Feature & Special Section Archives
Sarah Rose Lomenick
Instrumental Member of the “2nd Chance” Team As Program Director of 2nd Chance MS in Oxford, Sarah Rose Lomenick gets to follow her “lifelong passion”
Greenville Projects are on Track
Progress Made on Bypass and Federal Courthouse Two major projects in Greenville will add much to the Delta’s largest city and the region. In December
Billy Johnson
Fourth generation Delta native, Billy Johnson, the President of the MS Wildlife Heritage Museum, Leland Blues Project Director, and Highway 61 Blues Museum curator, is
David Smith Construction
Family Owned and Operated Headquartered in Inverness since 1976, David Smith has been serving the Delta’s construction needs. But in 1983, Smith was looking to
Flatland Development Group
A Penchant for Entrepreneurship By Joey lee The Delta, and all of north Mississippi for that matter, could not wish for a better advocate
Colleen Buyers
By Lyndsi naron Colleen Buyers, Founder of Shared Experiences in Clarksdale, is changing the way the world looks at the agriculture industry. Raised in both
A Little Off the Square
Lumber & Liquidation Serving Tunica Since April, 2023 By jennifer Minyard P K. Miller and her husband Ed are no strangers to running a business.
Illusions & Accessories LLC
Computer Service, Security Equipment and Much More By Catherine Kirk For the past twenty-five years, Illusions and Accessories LLC in Greenwood has grown into a
Boss Fox Estate Sales
Delta Couple Have Become Known As Experts By Jack Criss Cleveland residents and husband and wife, Bob and Wilma Wilbanks, are pharmacists by training and
Courtney Phillips
By Becky Gillette Growing up in Moorhead, one of nine children of the late Dr. A.M. Phillips and his wife Jaquie, Courtney Phillips, South Sunflower
Candi Stone
Reporter and Anchor at WABG in Greenville By Faith Strong When Candi Stone started with WABG in Greenville ten years ago, she did weekend weather.
Sprout
Greenwood Boutique Offers a Great Selection for Babies, Toddlers and Tweens By Leanna Miller Sprout, Greenwood’s newest Childrens’ store, opened its doors this past March.
Lusco’s to Open in Taylor
Long-Time Greenwood Establishment to Begin New Chapter By Becky Gillette Lusco’s in Greenwood is one of the oldest restaurants in Mississippi continuously owned and operated
Young Ideas
Serving the Delta for Fifty Years By Mark H. Stowers They both came from families with a long tradition of retail and customer service in
Hickock-Waekon
Long-time Manufacturer of Diagnostic Equipment By mark h. stowers For the past 100 years, Greenwood-based Hickok Waekon has been in the business of developing and
New Production Studios at Delta State University
Digital Media Art Center Debuts to Rave Reviews By Nathan Duff From Delta State Magazine Spring 2023 Edition Delta State’s trailblazing Digital Media Art Center
Hugh Warren IV
By Mark H. Stowers • Photography By Johnny Jennings Hugh Warren IV is making a difference in the Delta. The fourth generation Greenwood native, Cruger
Hoof N’ Paw Pet Services
A Mobile Pet Care Business Serving the Delta By Lyndsi Naron Candice Hopper has recently started a mobile pet care business, Hoof n Paw Pet
Amazon Wind Farm
Major Economic Boost for Tunica County By Becky Gillette The new Amazon wind farm under construction by AES in Tunica County is not only the
Hopson Hospitality
Longtime Clarksdale Entity Under New Ownership By Catherine Kirk When Clarksdale natives Tate and Chelsea Antici graduated from college and moved to Nashville, Tennessee, it
Justin Burch
By Mark H. Stowers South Mississippi native Justin Burch was named the Executive Director of the Washington County Economic Alliance this past May. The nationally
Onward and Upward
By Brad White Your Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) starts the new state fiscal year strong thanks to the hard work of the men and
Joe Stinchcomb
