Chamber Logo
May, 2009 Vol 1, Issue 5
The Chamber Update
Keeping You In Touch
Mission Statement

 The Cleveland-Bolivar County Chamber of Commerce is organized for the purpose of advancing the civic, commercial, industrial, economic, social, and general interest of the people of Cleveland and Bolivar County.  It shall encourage the growth of existing industries and businesses while giving all proper assistance to any new firms or individuals seeking to locate in Cleveland and Bolivar County. This organization will support all those activities believed to be beneficial to the community and the area and will oppose those which might be detrimental. And in general, the Cleveland-Bolivar County Chamber of Commerce shall follow always those policies intended to accomplish the greatest good for the greatest number.

 Upcoming Events
 
 Tuesday, May 12, Bolivar Medical Center's Open House 4:30-6:00
 
 Friday, May 15, Amalgamation Concert to benefit Delta Arts Alliance. 
band pic
 Monday, May 18, Young Professionals Network Meeting 6:00-7:00 at the Chamber.
 
Thursday, May 21, Salute to Industry at the Port of Rosedale. Honoree JANTRAN and Cives.
 
Also, please be sure to check out our community calendar quick links located in the right column for other upcoming events.

 

 
 
 
 

   
 


 

Board Meeting Recap
  
 
teachers
 
Group Picture Above: Seated From L to R Pamela Tucker(West Bolivar High School), Sarah Bailey(East Side High School), Equonda Jackson(Career Dev. & Technical Center), Glenna Weeks(Cleveland High School) Standing L to R Vanessia Bonner(Shaw High School), Timolin Howard(Broad Street High School)


Five new members approved for membership:
Jennings Family Dental
PharMEDium
Liberty National Insurance
Crustaceans
Clark Beverage Group Inc.
 
Banners will be going around to membership that state "I Am Proud to Be a Chamber Member." These will be presented at ribbon cuttings and passed around to spotlight our members.
 
The Young Professionals Network has its first prospect meeting on Monday, May 18th at 6:00PM at the Chamber.
 
The Ambassadors group will be meeting to discuss new and more enticing programs to boost membership. If you are interseted in being an ambassador please email Anne Dilworth at [email protected].
 
The Chamber Scholars program awarded 44 scholarships to students from Bolivar County.
 
Teacher Appreciation Week was a great success. The Chamber had banners printed and displayed in Cleveland at at all of the county schools.  Also Seniors voted on "Teacher of the Year" for each school and the Chamber awarded $50 to each winner.
 
Community Events:  The next event that we have scheduled is the State Exchange Club Meeting that will take place during the weekend of June 19th through the 21st.  We are working on an extended hour event for Friday, June 19th.  We are tentatively planning to have local artists displaying their art work downtown and music at the gazebo for these visitors to see our city as well as all the locals to enjoy.  We also have tentative plans to feed the past-presidents breakfast on Sunday , June 21st, at Paul Janoush's cabin on the river.
 
Kut Works is planning to opening their day spa/salon/boutique next month in the old pawn shop building.
 
Justin Huerta is planning to move his Mexican Restaurant from Rosedale to Cotton Row.
 
Heidi's is planning to move her business to the old Jay's building.
 
The Image Specialist is moving to the old Bolivar Paint & Glass building.
 
A Ribbon Cutting was held at Favara last week.
 
 Bolivar County added one more Marker to the Mississippi Blues Trail this past month. The historical significance of the 1927 flood and Big Bill Broonsy were recognized at the marker installation in Scott.  We now have 4 markers on the trail.  One in Shaw for Honey Boy Edwards,  one in Rosedale for Robert Johnson, and one in Boyle recognizing the significance of the Peavine Railroad.  These markers are funded through cooperation between the Bolivar County Supervisors and the Chamber of Commerce.
 
 Please welcome the Chamber's newest employee Emily Shumpert Morris. 

 






Support Our Troops!!!
 
soldiersTroop Support:  The National Guard Deployment Send-Off was held on Monday, April 27 at 5:00PM at the Bolivar County Expo.  The troops lined up in the Kroger parking lot and marched over to the Expo with a police department and fire department escort.  People with flags lined the street and the entrance to the Expo.  With the help of donations, we fed over 200 friends and families of the troops.  We have also received monetary donations from the community which will allow us to send packages to these men and women while they are deployed.  
 
Great Opportunity!!!
 
