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
John Mercier
Brandon Quinn
Lane Williams Yoder
Benton
Jack Gadd
Carol Green Orman
Calhoun
Sheila Freely
Rita Talford
Chickasaw
Kirby Dendy
Patsy Gregory
Clay
Kevin Flurry
Eddie Longstreet
Kenny Dill
Itawamba
Dr. Jay Allen
B.J. Canup
Lafayette
Kurt Brummett
Mary Martha Crowe
Dr. Gloria Kellum
Judge Tiffany Kilpatrick
Randy Leister
William Nicholas
Bradley Roberson
Lee
Dr. Lindsay Brett
Kim Jeffares
Paul Mize, Jr.
Eddie Prather
Tommy Scott
Kenneth Wheeler
Lowndes
Matt Bogue
Rita Felton
Katie McCrary – Vice Chair
Rob Winklepleck
Marshall
Dr. Gemma Beckley
Justin Hall
Tim Liddy
Bill Stone
Monroe
Kelly Martin
Jim Edwards
Marilyn Sumerford
Oktibbeha
Dr. Lenora Hogan
Julie Jordan
Nicole Thomas
Lee Ann Turner
Chuck Ware
Pontotoc
Gary Golden
Phyllis Ford High
Shelly Johnstone
Prentiss
Dr. Ricky Ford
Ronny Rowland
Tippah
Chris Lewellen
Dr. Barbara McMillin
Kyle Smith – Chair
Tishomingo
Beth Davis
Harold Lomenick
Union
Marquel Conner
Matt Thompson
Denotee Martin
At Large
Dr. Barbara McMillin
Eddie Prather
Bradley Roberson
Bill Stone
University
Julie Jordan
William Nicholas
Emeritus
Kenny Dill
Dr. Gloria Kellum
Denotee Martin
Guy Mitchell III
Bill Renick
Sandy Williams
Hassell Franklin (1935-2023)
Bobby Martin (1933-2020)
Jack Reed, Sr. (1924-2016)