Successful Businessman and Equitable Entrepreneurship Advocate By Becky Gillette Joe Stinchcomb got into the food and beverage industry after graduating from the University of Mississippi
Entergy Mississippi Celebrates Milestone
Powering the Delta for 100 Years By Checky Herrington Ahundred years ago, Arkansas businessman Harvey Couch was making good on his vision to electrify the
AccelerateMS Serves the Delta
By Jack Criss Kimberley Jones-Gatewood Heads Ecosystem 3 “Mississippi will have a world-class workforce with unlimited, quality career opportunities to create sustained individual, community and
Douglas Freeze
New regional leader in workforce training, economic development by Jack Criss DBJ Contributing Writer Mississippi Delta Community College (MDCC) named Douglas Freeze as its new
Lisa Cookston
Lisa Cookston, a native of Greenwood, was named Executive Director of the Museum of the Mississippi Delta this past January. Cookston spent her youth visiting
Pump Plans Moving Forward
A Major Step for Flood Control By Jack Criss Aproposed water management solution was presented in Vicksburg on May 4 to mitigate flooding in the
Clarksdale Native Named Millsaps Dean
Fiser to Head Else School of Management By Jack Criss Clarksdale native and attorney, Harvey L. Fiser, J.D., was named Dean of the Else School
Tornado Relief
Rolling Fork Tornado Devastation Brings Massive Government and Private Help By Becky Gillette The images of Rolling Fork before and after the EF4 tornado that
Train Derailment
Leflore County Farm Still Contaminated Eight Years After Event By Becky Gillette The February Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, released hundreds of
Entergy’s Cook-Nelson
Oversees Nuclear Operations for Three States By Jack Criss Kimberly Cook-Nelson was named Executive Vice President of Nuclear Operations and Chief Nuclear Officer of Entergy
Albright’s Aquatic Vegetation Removal
Keeping Ponds and Waterways Free of Unwanted Debris By Catherine Kirk As the weather warms with the approaching spring and summer months, many people may
Broadband Expansion Could Lead to Delta Renaissance
Access to High Speed Internet Vital to Rural Communities By Becky Gillette High-speed Internet services including broadband are vital today for personal use, education, healthcare
Women Minority Business Development Center
Delta State Program Provides Resources to Women of Color By Becky Gillette When the Women Minority Business Development Center (WMBDC) was launched at Delta State
New Cyber Unit
Bobby Freeman Named Director By Jack Criss Director Bobby Freeman was selected as director of the Mississippi Cyber Unit within the Mississippi Office of Homeland
Music Tourism Convention
Industry Leaders Coming to Cleveland April 11–14 By Robert McFarland, Jr. An event that has been years in the making will finally take place in
Thoughts from the Lt. Governor’s Office
By Delbert Hosemann Some politicos say the agenda during an election year is always pared down to bare necessities. Not this year. From transportation to
Stonewater Adolescent Recovery Center
Providing Compassionate Care and Treatment By Amile Wilson Quietly nestled on sixty-five acres, Stonewater Adolescent Recovery Center in Oxford has turned one family’s struggle into
Dodie McElmurry
Delta Native Working to Make a Difference in Rural Healthcare Dodie McElmurray, RN, MSN/ MBA, grew up in rural Belzoni, got a nursing degree from
MVSU Highlights
University Supports Students on Multiple Career Paths By Becky Gillette The eighth president of Mississippi Valley State University in Itta Bena, Dr. Jerryl Briggs, Sr.,
Cook Coggin Engineers, Inc.
Longtime Company Opens Delta Office By Jack Criss Cook Coggin Engineers, Inc., a well-respected professional firm with a long, firmly-established base in Northeast Mississippi, has
Gaila Oliver Realty Making Real Estate Dreams Come True
Making Real Estate Dreams Come True By Mark H. Stowers Ajournalist, animal rescuer and real estate specialist all rolled up into one. That’s Gaila Oliver.
