Press Releases

Media Information

Hot off the press!

Questions? Contact Maddin Hutto at 662-842-4521

Welcome to The Community Development Foundation Media and Press Release page. If you are a member of the media, please contact us and ask to be placed on our Media Contact list.

Each Press Conference and Press Event will include a press packet with printed and digital media in it for your use. Below you will find a listing of recent press releases. Please select one for more information and a corresponding downloadable PDF of each announcement. If you have any other questions about a press event, please contact Maddin Hutto at 662.842.4521, or email her at mhutto@cdfms.org

Tupelo ranked seventh in the nation

03/01/2024

The Tupelo region has been named to Site Selection magazine’s list of most active micropolitan areas for corporate facility investments in 2023. Tupelo ranked seventh in the nation among the 538 micropolitan areas designated by the United States Office of Management and Budget. Since 2005, this is the 14th time the Tupelo region has been named to the list.  

STATE OF THE COUNTY

01/02/2024

Providing the people of Lee County with the best and most efficient county services is of utmost importance to me, and I believe it is the duty of your Lee County Board of Supervisors. Lee County has a proven history of good service and we have continued that trend this year. Many talented individuals work behind the scenes with the Board, and I would like to thank and recognize them for all they do for Lee County.

$4 million federal Economic Development Initiative grant

08/04/2023

A $4 million federal Economic Development Initiative grant, made available through the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, was recently awarded to the Sand Creek Wastewater Authority (SCWA). SCWA services wastewater treatment to residents in Lee County. This funding award comes in large part from support by Lee County’s federal leadership to help offset wastewater service costs.  

$13.975 million and will create 80 jobs

06/13/2023

Jackson, Miss. (June 13, 2023) – Unmanned aerial systems designer and manufacturer Hush Aerospace is locating operations in Tupelo. The project represents a corporate investment of $13.975 million and will create 80 jobs. Hush Aerospace will establish a state-of-the-art facility for the assembly, manufacturing, testing and evaluation of UAS in Tupelo.

by Consultant Connect

06/01/2023

KALAMAZOO, Michigan – Consultant Connect, a consulting agency designed to bridge the gap between economic developers and site consultants, announces its 2023 list of North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers. The economic development professionals selected for this list were nominated by their colleagues in both the economic development and site location consulting industries for excellent practices, innovation and success in building the communities they serve.

for New and Expanding Industries in 2022

03/02/2023

The Tupelo region has been named to Site Selection magazine’s list of most active micropolitan areas for new and expanding facilities in 2022. Tupelo ranked ninth in the nation among the 543 micropolitan areas designated by the United States Office of Management and Budget. Since 2005, this is the 13th time the Tupelo region has been named to the list.   

By Phil Morgan President, Lee County Board of Supervisor

01/09/2023

It has been an honor serving the great citizens of Lee County for the past 23 years. Witnessing first-hand the growth and prosperity which has occurred through the years has been profoundly rewarding. I am pleased to highlight some of the significant achievements during my tenure on the Lee County Board of Supervisors and this past year 2022.

Job Fairs

12/22/2022

The sudden and unfortunate layoff Tuesday, November 22, of 1,000 United/Lane employees shook the area. The Community Development Foundation (CDF) responded quickly and started planning a regional job fair to create immediate job opportunities for those affected to restart their careers and provide for their families.

2021-2022

05/05/2022

The Community Development Foundation closed its year May 1, and it was my pleasure to have served as Chairman this past program year. It was year two of a global pandemic where we found ourselves dealing with isolation, separation, and COVID-19 surges. But I believe this year will be remembered most by how our community remained unified and stayed the course of community achievement and economic development despite the disruptions.

For new and expanding facilities in 2021

03/07/2022

Tupelo, Miss. (March 7, 2022)- The Tupelo region has been named to Site Selection magazine’s list of most active micropolitan areas for new and expanding facilities in 2021. Tupelo ranked second in the nation among the 551 micropolitan areas designated by the United States Office of Management and Budget. Since 2005, this is the twelfth time the Tupelo region has been named to the list.

