Outgoing East Mississippi Business Development Corporation board chairman Manny Mitchell reflected on this year's successes for the organization. Some of the highlights, he said, included 62 ribbon cuttings for small businesses in the area and the construction of the NEW Call Center.

With a handshake and the exchange of the gavel, incoming chairman Bud Thompson accepted the challenge of the future.

Thompson said he looks forward to building upon what is already established.

"We've got a program going and we have a good staff and they do a great job and we don't want to change anything," said Thompson. "We just want to continue to strengthen this community to do better things in the future."

Keynote speaker Kimberly Alyn said the way the EMBDC can strengthen its momentum is by practicing integrity and good leadership skills.

"Leadership is the foundation of any business, so it's the trickle-down philosophy," said Alyn. "If we can get leadership principles installed in the top and funnel them down."

EMBDC looks to finalize the new branding campaign for Meridian and Lauderdale County. It has been four years in the making and developers say they hope this will bring more businesses and people to this area.

"They have an opportunity available to them right now," said Alyn. "They've got this new branding campaign and if they run out to shoot with that, with strong leadership, they are going to kick some serious butt."

Thompson said he hopes the community and local business support continues to help push the organization forward.

"But without those members and their financial support, we could not exist," said Thompson. "So it's very important that we continue to grow our membership."