We thank our economic development partners listed here and on the next two pages. None of the projects in this report would be possible without their help.

FY 2016 Annual Report on the Economy of Tishomingo County

FRANKLIN FURNITURE INSTITUTE

TISHOMINGO COUNTY DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION

BOARD OF DIRECTORS:

Alvia BlakneyJackie Bryant, Vice ChairmanMayor John Castleberry, Iuka

Bob CarterGreg Collier, President,

Tishomingo CountyBoard of Supervisors

Ken Cooley, Past ChairmanTommy Crane

Peyton Cummings, Chancery Clerk,

Tishomingo CountyDale Curtis, Secretary-Treasurer

Neil DavisTed Day

Ralph FarrMayor Davy Ginn, Golden

Harold GistBeth Hudson

Steve McAnallyMike Montgomery, ChairmanMayor David Nixon, Burnsville

Charlotte OrickMayor Pam Oswalt, Paden

Terrell Pearson Jimmy Ramsey, Chairman,

Tishomingo County Economic Development Authority

Mayor James Tennyson, Tishomingo

Butler WhiteheadSidney Whitehurst,First Vice Chairman

Mayor Buddy Wiltshire, Belmont

Staff:

Gary Matthews, Executive DirectorTheresa Cutshall,

Administrative AssistantShae’a Murphy, Assistant

TISHOMINGO COUNTYBOARD OF SUPERVISORS:

Brandon Grissom,District 1Nicky McRae, District 2Michael Busby, District 3Jeff Holt, District 4Greg Collier, District 5Peyton Cummings, Chancery Clerk

TOWN OF BELMONT:

Buddy Wiltshire, MayorBoard of Aldermen:Craig BellMike HarrisBrandon PharrSteve RatliffSonya Harris

TOWN OF BURNSVILLE:

David Nixon, MayorBoard of Aldermen:Doyle RorieJason BlakneyNiesha CarpenterRobert DavisBilly Don Hamm

TOWN OF GOLDEN:

Davy Ginn, MayorBoard of Aldermen:Sandra CollumLinda EppsStan MaloneRebecca OzbirnSherry Shook

CITY OF IUKA:

John Castleberry, MayorBoard of Aldermen:Martha BiggsJames GrishamJohn KentJoel RobertsonJohnny Southward

TISHOMINGO COUNTYTOURISM COUNCIL:Ellen Ayers, VCBarbara Blakney, Secretary-TreasurerJim GibsonMary Ann Grant, ChairmanSandra MedlinCindy NelsonLee Ann RobertsonBuddy WiltshireTheresa Cutshall, Administrator

TISHOMINGO COUNTYELECTRIC POWER ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS:Gerald Barnes, VPTommy BondsDarrin CaldwellGene CraneNickey Cummings,PresidentRichard DavisJeff HoltBrett Malone, Treasurer Jimmy MarlinCharles PardueSteve RatliffJohnny Sims, SecretaryHarold W. TurnerTim Wigginton, General Manager

YELLOW CREEK PORT AUTHORITY BOARD OF DIRECTORS:Danny Turner, SecretaryBenny DevaughnTommy HardwickTravis Childers, PresidentNickey Cummings, VPDavid NixonJimmy PearceMike TuckerJoe WilburnRobert Dexter, Executive Director

VILLAGE OF PADEN:

Pam Oswalt, MayorBoard of Aldermen:Kristy DeatonTony FalknerJean LuttrellJames MurphyCarl Whitehead

TOWN OF TISHOMINGO:

James Tennyson, MayorBoard of Aldermen:Gary HarlanBarbara OakesHal SouthwardAnthony StoneAnne Taylor

STATE ELECTED OFFICIALS:

Representative Lester Carpenter District 1Representative Donnie Bell District 21Senator J. P. Wilemon, District 5

TISHOMINGO COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY BOARD OF DIRECTORS:

