The Vicksburg-Warren County Chamber of Commerce hosted an initial planning meeting last week as local leaders met with the executive team of Vision First Advisors and worked to align all institutions’ expectations on process and outcomes of the creation of a community-wide economic development strategic plan over the next six months.

Vision First Advisors’ President and CEO, Gray Swoope, praised the city and county leaders for their commitment to building a successful economic development program and highlighted the fact that both public entities were at the table and engaged, signals huge possibilities for success in economic development.

Board of Supervisors President Richard George, Vice President John Arnold, and Supervisor Charles Selmon attended the meetings over the course of the day. Councilman Alex Monsour and Mike Mayfield represented the city. Members of the boards of the Chamber of Commerce and EDF, School Superintendent Chad Shelly, as well as the members of the Warren County Port Commission also attended the planning meetings.

Vision First Advisors facilitated three different meetings during the day and explained to the leadership groups the process the consulting firm will follow in the next six months to prepare an action oriented strategic plan. Among the activities Vision First Advisors will execute in the coming months are one-on-one interviews with economic development stakeholders and members of the community at-large, online surveys where community members can provide input, and a series of benchmarking exercises between Warren County and other successful communities across the nation.

Arnold was positive about the initial meeting and sees this process to be vital to job creation, which is “a top priority for the Warren County Board of Supervisors.”

“I believe the creation of this strategic plan is right on target with what we need if we want to create good jobs for Warren County residents,” Arnold said. “I see the different organizations in our community united and organized like I have never seen before and I like that the business community is very much a part of this process. The county has always played a key role in driving economic development success for our community and I do not believe this time will be any different.”

Mark Buys, Chairman of the Vicksburg Warren County Chamber of Commerce expressed his satisfaction with the first set of meetings.

“We have taken an important step towards developing what will be a truly innovative economic development plan for our community,” Buys said. “It is a good day when you have a true public-private effort focusing on the agenda of jobs for the residents of Warren County. That is what this process is all about, the development of a plan that helps us retain and create high paying jobs.”

Monsour agreed.

“I cannot emphasize enough the city’s commitment to economic development,” Monsour said. “We are working nonstop at the city to help move economic development forward, and this plan will help us define an innovative economic development agenda that will accelerate job creation and make Vicksburg the world class city it is meant to be.”