Partnership Progress
a monthly publication of Panola Partnership, Inc.
In This Issue
Sponsor Spotlight: Stubbs on the Square
Batesville Main Street Events
Answers to some of your C Spire Fiber Questions
Fall Webinar Series: August 13
YPP Professional Development Seminar
Panola Partnership, Executive Board of Directors
2014-2015

Joe Azar, President

 

Justin Hill, Vice President

 

Roy Girner, Past President

 

Sonny Simmons, Director

 

Dale Hart, Treasurer

 

Michael Dunlap

 

William Pride

 

Brad Robison

 

Stephen Whatley


David Karr,
City of Batesville 

 

Gary Kornegay, 

IDA President

 

Kelley Magee,
Panola County

 

Flip Phillips, 

Legal Counsel

 

 

 

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August 2014

From the Director's Chair

by Sonny Simmons

This month I want to talk about the retail recruitment effort that is ongoing for the City of Batesville. Earlier this year the City commissioned the Partnership to select a retail consultant to do a comprehensive retail study to identify potential retail businesses that may locate in Batesville. The City funded the study, and we selected the Retail Coach of Tupelo to perform the study.

 

The Retail Coach is recognized to be one of the premier retail consultant groups in the country. One of the first things to be accomplished by the study was to clearly document our retail trade area and to identify businesses that would fit well within our community based on the minimum criteria that is established by each individual company. Most companies base their location decisions on formulas that set certain requirements and in most cases, these requirements must be met before a community is considered. Examples may include: population density, per capita income, traffic counts, sales tax history etc. Bottom line is, if you don't meet the minimum requirements set by the company, that business is not going to locate in that community.

 

We at the Partnership and our city fathers are often asked, "Why can't we get a Target store?" or "Why can't we get a Home Depot?" or other business. The answer is really simple. We don't meet the minimum requirements that are set by that business to establish a location consideration.

 

The good news is, we have the first results of the study and the findings are very good. There are some businesses that we had no idea would consider us for a suitable location and others that we would be glad to have. Take a look at the list and you will see what I mean.

 

  • Aubrey's
  • Baskin-Robbins
  • Carter's Children's Clothing
  • Chick-Fil-A
  • Costco
  • The Children's Place
  • CVS/Pharmacy
  • Denny's Diner
  • Dickey's Barbeque Pit
  • Don's Seafood
  • Dunkin' Donuts
  • Firehouse Subs
  • Five Guys Famous Burgers and Fries
  • Gander Mountain
  • GAP Outlet
  • Georgia Blue
  • Gordmans
  • Kohl's Department Store
  • Lenny's Sub Shop
  • Logan's Roadhouse
  • Lost Pizza Company
  • Maurices Clothing
  • McAlister's Deli
  • Newk's Express Cafe
  • Outback Steakhouse
  • Papa Murphy's Take 'N' Bake Pizza
  • Pet Supplies Plus
  • Petco Animal Suppliers
  • Petsense
  • Roses Discount Store
  • Ross Dress for Less
  • Ruby Tuesday
  • Sam's Club
  • Shipley Do-Nuts

 

Our next step, with help from the Retail Coach, is to develop our marketing material and begin to make direct contact with the corporate offices of these businesses. We must be realistic in our expectations, and we don't expect to get all of these businesses to locate here, but we are going to make an aggressive effort to convince as many as possible to take a close look at what we have to offer. We feel we are headed in the right direction with the study and with the implementation of the recommendations. We are very optimistic in developing this sector of our economy and we fully expect to see significant growth in the near future.

 

Forever forward!

 

 

Sponsor Spotlight: Stubbs on the Square

The newly renovated Monogramming and Vinyl Section at Stubbs on the Square is now complete! We have everything from baby, spa essentials, back packs, bulletin boards, bags, and MUCH more!!! Men's, women's, and children! We can personalize with thread OR vinyl!  Come check it out!!!

 

Stubbs on the Square has been open since 1954.  Through the years, we have knocked out walls, refinished floors, and added square footage.  Doing this has allowed us to bring the hottest trends in men's, women's and children's fashion...something that is ever-evolving in today's world. 


We are proud to announce our newest renovation...The Monogram Me Corner!  We now carry tons of gift items for the whole family!  We are always open to new ideas, so if you see something elsewhere you like, let us know & we'll do our best to satisfy you.  We will even monogram or vinyl items not purchased in-store.

 

Stubbs on the Square is open Monday-Friday 9am-5:30pm and 10am-4pm on Saturdays. 

 

Check us out on Facebook at "Stubbs on the Square" and Instagram @stubbsonthesquare.

 


 

 

Save the Date: Batesville Main Street Fall Events
SqMkt-yh
Through October 29
Showoff Logo
October 4

October 25

November 23


 

Answers to some of your C Spire Fiber Questions

"Why do I have to pay $10 to pre-register for fiber?"

 

The $10 registration fee is actually a $10 investment. This keeps the required individual fiberhood percentage from being skewed. When you pre-register and pay this $10, you are going to get the installation of the service FREE. If you had to pay the installation cost, it would be close to $300. You will get the $10 registration fee back on your first month's bill.  If your Fiberhood does not go green, you get a refund of your $10 investment.  Basically, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

 

"I believe achieving a 45% pre-registration rate of my fiberhood is too much to ask."