Daryl ChambersCharles Emmons, Vice ChairmanMax Ray HutchesonMike LeeToney MobleyCharlotte Orick, Secretary-TreasurerJimmy Ramsey, ChairmanJimmie SeagoButler WhiteheadTommy Williams

PARTNERS IN PROGRESS: 2016 Members of the Tishomingo County Development Foundation

25 LeasingA&B Distributing CompanyAirlock InsulationA to Z for LessAqua Yacht HarborEllen AyersB&J SupermarketBANCORPSOUTHCity of BelmontBelmont Automotive SupplyBelmont HotelBelmont Parts SupplyBelmont PharmacyRobert BelueBest Way, Inc.James H. BethayBiddle & Son/WOWL/WADIBig Star of BelmontAlvia BlakneyBMSI, Inc.Bonds CompanyLarry BondsBow-T’s CateringBrooks GroceryDonnie BrownJackie BryantCity of BurnsvilleCafe Memories GrillCALENCO LLCBob CarterClark Law FirmCoca ColaKen CooleyGreg CollierComfort RevolutionCommunity Spirit BankCook Coggin EngineersCooper Marine & TimberlandsCornerstone Insurance & FinancialPeyton CummingsCutshall Funeral HomeCutshall & Sons LoggingEric DanielNeil DavisDavis RepairTed DayLeroy DeanDean McRae EngineersDeaton Funeral HomeDonathan EnlowFairless HardwareRalph & Dorothy Farr

Office ProOld Country StoreOrbital ATK Iuka OperationsCharlotte OrickHarold OswaltCity of PadenParson’s Earthwork, Inc.Peden’s Prop ShopPickwick Premier PropertiesPiggly Wiggly BelmontPiggly Wiggly IukaPlant Process Support & Mid-South Powder CoatingPray Pottery & Heavenly YogurtBilly RaineyRedmont Heating & CoolingRenasant BankRoll Form GroupJimmie SeagoDr. Kelly SegarsMark SegarsMartha SegarsScott SegarsSid’s Trading CompanySilver Dollar SalesSkyline SteelSonic of TishomingoSouthern ForestrySparks CPA FirmRoger Stegall Professional Guide ServiceSun-air ProductsTennessee Valley AuthorityDonald ThompsonCity of TishomingoTishomingo County Board of SupervisorsTishomingo County Electric Power AssociationTishomingo Health ServicesCity of TishomingoTLH Sales/Tom HesterToltec CompanyTri-State RecyclingWayne VoylesMack WadkinsJohn WhiteWiley’s Discount Tobacco & Beverage, Inc.Buddy WiltshireQuaye YarberYellow Creek Coating ServicesDan & Betty Young

FerrouSouthFidelity National LoansFirst American National BankPaul Fisher Oil CompanyFite Building CompanyFriendly Spider/Gary PhillipsReggie FurtickG&G SteelHarold GistCity of GoldenGolden Forest ManagersDon & Mary Ann GrantDr. Phillip GrayJames GrishamAndy HamiltonHamilton-RykerHampton InnHarbin Heating & Air ConditioningBob HodgeIndustrial Electronics RepairInternational ConverterIuka Animal ClinicCity of IukaIuka Discount DrugsIuka Family DentalIuka HardwareIuka Hospital Wellness CenterJack IvyJohn’s Garage/J&S Auto SalesJourdan Lumber CompanyDr. Ben KitchensKnight’s Heating & Air ServiceJ. C. Lambert Building SupplyLittrell Lumber MillHarold LomenickGrace Long Real EstateMartyville LLCMax Home LLCSteve McAnallyMcDonalds of IukaMike & Dennie McReeMill Creek MarinaMississippi Land BankMississippi SiliconToney MobleyMike MontgomeryMoore’s Automotive SupplyPaul MorrisDavid NicholsNorth Mississippi Medical Center- IukaNorth Mississippi Rail LLC

NORTHEAST MISSISSIPPI COMMUNITY COLLEGE OPENS TISHOMINGO COUNTY CAMPUS. Lack of skilled labor is the number one economic development issue in Tishomingo County. A high school diploma or GED cer-tificate is important but a community college or college degree, certification, or training is essential in today’s globally competitive economy.