Mortimer Funeral Homes
Second Generation of Service By mark h. stowers The Mortimer family were once in the agricultural business, farming catfish, cotton, and soybeans. But in the
Dr. Butch Caston
Interim President is DSU Through and Through By Jack Criss • Photography by Campbell Saia Dr. E. E. “Butch” Caston began serving as the interim
Inflation Reduction Act
Legislation Opposed by All Senate Republicans By Becky Gillette Agriculture is taking a huge hit from drought, extreme heat, flooding and other impacts that scientists
University of Mississippi Chancellor Glenn Boyce
Charting A Thriving New Course By Jack Criss • Photography by Kevin Bain/University of Mississippi Digital Imaging Services Three years into his tenure, University of
Dynamic Washing Solutions
A True new business opens in Clarksdale By Jack Criss Dynamic Washing Solutions, started by entrepreneur Ford True, just recently began operations in True’s hometown
Indianola Electric Company
40 Years of Electrical Knowledge and Skill By Angela Rogalski For forty years, Indianola Electric Company has been ensuring that customers in the Delta have
Delta Row Crop Update
Harvest Well Underway and Looks Promising By mark h. stowers Delta row crop farmers have had their usual battles with mother nature, insects and the
Luke Chamblee
Taking the Hospitality Industry to Another Level By Jack Criss • Photography By Holly Tharp Luke Chamblee has become somewhat of a hotel magnate, with
New Mississippi Equal Pay for Equal Work Act
By Becky Gillette Contains Loopholes That Concern Some In April, Mississippi became the last state in the country to adopt a pay equity law to
Gary Worsham
By Mark H. Stowers • Photography By Beverly Thompson When the crappie are biting, Gary Worsham’s job gets easier. As the Executive Director Grenada Tourism
Skelton Photographie
Creating Those Perfect Wedding and Family Memories By Angela Rogalski Since she was a child, Elizabeth Skelton has always loved taking pictures. However, she became
Fuller Center for Housing
Clarksdale Organization Provides for Those in Need By Jack Criss • Photos courtesy of The Fuller Center Gramm Phillips, Affiliate/Covenant Partner Coordinator for the Clarksdale
Tunica Voice
Veteran Journalist Launches Newspaper By Jack Criss A longtime newspaper journalist has brought local news back to a Delta community that had been without a
Young Entrepreneur Feeds Passion
Ashley Manning Finds Tasty Business Niche By Jack Criss Manning’s Munchies, a food truck in Oxford, is the brainchild of twenty-one-year old Ole Miss student,
Joe Azar
By Mark H. Stowers Joe Azar has mixed the best the Delta has to offer to create sweet economic development across the Magnolia State. These
Betsy Alexander Realty
Greenville Agency Has Been Serving the Delta Since 2007 By Angela Rogalski Betsy Alexander Realty, located in Greenville, is a full service real estate agency
The 2022 Legislative Session
Viewed as Historic and Widely Successful By Jack Criss Teacher pay raises. The state’s largest income tax cut. A new state song (written and performed
Proposed Bike Trail
A Dream Could Create an Economic Boost By Jack Criss • Photography by Johnny Jennings Greenwood native and current Vicksburg-based attorney, Wilson Carroll, is an
MS Teacher Pay Raise
Compensation Will Aid Retention By Becky Gillette The historic teacher pay raise approved by the Mississippi Legislators in mid-March is something that educators, economic developers
Highway Expansion in the Works
Updates will Aid in Revitalization of the Delta By MARK H. STOWERS Updating roadways, highways and byways as well as making smooth pathways for commerce
Charles Finkley Jr.
By Mark H. Stowers Born, raised and educated in Alabama, Charles Finkley Jr. has made a home in North Mississippi helping bring jobs and opportunity
Bank of Anguilla
Small bank making a big difference By Jack Criss Andy Anderson has been with the Bank of Anguilla since 1983. He is now the CEO
Mississippi Day
Inauguaral event to be held at the University of Mississippi in April By Jack Criss On Saturday, April 9 from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.