Team Cleveland/Main Street is putting together a seminar on Outlook - Friday, June 19, at 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.  The seminar will be given by Kimberly Medlock, Board Certified Professional Organizer, Speaker, Trainer and Author.  I have heard her on several occasions and she really does a great job and knows what she is talking about!!! The cost is $3,500, so I am trying to get commitments from as many as possible to determine how much to charge each participant.  This is NOT a fund-raiser for us, but I would like to break even.  The more people, the less expensive it will be for each participant.  It will be at the Baioni Center at DSU in Broom.  Please let me know how many you can send from your business.  More information will follow.  Below is what can be expected.
 
 
�         How to organize your day using Outlook
�         How to effectively use the task, contacts and           calendar features -it is so simple!
�         How to GREATLY reduce your inbox
�         How to GREATLY reduce your paper clutter
�         How to confidently file AND FIND emails for follow-           up exactly when you need them
�         How to GREATLY reduce unnecessary and    interrupting emails
�         How to be more in control of your information and time!
 
 
Please let me Anne know if you are interested!!  [email protected] or 843-2712

A New Home-A New Beginning
 
Naturalization 

Cleveland - On a cloudy morning with rain threatening, a large crowd gathered on the Delta State University quadrangle at 8 a.m. on Friday, May 1 for a unique event.  The fact that rain appeared imminent and the event didn't start until 10:30 a.m. reflected the excitement and anticipation of the first naturalization ceremony ever hosted by Delta State.  
 
"I was very excited to get here," said Amandeep Brar from India, who now lives in Greenville.  "I took classes at Delta State in 2007 and 2008 and it is great to be back on the campus, especially for an event like this.  The atmosphere is lively and it's great to be outside."
 
The Honorable W. Allen Pepper, Jr., United States District Judge, presided over the ceremony.  "Delta State has assured me the weather will cooperate with us for today's event," he said when opening the ceremony.  "Today is the last day of class at Delta State, with graduation to follow.  It is also the day that each of you graduate into United States citizenship."
 
Noted theologian and world traveler, Dr. Macklyn Hubble, keynoted the ceremony.  Hubble regaled the crowd with stories of his career and world travels.  He noted the environmental beauty he's seen and the cultures he's experienced. 
 
"I've literally been from pole to pole and witnessed beauty beyond description but the most enjoyable part of all my travels is having the opportunity to meet and get to know the people," said Hubble.
 
Hubble stressed that it is the blending of people and cultures that make the U.S. population unique.  "You make our population stronger by bringing in the new dimension of each culture," he said.  "It is your individualism and your point of view that makes our population better."
 
Following the presentation of candidates for naturalization which required each candidate to stand and say his or her native country, Judge Pepper noted that all 111 candidates summoned were present for the ceremony.
 
David Crews, U.S. District Court Clerk, swore the new citizens in as the candidates repeated the oath of citizenship.  "It is a wonderful and heartwarming ceremony that is an important highlight in the lives of these new citizens, many of whom have great stories about their journey to become citizens of the United States," said Crews.
 
One new citizen who understands that journey is Claudia Windham.  Windham endured a long, arduous adoption process from a Romanian orphanage before being admitted into the country in 1999 at the age of 17.  She immediately began the citizenship process and received her green card in 2003.
 
Claudia and her husband, David L. Windham, now reside in Southaven and are expecting their first child.  "It's been a long, hard journey, but I finally feel like I'm home.  I feel like I have a place now and a chance for a new beginning."
 
Windham's hopes for a new beginning reflected the words of Hubble as he closed his address.
 
"There is no ceiling for you," said Hubble.  "You are restricted only by your own imagination and creativity.  Welcome to the land of the free and the home of the brave."
 
Photo:  New citizens recite the oath of citizenship during a naturalization ceremony on the Delta State University campus.
 

Naturalization
Saturdays in the Park
 
 fishing
'Saturdays in the Park'
debut an overwhelming success
 
CLEVELAND-With near-perfect weather conditions  to welcome its over 400 participants, "Saturdays in the Park" debuted this past weekend at Bear Pen Park and organizers were more than pleased with the day's happenings.
 
"This is great, "an obviously elated Todd Davis smiled. "We are thrilled with today's turn-out and we are thrilled with the level of participation. Parents and children showed up today ready to learn and ready to embrace the outdoor recreation lifestyle we were championing here today."
 
