMark of Cleveland Avritt Medical Equipment Lee Aylward Sarah Aylward Back Yard Burger Backdraft Bank of Benoit Barfield, Lindsey & Associates Baxter Healthcare Corporation Bayou Academy Dan Bell - State Farm Insurance Bellazar’s Town of Benoit Big River Grain, Inc. William H. Bizzell Blake Surgical Association PLLC Blakeman, Brister & Putnam Financial Group Bolivar Auto Parts The Bolivar Commercial Bolivar County Community Action Agency, Inc. Bolivar County Council on Aging Bolivar County Extension Service Bolivar County Farm Bureau Federation Bolivar County Tax Assessor/ Collector Bolivar Medical Center Bolivar Tire & Alignment Bolivar Urology Clinic, P.A. Bostick Brothers Boyle Flying Services Boyle Lumber Company Town of Boyle Will Bradham, Sysco Food Services Warren Bramuchi, DBA New York Life Brown Brothers Scrap Metal Buckley’s Pharmacy Byas Funeral Home Byrd Service Station Cable One Cecil’s Package Store Cellular South Nell Childress Christina’s Exquisite Edibles Cives Steel Company

Clark Beverage Group Clark Jewelry Lee Claypool Cleveland Apartments Cleveland Commons Cleveland Country Club Cleveland Dental Clinic Cleveland Funeral Home Cleveland Home and Hardware Cleveland Loans, Inc. Cleveland Lumber & Supply Cleveland Medical Clinic PLLC Cleveland Nursing and Rehabilitation Services Cleveland Optical Dispensary Cleveland Rent-All Cleveland Restaurant Group Cleveland School District Cleveland State Bank Coahoma Community College Roy Collins Construction Company Comfort Inn of Cleveland Coopwood Newspapers, Inc. Cotton Row Bookstore Cox & Moore Crave Bistro Crawdad’s Crustaceans Vern Daniels Debbie Davis Patrick Davis - State Farm Insurance Dawkins Office Supply Days Inn DeBruce Grain Company DEH Trucking Delta Business Journal Delta Cream Donuts & Cakes Delta Dining Restaurants Delta Electric Power Assn. Delta Heart & Vascular Center, P.A. Delta Obstetrics & Gynecology Delta Outdoors Delta Radio, Inc. Delta Security Doors, Inc. Delta State University Delta State University Alumni Association Delta State University Career Services Delta State University Small Business Development Ctr. Delta Telephone Company Delta Wholesale Hardware Deltascapes, Inc. Denson Insurance Denton Dairy Products Desert Inn Dixie Electric Supply, LLC Dixie Tobacco & Candy Company Domino’s Pizza Double Quick, Inc. Driftwood Duro-Last, Inc. Economy Auto & Tire Supply

Eley Engineering Ella Rose Fabrics & Boutique Engel Orthodontics Entergy Eye & Laser Factory Connection Factory Direct Furniture Family Medical Clinic David M. “Boo” Ferriss Fidelity National Loans First Class Check Advance First South Farm Credit First United Methodist Church Flatlanders Printing Company Fleming Lumber Company Flowers ‘N Things Fortress LLC The Frame Shoppe Frances Beauty Salon Caroline L. Gaines Gainspoletti Financial Services Dana George Gilbow’s Gresham Petroleum Company Griffith & Griffith Anita Griffith Real Estate, Inc. David Griffith Real Estate & Appraisals Dusty Griffith Guaranty Bank & Trust H & H Farms Haire Drug Center Hardy & Associates, P.A. Havens Cleaners Emily Havens Heidi’s Helena Chemical Company Hometown Gifts & Jewelry C. P. House Gas Company, Inc. The Image Specialists Indywood Estates Pat Ingram, CLU, ChFC and Associates Invitations by Kitty J & W Cleaning and Maintenance Co., Inc. Jacks, Adams & Norquist Jackson & Braswell, P.A. Lucy Janoush JANTRAN, Inc. JESCO Resources, Inc. Debbie Joel Real Estate John Signs Company, Inc. Rosie L. Jones Junior Auxiliary of Cleveland K & D Associates Kamien’s, Inc. Eric Kelly Kossman’s, Inc. KutWorks Studio Land Bank of North Mississippi Leland Speakes Real Estate Lenny’s Sub Shop Levingston & Levingston Locals Lost Pizza Company Bootsie Lyon Mallette Furniture Company

Brett Marchant DBA Farm Bureau McCarty’s McNeer Mini Storage Meador and Crump Merchants and Farmers Bank Merle Norman Charles Metcalf Mid-Delta Heating, Air Conditioning & Electric Mid-South Water and Machine Works, LLC Mississippi Consignment Sales Mississippi WIN Job Center Mitchell Distributing Monsanto Company Mosco Land & Realty MS SIDS Alliance Dr. M. E. Muir, Optometrist Names & Numbers Nancy’s Cotton Row Frame Shoppe Nancy’s Hallmark Mrs. Frances Neal Needle Specialty Products Corporation Nehi Bottling Company Neysa’s Fireside North Bolivar School District Office Automation, LLC Office Depot Lynn Pace Real Estate Pafford Medical Service Carla Parker Dance, Inc. Parkwood BHS, Cleveland Office Partnership Properties Patterson Chiropractic Clinic Pete & Donna Peden Pediatric Dental Specialist PLLC Peter’s Pottery PharMEDium The Pickled Okra Bar & Grill Planters Bank & Trust Company Planters Equipment Company J. Kirkham Povall Powell Photography Shane & Anjonette Powers Precision Delta Corporation Presbyterian Day School Punkin Patch Quality Steel Corporation Bill Quinton Radio Cleveland, Inc. Robert T. Ragan, D.D.S. Ray Funeral Home Ray Real Estate Redline Fitness Joe Reed & Company, Inc. Reese Eye Care Services, P.A. Regions Bank - Cleveland Rehabilitation Services of Cleveland Town of Renova Jamie Reynolds Insurance Agency Rimmer-Child & Koonce Insurance Robinson Electric Company

Rogers Entomological Service The Roof City of Rosedale Rosedale-Bolivar County Port Commission Mr. Willard Samuels Scott Electric Company Scott Petroleum Sears ServPro of Greenville/Cleveland Serv-U Petroleum, Inc. Shaw School District City of Shaw Shelby Air Service, Inc. Sherwin Williams Company Sixty One Liquor Nevin Sledge Wilson Sledge Sonic Drive In SouthGroup/Bolivar Insurance Agency, Inc. South Street Pharmacy The Southern Grill Specialty Glass State Bank & Trust Statewide Federal Credit Union Superior Lube T J’s Spirits Billy Tabb Farms Taylor’s Air Conditioning and Heating Telesouth Radio Tennessee Springs TFB Barber Shop Betty Thigpen Thompson Wireless Mickey Thompson Timily’s Fabrics Raane Tindle, D.M.D. Trim Studio LLC Tri-State Termite Control Varner Brokerage, Inc. Vascular Access Centers Vaughn Real Estate WABG-TV Wade, Inc. Walgreens Hugh Ellis Walker Keith Walker Rentals Wal-Mart #1530 The Warehouse Way Ahead Salon & Day Spa Wells Fargo Advisors West Bolivar School District Westerfield, Janoush & Bell Western Sizzlin Nott Wheeler, Jr. Donny Whitten Dr. Tom Wiggins, D.D.S. Wiljax, Inc. Helen Williams Willow 166 The Wishing Well Betty Woodward Family Partnership David Work WXVT-TV 15 Kent Wyatt