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 2017 Annual Report on the Economy of Tishomingo County

FRANKLIN FURNITURE INSTITUTE

TISHOMINGO COUNTY DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION

BOARD OF DIRECTORS:

Jackie Bryant, ChairmanSid Whitehurst, Vice Chairman

Butler Whitehead,First Vice Chairman

Dale Curtis, Secretary-TreasurerMike Montgomery, Past Chairman

Alvia BlakneyMayor John Castleberry, Iuka

Greg Collier, President, Tishomingo CountyBoard of Supervisors

Ken CooleyTommy Crane

Peyton Cummings, Chancery Clerk,

Tishomingo CountyEric DanielNeil DavisTed Day

Ralph FarrMayor Davy Ginn, Golden

Harold GistRobert Grisham

Beth HudsonSteve McAnally

Mayor David Nixon, BurnsvilleCharlotte Orick

Mayor Pam Oswalt, Paden Terrell Pearson

Jimmy Ramsey, Chairman,Tishomingo County

Economic Development AuthorityMayor James Tennyson,

TishomingoFred Truesdale, Administrator,

NMMC Iuka HospitalMayor Buddy Wiltshire, Belmont

Staff:

Gary Matthews, Executive DirectorTheresa Cutshall,

Administrative AssistantJim Gibson, Part-time 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 Bell Mike Harris Brandon Pharr Steve Ratliff Sonya Harris

TOWN OF BURNSVILLE:

David Nixon, MayorBoard of Aldermen: Doyle Rorie Jason Blakney Niesha Carpenter Robert Davis Billy Don Hamm

TOWN OF GOLDEN:

Davy Ginn, MayorBoard of Aldermen: Sandra Collum Linda Epps Stan Malone Rebecca Ozbirn Sherry Shook

CITY OF IUKA:

John Castleberry, MayorBoard of Aldermen: Kenny Carson James Grisham Joel Robertson Johnny Southward Nancy Stripling

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

TISHOMINGO COUNTYELECTRIC POWER ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS:Gerald Barnes, VPTommy BondsDarrin CaldwellJohn CastleberryNickey 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, VPBenny DevaughnMichael Johnson, Secretary Travis ChildersNickey Cummings, President David NixonJimmy PearceMike TuckerBrad Howell Robert Dexter, Executive Director

VILLAGE OF PADEN:Pam Oswalt, MayorBoard of Aldermen: Kristy Deaton Tony Falkner Jean Luttrell James Murphy Carl Whitehead

TOWN OF TISHOMINGO:James Tennyson, MayorBoard of Aldermen: Gary Harlan Barbara Oakes Hal Southward Anthony Stone Anne Taylor

STATE ELECTED OFFICIALS:Representative Lester Carpenter District 1Representative Donnie Bell District 21Senator J. P. Wilemon, District 5

FEDERAL ELECTED OFFICIALS:Representative Trent KellySenator Thad CochranSenator Roger Wicker

TISHOMINGO COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY BOARD OF DIRECTORS:Daryl ChambersCharles Emmons, Vice ChairmanMax Ray HutchesonToney MobleyCharlotte Orick, Secretary-TreasurerJimmy Ramsey, ChairmanJimmie SeagoButler WhiteheadTommy Williams

PARTNERS IN PROGRESS: 2017 Members of the Tishomingo County Development Foundation

1st Franklin FinancialA & B Distributing CompanyAbles Real EstateAero Studio Aerial PhotographyAqua Yacht Harbor MarinaA. V. Littrell Lumber Co.B & J GroceryBANCORPSOUTHBelmont CityBelmont HotelBelmont PharmacyBMSI, Inc.Robert BelueBest Way, Inc.James BethayBig Star of BelmontAlvia BlakneyLarry BondsRichard BowenBow T’s CateringBowen Carmen AttorneysJackie BryantBurnsville CityCarnathan Heating & AirKenny CarsonClark Law FirmCoca ColaComfort RevolutionCommunity Spirit BankCook Coggin EngineersCooper Marine & TimberlandsCornerstone Insurance & FinancialCountry Squire RestaurantPeyton CummingsCutshall & Sons LoggingCutshall Funeral HomeNeil DavisTed DayLeroy DeanDean McRae EngineeringDeaton Funeral HomeElite Physical Therapy IukaEagle’s Eye VideographyEastport Marina & ResortEddie Bobo GunsmithingDonathan EnlowErgon Asphalt & EmulsionsFairless HardwareDorothy FarrRalph FarrFerrouSouth