Childcare Challenges
The “Workforce Behind the Workforce” By Becky Gillette The first obligation of parents is to make sure their children are taken care of. But when
Mississippi Congressional Redistricting
Some Fear Proposed Plan Could Harm the Delta By Becky Gillette Due to population loss in the Delta according to the most recent Census, Mississippi’s
Dudley Barnes
By Mark H. Stowers A career spent helping Delta folks successfully plan for their financial future has kept Dudley Barnes busy. The Clarksdale native, Coahoma
Yazoo Backwater
EPA Decision Halts Construction of Pumps By Becky Gillette There was light at the end of the tunnel. Now it is dark again. That is
John Murry Greenlee
President of BankPlus in Yazoo City What was your first job? I farmed with my father for three years after graduating from Mississippi State University.
Amanda Johnson
By Mark H. Stowers Beginning her educational career in the Delta with Teachers Across America, Amanda Johnson found her calling. The Little Rock, Arkansas native,
Lindsay Jones
Tunica County Prosecutor What was your first job? Working for Tucker, Selden and Tucker law firm in Tunica during the summers in college. Education I
Steve Azar
By Mark H. Stowers It’s said that some folks sing the praises of the Delta, but Steve Azar has literally done this his entire
Staplcotn Turns 100
Successful Cotton Marketing Cooperative for a Century By Becky Gillette Only one half of one percent of American companies survive to celebrate their 100th anniversary.
Tunica Airport
Helping Grow the Area for Two Decades By mark h. stowers The Tunica Airport, a general aviation service airport with no national carriers, has been
IRS Overreach?
Proposal would hurt community banks, has privacy issues By Jack Criss A recent IRS data collection proposal to increase tax information reporting requirements on financial
Eola Hotel Set to Reopen
Delta developer takes role in Natchez project By Jack Criss Yazoo City businessman and developer, Hayes Dent, is part of a developing team–one of whom
Battle Sod Farms
Providing Superior Customer Service By Aimee Robinette Tunica native Paul Battle IV knows just how much greener the grass is on the other side. The
Delta Overland
Experience. Explore. Eat. The Mississippi Delta By jack criss Entrepreneur Stewart Robinson is passionate about creating memorable Delta experiences and sharing them with visitors from
Bio Green Exterior Cleaning
Using Advanced Technology to Provide Superior Results By Aimee Robinette Bio Green Exterior Cleaning is an innovative company that utilizes a new concept of soft
Delta Center Stage and Tim Bixler
The Luckiest Man On The Face Of The Earth By Angela Rogalski Delta Center Stage has been bringing community theatre to Greenville for over forty
Workers Needed
Lack of Labor Greatest Concern for Catfish Growers By Becky Gillette Some people could be under the impression that cheap imports of fish that might
Delta Native Named to D.C. Post
Martha Scott Poindexter to be U.S. Dairy Council COO By Jack Criss Having just served as Staff Director for U.S. Arkansas Senator John Boozman, Ranking
The Vine Bistro in Greenwood
Already a “go to” restaurant in the Delta By Jack Criss Husband and wife, Karyn and Bill Burrus, are co-owners of The Vine Bistro in
Memphis Outpost of Quapaw Canoe Company
Delta Native Matthew Burdine Launches New Business By Becky Gillette Delta native Matthew Burdine has had a love of outdoor adventure and the Mississippi River
Small Delta Towns
By Austin Barbour All of us are biased about “our generation” and “our childhood”, and candidly, I’m no different. From the time I was 10
Ben Lewis
By Mark H. Stowers • Photography by Staci Lewis Growing up in Washington state, Ben Lewis didn’t know anything about the Mississippi Delta. But, when
Dr. Curressia M. Brown
Chair of the Department of Business at Mississippi Valley State University Education I am an educational product of the Meridian Public Schools, Rust College in
Mighty Roots Music Festival
New Event Coming in October By Jack Criss The Mighty Roots Music Festival—coming to Stovall, Mississippi in October, 2021 and staged on the historic Stovall
Webster Franklin
By Aimee Robinette To say Franklin Webster is an interesting transplant/native son would be an understatement. Born in Bad Kreuznach, Germany, Webster, the president and
Mississippi’s First Wind Farm
Development Proposed for Tunica County By Becky Gillette For many years, Mississippi was considered to lack enough consistent and strong winds to generate electricity from
Katie Tackett Mills
By Mark H. Stowers Growing up on a family farm in Sunflower County, Katie Tackett Mills never wandered too far from the Delta dirt. A
An Entrepreneur By Definition
Will Bradham is Forging Ahead in Uncertain Times By Angela Rogalski Creating and operating businesses, both new and established, requires hard work and dedication, not
Gun Demand High
But Shortages Still Remain An Issue By Jack Criss With the ongoing pandemic, the election of 2020 and a new president, gun sales have reached
Key Solutions
A Top-Notch Computer Business Serving Customers Accross the Delta By Aimee Robinette The entire world has changed over the last year, incorporating more technology, and
Best Hands Mobile Service
Keeping the Delta looking clean! By Jack Criss If you’ve recently spotted a sparkling clean office building, car or just about anyplace that looked particularly
Zoe Coffee Co.
