Economic Development News & Updates | Spring 2024

The Greenwood-Leflore-Carroll Economic Development Foundation (EDF) is proud to announce the top employers in Leflore County for the year 2024. The list is compiled annually from employment data submitted by local employers and includes major companies that have collectively bolstered the local economy by providing significant employment opportunities.

Leading the charge is Milwaukee Tool, a key player in the manufacturing sector with an impressive 870 jobs, underscoring the area’s industrial strength. Following closely is the Greenwood Leflore Consolidated School District, which plays a crucial role in the community by employing 725 educators and staff, shaping our children’s future. Viking Range also stands out with 575 positions, adding to the county’s reputation as a hub for manufacturing excellence.

Rounding out the top ten are Greenwood Leflore Hospital with 530 jobs, America’s Catch with 425 jobs, Mississippi Valley State University with 380 jobs, Heartland Catfish with 325 jobs, Walmart with 240 jobs, the City of Greenwood/Greenwood Utilities with 210 jobs, and Leflore County, also with 210 jobs.

“The significant contributions of these top employers are the backbone of our local economy,” said Thomas Gregory, executive director of the EDF. “Their commitment to providing substantial employment opportunities has a profound impact on the community, enhancing our quality of life and ensuring the economic vitality of Leflore County.”

The EDF remains dedicated to supporting these and all local businesses in their growth and success. For more information on Greenwood and Leflore County’s top employers, visit the EDF website.

From the Director's Desk

By Thomas Gregory, EDF Executive Director

It has been three months since I took up my post as the executive director of the EDF, and I finally feel like I have settled in. After more than six years of working for statewide organizations, it is good to be back working in Greenwood and Leflore County, where I grew up.

As a Greenwood native, this community is important to me. It is where my wife and I have chosen to raise our family, so I am deeply invested in improving the quality of life here. After all, what is good for Greenwood is also good for my family and, hopefully, for yours as well.

Greenwood has many opportunities for job growth and economic success and we must continue to work together to showcase what makes Leflore County special. Economic development affects all aspects of the community, and it will take all of us pulling in the same direction to achieve success.

I have already met with many of our partners in workforce development throughout the Mississippi Delta. I’ve also begun visiting our local industries, getting to know the nature of their work, and finding out what we can do at the EDF to assist in their growth and success. But rest assured, I’m just getting started!

The EDF is committed to growing and diversifying our local economy, one job at a time. There is still much work ahead, and I invite you to be a part of it. If you aren't already a member of the EDF, please take a look at our membership options and consider joining our mission.

Working together, we will continue to make Greenwood and Leflore County a great place to call home!

Click here to read the "Community Growth" feature of the EDF in the Delta Business Journal.

Click here to read the feature story from the 2024 Profile edition of the Greenwood Commonwealth.

Since starting as the executive director of the EDF in January, Thomas Gregory has been busy getting familiar with Greenwood's existing industries. In the past three months, Gregory has visited with leaders at AerCap, Coburn Supply, Hickok-Waekon, John-Richard, and Saylor Wheel.

Hickok-Waekon

John Richard

Coburn Supply

EDF executive director, Thomas Gregory, recently traveled to Washington, D.C. to visit with Greenwood's congressional delegation. Together with leaders from the City of Greenwood, Thomas met with Congressman Bennie Thompson, Senator Roger Wicker, and staff from the office of Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith. Pictured here with Thomas on the steps of the Russell Senate Office Building are Mayor Carolyn McAdams, Councilmembers Charles McCoy, Lisa Cookston, Ronnie Stevenson, and Andrew Powell, and civil engineer Karl Grubb.

The EDF is excited to welcome Valour Taylor to our team!

Valour will serve as our administrative assistant, supporting our executive director in the day-to-day activities of the economic development organization. Valour is a familiar face in the Greenwood community. As the owner of The Bread and Butter Shoppe restaurant in downtown Greenwood, Valour is known for her healthy approach to southern cuisine and her delicious wood-fired pizzas.

Valour brings a wide range of administrative experience to her new role at the EDF. She has both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Arts from Mississippi State University, and she previously served as an administrative manager for the University of Arkansas, among other roles in the corporate world. We look forward to the great things Valour will bring to the EDF team!

The EDF is partnering with the Greenwood-Leflore County Chamber of Commerce to reignite the Greenwood Leflore Young Professionals group. GLYP is for professionals in their 20s and 30s who live or work in Greenwood/Leflore County.

To kick things (back) off, GLYP will host a shrimp boil on Thursday, May 9, from 6-8 p.m. at Old City Hall (103 East Market Street), featuring music by Jason Ballard. The event is open to all prospective members who want to learn more about GLYP!

Viking Range was recently honored with the 2024 Best of KBIS Style Statement Silver Award at the 60th Annual Kitchen and Bath Show in Las Vegas for their Viking RVL Collection.

Upchurch Companies has been acquired by Davidson Kempner Capital Management LP, a global investment management firm with domestic offices in New York and Philadelphia, Penn. Read more >>

Tim Kalich, The Greenwood Commonwealth’s editor and publisher, has received the Samuel Talbert Silver Em Award from the School of Journalism and New Media at the University of Mississippi. Read more >>

Join our growing list of EDF members!

Our EDF members make our economic development work possible! Click here to learn more about joining the Greenwood-Leflore-Carroll EDF.

Thank you to our existing EDF members for supporting our mission!

www.greenwoodedf.com