The Grayson Leadership Conference -- Forward to a Community of Distinction

The Grayson Leadership Conference
was conducted September 11, 2002 at the Grayson Conference Center.

The event was co-sponsored by
the Grayson Tourism and Convention Commission and the Grayson
Area Chamber of Commerce.

The unique agenda was prepared
especially for Area Governmental Officials and Representatives,
Civic Club Members and Leaders, Business Owners or Managers,
Educators, Teachers,Staff and Administration, Nonprofit Managers
and Citizens Interested in Economic Growth/Development

The Chamber is exceedingly grateful
to John Dundon and his committee for the time, effort and skills
they offered to enable the community to host such a valuable
event. Thank you to John, Larry Prichard, Mark Strother, Carol
Fraley, Ramona Salyer and Orathy Gibson for a job very well done.

Watch for details about the conference plus commentary from some of those in attendance.

Dr. Vaughn Grisham

Director

University of Mississippi's McLean Institute

Preliminary report

Grisham has researched the nation looking for outstanding communities and trying to determine
what made them successful. On one such project he compiled his data by asking the government
agencies of each state to nominate such note-worthy communities. As he described his quest,
he wanted them to nominate only those who "did amazing things in ordinary places."

The community model discussed is the "Tupelo Model."

1940 Tupelo, Mississippi
2002 Tupelo, Mississippi
Annual Median Income
for family -- $750 Annual Median Income for family -- $45,000

No jobs -- agriculture economy in decline
59,000
jobs, 202 Industries,45 International Companies

Majority of citizens were illiterate

Community colleges, voc schools and
integrated education to work force system
Poverty
is standard for citizens
Poverty levels now below US averages

Housing poor, inadequate

Substandard housing eliminated by 1975

County is divided into contentious groups

75% white to 25% black

New comers vs. Old families

County Gov't vs. City Gov't

Rich vs. Poor

Community
is led by a strong coordinating organization " Community
Development Foundation" that oversees things that drive
the success of the community -- schools, medical center, recreation,
industrial development, etc.

While things didn't happen overnight, you should note that Tupelo and Lee County made all this
happen without any four-lane highways (they are just now building their first), no scenic beauty
whatsoever (Grisham was careful to describe just how ugly the territory is) and no major cities.

Interested in learning how they turned things around? The rest of the Tupelo Story will be online
soon.

Can't wait till then? Contact Ramona Salyer, John Dundon, Orathy Gibson, or Jill York. Each were
at both seminars and can help fill in the blanks for you.