Fidelity National LoansFirst American National BankFite Building CompanyG & G SteelGatlin’s PharmacyHarold GistGolden CityGolden Forest ManagersDon GrantMary Ann GrantDr. Phillip GrayJames GrishamRobert GrishamHamilton-Ryker GroupHarbin Heating & Air, Inc.Tom HesterHigh Point Timber ManagementBoyce Hollingsworth State FarmHometown Pizza BelmontIndustrial Electronics RepairIuka CityIuka Animal ClinicIuka Discount DrugsIuka Family ClinicIuka Family DentalIuka HardwareIuka Hospital Wellness CenterJohn’s GarageJourdan Lumber CompanyKing Creek Farm- Jeremy FunderburkKX Technologies LLCLambert Building SupplyLiberty National InsuranceLittle PropertiesHarold LomenickLong Financial ServicesMAX HOMEMaxxSouthSteve McAnallyMcDonald’s of IukaDennie McReeMike McReeMike MontgomeryMike Nelson ContractorsMill Creek Marina & ResortMississippi SiliconToney MobleyMoore’s Automotive SupplyMTS Safety ProductsDavid L. Nichols, CPA

Nunley TruckingOle Country StoreOrbital ATKCharlotte OrickPaden CityPeden’s Prop ShopPickwick Premier PropertiesPiggly Wiggly BelmontPiggly Wiggly IukaPlant Process SupportBilly RaineyRedmont Heating & CoolingRenasant BankJimmie SeagoSegars ClinicDr. Kelly SegarsMartha SegarsMark SegarsDr. Scott SegarsSid’s Trading CompanySilver Dollar SalesSonic Drive In of TishomingoSouthern ForestrySunflower Antique Mall and Flea MarketTennessee Valley AuthorityTIMCO, Inc., Fred GillhamTishomingo CityTishomingo County Board of SupervisorsTishomingo County Electric Power AssociationTishomingo Health Services-- NMMC Iuka HospitalTri-State Educational FoundationTri-State InsuranceTri-State RecyclingTruck Bodies & Equipment Int.Union Harbor Resort & MarinaEmily WadkinsWayne VoylesJohn R. WhiteWiley Discount Tobacco & BeverageQuaye YarberBetty YoungDan Young

ORBITAL ATK EXPANSION. In October, Governor Bryant announced that aerospace and defense leader Orbital ATK is expanding in Iuka, investing $10.48 million and creating 50 jobs.

“As a worldwide leader in the aerospace and defense in-dustries, Orbital ATK once again puts Mississippi on the global stage, demonstrating our hard work to provide a business environment where companies can compete suc-cessfully in today’s demanding economy,” said Gov. Phil Bryant.

Orbital ATK will manufacture large composite aerospace structures for its Antares, Pegasus and Minotaur launch vehicles and implement a large national aerospace and defense program at its 320,000-square-foot Iuka facility.

“Orbital ATK’s nearly $10.5 million investment represents a vote of confidence in Mississippi’s talented workforce and the coordinated support it gets at the state and local level. I’m pleased our state will have a greater role in strength-ening these important launch systems,” said U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-MS), chairman of the Senate Appropria-tions Committee and its Subcommittee on Defense.

"This expansion signifies the commitment Orbital ATK has to the employees, community and state of Mississippi to continue bringing high quality manufacturing work into the area,” said John Kain, Orbital ATK Aerospace Structures Division’s director of operations - Iuka. “We value our part-nership with the state, city and county officials and thank them for their continued support of our facility in Iuka.”

“Our decision to place this additional work in Mississippi emphasizes Orbital ATK’s commitment to not only our em-ployees and customers, but reaffirms our commitment to the state of Mississippi,” said Vice President and General Manager of Orbital ATK’s Aerospace Structures Division Steve Earl. “We are proud to be able to provide state-of-the-art manufacturing capability in a state with a dedicat-ed and skilled workforce.”

The Mississippi Development Authority provided assis-tance for infrastructure and facility improvements. Tishom-ingo County also provided assistance.

Orbital ATK’s Iuka facility currently has more than 130 em-ployees producing large composite structures for United Launch Alliance’s Atlas V and Delta IV launch vehicles. The company plans to begin production on the new compos-ite launch vehicle structures and aerospace components in the third quarter of 2017 and fill the 50 jobs by the end of 2018.