In what may prove to be the most important economic development achievement in decades in Tishomingo County, Northeast Mississippi Community started classes in Building 1000 at Tri-State Commerce Park in mid-2016. The mobile welding laboratory was also relocated to the parking lot of Building 1000.

Greg Collier, President of the Tishomingo County Board of Supervisors, indicated that “one of the best things that has happened in Tishomingo County for a long time is the location of a Northeast Mississippi Community College branch campus in our county. The availability of qualified workers is the most serious issue facing Tishomingo County as well as the USA as a whole. The board of supervisors has stepped up and will provide the space and pay the cost of utilities and telecommunications for the new branch campus. In addition, the county has a grant program whereby qualified local high school graduates can receive tuition from the county to attend NEMCC. NEMCC also has training that is free to individuals as well as employees of business or in-dustry.”

District One Supervisor Brandon Grissom stated that “in the past people could find a job based on WHO they knew; nowadays, you must find a job based on WHAT you know. 66% of the jobs in Mississippi don’t require a four year college degree but do require more than a high school diploma. Only 30% of workers in the state have the educational requirements to fill those jobs. We appreciate Northeast Mississippi Community Col-lege in stepping up to meet the needs of business and industry.”

Congratulations and thanks to President Ricky Ford and his superlative staff at Northeast Mississippi Com-munity College.

You can learn more about Northeast Mississippi Community College at www.nemcc.edu.

VANLEIGH RV EXPANDS. In 2016, in response to over-whelming market demand, Vanleigh RV has expanded into a 70,000 SF industrial building on Highway 72 in Burnsville to manufacture components for high qual-ity fifth wheel campers.

The company began production in mid-2015 and em-ploys 175 in 122,000 SF of manufacturing space in Burnsville and at Tri-State Commerce Park.

We thank Leigh and Tim Tiffin at Vanleigh RV for se-lecting Tishomingo County for their latest expansion. The Vanleigh RV team has done an awesome job in growing the company and producing the highest qual-ity fifth wheel campers in the USA. You can learn more about Vanleigh RV at http://van-leighrv.com.

SKYLINE STEEL EXPANDS. Skyline Steel has invested $15 million in a new pipe mill and will employ an ad-ditional 15 workers at its Iuka facility. The Mississip-pi Development Authority provided grant assistance to the project. A premier steel foundation supplier and manufacturer serving the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and South America markets, Skyline Steel is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nucor Corporation, the largest producer of steel in the United States.

We thank Skyline Steel for selecting Iuka for their lat-est expansion and we thank General Manager Marty Hall and his team at Skyline Steel for making this ex-pansion possible.

You can learn more about Skyline Steel at www.sky-linesteel.com.

CONTRACT FABRICATORS, INC. EXPANDS. Contract Fabricators, Inc., expanded its manufacturing facil-ity. The 100 foot high crane bay is designed to han-dle very large pressure vessels for the oil refinery and petrochemical industries. The expansion was completed in September of 2016.

You can learn more about CFI at http://contractfab.com.

Photo compliments of Dustin Smith, Plant Manager.

COMFORT REVOLUTION EXPANDS. The Mississippi Development Authority has announced an expansion of Comfort Revolution’s Belmont operation. The ex-pansion will involve a $1.5 million company invest-ment and the creation of 50 jobs.

Comfort Revolution manufactures bed pillows, con-tour pillows, memory foam mattresses, toppers and pads, and cool cases using Hydraluxe cooling gel tech-nology.

We thank Comfort Revolution for selecting Tishom-ingo County for the company’s latest expansion, and we congratulate Brian Bryant and his team for a job well done.