Davis, Recreation Degree Program Coordinator and Outdoor Recreation Director at Delta State University, spearheaded the first of four scheduled "Saturdays in the Park" events. The day featured canoeing, camp fires, tent building, fishing, bicycling, outdoor games including Ultimate Frisbee and wiffle ball, kite flying, hula-hoops and sidewalk chalk.
 
Participants were also able to roast their own hot dogs and s'mores over the campfire, all while learning the benefits of a waste-free lifestyle.
 
"We are using all paper products today - paper cups, paper plates to hold the apple slices, paper napkins. We want to be able to leave this park today with absolutely no waste, and we are teaching the children that when camping you can use paper products and burn those before you leave the campsite. It's just another example of the lifestyle choices we are exposing participants to today."
 
A collaborative effort between Delta State University's College of Education and its Health, Physical Education & Recreation Department and Division of Family & Consumer Sciences, the Center for Community and Economic Development and the School of Nursing, in cooperation with Cleveland School District, Cleveland Park Commission and the Leaders of Delta Health & Wellness, the next "Saturdays in the Park" is slated for May 30, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at East Side Park.
 
May's event will wrap around a theme of Sports and Sportsmanship.
 
"We will have area coaches and players involved in conducting morning clinics. By the afternoon, we'd like to get some pick-up games going," Dr. John Alvarez, Associate Professor of Health, Physical Education & Recreation at Delta State, explained. "More than that, though, we want people utilizing our parks and taking ownership of their health with active lifestyle choices."
 
The event is free and open to all ages.
 
For more information on "Saturdays in the Park," please contact the Department of Health, Physical Education & Recreation at (662) 846-4555 or the Cleveland Park Commission at (662) 846-6605.
 
To become involved with Saturdays in the Park, please contact [email protected].
 
This is a recognized Delta State University Year of Partnerships Event.
 
 canoeing
In This Issue
Upcoming Events
Recap
Support Our Troops!!!
Great Opportunity!!!
Naturalization
Saturdays in the Park
Member Spotlight
Letter From the Executive Board
Join Our Mailing List!
Quick Links

 Member Spotlight

 Please Support and Congratulate our members!
 
Jennings Family Dental
 
Dr. Jason Jennings DMD offers a wide range of services to meet your families dental needs. He offers crown and bridge placement and repair, veneers, root canals, partials and dentures, fillings, extractions (including wisdom teeth) and teeth whitening. They are open Tuesday-Friday 8-5 and most insurances accepted including medicaid and chips.  They are located at 716 First Street.
 
 PharMEDium
  
PharMEDium is the national leading outsourced pharmacy provider, rigorously ensuring the accuracy and sterility of all customized IV and epidural preparations.  PharMEDium is a nationwide network of state licensed and federally registered pharmacy outsourced, compounding centers, providing trusted solutions to more than 1,800 hospitals throughout the United States.  Managed by licensed pharmacists and staffed by certified technicians, we are compliant with all appropriate state laws and FDA Regulations, including USP Chapter <797> and DEA requirements.
 
Liberty National Insurance 
 
Liberty National Life Insurance Company is a company that has been around for 109 years.  Liberty National is one of the strongest insurers in the nation with high ratings from A.M. Best and Standard & Poor's. I would like to show the benefits to you and your employees. Call us on 601-720-8173 or 6016242159 to schedule appointment with Sam Mocha or LaQueshia Allen.
 

Crustaceans
 
Owner Todd Ashley would love to have you come by and try some of the Delta's best crawfish. He is located at  724 South Davis Ave. He has crawfish by the pound for $5.95 with corn and potatoes. His special for May is 3 lbs of crawfish and 1 lb of Argentine Shrimp for $24.95.  You can eat in or buy them cooked or live to go.
 
Clark Beverage Group Inc.
 
Clark Beverage Group - Southaven, formerly Great River Beverages, Inc. is the designated distributor for Miller Brewing Co, Coors Brewing Co, Heineken USA, E.J. Gallo Winery, Diageo-Guinness USA, Boston Beer Co, and numerous other domestic specialty and imported beers, and fine energy, soft drink and water products.  We have relocated from our previous location in Hernando, to our state-of-the-art, 106,000 sq. ft. facility at 5645 Pepper Chase Drive in Southaven.
 
