CREATE Foundation has a distinguished history of highly effective community engagement as the leading regional community development organization in northeast Mississippi. Capitalizing on those strengths, in 1995, CREATE formed the Commission on the Future of Northeast Mississippi to strengthen regional unity and cooperation. The purpose of the Commission is to strengthen regional cooperation and unity by engaging in regional community development.
Through regional representation, Commission members mobilize their communities on key issues related to the economic, educational, and health initiatives.
Regional goals
- Accelerate per capita income growth
- Increase educational attainment
- Help develop a diversified economy
- Complete four-lane highway construction
- Improve local communities/counties
Education Initiatives*
- Media Alliance Campaigns
- Dropout Prevention Summits
- Dropout Recovery Initiatives
- Tuition Guarantee Program
-
Early Childhood Education
-
Districts of Innovation Legislation
REGIONAL Initiatives*
- Leadership Programs
- Improved Broadband Access (MEGAPOP)
- MSU-UM Task Force on Regional Development
-
Racial Reconciliation (Mission Mississippi)
-
Quarterly Development Roundtables
- Highway Improvement (GET SMART)
- *In cooperation with numerous partners
Regional Reports
Commission Members
Alcorn
Ray McClellan
John Mercier
Lane Williams Yoder
Benton
Jack Gadd
Bill Renick-Chairman
Calhoun
Sheila Freely
Rita Talford
Chickasaw
Patsy Gregory
Millette Nabors
Clay
Kevin Flurry
Eddie Longstreet
Itawamba
Dr. Jay Allen
B.J. Canup
Lafayette
Kurt Brummett
Randy Leister
David Magee
Jon Maynard
Lee
Lindsay Brett
Kim Jeffares
Paul Mize, Jr.
Tommy Scott
Kenneth Wheeler
Lowndes
Matt Bogue
Katie McCrary
Stephanie Woodard
Marshall
Dr. Gemma Beckley
Riley Bennett
Justin Hall
Monroe
Chelsea Baulch
Jim Edwards
Marilyn Sumerford
Monroe
Chelsea Baulch
Jim Edwards
Jean Pinkley
Oktibbeha
Nicole Thomas
Lee Ann Turner
Chuck Ware
Pontotoc
Phyllis Ford High
Matt Koon
Prentiss
Dr. Ricky Ford
Ronny Rowland
Tippah
Chris Lewellen
Kyle Smith – Vice Chairman
Tishomingo
Beth Davis
Harold Lomenick
Union
Suzy Bowman
Phil Morris
Billye Jean Stroud
At Large
Denotee Martin
Eddie Prather
Bill Stone
Emeritus
Kenny Dill
Dr. Gloria Kellum
Sandy Williams
Hassell Franklin (1935-2023)
Bobby Martin (1933-2020)
Jack Reed, Sr. (1924-2016)
University
William Nicholas
Jim Martin
State of the Region Meeting
May 8, 2024
Cadence Bank Arena
