2009 was a successful year for the Madison County Business League (“MCBL”) and 2010 looks even more promising.
As a new organization, much of 2009 was spent hiring personnel and recruiting members to accomplish the mission of the MCBL – getting public officials and business men and women together to ensure successful economic development for Madison County. Working together, with one vision and one voice, we can accomplish our mission and continue Madison County’s success.
For a new organization, the MCBL was able to accomplish much in its first year. In April of 2009, Jan Collins was hired as the Executive Director of the MCBL. Relationships were established with our local municipal, county, statewide and federal elected public officials. Resolutions were adopted in support of the MCBL by the City of Canton, Town of Flora, City of Madison and Madison County Board of Supervisors.
In June, the MCBL began producing its marketing material to assist with recruitment of new members. Through our Executive Director’s hard work and dedication, we now have more than 50 members. In keeping with our mission, the MCBL worked with and supported the City of Madison in its endeavors to attract Tulane University in the opening of a satellite campus in the City of Madison. The MCBL sponsored advertisements in local newspapers and the printing of over 3,000 surveys which were distributed to local businesses in the Madison, Rankin and Hinds County area.
In August, the entire membership of the MCBL was invited to attend the Board of Directors meeting. Congressman Gregg Harper appeared as a special guest and speaker at the meeting.
In September, the MCBL hosted its First Annual Fall Forum. The Forum was held at the Jackson Yacht Club and over 125 members, guests and elected officials were in attendance. Hu Meena, President of Cellular South, was our guest speaker and charter members of the MCBL were recognized. Madison County Superintendent of Education, Mike Kent, made a presentation to the Board of Directors concerning the Madison County School Bond issue. The MCBL, in partnership with the Madison County Economic Development Authority, supported the Madison County School Bond issue by sponsoring full-page, color ads in local newspapers.
In October, Jan Collins and MCBL Board of Directors, Calvin Harris, Dick Hutchinson and Lannie Slaughter traveled to Washington, DC with the Madison County Board of Supervisors and other county officials to visit with the Mississippi congressional delegation. In November, the MCBL hosted a League and Legislature Forum at the Mississippi Hospital Association with a guest panel of state legislatures who represent Madison County. Senator Kenny Wayne Jones and Representatives Mark Baker and Phillip Gunn sat on the panel and answered questions posed by the membership. Madison County Chancery Clerk, Arthur Johnston, served as the panel moderator.
In December, the Board of Directors passed a Resolution in support of healthcare services for Madison County.
I am extremely proud of all that the MCBL accomplished in 2009 and I hope that you are too. I believe we can accomplish even more in 2010. For 2010, the MCBL will focus on developing membership benefits and continued direct and meaningful access to our elected public officials so that we can all work together to ensure successful economic development for Madison County. I hope you will join us.
Please visit us at www.madisoncountybusinessleague.com.
Todd Burwell, Chairman
Madison County Business League
