“This annual conference afforded me the opportunity to make contacts with experienced site selection consultants,” says Hendrix. “I was able to inform them about the many benefits and incentives to working with the Tribe, and describe the variety of industries we are currently serving.”
The conference featured expert guest speakers, breakout sessions, and panel discussions, all with the goal of fostering an interactive sharing of ideas with regard to site selection, as well as a networking opportunity for all attendees.
Hendrix received the Robert M. Ady Professional Scholarship, awarded to only five recipients who must be full-time employees of an economic development organization. These recipients are given a complimentary registration to the Annual Conference, including all activities throughout the event’s duration. This year’s conference was held in March in Atlanta, GA.
As one of the United States’ original first nations, the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians is the only federally recognized American Indian tribe living within the State of Mississippi. With over 11,000 members, Choctaw lands cover over 35,000 acres in 10 counties. Providing permanent, full-time jobs for over 5,000 Tribal-member and non-Indian employees, the Tribe is a major contributor to the state’s economy.
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Tribal Employee Becomes NCCER Certified as Instructor in Electrical and HVAC
CHOCTAW, Miss. -- Brian Robinson currently works for the tribe as the Utility Engineer/Tribal Energy Manager and lives in Carthage, MS with his family. He has been an entrepreneur, having owned and operated Robinson Engineering, and has been the tribe's General...
Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians Receives $450,000 Grant From W.K. Kellogg Foundation
CHOCTAW, Miss. -- The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians has been awarded a $450,000 grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to assist the Tribe in building a community that is food-secure with equitable access to fresh and healthy foods. The grant will be used to...
MBCI Offers NCCER Certification Training to Tribal EmployeesMBCI Offers NCCER Certification Training
CHOCTAW, Miss. -- The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, in partnership with East Central Community College, is offering classes to Tribal employees that will allow them to obtain NCCER Certification. The National Center for Construction Education and Research...
Economic Development Director Encourages Those Thinking of Starting a New Business in 2020 or 2021
CHOCTAW, Miss. -- Although the United States has seen a stagnant economy during much of 2020, the Director of Economic Development for the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians says this is actually an advantageous climate for starting a new business. Director John...
Choctaw Fresh Produce Provides Assistance to Tribe During COVID-19
CHOCTAW, Miss. -- Choctaw Fresh Produce has stepped up to serve the community during the COVID-19 pandemic by delivering over 4,000 pounds of organic produce to Tribal members who were in quarantine. From May through July, the certified organic farm, which typically...
Mississippi Choctaws Receive Grant to Assist with Complete Broadband Coverage for Tribe
CHOCTAW, Miss. -- The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians recently was awarded a grant from First Nations Development Institute in the amount of $15,000. The grant is part of the Building Digital Technology Capacity in Native American Communities Project. "This grant...
Mississippi Choctaws Offering Wi-Fi Access in all Tribal Schools
CHOCTAW, Miss. -- In an effort to provide better access to technology for its students, the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians is now offering Wi-Fi at all Tribal school locations. This includes six elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school on Tribal...
“Beyond Blue” Launches Nationally – Tribe Investing in Video Games, Future
CHOCTAW, Miss. -- The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians has made an investment in the youth of the Tribe by becoming a financial partner in the recently released video game, Beyond Blue. The video game is available for PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Apple Arcade and was...
Mississippi Tribe Sees Opportunity in Luring Chinese Manufacturing
CHOCTAW, Miss -- For many domestic companies, the coronavirus has exacerbated troubles they were already having manufacturing in China, after the U.S. levied large import tariffs last year on Chinese-made goods. The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians sees there might...
John Hendrix
Director of Economic Development
601.650.1607
[email protected]
Office of Economic Development
375 Industrial Road | STE 2
Choctaw, MS 39350
Tribal Businesses