Clark Beverage Group-Southaven is a branch of CC Clark, Inc. which has facilities covering most of the State of Kentucky, as well as all of North Mississippi and services beer products, as well as being an independent distributor for Coca-Cola, with total company volume of over 20 million cases annually.

Regions Bank
 
Regions Financial Corporation, with $142 billion in assets, is a member of the S&P 100 Index and one of the nation's largest full-service providers of consumer and commercial banking, trust, securities brokerage, mortgage and insurance products and services. Regions serves customers in 16 states across the South, Midwest and Texas, and through its subsidiary, Regions Bank, operates 1,900 banking offices and approximately 2,300 ATMs. Its investment and securities brokerage trust and asset management division, Morgan Keegan & Company Inc., provides services from over 300 offices. 
 
 Guaranty Bank
 
Since 1943, Guaranty Bank & Trust Company has been serving the Delta as a locally owned and operated institution.  Our philosophy has always been to provide the best in banking products along with personal, quality customer service.
Guaranty Bank & Trust Company is proud of its involvement in the areas we serve.  Our goal is to be a responsible member of our local communities.  We strive, through our actionsand the involvement of our employees, to be a leader in the economic development of the Delta.
 
Guaranty Bank offers a full range of personal and business services.  It takes a team of qualified professionals to provide the best banking services possible and we think Guaranty Bank's got the right players to make our team the best. 

Merchants and Farmers Bank
 
M&F Bank:  Exceeding Expectations Everyday!" 
 
Mission Statement for M&F Bank is to serve, with integrity, the financial needs of our customers while exercising profitable stewardship.  M&F Bank Cleveland has twelve employees and is dedicated to quality service to our community.  With the main office on Sunflower Road and a convenient drive through facility, our bank is able to offer the very best in financial services.  M&F Bank has two ATM locations, one in the Student Union Building at Delta State University and one with our drive-in facility. M&F Bank is over 115 years strong and takes great pride in being ready to serve your financials needs.
 
Bank of Benoit
 
The Bank of Benoit, established in 1904, has been committed to the community for over 100 years.  Our goal is to form relationships with our customers while striving to meet their needs.  We are small enough to know you and large enough to serve you.
 
Cleveland State Bank
 
Cleveland State Bank has been serving the community for over 100 years as Cleveland's only home-owned bank.   We strive daily to provide the best service for our customers in both a timely and cost efficient manner.  We are constantly evaluating and adding new services to improve the overall quality of our institution.    
 
Land Bank of North Mississippi
 
The Land Bank of North Mississippi is the first choice for long-term financing of agricultural, recreational and land investment properties. From a few acres to a few thousand acres, we can meet all of your land financing needs through a variety of competitively priced variable and fixed interest rate loan programs.

Planters Bank
 
Mission Statement:   Planters Bank is committed to providing superior financial products and exceptional service to its customers.  As an independent community bank, we dedicate our resources to the betterment of our customers, employees, stockholders, and markets we serve. 
 
State Bank and Trust

 
 
"Since our founding 110 years ago in Rosedale, State Bank & Trust has experienced phenomenal growth.  We are a one billion dollar bank with 32 branches in three states.  Over the last 10 years we experienced an increase in net worth of 990% representing growth of 23% compounded annually. Needless to say, we've proven ourselves as a financial institution established and developed on the bedrock values of the banking industry. That foundation shall continue to provide us permanence and sustainability going forward as we embrace the future."


 
 
Letter From The Executive Board
 
 
I would like to express my appreciation for the opportunity to serve on the Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee with the many excellent leaders that make up our chamber board. We are very fortunate to have Judson Thigpen as its leader.  Judson has a genuine interest in Cleveland and Bolivar County and demonstrates this interest in his involvement locally and at the state level in economic development.
 
The chamber organization among other organizations in our community helps to provide a great quality of life for the chamber members and citizens of this community.  I would like to expression my appreciation to the staff of the chamber and the many volunteers for their dedication to the programs of work adopted for the chamber, Team Cleveland, economic development and tourism.   
 
 
Sincerely,
 
Cheryl Comans  

 Vice President of Industrial Development Foundation
 




 
 
Thank You,
Brian Blansett
Marketing and Communications Director
Cleveland-Bolivar County Chamber of Commerce
 

Contact us:

Judson Thigpen-Executive Director

Anne Dilworth-Team Cleveland and Special Events Coordinator