More information on Comfort Revolution can be found at www.comfortrevolution.com. Informa-tion on job openings at Comfort Revolution can be found at www.comfortrevolution.com/index.php?route=information/information/press&id=94.

ORBITAL ATK 500TH STRUCTURE. A celebration was held on April 20 for Orbital ATK’s 500th large struc-ture. Orbital ATK manufactures composite structures for the Delta IV and Atlas V rockets. Congratulations to Orbital ATK. You can learn more about Orbital ATK at www.orbitalatk.com.

FABRICS, REUPHOLSTERY & MORE LLC. Formerly Fur-niture Fabrics & More, the South’s largest reuphol-stery and drapery fabrics store has relocated to the former JAMCO Building in Tishomingo. Owner Kary Peters reported that “our new location provides bet-ter lighting and easier access, especially for trucks. We will continue to grow our reputation for the larg-est selection of furniture and drapery fabrics at the lowest prices in the south.”

Fabrics, Reupholstery & More is located at 1253 Main Street (Highway 25) in Tishomingo. The contact in-formation is email karyhpeters@yahoo.com or tele-phone 662-255-1592. The web site is at www.furni-turefabricsmore.com.

TISHOMINGO COUNTY UNEMPLOYMENT RATE. The Mississippi Department of Employment Security re-port for April 2016 revealed an unemployment rate of 4.5% for Tishomingo County. This is the second lowest unemployment rate for the county since such statistics have been tracked.

YELLOW CREEK PORT AUTHORITY BUILDS 50,000 SF INDUSTRIAL SPEC BUILDING. Construction is in prog-ress on Yellow Creek Port Authority’s 50,000 SF/4645 m2 speculative industrial building in the Northeast Mississippi Waterfront Industrial Park in Burnsville. The new building will have a minimum eave height of 30 feet/9.1 meters.

Construction is scheduled to be completed in late 2016 or early 2017. The industrial park is located on four-lane U. S. Highway 72. A barge facility is in place and a rail spur is under construction. Extension of the rail spur is expected to be completed in 2018.

The new building has already attracted attention from a number of potential industrial prospects.

One of the reasons that industrial buildings and sites with water access are desirable is because barges can transport a ton of carge 514 miles per gallon of fuel while rail cars transport a ton 202 miles per gallon of fuel and trucks transport a ton 59 miles per gallon of fuel. As transporation costs increase, the importance of water transportation will increase.

For more information, contact Robert Dexter, Execu-tive Director, Yellow Creek Port Authority, 43 CR 370, Iuka, Mississippi, USA, 38852, telephone 662-423-6088, e-mail robert@yellowcreekport.com.

MISSISSIPPI SILICON ACHIEVES FULL PRODUCTION. The largest private investment in the history of Tishomingo County, Mississippi Silicon fired its first furnace and began production in September of 2015 and achieved full production in mid-2016. The com-pany invested over $200 million and will create 200 jobs.

The facility produces silicon metal for a broad range of industries in the United States including the alu-minum, automotive, and chemical industries. Missis-sippi Silicon’s high-tech facility is the most efficient and cost competitive silicon metal production facility in the world.

Mississippi Silicon is a strategic partnership between Rima Holdings USA, Inc., and domestic investor group Clean Tech I, LLC.

We congratulate Mississippi Silicon for achieving full production in record time, an accomplishment that is a testiment to the professionalism and dedication of owners and management.

Learn more about Mississippi Silicon at www.missili-con.com.

TISHOMINGO RV SERVICE CENTER. Jeff Holt, District 4 Supervisor, announced that “Johnson RV Service will open a recreational vehicle service operation in the District 4 Industrial Park on Highway 25 in Tishom-ingo. The project will involve 20 service bays, ap-proximately 20 new jobs, and a campground for RV clients.”

Rodney Johnson, owner and CEO of Johnson RV Ser-vice, said “the new business is called Tishomingo RV Service. Construction should be completed by the end of 2016. Initially, we will be servicing fifth wheel units produced by Vanleigh RV. In 2017, we will open an RV component manufacturing operation at the site. We appreciate the Tishomingo County Board of Supervisors for helping make this project possible.”

