Pictured left to right is David Rumbarger, President/CEO of Community Development Foundation; Kurt Shettles, Chairman CDF; Charlie Kinney, Past Chairman CDF. | | Open House & Annual Meeting 2025 | | Thank you to everyone who came out to Open House/Annual Meeting to connect, celebrate, and support our community! | | |
▶️ From laid-back Business After Hours mixers🍷, to member-focused Roundtables🔊, Lunch & Learns🍴, early morning WakeUp!☀️ and more, every CDF event is engineered to help you connect, lead, and grow.
Whether you need fresh insights, strategic partnerships, or a burst of professional inspiration, our calendar is packed with dynamic touchpoints that move your business forward. Join us and experience how the Community Development Foundation turns networking into relationships, knowledge into action, and momentum into measurable results. (VIEW ALL CURRENT CDF EVENTS HERE!)🗓️
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Welcome to Blackwood Stables! Blackwood Stables is a premier equestrian facility in East Tupelo dedicated to providing top-quality care for horses.
Our stables offer a safe, comfortable, and well-maintained environment for horses of all disciplines. Whether you need long-term boarding or short-term accommodations, we provide personalized care tailored to each horse’s needs. We offer three boarding options to suit different needs: 1. Self-Boarding (Pasture) - Provides access to well-maintained pastures for grazing and turnout. Owners are responsible for daily care and feeding. 2. Self-Boarding (Stall)– Includes a spacious stall, with owners handling feeding, turnout, and stall maintenance. 3. Full Boarding – Includes a spacious stall, daily turnout, fresh water, and stall cleaning, with optional add-on services like blanketing and specialized feeding. For those traveling with horses, we also offer overnight boarding with secure stalls and access to our top-notch amenities. At Blackwood Stables, we’re committed to high-quality horse care in a welcoming and professional setting. Visit our website or contact us today to learn more! 662-260-3282
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DID YOU KNOW?
During the 2024-2025 CDF year, the Chamber of Commerce held 79 events!
These events included networking opportunities, chances to meet people, make connections and more! Each year marketing opportunities are available for each event. If you're interested in sponsoring an event, consider getting involved with the REACH Campaign, held each year from March through April. For more information, click here or contact Zandra Hereford at zhereford@cdfms.org, or call 662-842-4521.
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✂️A ribbon-cutting is the ultimate “ta-da!” moment—perfect for grand openings,milestone anniversaries, or new ownership—and it instantly spotlights your story to the whole community. 📸🤝
With CDF rallying local leaders and excited customers, that single snip turns into priceless publicity and fresh connections. 🚀✨ From the first cut, these celebrations spark buzz, drive foot traffic, and launch your business toward long-term success!
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🤝 CDF Ambassadors are a prestigious group of individuals 👥 from the Community Development Foundation member investors who volunteer to enhance communication between CDF and its membership. 🌟
These dedicated representatives serve as a vital link in helping CDF understand and support the needs of its members. 💬
If you are interested in becoming a CDF Ambassador, contact Judd Wilson at 662-842-4521 or jwilson@cdfms.org.
| | Jennifer Lansdell, with Rob Rice State Farm Insurance Agency, is the 2024-2025 CDF Ambassador of the Year. Jennifer is a first-year CDF ambassador. Jennifer has provided membership leads and takes time to be at ribbon cuttings and events. CDF congratulates Jennifer Lansdell as Ambassador of the Year. | | 📢 Get the latest news from CDF by visiting our Press Release/Information page on our website for press releases, updates, and announcements straight from the heart of the Tupelo/Lee County business community! 📰 | |
"CDF logs another 'terrific year' for economic development" | |
"TUPELO – It was another great year for economic development in Lee County and Tupelo. That was the consensus from leaders at the annual Community Development Foundation open house, as it continued its long-held strategy to recruit and retain business and industry."
READ MORE.
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"Shane Homan selected as Top 50 Economic Developer" | |
"Consultant Connect, a consulting agency dedicated to bridging the gap between economic developers and site location consultants, is proud to announce its 2025 list of North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers.