Headquartered in Dulles, Virginia, Orbital ATK employs over 13,000 people worldwide. The company was recently purchased by Northrup Grumman, one of the world’s largest defense contractors with over 60,000 employees.

For more information on Orbital ATK, visit the web site at www.orbitalatk.com. For more in-formation on Northrup Grumman, visit the web site at www.northrupgrumman.com.

NMMC-IUKA RECEIVES FIVE STAR AWARD. Medicare/Medicaid developed a new rating system for hospitals in 2016. Hospitals are rated on about 75 metrics that go into the determination of a hospital’s scoring. Hospitals are scored from one to five stars with five being the highest rating. In 2017, of over 3,500 hospitals nationally, only 215 hospitals received a five star rating. Only one hospital received a five star rating in Mississippi and that was NMMC-Iuka. NMMC-Iuka has won numerous awards over the years.

On October 20, 2017, NMMC-Iuka received another Quest Award for High-value Health Care. Only six hospi-tals nationwide received the award for achieving top performance in all six of the areas measured including cost and efficiency, evidence based care, mortality, safety, patient and family engagement, and appropriate hospital use. 350 hospitals were examined.

“NMMC-Iuka’s achievements in QUEST reinforce our commitment to reliably deliver the best care experience to the communities we serve,” said hospital administrator Fred Truesdale. “We’re proud to be one of only six hospitals nationwide to receive the QUEST Award as we continue down our path of improving patient out-comes and community health.”

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

PEDIATRIC CARDIOLOGY OUTREACH CLINIC. The Children’s of Mississippi outreach clinic for pediatric cardiology patients is bringing care closer to home for families in Tishomingo County. The clinic is in North Mississippi Medical Center-Iuka. Services provided at the clinic include evaluation and management of pediatric heart diseases, follow-up visits after cardiac procedures, evaluation and management of pediatric hypertension and cardiac diseases associated with childhood obesity as well as various pe-diatric cardiac diagnostic tests.

To make an appointment at a Children’s of Mississippi outpatient clinic, call (888) 815-2005 or visit mississippikids.org.

BMSI COMPLETES CONSTRUCTION. BMSI announced in late 2016 that the company will locate in Burnsville, Mississippi, USA, and initially create 100 jobs. Yellow Creek Port completed construction in October.

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

BMSI employs pipe fitters, pipe welders, millwrights, structural fabricators, and other technicians.

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.

CONSTRUCTION COMPLETED ON YELLOW CREEK PORT 50,000 SF SPECULATIVE INDUSTRIAL BUILD-ING. With 30 foot ceiling clearance and 9” reinforced floors, this industrial building is one of the few indus-trial buildings in the southeastern USA with access to water, rail, and four-lane highway.

The Northeast Mississippi Waterfront Industrial Park has access to the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway which connects to the Gulf of Mexico at the Port of Mobile and the Mississippi-Ohio-Missouri-Great Lakes-St. Lawrence inland waterway system.

The rail spur will soon be under construction and will connect to the mainline Norfolk Southern Railroad at Burnsville.

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

Other activity at Yellow Creek Port includes construc-tion on a 116,000 SF industrial building for a new in-dustry. The port is making modifications to the barge facility at Burnsville and will locate material moving equipment onsite. The port is working with Burns-ville on connecting the Burnsville water system to the Corinth water treatment plant near Glen. The port also plans to relocate the port authority offices in the near future.

BAYMONT, INC. Baymont, Inc., expanded during the year. Baymont, Inc., is a leading manufacturer of quality tubs, showers, and other bathware. The company relocated to Belmont in the former Oak-wood Building after a fire destroyed the Golden facil-ity. The Belmont building is being renovated and will be expanded.

The project saved 151 jobs and created 20 new jobs.

The Mississippi Development Authority and Tishom-ingo County assisted with the project.

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

MISSISSIPPI SILICON MANUFACTURING ACADEMY. A ribbon cutting and open house were held on September 18 for the Mississippi Silicon Manufacturing Academy. A partnership of Northeast Mississippi Community College, Mississippi Silicon, Rural Development Partners, Appalachian Regional Commission, and Tennessee Valley Authority has committed $237,033 for the Mississippi Silicon Manufacturing Academy at Northeast Mississippi Community College Iuka Campus. Tishomingo County is providing the building, utilities, and high speed Internet for the academy.