BAYMONT, INC. Baymont, Inc., expanded into a 90,000 SF building in Belmont. Renovation of the building and installation of equipment and machinery are scheduled to be completed in early 2017.

Baymont, Inc., has a bathware manufacturing facility in Golden and mattress and housewares outlet cen-ters in Belmont and Tupelo.

You can learn more about Baymont, Inc., at www.baymontbath.com.

WOOD INDUSTRIES WINS “CHOICE” AWARD. Wood Industries won the prestigious 2016 National Hard-ware Show Hardware Retailing’s “Choice” award for outstanding and innovative products for its Eagle Si-lent Series Compressor line for professional contrac-tors. The panel that awarded the Choice award re-ported that the Wood Industries product “is unique and has the potential to be a home improvement in-dustry best seller!”

More information on the compressor can be found at www.eaglecompressor.com. A photo is below.

In May 2016 Wood Industries also received the Presi-dential Award for Exports from Secretary of Com-merce Penny Pritzker at a ceremony in Washington, D. C. The award is the highest recognition any com-pany can receive for making a significant contribution to the expansion of USA exports.

Wood Industries corporate headquarters, manufac-turing facility, and retail/wholesale center are in Bel-mont-Golden, Mississippi, USA.

Congratulations to CEO Jeff Wood and his team at Wood Industries.

BMSI ANNOUNCES A PLANT LOCATION IN TISHOM-INGO COUNTY. BMSI announced the company will locate in Burnsville, Mississippi, USA, and initially cre-ate 100 jobs.

The company will manufacture precision metal fab-ricated parts for the US Department of Defense and commercial restaurant equipment. BMSI will also provide plant support to other industries in mainte-nance, welding and fabrication, and process piping.

The company will locate in the Yellow Creek Port Spec Building in Burnsville and expand the building.

BMSI employs pipe fitters, pipe welders, millwrights, structural fabricators, and other technicians. Hiring began during the fourth quarter of 2016.

BMSI (Byrd Maintenance Services, Inc.) corporate headquarters are in Decatur, Alabama, USA.

Congratulations to Yellow Creek Port for landing this fine company and we thank BMSI for selecting Tishomingo County for their manufacturing location.

You can learn more about BMSI at www.bmsi1.com.

NMMC-IUKA RECEIVES 2016 QUEST AWARD. North Mississippi Medical Center-Iuka has been recognized with the 2016 QUEST® Award for High-value Healthcare. Shown above is part of the winning team at NMMC-Iuka. Only 14 hospitals received recognition for achieving top performance in any five of the six areas measured in Premier’s QUEST collaborative, including cost and efficiency, inpatient and outpatient evidence-based care, mortality, safety, patient experience and appropriate hospital use.

Honored during Premier’s annual Breakthroughs Conference and Exhibition on June 21, NMMC-Iuka was the only hospital in Mississippi to receive the award. “NMMC-Iuka’s achievements in QUEST reinforces our commitment to reliably deliver the best care experience to the communities we serve,” said hospital administrator Fred Truesdale. “We’re proud to be the only hospi-tal in Mississippi to receive the QUEST Award as we continue down our path of improving patient outcomes and community health.”

All 350 QUEST hospitals participating in QUEST from October 2014-September 2015 were eligible for the QUEST Award.

“QUEST hospitals have set high standards in clinical excellence nationwide,” said Susan DeVore, president and CEO, Premier. “Together, they have worked to outperform in health care. Premier congratulates NMMC-Iuka for their fantastic achievements.”

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued ratings in July 2016 that gave NMMC Iuka a four star rating, one of the few four star hospitals in Mississippi and the southeastern United States.

Congratulations to hospital administrator Fred Truesdale and his team at NMMC Iuka.

