The Partnership’s highest level of private sector contributors, including the community’s most involved business leaders, comprise the Committee of 100. These community leaders work to shape a prosperous local business climate for today and for the future. The members meet quarterly to share ideas and information and to stay updated with current economic trends and issues that affect the Partnership and the community.

Committee of 100

Outstanding achievements by businesses and individuals in the arena of community development and service are recognized through seven coveted awards presented at the annual banquet of the Greater Starkville Development Partnership.

R. Clay Simmons Exemplary Enterprise Award

Given in memory of R. Clay Simmons, an exemplar of Starkville’s finest in community and business leadership, this award recognizes firms that have made outstanding contributions to the community and have manifested superior business practices.

Initiated in 1995, the award is given annually to a for-profit business firm in the greater Starkville area by the R. Clay Simmons Foundation through the Chamber of Commerce Division of the Greater Starkville Development Partnership.

Past Recipients
2010 – Metrocast
2009 – Prudential Starkville Properties
2008 – Thomas Shelton Jones and Associates
2007 – T.E. Lott and Company
2006 – Bell Building Supply
2005 – The Book Mart
2004 – East Mississippi Lumber Company
2003 – Coldwell Banker SRE Realtors
2002 – Starkville Buses
2001 – Bulldog Deli
2000 – VanLandingham Lumber Company
1999 – Sullivan’s Office Supply
1998 – National Bank of Commerce
1997 – C.C. Clark Inc.
1996 – Millsaps Chevrolet-Pontiac-Buick-GMC, Inc.
1995 – Mullins Department Store

T. E. Veitch Community Service Award

The most prestigious recognition of accorded by the Greater Starkville Development Partnership each year is the T. E. Veitch Community Service Award. The award recognizes members of the community who have performed outstanding community service and civic contributions.

Past Recipients
2010 – Bill Poe
2009 – Jeremiah Dumas & Tammy Tyndall Carlisle
2008 – Keith Remy
2007 – Dr. Ann Mitchell
2006 – Dr. Fenton Peters
2005 – Dr. Charles and Pat Lee
2004 – Joan Wilson
2003 – Armando de la Cruz
2002 – Jack Wallace
2001 – Rex Buffington
2000 – Joe and Leota Cardwell
1999 – Eleanor “Pinks” Dudley
1998 – Maurice Evans
1997 – Roland Jones
1996 – Tommy Tomlinson
1995 – William H. Ward
1994 – Frank Chiles
1993 – Wilson Ashford
1992 – Lewis Mallory
1991 – Peggy Mullins
1989 – Honey Johnston
1988 – Beverly K. Jones
1987 – L.L. Mullins, Sr.
1986 – Jorga Turnipseed
1985 – Rosa Stewart
1984 – Jack Cook
1983 – John Mitchell
1982 – R. Clay Simmons
1981 – Wilburn R. Sudduth
1980 – Margo Swain
1979 – John R. Arnold

Crystal Pineapple Tourism Award

The pineapple has been the symbol of hospitality since Colonial times. The Crystal Pineapple Tourism Award recognizes and celebrates the success of an individual, business, or organization that has contributed significantly to the success of tourism in the Starkville community. Award recipients are selected by the Partnership’s Convention and Visitors Bureau division.

Past Recipients
2010 – Oktibbeha County Heritage Museum
2009 – Mississippi State University Athletic Department
2008 – Starkville Area Arts Council
2007 – Coach Ron Polk and the MSU Baseball Team
2006 – Mississippi Horse Park
2005 – Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Committee
2004 – Chief Lindley and the Starkville Police Department
2003 – The late Dr. Joe Cardwell and Leota Cardwell
2002 – Larry Templeton
2001 – Dr. Donald Zacharias

Service to the Military Award

Awarded annually, the Service to the Military Award recognizes organizations and individuals who have provided significant service to the military community of Oktibbeha County. The award may be given for a single significant event or in recognition of sustained support over the years. View the award criteria and nomination procedure.

Past Recipients
2010 – Bill Poe and Joan Wilson
2009 – Gulf States Manufacturing
2008 – Starkville Daily News

Starkville Area Education Hall of Fame Award

The Education Hall of Fame Award recognizes area residents who have achieved state, regional, and national recognition in the field of education. It honors those who have achieved distinction in the field of education through their teaching, research, writing, academic achievements, and professional society participation.

Past Recipients
2010 – Ms. Robin Dibble, Dr. Denise Rowan, and Mr. Bill Simmons
Previous recipients

Oktibbeha County Industry of the Year Award

This award goes to an industry that has shown excellence in the previous year in innovation, growth, community involvement or leadership.  The winner is selected by the OCEDA board of directors and the criteria are based on many factors outside of specific growth numbers and hard data.

Past Recipients
2010 – Clark Beverage Group
2009 – Weavexx
2008 – Gulf States Manufacturers
2007 – MFJ Enterprises
2006 – SemiSouth Laboratories
2005 – ClientLogic
2004 – Oktibbeha County Hospital
2003 – Synergetics
2002 – Weavexx
2001 – MPI Software Technology, Inc.
2000 – Garan Manufacturing
1999 – Southwire
1998 – FESCO

Ambassador of the Year Award

Each year the Ambassadors select one of their own members to be recognized as Ambassador of the Year. This recognition is based on outstanding dedication and service, as well as creative thinking and enthusiasm for our community. This often manifests in special projects or activities that become important contributions to our community and the Greater Starkville Development Partnership.

