Special to Wesson News
Economic development is an ups and downs business, and Arthur Lee (Pokey) Evans, Copiah County Economic Development District (CCEDD) executive director, is cautiously optimistic about 2025 after an election year when the returns on the work invested in trying to recruit new employers are traditionally low.
As CCEDD embarks on a new marketing effort this year, Evans looks back on a sluggish 2024 that still had its high points – among them, an old lumber yard coming back to life.
“Construction is under way near the LC Industries old lumber yard, where Bell Lumber and Poles plans to craft telephone poles,” he reported.
With the new activity beginning at the old site, CCEDD has largely achieved a goal of returning idle former industrial properties to Copiah County tax rolls, Evans points out. Buildings in the northern sector of the county that housed a former car dealership and auto supply business remain attractive sites for potential new employers, however, he adds.
On the downside, a wood pellet manufacturer that has maintained office space at Copiah County Industrial Park at Gallman told Evans it isn’t going to be able to finance a production facility there as it had hoped for several years.
“The good news is that once businesses settle in Copiah County and become established, nobody leaves,” says Evans. “We have healthy poultry, forestry, warehousing and transportation industries, and are not suffering significant losses.”
Outside its industrial recruiting work last year, CCEDD also developed a project with the encouragement of the Mississippi Development Authority’s (MDA) Aspire program in which it engaged Copiah County high school seniors to introduce them to job readiness training opportunities through Co-Lin.
Aspire helps communities throughout the state advance economic development activities through training, strategic planning and facilitating networks of individuals and organizations.
“We brought together community leaders to plan and produce a boot camp for the students in which they actually went into classrooms and learned about the array of Co-Lin Workforce Education training in healthcare, diesel mechanics, welding, HVAC, nursing and other areas in which jobs are available locally,” Evans explains. “We made a presentation about the project at the state’s Agricultural Center in Jackson, earning points towards grants to help fund our work.”
The project also helped CCEDD develop a stronger relationship with
Co-Lin in meeting Copiah County job-training needs, Evans says.
“Copiah-Lincoln Community College is a leader in workforce development
with ongoing and specialized as-needed training for local companies
and their employees,” he points out.
In 2025, CCEDD is gearing up its efforts to bring new business to Copiah County with the help of Wesson-based marketing specialist Jessica Breazeale. Breazeale is revamping its web and Facebook sites and creating a stronger Google search tool to identify opportunities. Outdoor advertising and digital and radio promotions that highlight the advantages of Copiah County for prospective employers, along personal one-on-one meetings carry messages that emphasize:
A workforce that is willing and ready to serve employers thanks to local schools
and a community college that focuses on preparing workers; and career coaches,
and retired persons with workforce experience, who counsel students, introduce them to the business world through field trips and other activities and guide them in making career decisions and identifying training opportunities.
A location near key markets with rail, interstate, air and nearby water access.
Government officials who understand business needs, provide incentives, and facilitate locating offices buildings.
Available land and building that are well-priced.
Evans says CCEDD economic development work is a team effort and praises his office colleague Brenda Harper, the organization’s board and the Copiah County Supervisors for their support and assistance in telling the county’s story.
Contact Evans for information at 601-421-1249.