IGNITE CONFERENCE 2022

01/11/2022

Presented by the Community Development Foundation (CDF) for the fifth year in a row, IGNITE 2022 will take place Thursday, January 13, at The Orchard (1379 N Coley Rd., Tupelo). Offering both a morning and afternoon session, IGNITE is a half-day leadership summit featuring speakers who will inspire attendees to lead and create desired change within their organizations and communities.

Sandman Bedding is creating 25 jobs with a $2.3 million corporate investment

12/20/2021

Sandman Bedding, manufacturer of bedding and mattresses, is locating operations in Belden. The project is a $2.3 million corporate investment and will create 25 jobs.

...from the International Economic Development Council.

10/04/2021

David P. Rumbarger, Jr., CEcD FM, President & CEO of the Community Development Foundation, received the Jeffrey A. Finkle Organizational Leadership Award from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC).

New logo, new brand identity

09/29/2021

Community Development Foundation (CDF), the agency charged with providing chamber of commerce, economic development and planning and property management services for Tupelo/Lee County, Mississippi, is excited to announce the launching of a rebrand. The change comes after an almost two-year evaluation of how the CDF branding and materials could better reflect how CDF impacts the community.

Data processor and software company bringing 50 jobs to Lee County

09/20/2021

Carmigo, a new software company, is locating its headquarters in Tupelo. The project will create 50 jobs. Carmigo is an online vehicle marketplace connecting individual sellers with dealers in a one-day auction. The company builds listings for individuals looking to sell a vehicle and then posts them in the marketplace where dealers compete with one another.

Investing approximately $660,000 in the project

08/16/2021

Waste Management, the leading provider of comprehensive waste management in North America, is adding 330 remote workplace opportunities in Mississippi. WM will invest approximately $660,000 in the project, or $2,000 per job, for equipment and workstations, which will enable employees to work from a remote location.

Investing $39.5 Million & Adding 125 Jobs

09/03/2020

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems  is increasing its manufacturing capacity in Shannon to accommodate the addition of three national security components/technologies manufacturing projects for the U.S. Dept. of Defense. The project is a $39.5 million corporate investment and will create 125 jobs.

Investing $22 Million & Adding 130 Jobs

08/03/2020

Jackson, Miss. (Aug. 3, 2020) – Ashley Furniture Industries, Inc. is expanding operations at its facilities in Verona and Saltillo. The expansions represent a combined corporate investment of $22 million and will create a total of 130 jobs across the two facilities.

www.hoteltupelo.com

06/01/2020

The Tupelo Redevelopment Agency (TRA) and the City of Tupelo are excited about the opportunity to partner with the Thrash Group, LLC, a hotel development group based in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, on a boutique hotel in downtown Tupelo. The Thrash Group is a national boutique hotel developer with current projects in Austin, Texas; Golden, Colorado; Lexington, Kentucky; and Raleigh, North Carolina.

Virtual Annual Meeting

05/01/2020

Tupelo, Miss. (May 1, 2020) – With social distancing still in effect, the Community Development Foundation (CDF) will virtually host its annual meeting this year via social media. Typically held the first Thursday in May, CDF’s annual meeting and open house event has historically been an opportunity for all CDF members to gather and enjoy an evening of food and fellowship while networking with other members. The annual meeting portion of the event is required per the by-laws of CDF as it officially marks the passing of the gavel from the outgoing CDF board of directors’ chairman to the incoming chairman. It is also the time when the new CDF board of directors is announced, and accomplishments of the past year are reviewed.

To CDF Members

03/13/2020

The health and wellbeing of CDF members and businesses are of the utmost importance. CDF is committed to promoting a positive business climate in Tupelo-Lee County. As the Coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to spread, we encourage businesses to utilize the resources linked below to help develop plans to address this issue and keep employees healthy.

For New and Expanded Facilities

03/02/2020

Tupelo, Miss. (March 2, 2020)- The Tupelo region has been named to Site Selection magazine’s list of most active micropolitan areas for new and expanding facilities in 2019. Tupelo ranked second in the nation among the 551 micropolitan areas designated by the United States Office of Management and Budget. Since 2005, this is the eleventh time the Tupelo region has been named to the list. Site Selection also named Tupelo as Mississippi’s Micropolitan of the Decade, finishing inside the top 10 for the seventh year in a row.