 

To understand this, you must first understand the investment that C Spire is making in your community. The installation of fiber to a city the size of Batesville is in the MILLIONS.  This is truly a "once in a lifetime" opportunity for our community...the chances of another company offering to run fiber through communities in Mississippi are slim to none.  There are other communities waiting in line to take this opportunity from us so we must act now!

 

Join us for a

Complimentary Fiber Fish Fry

this Saturday, August 9, 11 am-2pm

@ C Spire, 191 Covenant Drive, Batesville

Hosted by City of Batesville, Panola Partnership & Rep. Lataisha Jackson

  

Fall Webinar Series: August 13-Finding You on the Go!
 

 

Panola Partnership will be a host site for this year's Fall Webinar Series: Small Business Online Presence Strategies.  

 

These webinars are designed to help you increase the online presence of your small business and gain valuable information to become a better manager.  Learn how to use the latest tools the internet has to offer for building your business and increasing sales.

Attend individual sessions or the entire series.  Sessions are held on the second Wednesday August - November from Noon - 1 p.m.  

 

If you can't join us in person, feel free to register & participate from the comfort of your own computer or device!

 

The cost to attend in person is $5 per Partnership member which includes lunch.  Cost is FREE if you do not attend in person.

 

Session 1
August 13 - 12:00-1:00 PM
Finding You on the Go!

Join us to learn how mobile devices are changing how customers and visitors physically find your storefront. We'll share how you can control and post correct information about your business by claiming or registering your business with location based services like Google, Yelp, Foursquare, and TripAdvisor. Then learn about the importance of a mobile friendly web site and when, where and how to use QR codes and mobile apps.
 

 

Session 2
September 10 - 12:00-1:00 PM
Stand Out in the Virtual Crowd

 

Session 3
October 8 - 12:00-1:00 PM
Wish Your Customers Would Shop 'Til They Drop?

Session 4
November 12 - 12:00-1:00 PM
Get Your Head in the Cloud(s)


To register for one or all of these sessions, call Panola Partnership at 662-563-3126 or email us at partnership@panolacounty.com.

 

This event is sponsored locally by Panola Partnership & Batesville Main Street.  

 

Statewide Sponsors include:  The Entrepreneur Center @ Mississippi Development Authority, Mississippi State University Extension Service, Mississippi Development Authority, and Extension Broadband Education & Adoption Team. 

 

 

 

YPP Professional Development Seminar

What's the topic?

TVA, Economic Development 101- Fundamentals of Economic Development presented by Kristi Brown, TVA Regional Specialist for Mississippi

What is Economic Development?

What are some Economic Development Strategies?

How does Panola County play the game?

What can the economic development team do to help?

 

When & Where is it?

Tuesday, August 19th

12 noon - 2pm

TVEPA Auditorium

 

Who's invited?

YPP, Main Street, and Panola Partnership members

 

How do I sign up?

RSVP to ypp@panolacounty.com or call 563-3126 by August 15th

 

What's the cost?

$5 includes lunch

 

Membership
Report &
Coming Events

Welcome to our New Members

Batesville Raceway

105 Champion Blvd.

Batesville, MS 38606

662.561.0065

 

Comfort Suites

441 Covenant Drive

Batesville, MS 38606

662.561.1131

http://choicehotels.com

 

The Funky Zebra                

381 Highway 51 North

Batesville, MS 38606

662.561.6541

Like us on Facebook 

 

Jerry Johnson Construction LLC

3151 Terza Road

Batesville, MS 38606

662.934.3410

 

Thank you to these members for continuing your commitment to Panola Partnership!

Air Evac Lifeteam - Anne Davis -

Barbara Broome - Batesville Gun & Pawn - Batesville Tool & Design - Bob Leigh & Associates - Boys & Girls Club of NW Miss - 

The Caramel Factory - Como Lighting & Supply LLC - Domino's - John Reed - Marguerite Williams - Ramada Inn of Batesville - TVEPA

 

These are members who renewed their membership 

during this past month.

 

Click here for information on joining, Panola Partnership!

Coming Events

 

August

7 (12-1p): YPP August Meeting.  Panola Partnership.  $5 for lunch.  Must RSVP.


 

7 (9a-12p): "Get On Board!" Non-Profit Training presented by Volunteer NW Miss.


 

7 (1-2:30p): Starting a Business-First Steps. UMSBDC. Batesville Public Library.

 

8 (12p): Batesville Main Street Board Meeting. Panola Partnership Office.

 

9 (11a-2p): C Spire Fiber To The Home Fish Fry. C Spire Store, Batesville.

 

11 (12p): Panola Partnership Executive Board Meeting. Panola Partnership Office.

 

13 (8a-12p): Dr. Johnnie Cummings Day @ Aaron E. Henry Community Health Center.  Aug. 11-15 is Community Health Care Center Week.

 

14 (8a): Partnership Ambassador Monthly Meeting. Panola Partnership Office.

 

21 (1-2:30p): How to Develop a Business Plan. UMSBDC. Batesville Public Library.

 

YPP Lunch Break Meeting Locations for August/Sept. (12p-1p):

7: Monthly Meeting @ Panola Partnership *Pay $5 for lunch.  Bring a "new" person & they receive a FREE lunch!  Please RSVP.  **We've got some great Fall Events to discuss!**

14: Panola Country Club
21: NO MEETING-PLEASE ATTEND THE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SEMINAR ON AUGUST 19!
28: Cafe Ole
Sept. 2: Taco Bell
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

View a full calendar of events ANYTIME on our website!