The training is free and gas cards are provided to pay for transportation. The Iuka campus is located in Build-ing 1000 at Tri-State Commerce Park located approximately ten miles north of Iuka.

Due to technology in the workplace, few communities can long survive economically without job training in the community. Further, few workers can expect a living wage job without training beyond high school.

For more information, or to sign up, visit the web site at https://nemcc.formstack.com/forms/nemcc_manu-facturing_academy_ms_silicon_project_.

TAP ALLIANCE WORKFORCE STUDY. The most impor-tant industry location factor nationally is workforce, especially a trained and skilled workforce. The TAP Alliance commissioned a regional workforce study in 2017. The project was funded with a $80,000 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission matched with $20,000 from the TAP Alliance. The contract was awarded to Site Selection Group of Dallas, Texas.

The study found that 15.3% of the employed work-force is underemployed, that is, employed in jobs that do not make full use of their skills and abilities. 11.5% of the workforce in manufacturing is underem-ployed.

NATIONAL. National Salvage & Service Corporation of Bloomington, Indiana, set up a chipping operation to serve Packaging Corporation of America in Counce. Old railroad ties from several railroad companies will be trucked to the site. Some crossties will be sold for landscaping while most will be chipped and shipped to PCA for boiler fuel. The project will employ up to 20.

You can learn more about National at www.nssccorp.com. Job openings at the Tri-State location are listed on the web site.

SPARKS BED & BREAKFAST. A ribbon cutting was held for Sparks Bed & Breakfast on August 1, 2017. Owner Scott Caldwell said that “both units can house up to 16 people comfortably. Our restaurant is next door to both bed and breakfast units so it is convenient for our visitors.” Sparks Bed & Breakfast is located at 304 Second Street in Belmont next door to Sparks Restaurant. The contact number is 662-424-3749.

SID’S TRADING COMPANY # 2. On May 3, 2017, Sid’s Trading Company opened its second location. Sidney Whitehurst, Jr., is the owner and manager and Chad Kilpatrick is the shop manager.

Open hours are Monday through Saturday from 8 AM to 5 PM. The address is 1617 Highway 72 just past Tishomingo County High School. The telephone number is 662-205-6469 or toll free 877-374-5166. The web site is at www.sidstrading.com.

TISHOMINGO RV RIBBON CUTTING AND EXPANSION. Local officials met on January 13, 2017, in Tishomingo, Mississippi, for a ribbon cutting for Tishomingo RV Service Center in the District 4 Industrial Park. Tishomingo RV will perform the final inspection and service for Vanleigh RV and repair recreational vehicle units for the owners of RV units. The new facility includes ten bays and an RV park is available onsite for RV owners. 20 new jobs will be created.

CEO Rodney Johnson reported that “our agreement with Vanleigh RV required a lot of space that we did not have at our Belmont, Red Bay, or Itawamba facilities. It made business sense to build a support facility closer to the Vanleigh RV assembly plant in Burnsville and also be near the Tiffin Motorhomes assembly plant in Red Bay.”

Later in 2017, the company announced construction of another building in the same industrial park to be used for manufacturing motor home parts. The new manufacturing plant will initially employ another 20.

VANLEIGH RV EXPANSION. In 2018, in response to overwhelming market demand, Vanleigh RV complet-ed renovation of a county-owned 70,000 SF industrial building on Highway 72 in Burnsville to manufacture components for high quality fifth wheel campers.

The company began production in mid-2015 and now employs over 200 in 180,000 SF of manufacturing space in Burnsville and at Tri-State Commerce Park.

You can learn more about Vanleigh RV at http://van-leighrv.com.

MAIN STREET CYCLE. In 2017, Main Street Cycle in Tishomingo, Mississippi, USA, was named the num-ber one dealer for HISUN ATV’s in the USA.

CEO Steve Crane reports that “Main Street Cycle was established in 2001. We have a reputation for provid-ing excellent service, customer support, and satisfac-tion. We pride ourselves on giving our customers the best service available, the best parts and accessories, at the best price possible, and an experienced staff that covers all aspects of the motorcycle business.”

For years, Hisun Motors has provided products for some of the biggest names in UTV and ATV markets. Hisun Motors Corporation USA consistently ranks among the largest providers of UTV’s in the United States and Canada year after year.