# 1

HAGO AUTOMOTIVE STARTS OPERATIONS. Just six months after announcing hago Automotive’s move to Mis-sissippi, Governor Phil Bryant and company officials celebrated the opening of hago’s new operations.

“The skilled workers and strong business climate found in Tishomingo County and all throughout the state will help ensure hago Automotive’s long-term growth and success in Iuka for years to come,” Governor Bryant said.

The company is investing $10 million and creating 80 new jobs for the area’s workforce.

Germany-based hago Automotive performs automated stamping with up to 400 tons of processing power, transfer stamping with up to 630 tons of pressing power, laser-welding application, parts washing and clean-ing, parts processing and the production of assemblies. MIG welding robots were installed this fall. The facility also houses a tool-making department and a test laboratory.

“Our first six months in Tishomingo County have proven the decision to locate in Mississippi was the right one for hago Automotive. The support we have received from Mississippi Development Authority, Tishomingo County, Tennessee Valley Authority, the port and the companies around us has been instrumental in our suc-cessful transition into the local business community,” said hago Automotive President Joerg Goeppert. “Our first employees are performing wonderfully, and we have already been nominated to produce additional parts.”

Mississippi Development Authority provided assistance for the purchase of equipment and for relocation costs. Tishomingo County and Tennessee Valley Authority also assisted with the project.

“MDA congratulates the hago Automotive team for producing high-quality, ‘Made in Mississippi’ parts in Tishomingo County,” MDA Executive Director Glenn McCullough, Jr. “We salute our teammates at the Tishom-ingo County Development Foundation, Tishomingo County and TVA for partnering with MDA to bring hago Automotive to our state.”

From its Iuka location, hago Automotive provides parts to the BMW assembly plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

More information on Hago Automotive can be found at http://www.hago-ft.de/en/unternehmen/hago-auto-motive-corp/hago-automotive-corp.php.

TOURISM SPENDING. The 2015 Economic Contribution Report from the Mississippi Development Authority reveals local and statewide tourism spending. From 2014 to 2015, the State of Mississippi had a 1.3% increase in tourism spending.

In Tishomingo County, the increase was 11.4%, over eight times the statewide average. In 2015, tourists spent $15,825,458 in Tishom-ingo County, accounting for 210 jobs, and paying $1,292,095 in state and local taxes. J. P. Coleman State Park had a visitor count of 47,930 in 2015 while Tishomingo State Park had a visitor count of 55,697. Mississippi state parks saw over one million visitors in 2015.

Listed below are the 2015 tourism total tax receipts for selected communities in North Mississippi (Tishomingo County only has a 2% hotel tax and no restaurant tax):

Tishomingo County $ 58,545* Corinth $1,257,348 Tupelo $3,980,165 DeSoto County $7,017,822 Holly Springs $ 311,472 New Albany $ 691,435 Pontotoc $ 383,681 Ripley $ 269,695

*One time payment due to several years of back taxes collected in 2015. Average annual hotel tax is around $20,000.

Although Tishomingo County has outdoor tourism resources far be-yond what the other example counties possess, Tishomingo County invests the least to market those resources.

With more funds for an aggressive long term marketing campaign, there is no reason that local tourism spending could not increase by a factor of four and tourism employment increase to over 800 within a few years.

Just as importantly, increased tourism spending would spark a sig-nificant increase in income for restaurants, gas and convenience stores, and other retail and service businesses as well as encourage the creation of new businesses in Tishomingo County.

If ever there was an opportunity for a county to help itself to a gold mine, tourism marketing is the “shovel”.

TISHOMINGO COUNTY BUSINESS GUIDE. The fifth edition of the Tishomingo County Business Guide is available. The publication lists retail and service businesses lo-cated in Tishomingo County. The purpose of the Business Guide is to make it easier to find goods and services in Tishomingo County.

Business listings in the Guide are free to Tishomingo County busi-nesses. Copies of the publication are free and can be picked up at lo-cal groceries, city halls, and other locations.

