October 2018
The Enterprise of Mississippi Newsletter

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Workforce is the Theme

As this newsletter came together I realized there was a very central theme - workforce. If you are plugged in to any national or state news you have heard about workforce from the record low unemployment rates to the opioid crisis to the new 40 year low in birth rates. Our local communities are not exempt from the challenges of today or the ones the future holds when in comes to our most valuable asset our people, our workforce. To keep each job we have and to grow and fill new jobs we must continually invest and train our people. A local team will be traveling in November to the ACT Work Ready Community Boot Camp to learn how to successfully implement and set new standards for our local workforce. The Enterprise is able to begin the journey of becoming a ACT Work Ready Community through a generous grant from the Mississippi Partnership WIOA Division administered by Three Rivers Planning and Development District. I look forward to new opportunities that will become available to keep our communities competitive to have the best workforce in Mississippi.

Warmest regards,
Lara Bowman

ARC POWER Funds Awarded

Choctaw & Webster Counties along with Kemper & Winston were awarded a $730,559.00 ARC POWER grant today. Collaboration within the four counties and local industry, three community college districts and local K12 school districts and countless others throughout the state allowed for a successful grant application and award. An additional match was required for the grant bringing the total project to $926,159.00. This is the first time Mississippi counties have been awarded ARC POWER funds.

This grant will allow for equipment to be purchased and placed a the local Career & Technical Centers to support training of students and the local workforce for manufacturing employers. Workforce development classes such as welding, hydraulics and pneumatic, CNC and other classes will be available locally in Choctaw & Webster Counties. A basic 25 hour manufacturing class will be held for individuals entering the workforce. Each community committed to giving the National Career Readiness Certificate to all graduating high school students for the next three years.

Please see the links below for additional information.

For the full ARC Press Release
List & Summary of Projects Announced
"$730,559 ARC grant to the Golden Triangle Planning and Development District in Starkville, MS, to support a project that will diversify the economy of four coal-impacted Mississippi counties (Choctaw, Kemper, Webster, Winston) by building a competitive manufacturing workforce. The project’s first goal is to implement a middle-skill manufacturing training program based on the Mississippi Works Smart Start Career Pathway Model to build up a skilled workforce in the four counties. The second goal is to strengthen existing Pathway Model programs in the region, especially work experience opportunities. Developed by the State of Mississippi, the Pathway Model consists of intensive career development, necessary skills assessment, and basic skills development with career enrichment activities geared toward in-demand, middle-skilled occupations. Training will be provided by three area community colleges. At least six of the eight participating companies will be improved by hiring students and trainees. It is anticipated that 108 of the students who enter a training program will complete and obtain employment. All 165 incumbent workers will benefit from having higher level skills, and 31 of the unemployed adults will obtain employment."

The 4th Annual Enterprise Area Job Fair is scheduled for Thursday, October 25 from 9 a.m. - Noon at the Community Center in Ackerman.

If you would like exhibit at the job fair register online or complete and return the registration form.

Thank you to the following sponsors for their support of this event:

Choctaw County Groundbreaking

The new school year at Choctaw County High School began with a groundbreaking on August 20. Choctaw County School District administrators and local community supporters gathered to celebrate the nearly $8 million investment of new of new facilities and renovations at the campus.

Local Machine Company Producing Cowbells

Just miles away from Mississippi State University, Moore Machine Works, LLC of Ackerman manufactures a well known and popular item used to unite thousands. Paula Moore, owner, manufactures a one of a kind cowbell, BattleBells. Moore was featured in the MSU Alumnus magazine this summer alongside head football coach Joe Moorhead displaying the BattleBells crafted in her shop.

Read the full story HERE.

In the photo, Coach Joe Morrehead and Jeffery Smith of Ackerman’s Moore Machine Works uses TIG welding to create one of BattleBell’s most popular items—the 11-inch, stainless steel “original” bell. Owned by Stephen Caples (’12), John Howell (’11) and Chuck Lovern (’97), the hand-crafted cowbell company began as part of the university’s entrepreneurship program.

Industry to Industry Meeting Planned

Monday, October 29
3:30 - 5:00 p.m.
Choctaw County Career & Technical Center

Local plant managers, directors and administrators have been invited to tour the facility and meet instructors who are preparing students for the workfoce.

Quarterly i²meetings are held for local industrial partners to meet together over a common topic or concern to address. The last meeting was held in May at the Webster County Career and Technical Center where internship and apprenticeship programs were discussed.

Support The Enterprise of Mississippi

The Enterprise is seeking external funding and kicking off the 2018-2019 fundraising campaign. We will focus this year on making improvements to existing industrial property and buildings along with implementing workforce development programs. All while continuing to market and build relationships to increase knowledge of The Enterprise to external partners. Your support is needed to continue to build off the success of the last year.

If you would like to become a Supporter of The Enterprise please view our Levels of Support for 2018-2019. Contact Lara Bowman at 769-610-1795 or l.bowman@theenterprisems.com to learn more.

Thank you to the partners below for their support of The Enteprise in 2018-2019.

Platinum Level Supporter of The Enterprise:

Mississippi Lignite Mining Company

Silver Level Supporters of The Enterprise

For highlights and more of what we are sharing throughout the month follow us at:

Use our hashtag for all things related to the Enterprise area:
#EnterpRISINGinMS

Tweet us using the hashtag now!

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The Enterprise of Mississippi

P.O. Box 327

Eupora, MS 39744

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Lara Bowman · P.O. Box 327 · 855 S Dunn Street · Eupora, MS 39744 · USA

Platinum Level Supporter of The Enterprise:

Mississippi Lignite Mining Company

Silver Level Supporters of The Enterprise

Use our hashtag for all things related to the Enterprise area: #EnterpRISINGinMS

Use our hashtag for all things related to the Enterprise area:
#EnterpRISINGinMS