Chamber President’s Greeting—January 2007
The Osceola-South Mississippi County Chamber of Commerce has a long-practiced tradition of fine, southern hospitality. We are a friendly, open community where you are always assured a warm welcome. We take pride in maintaining our agricultural heritage while building a solid industrial base.
Osceola was one of the first communities named an Arkansas Community of Excellence (ACE), a standard by which we excel every year. Entergy’s Teamwork Arkansas recognizes Osceola as a TeamCity Partner for demonstrating a high degree of Economic Development Preparedness. Osceola and South Mississippi County are part of the countywide Great River Economic Development Association which initiated the passage of a one-half cent sales tax dedicated to manufacturing and job growth. GREDA successfully recruited new manufacturers to the area and assists with expansion of existing industries, including American Greeting, CYRO Industries, DENSO Arkansas, Systex and Creative Foods. New industrial projects to the area this year include Telling Industries and the Plum Point Power Station, a 665 megawatt coal-fired power generator.
We enjoy a wealth of other assets that make our community an ideal site for business and industry. We have mainline rail, interstate highway, an 11,000 foot runway, and river transportation via our slack-water harbor, along with a progressive local government that provides the best city services in the area and a growing economy.
In our continuous effort to improve our area through partnering with industry, business and residents, the Chamber formed “Partners for Progress” two years ago. This joint effort between the Chamber and city government is a think-tank of local leaders who are mapping out strategic plans of growth for the community. Quality of life and increasing educational standards are also cooperative efforts. Our innovative efforts with charter school education have been subject of featured articles in the Wall Street Journal and Time Magazine.
Osceola is fortunate to have the Main Street Arkansas Program working to preserve and revitalize our historic downtown commercial district. Downtown Osceola is a National Trust Historic District with fourteen buildings on the National Register. The National Trust selected Osceola and four other communities in a three-year model program called the Rural Heritage Delta Initiative designed to revitalize our historic district by capitalizing on our rich heritage.
In Osceola and South Mississippi County, we proudly preserve our heritage while building our future. Our Chamber welcomes you to become a part of our growing membership and join us as we reinvent Hometown USA.
Sincerely,
Sally Longo Wilson
President
Osceola-South Mississippi County Chamber of Commerce