The online Guide can be found at http://www.tishomingo.org/pdf_docs/Business%20Guide%20Lat-est%20Update%20%282%29.pdf.

The Guide also includes sections on frequently requested telephone numbers, TCDF Partners in Prog-ress, a study of potential business demand in Tishomingo County, and information on how to finance your own business.

For more information, call Shae’a Murphy at 662-423-9933 or e-mail info@tishomingo.org.

Tishomingo County Courthouse1008 Battleground Drive Iuka, Mississippi 38852 USA Telephone: 662-423-7032 Fax: 662-423-7005 pcummings@co.tishomingo.ms.usWeb Site: www.tishomingo.orgTourism: www.tishomingofunhere.orgTourism: 1-800-FUN-HERE (386-4373)

Board of Supervisors: Michael Busby, District 3Greg Collier, President, District 5 Brandon Grissom, District 1Jeff Holt, District 4Nicky McRae, District 2 Peyton Cummings, Chancery ClerkLynn West, Purchasing Agent Phillip Whitehead, Board Attorney

TISHOMINGO COUNTY RANKS # 2. SmartAsset, a New York City based financial technology and consulting company, released the second annual study on property taxes.

In 2016 rankings were issued for counties nationwide. Tishomingo County ranked number two among Mississippi counties getting the most ‘Bang for their buck’ on property taxes, making the second consecutive appearance in the top five.

In addition to property taxes, the study analyzed the quality of local schools and the local crime rate to calculate where people were seeing the most value for their taxes.

Tishomingo County ranks third in the USA in offering value to its taxpayers. Tishomingo County ranked number 1 in 2014 and number 2 in 2015 in Mississippi.

Listed below are the top ten counties in Mississippi:

Rank County Property Tax Rate School Rating Crimes Per 100k People Overall Value Index

1 Tippah, MS 0.66% 7.00 23 100.002 Tishomingo, MS 0.48% 10.00 82 99.923 Greene, MS 0.68% 8.00 140 99.444 Choctaw, MS 0.52% 10.00 774 98.655 Rankin, MS 0.64% 10.00 359 98.096 Hinds, MS 0.94% 3.00 204 95.137 Itawamba, MS 0.61% 9.00 1213 94.948 Harrison, MS 0.70% 8.00 567 93.449 Lee, MS 0.83% 9.00 797 93.4010 Hancock, MS 0.65% 10.00 1221 90.63 Mississippi 0.78% 6.00 305

Although the rating only considers three factors, these factors are often among the most significant factors that people and companies consider when relocating.

Congratulations to the Tishomingo County Board of Supervisors, Tishomingo County School District, and local law enforcement agencies.

A TOP TEN

COUNTY

TOURISM. TCTC assisted in promotion of the Heritage Day Festival, Burns-ville Waterway Festival, Bear Creek Festival, as well as other events in the county. TCTC sponsored the 10th annual Trash & Treasures along the Tenn-Tom Waterway. Numerous emails, mail-outs, and magazine, radio, and newspaper ads were used to assist in promoting these events. The council placed ads in regional and national publications and developed a new website at www.tishomingofunhere.org in order to help showcase Tishomingo County. TCTC continued a social media campaign to increase public awareness of Tishomingo County’s resources and special events--FACEBOOK/visittishomingo.

TISHOMINGO

Village of Paden

Town of

Golden

Town of Belmont

DENNIS

Visitor’s GuideTishomingo County,

Mississippi

Tishomingo CountyTourism Council 1001 Battleground DriveIuka, Mississippi 38852

800-386-4373662-423-0051

info@tishomingo.orgwww.tishomingofunhere.org

TCTC stocks visitor information at the state’s 13 visitor centers and other visitor centers, restaurants, hotels, and other places frequented by visi-tors. TCTC also revised and reprinted a photo guide to Tishomingo County, a new visitors guide, a state parks brochure, and a special events flyer.