Hisun Motors Corporation USA is the wholly owned subsidiary of a manufacturer with a 7,100,000 square foot factory. Hisun builds products designed by a team of USA based experts. Final assembly of Hisun products is completed in the USA by a team of skilled craftsmen. The massive Dallas, Texas, facility houses parts, customer service, and multiple vehicle assem-bly areas.

Main Street Cycle is a good example of a successful business located in a rural community, but with a re-gional customer base.

Main Street Cycle is located at 1295 Main Street in Tishomingo. The phone number is 662-438-6407 and the web site is at www.mainstreetcycle.com.

COMFORT REVOLUTION EXPANSION. Comfort Revo-lution completed the expansion of the Belmont op-eration. The expansion involved a $1.5 million com-pany investment and the creation of 50 jobs. MDA and the county provided assistance.

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

More information on Comfort Revolution can be found at www.comfortrevolution.com.

SKYLINE STEEL EXPANSION. Skyline Steel has com-pleted installation of a $15 million pipe mill and will employ an additional 15 workers at its Iuka facility. The Mississippi Development Authority provided as-sistance to the project.

A premier steel foundation supplier and manufactur-er serving the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and South America markets, Skyline Steel is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nucor Corpo-ration, the largest producer of steel in the United States.

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

TISHOMINGO COUNTY VIDEO. Tishomingo County Tourism Council and MAXXSOUTH have developed a four minute video of the popular places in Tishomin-go County. The video can be viewed on the tourism council FACEBOOK page.

IUKA INVENTOR. An Iuka inventor has sold his in-vention worldwide. With five patents under his belt, Hoyt Peden and brother Kerry Lee Peden own and operate a small propeller repair shop in Iuka.

Hoyt found that repairing boat and ship propellers was a tedious, time-consuming, and inexact pro-cess.

Using his engineering skills, Hoyt over a twenty year period developed two types of computer controlled hydraulic machines that could do the work in less time with great precision using laser measurement. The machines have been shipped worldwide to great acclaim. Hoyt is currently building a machine for a client in Germany.

Learn more about these remarkable machines by visiting the web site at http://propstraightener.com, or visit the shop at 2080 Paul Edmondson Drive in Iuka, Mississippi 38852, USA, telephone number (662) 423-9588.

TISHOMINGO HEALTH SERVICES CLINIC. On April 11, 2017, Tishomingo Health Services held a ribbon cut-ting for their new facility in Tishomingo. Administra-tor James Nunnally reported that “North Mississippi Primary Health Care started some 30 years ago and we now have six clinics throughout north Mississippi. We continue to grow and plan to expand the Tishom-ingo facility soon.” Tishomingo Health Services is open from 8:30 AM to 5 PM Monday thru Friday. The address is 1310 Main Street in Tishomingo and the phone number is 662-471-9416.

BUSINESS GUIDE. The fifth edition of the Tishomingo County Business Guide was published during the year. The publication lists retail and ser-vice businesses located in Tishomingo County. The purpose of the Business Guide is to make it easier to find goods and services in Tishomingo County.

The guide is being updated and will be reprinted during 2018.

Business listings in the Guide are free to Tishomingo County businesses. Copies of the publication are free and can be picked up at local 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 num-bers, TCDF Partners in Progress, a study of potential business demand in Tishomingo County, and informa-tion on how to finance your own busi-ness.

For more information, call 662-423-9933 or e-mail info@tishomingo.org.

TISHOMINGO COUNTY EARNS ANOTHER ECONOMIC DEVELOP-MENT AWARD. In its spring 2017 edition, Southern Business & Development (SB&D), the recognized authority on economic de-velopment projects in the southern USA, has again recognized Tishomingo County for its economic development track record. The Dixie Dozen award includes projects from 2010 to 2016 that committed or created over 50 jobs. Tishomingo County ranks third in the state for the number of economic development projects and number one in the southern USA for the jobs to population ratio.

Other awards for Tishomingo County’s economic development successes include:

Rated TOP TEN industrial sites in the southern USA in 2012.•

Rated TOP TEN rural sites in the southern USA for reshored • industry in 2013.

National Economic Development INNOVATION AWARDS in • 2012, 2013 & 2014.

Rated TOP TEN “Comeback Kids” in the southern USA in • 2015.

Tishomingo County Development Foundation rated one of the • best economic development agencies in the southern USA in 2015.

