Economic growth in Calhoun County

CALHOUN, Miss. (WCBI)- Economic development is more than just improving the bottom lines of businesses.

The economy also impacts the quality of life of area residents.

The Calhoun Economic Development Association is meeting Thursday night to honor those helping their community grow.

Even though Calhoun County is considered a rural area, its economy is quite diverse.

“We have a huge sweet potato industry here, but we also have a lot of local goods industries, our three major employers are actually hiring right now. They’re located throughout the county, and then we have really good what we call mom and pop operators. The smaller families that really do a great job helping out our economy,” said Sheila Freely.

Growth doesn’t come without challenges, but businesses here have learned to face those challenges head-on.

“The square is not what it used to be but the ones that are here have figured out how to compete with the bigger towns and offer a local flavor that the people here want and it’s a good thing,” said Tony Hardin.

And the numbers don’t lie.

“I’m excited to say as of December 2018 last month the unemployment rate in Calhoun County was 4.4 percent, and that’s actually 14th best unemployment in the state that’s a good number for us,” said Freely.

But the county doesn’t want to stop there. There’s still room to grow.

“We are working with our existing industry because that’s where we really want to focus on them but anyone that proposes to come in maybe give, put in a new business or put a new manufacturing company our county Board of Supervisors has been really well working with them,” said Freely.

Local businesses rely heavily on the support of the community.

Tony Hardin says he wouldn’t be where is he now without that support.

“It’s been amazing. Everybody, the local mayor, the supervisors, friends other business owners in the area, everybody’s just been a help. I can’t say enough about what it did to get us actually started because we hung around for a long time without something coming in, and it would’ve been no way we could’ve done it to do it without the help,” said Hardin.

CEDA’S dinner and award ceremony will start at 6:30 tonight.