Past Recipients
2010 – Libby Gerald
2009 – Carolyn Jackson
2008 – Regina Byrne
2007 – Peggy Buckley
2006 – Melanie Linder
2005 – Phil Hartness
2004 – Paige Hunt
2003 – Jeff Donald

Much of the Partnership’s work is carried out through committees staffed by business leaders and other representatives of the larger community.

Ambassadors

Partnership ambassadors represent a cross-section of our diverse business sector. They assist and support the Partnership in many ways. Examples include helping to host Business After Hours sessions and other events, participating in ribbon cuttings, welcoming new members into the Partnership, and conducting member visits during May Member Appreciation Month.

Education Committee

Education and business leaders in Starkville and Oktibbeha County who want to work for the betterment of education in our community serve on this committee. Standing members are the superintendants of the Starkville School District and the Oktibbeha County School District, the headmaster of Starkville Academy, the principal of Starkville Christian School, a representative of East Mississippi Community College, administrators of Mississippi State University, and representatives of the Starkville and Oktibbeha County business community. Programs conducted by the committee include Mississippi Scholars, Education Hall of Fame, and Project CLASS. The committee enlists a broader group of volunteers to carry out specific projects.

Committee of One Hundred

The Partnership’s highest level of private sector contributors, including the community’s most involved business leaders, comprise the Committee of 100. These community leaders work to shape a prosperous local business climate for today and for the future. The members meet quarterly to share ideas and information and to stay updated with current economic trends and issues that affect the Partnership and the community. View a list of Members

Military Affairs Committee

Actively supporting the military community in our area is the focus of this committee. The group’s projects include a Memorial Day parade and ceremony at the Oktibbeha County Courthouse in downtown Starkville. Each year the committee also assists the Mississippi State University athletic department with the Veteran’s Day football game. The committee is currently seeking funds for a new veteran’s memorial.

Miss Hospitality Committee

Volunteers serving on this committee plan and direct the local Miss Hospitality pageant and support the efforts of the young lady named Miss Hospitality for Starkville. They assist her as she prepares for the state-level pageant and help coordinate her plan of work for the year.

Starkville Young Professionals

This fairly autonomous group was originally an initiative of the Small Business Development Committee. The monthly meetings typically include a speaker plus time for networking among our community’s young professionals (those under 40). The group often takes on fundraising projects for worthy causes, such as the tuition guarantee project and the annual Souper Bowl fundraiser for the United Way.

Christmas Parade Committee

The Christmas parade is anticipated eagerly by the community’s children and adults alike. Members of the parade committee encourage participation by businesses, nonprofit and civic organizations, church groups, educational institutions, and other groups that work with children. Members secure the help of volunteers, and they create publicity and enthusiasm for the event.

Starkville Business Exchange

Local entrepreneurs meet monthly for a roundtable session to share ideas and develop a mutually beneficial network of outside-the-box thinkers. The roundtable is led by the participants themselves, but the Partnership helps by coordinating meeting locations and hosts and by providing other resources

Chamber Board

Important Contacts

• Austin Shafer,  GSDP – 662-323-3322, [encode_email email="ashafer@starkville.org"]
• Hamp Beatty, Small Business Development Center – (662)325-8684, [encode_email email="phb8@msstate.edu"]
• Gerald Nelson, Director, Technology Commercialization -(662)325-8223, [encode_email email="gnelson@engr.msstate.edu"]
• Robbie Coblentz, Entrepreneur’s roundtable -(662) 324-2489, [encode_email email="robbie@broadcastmediagroup.com"]

Important Websites and Online Resources

• City of Starkville Privilege License
• Information on how to establish a business in Mississippi
• FAQ’s from the Secretary of State’s office
• List of meeting and convention facilities available in Starkville
• MDA’s Entrepreneur’s Toolkit (PDF)

To create a supportive climate for entrepreneurs in Starkville and Oktibbeha County, the Chamber of Commerce facilitated the formation of the Starkville Business Exchange. At the group’s monthly gathering, local entrepreneurs share ideas and discuss topics of common interest.

Meetings are held at the Greater Starkville Development Partnership on the third Friday of each month, 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Contact Austin Shafer for more information at 662-323-3322 or visit the Starkville Business website.

Enhancing the leadership capabilities of emerging and experienced leaders in Starkville and Oktibbeha County is the objective of the Forum for Oktibbeha County Leadership Development. The Forum is sponsored by the Greater Starkville Development Partnership and managed by the Mississippi State University Extension Service.

Helping participants develop a good foundation in leadership concepts and skills forms the core of the program. In addition, sessions are offered on economic development, community development, and government to round out the learning experience and stimulate creative community action. Participants conduct independent learning projects and community team projects outside the classroom environment.

• View a sample agenda
• Download the reference form
• Download the application form
• View the individual project guidelines
• View the team project guidelines

Application procedures, costs, and scheduling information may be found on the Forum page of the MSU Extension service website.

Past Participants

• 2009-2010 Class
• 2008-2009 Class
• 2007-2008 Class
• 2006-2007 Class
• 2005-2006 Class
• 2004-2005 Class