READ MORE.
| | | | Downtown Tupelo's anchor: Reed's celebrates its 120th year of business | TUPELO – In 1905, R.W. Reed and a friend who owned a wholesale business put in $500 to open the store in Downtown Tupelo. That store was Reed’s, and 120 years later, there are few … if any … who call Tupelo home who don’t know it. READ MORE. | | | | Toyota Experience Center receives coveted LEED Platinum certification | BLUE SPRINGS – Toyota Mississippi's Experience Center has achieved LEED Platinum certification, making it one of only five facilities with the distinction statewide. The LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating system was developed in 2000 by the U.S. Green Building Council. READ MORE. | | | | NMHS expected to open $25M medical office facility next June | TUPELO – By next June, North Mississippi Health Services should have a new three-story, 42,000-square-foot medical office building operating. Located at 718 Crossover Drive, the facility will house Med Serve urgent care clinic on the first floor, and Dermatology Consultants and North Mississippi Retina Center on the second. READ MORE. | | | | ICC formally opens state-of-the-art Robotics Lab at Belden Center | Itawamba Community College formally opened its state-of-the-art robotics lab at the Belden Center during a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday. "It is an exciting day for our college, our students, our faculty and our region as we officially unveil our new state-of-the-art Robotics Lab, a facility that not only represents the future of workforce training, but also our steadfast commitment to innovation, opportunity and excellence,” said ICC President Jay Allen. READ MORE. | | |
CDF Membership is a vibrant community of passionate and driven business owners—from small startups to large enterprises.
Being a part of CDF opens the door to powerful connections, meaningful networking opportunities, and real growth for your business in the Tupelo/Lee County, Mississippi area. 📈 Come be a part of something exciting at CDF! Interested in joining? Reach out to Amy Speck at 662-842-4521 or aspeck@cdfms.org.
🎉 Help us give a warm welcome to our newest members! 🎉
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| | Aiming for Healthy Families, Inc
609 N Fillmore St.
Corinth, MS 38834 | North MS Medical Center Gilmore-Amory
1105 Earl Frye Blvd.
Amory, MS 38821 | | All Saints Episcopal Church
608 W Jefferson St.
Tupelo, MS 38804
| North MS Ambulatory Surgery Center
589 Garfield St.
Tupelo, MS 38801 | | Century 21/Knowles Realty
1720 McCullough Blvd.
Tupelo, MS 38801 | Renasant Retirement Plan Solutions
209 Troy St.
Tupelo, MS 38804 | | Dyson Insurance Agency, Inc.
306 Road 1029
Tupelo, MS 38804 | Roman's Jump Room
7946 Kenwick Way
Memphis, TN 38119 | | Enlighten Salon & Spa
830 E Bay Cir.
Tupelo, MS 38801 | Southern Telecommunications
361 Edgewood Terrace Dr.
Jackson, MS 39206 | | Exceed Physical Therapy of Tupelo
1649 N Coley Rd.
Tupelo, MS 38801 | SPEC Mattress
705 N Eason Blvd.
Tupelo, MS 38804 | | Kiddie Kastle Pre School Center
122 S Madison St.
Tupelo, MS 38804 | The Vine Collection
2025 McCullough Blvd.
Tupelo, MS 38801 | | Next Pitch Athletics, LLC
176 Whitfield Commerce Cir.
Saltillo, MS 38866 | Tupelo Eye Clinic
610 Brunson Dr.
Tupelo, MS 38801 | |
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🔎 View special deals and more from CDF Members! 💼🎉
📣 If you’re a CDF member and want to take advantage of your membership benefits by advertising in CDF's Members Corner, please submit your ad to ENEWSLETTER@CDFMS.ORG. 📅 Ads must be resubmitted each month.❗ Be sure to read the FAQ section on our website before submitting your ad for important guidelines. ✅
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SAVE MONEY ON PURCHASES FROM CDF MEMBERS! |
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Many of our amazing CDF Members offer exclusive discounts on purchases!