The tourism council worked region-ally in coordinating marketing efforts with the Natchez Trace Compact, the Mississippi Hills National Heritage Area Alliance, Mississippi Tourism Association, Tenn-Tom Tourism As-sociation, and the MDA Department of Tourism.

The Tishomingo County Tourism Council thanks all the organizers and the many volunteers for 2016 events because working together makes for a bigger and better event from which we all benefit.

WHAT CAN WE SEE. The “What Can We See” guide has been revised and printed by the Tishomingo County Tourism Council.

The pictorial guide is designed to showcase the out-standing natural and historic sites in Tishomingo County such as Tishomingo State Park, J. P. Coleman State Park, Natchez Trace Parkway, Old Courthouse Museum, Downtown Iuka, Bay Springs Lake, Pickwick Lake, Belmont, Woodall Mountain, and others. Res-taurants are also listed in the publication.

Copies are sent to the state’s visitor and welcome centers. You may request a copy by calling 66-423-9933 or e-mail info@tishomingo.org.

An online copy can be found at http://www.tishom-ingofunhere.org/PDF%27s/What%20Can%20We%20See%202015.pdf.

According to the Travel and Tourism Economic Con-tribution Report researched and published by the Mississippi Development Authority, tourists spent $15,825,458 in Tishomingo County in 2015. J. P. Cole-man State Park had a visitor count of 47,930 in 2015 while Tishomingo State Park had a visitor count of 55,697. Mississippi state parks saw over one million visitors in 2015.

TISHOMINGO STATE PARK WINS ULTIMATE OUTDOOR THROWDOWN. Tishomingo State Park won the 2016 Visit Mississippi Ultimate Outdoor Throwdown.

A total of 55,722 votes were counted with Tishomin-go State Park camping winning 4,410 total votes and 1,566 bracket votes compared with Percy Quin State Park camping with 732 votes.

According to the Mississippi Development Authority, state park visitors spend an average of $105.50 per person per visit in the local economy. Tishomingo State Park has an economic impact of $5,876,034 in the local economy (not counting salaries and spend-ing by the state park for maintenance and repairs). 70% of visitors to Tishomingo County visit Tishom-ingo State Park or J. P. Coleman State Park according to the Mississippi Development Authority.

Congratulations to Terry Harp, Manager, and Charlotte Lard, Assistant Manager, and their staff at Tishomingo State Park.

We thank those who voted in the contest with a spe-cial thanks to the staff at Tishomingo State Park and Friends of the Park volunteers who have worked hard to improve and preserve the park and sponsor activi-ties for the benefit of Tishomingo State Park visitors.

ScorecardNew industries in 2016

BMSITishomingo RV

Expansions in 2016

Baymont, Inc.Comfort Revolution

Skyline SteelVanleigh RV

Southeast CNCContract Fabricators, Inc.

Northeast Mississippi Community College--Tishomingo

County Campus

Tourism Growth and Spending

11.4% increase$15,825,458

Manufacturing jobs created and committed by new and expand- ing companies: 276

Manufacturing jobs lost: 0

New and expanded retail and service businesses:

Southern Sun Tanning & GiftsFurniture Fabrics & MoreLiberty SecurityBrittni’s Florist & GiftsWild Flower FloristMack’s Towing ServiceFastenallEddie E. Bobo GunsmithingSparks RestaurantRepeat BoutiqueGatlin’s PharmacyThe IglooRH LoggingArt by Regina KennedyAqua Yacht Harbor GrillKids in Motion Child Day Care CenterDollar General BelmontThe Lawnmower ShopBoyce Hollingsworth State FarmTishomingo Health Care AssociatesHigginbottom’s RestaurantImage Vape Smart, Inc.Paradise Bakery

Retail and service businesses lost:

Dixie QueenHallmark RestaurantYarber DrugsMagnolia CafeGeorge’s CafeWalmart Neighborhood MarketFillin Station GrillDonnie Brown State Farm