Adding 90 Jobs and 4.1 Million in Investment

01/28/2020

Tupelo, Miss. (Jan. 28, 2020) – Polyurethane foam manufacturer Innocor is increasing production at its two facilities in Baldwyn. The expansion marks a $4.1 million corporate investment and will create 90 jobs.

WWW.IGNITELEADERSHIP.COM

01/17/2020

A sold-out crowd with 720 tickets distributed, community leaders from all over Mississippi and parts of Alabama, Tennessee and Texas, gathered at The Orchard today to attend the Community Development Foundation’s (CDF) one-day leadership conference, IGNITE.

Looking Back at the Past Decade

01/12/2020

Success in economic development is the goal of every community and it comes from well thought out strategy and purposeful execution. The Community Development Foundation (CDF) has spent the past decade developing infrastructure, land, buildings and people in order to reach success and growth for Tupelo/Lee County.

Partnership for CDF Member Employees

08/23/2019

Employees of Community Development Foundation member organizations now have more reason than ever to think about enrolling at the University of Mississippi’s Tupelo campus.  CDF and Ole Miss announced Friday a scholarship partnership that would provide additional financial aid for those individuals seeking to begin or continue their education.

Creating 100 Jobs

08/22/2019

Tupelo, Miss. (Aug. 22, 2019) –BancorpSouth Bank (NYSE: BXS) is increasing capacity at its Jackson Street Campus in Tupelo to accommodate the company’s rapid growth. The project, a more than $15-million corporate investment, will create 100 jobs.

Middle College is Established

08/02/2019

Beginning in May of 2021, Tupelo, Mississippi, will be graduating high school seniors that will also have completed a two year Associates College degree.  In conjunction with the Marchbanks Tuition Guarantee program and this new Middle College opportunity, the talent in Tupelo, Mississippi, will be set apart and ready for the opportunities of the future.

Creating 25 Jobs

05/07/2019

Tupelo, Miss. (May 7, 2019) – Engineering services company, Hyperion Technology Group, Inc., is expanding operations in Tupelo and making a corporate investment of $500,000 that will create 25 jobs.  “We are excited about Hyperion’s expansion and the continued growth of this local company. These high-paying, high-tech jobs will be a great boost for our local economy,” said Tupelo Mayor Jason Shelton.

Electromagnetic Systems Adding 75 Jobs in Shannon

03/26/2019

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems is increasing its manufacturing capacity in Shannon to accommodate the addition of a new product line. The project is a $50-million corporate investment and will create 75 jobs over five years. The expansion was announced during the 2019 International Homeland Defense and Security Summit Gov. Phil Bryant is hosting in Biloxi.

For New And Expanded Industries

03/04/2019

The Tupelo region has been named to Site Selection magazine’s list of most active micropolitan areas for new and existing industries in 2018. Tupelo ranked fifth in the nation among the 575-micropolitan areas designated by the United States Census Bureau. Since 2005, this is the tenth time the Tupelo region has been named to the list.

Ignite Leadership Conference

02/11/2019

Tupelo, Miss. (Jan. 17, 2019)– A sold out crowd of over 700 community leaders from all over Mississippi and parts of Alabama and Tennessee, gathered at the Orchard today to attend the Community Development Foundation’s (CDF) one-day leadership summit, IGNITE. 

Sutter Street Manufacturing Creating 350 Jobs

12/06/2018

Sutter Street Manufacturing, a wholly-owned subsidiary of specialty home furnishings retailer Williams-Sonoma, Inc., is expanding its upholstered furniture manufacturing operations by opening a facility in Baldwyn, Miss., in Lee County. The project will result in the creation of 350 jobs over five years..

A message from our President and CEO

03/22/2018

We always want the news to be great when talking about our home Tupelo and North Mississippi. Earlier this week, an article appeared in the New York Times outlining its interpretation of national political elections on local economies. The article contained misleading information about Tupelo; consequently, misrepresenting our current economic reality. This response is not to justify or take a political position, but to the data presented in the article.