Deals are available in a variety of industries, including 🚗 Automotive, 🛠️ Contractors, 😁 Dentistry, 💰 Financial, 🏨 Hotels & Motels, 💎 Jewelers, 🍷 Liquor & Wine, 🐜 Pest Control, 🍽️ Restaurants & Catering, 🛍️ Retail & Specialty Shops, 🪧 Signage, 🐶 Veterinary, 🏋️♂️ Fitness, and more!
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🔥 IT ONLY TAKES A SPARK…TO IGNITE THE LEADER IN YOU. 🚀
The Community Development Foundation believes that at our community’s core, the ultimate catalyst for growth is the ability to identify, engage, and ignite the right people. Ignite is a leadership conference featuring world-class speakers 🎤, incredible peer-to-peer interaction 🤝, and an energizing atmosphere ⚡️. Ignite will equip you with everything you need to grow your leadership skills—or those of your entire team! 📈 👥
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| Thanks to our presenting sponsor and sponsor of the next four seasons of IgniteCast, iHeartMedia! | | IgniteCast Season 4 is out! | |
Meet your hosts, Judd and Taylor! The Community Development Foundation is excited to relaunch Season 4 of IgniteCast, presented by iHeartMedia. In this season, we’re sparking fresh conversations with dynamic leaders across Tupelo and Lee County—all centered on one big question: How can YOU lead in your community?
🎧 New episodes drop every other Thursday, packed with insight, inspiration, and actionable ideas to help you grow as a leader, right where you are.
Visit 👉 www.TheIgniteCast.com to listen or anywhere you listen to podcasts!
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The Renasant Center for IDEAs💡is a regional business incubator in Tupelo/Lee County, Mississippi, operated by the Community Development Foundation, that helps create and support the entrepreneurial💼spirit of our community.
Find resources to start, grow, or relocate a business to Lee County. Discover unique programs and support services for women-owned and minority-owned businesses. Entrepreneurs looking to build and grow business will find strength in Northeast Mississippi’s diversity and a commitment to innovation and sustainability.
| | | |  | The Pitch Small Business Plan Competition Finalists have been chosen! | Tj's Animation, Terrence Green, Mentor: David Henson | SNAP!, Natalie Rene Wilson, Mentor: David Henson | Gulf Spore, Brandi Brown, Mentor: Rennaissance Community Loan Fund | Daddy-O TV Network, Dale Rushing, Mentor: Rennaissance Community Loan Fund | ReClaim, Tanner Marlow, Mentor: Jeri & Geoff Carter | TreTech, Trenton Robinson, Mentor: Bev Crossen & Brittany Gray | | |
Get help for your small business!
The Small Business Development Center provides a variety of FREE services to more than 10,000 start-up and ongoing small businesses. The services include individual counseling, workshops, and information exchange.
The SBDC assists in the development of business plans, marketing, management, innovation development, and financial planning. A business counselor is available in the Renasant Center for IDEAs to assist those considering becoming tenants and to assist the tenants as they develop and grow.
Small Business Development Center
Tupelo Office:
Renasant Center for IDEAs
398 E Main St., Room 102
662-816-5230
| | | We could not do what we do without our many members! CDF is poised to succeed and collectively make Tupelo/Lee County, Mississippi a better place to live and to work. | |
CDF Chamber Connection is one of the ways your CDF membership works for your business. This monthly newsletter, sponsored by Office Furniture Warehouse, keeps members updated on CDF events and news. Our aim is to be a concise, yet valuable information resource.
This newsletter is published the third Tuesday of each month.
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If you have any questions, please let me know!
Hi! I'm Taylor Tutor, Director of Marketing for CDF. Every month, we put together a newsletter designed to keep you informed, engaged, and encouraged as a CDF member.
If you would like to place an ad in our Members Corner, or have any questions about the CDF Newsletter, please feel free to contact me. I look forward to helping you make the most of your CDF membership.
Thanks!
Taylor Tutor
Director of Marketing
ttutor@cdfms.org
662-842-4521
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