We have a long way to go and a lot of work to do to prepare our workforce for the jobs of the future, but we are making progress.

We thank our economic development partners and the leadership of our county and municipalities for their help in improving the economy of Tishomingo County.

TISHOMINGO COUNTY WINS TOP RATING IN 2017 FOR THIRD YEAR IN A ROW. Tishomingo County has again been rated by national financial consulting company SmartAsset as one of the most cost efficient counties in the USA. Tishomingo County rates second in the state and third nationally for giving taxpayers “Bang for their buck.”

Rank County Property School Crimes per Value Tax Rate Rating 100,000 Index

1 Tippah 0.74% 5.00 23 99.96 2 Tishomingo 0.48% 9.00 82 99.92 3 Greene 0.73% 7.00 142 99.25 4 Choctaw 0.50% 10.00 778 98.72 5 Hinds 0.97% 7.00 205 98.49 6 Rankin 0.65% 9.00 356 97.66 7 Harrison 0.72% 10.00 559 95.44 8 Itawamba 0.67% 9.00 1211 93.78 9 Lee 0.83% 9.00 793 92.91 10 Lauderdale 0.95% 6.00 802 90.65

The results, including an interactive map and the methodology, can be found on the website at https://smartasset.com/taxes/mississippi-property-tax-calculator?year=2017#map.

We congratulate the Tishomingo County Board of Supervisors and the courthouse staff, Tishomingo Coun-ty School District, and Tishomingo County law enforcement agencies for this prestigious state and national ranking.

From left to right, standing, Michael Busby, Brandon Grissom, Nicky McRae, Jeff Holt. Seated, Peyton Cummings, Chan-cery Clerk, Greg Collier, President of the Board, and Phillip Whitehead, Board Attorney.

TOURISM. TCTC assisted in promotion of the Heritage Day Festival, Burnsville Waterway Festival, Bear Creek Festival, events at the two state parks, as well as other events in the county. TCTC sponsored the 11th an-nual 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 updated the 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 re-sources and special events.

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

Visit the Facebook page at visit-tishomingo. TCTC stocks visitor in-formation at the state’s 13 visitor centers and other visitor centers, restaurants, hotels, and other places frequented by visitors. TCTC also re-vised and reprinted a photo guide to Tishomingo County, a state parks brochure, a restaurant guide, 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 2017 events.

WHAT CAN WE SEE PHOTO GUIDE. The “What Can We See” photo guide was revised and reprinted by the Tishomingo County Tourism Council.

The popular 24 page pictorial guide is designed to showcase the outstanding natural, historic, and recre-ational sites in Tishomingo County such as Tishomin-go State Park, J. P. Coleman State Park, Natchez Trace Parkway, Old Courthouse Museum, Downtown Iuka, Bay Springs Lake, Pickwick Lake, Belmont, Woodall Mountain, Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway, and oth-ers.

Restaurants in Tishomingo County are listed in the publication. The Belmont Bargain Center Guide is also included.

Copies are sent to the state’s 13 visitor and welcome centers and other locations throughout the three state region. Copies are also mailed to potential visi-tors to Tishomingo County.

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%202017.pdf.

MSU HOTEL STUDY. Dr. Alan Barefield and Jimmie Webb of Mississippi State University conducted a ho-tel study for Tishomingo County.

The study found that “there is a substantial demand for this type of facility from both the commercial/corporate sector as well as the leisure/group meeting sector.”

Hotel developers and investors who have considered Tishomingo County in the past have not done an in-depth analysis of the existing and potential market in Tishomingo County, and have been more focused on building new hotels in rapidly growing urban areas such as Nashville and Huntsville. Additionally, hotel developers prefer local investors who reduce the up-front costs to the company and understand the local hospitality market.

The MSU study documents that a quality hotel can be profitable in Tishomingo County.

A full service hotel with a minimum private invest-ment of at least $15 million may be eligible for the Mississippi Tourism Rebate Program. This program allows a portion of the sales tax generated by the ho-tel to be rebated to the company for eligible costs in-curred during construction. Hotels with at least 150 rooms may also qualify for the state Jobs Tax Credit. Hotels located in the New Markets Tax Credit Zone may qualify for federal tax benefits.

A copy of the hotel study and the guidelines and ap-plication form for the Mississippi Tourism Rebate Pro-gram can be found on the county’s web site at www.tishomingo.org.