A perfect place to enjoy a sip and support ministry By Aimee Robinette It is jokingly said humanity runs on coffee, and while that may
Richie Moore
By Charlotte Buchanan Richie Moore is General Manager of the Public Service Commission of Yazoo City. He is a native of Yazoo County. He
Starkville-Based Company Heads to Sesame Street
Young Mississippi Entrepreneurs Leading the Way in Toy Development Special to Delta Business Journal What began as a college project leveraging technology to spark up
Delta Electric Enters Broadband
Pilot Project Will Serve an Area in Need By JACK CRISS An exciting project for an underserved area is finally underway. David O’Bryan, General Manager
Lisa Konupka
Interactive Marketing Manager, Tunica Convention & Visitors Bureau What was your first job? My first job was working as a cashier at Winn Dixie when
2020 Port Update
Mississippi River Ports are a vital part of the region’s agricultural industry By Mark H. Stowers The Mississippi River remains an efficient and valuable means
Danielle Morgan
By Charlotte Buchanan Danielle Morgan, Executive Director of Visit Greenwood, was born and raised in Yazoo City. Her enthusiasm for the Delta shows in
Drive Plus Determination Equals Success
Promising a Ray of Hope: Sandy Ray is Moving Mississippi Politics By Jack Criss As Chief Executive Officer of her firm, Southern Consulting Associates,
The Village at Madison
Major new development taking shape By jack criss The Village At Madison is a new $50 million, eighteen-acre development in Madison County containing forty-six residential
Heaton Pecans
Family-Owned and Operated For Over Forty Years By Angela Rogalski Heaton Pecans in Lyon, started out as a peach stand, but in 1975 Bill Heaton,
“Proud Southern” Architect
Frances Zook carves impressive niche By Jack Criss • Photography by Laura Negri Childress Frances Flautt Zook doesn’t mind being categorized as a Southern architect.
Blakeman, Brister & Putman Financial Group
Local service, worldwide expertise By Jack Criss Founded in 1957 by Sonny Blakeman, Blakeman, Brister and Putman Financial Group has throughout its history established itself as
Medical Marijuana
Ballot Alternatives Could be Confusing to Voters By Becky Gillette Mississippi could join thirty-four other states in legalizing medical marijuana if voter Initiative Measure No.
Dedicated to the Community
A life well spent caring for people By Jack Criss Patrick Davis is Delta through and through. Born in Cleveland and raised in Greenville, both
New Federal Courthouse in Greenville Will Serve as Economic Catalyst
By Becky Gillette Construction is expected to begin this summer on a new, $40.1 million federal courthouse in downtown Greenville that is expected to provide
Innovative Food? It’s In Clarksdale Levon’s has established outstanding reputation
by Jack Criss DBJ Contributing Writer “We believe we have the best food in the Delta,” states Levon’s Bar and Restaurant owner, Naomi King. The
Greenville Bypass Project Sizable Grant Will Fund the Venture
By Jack Criss Mississippi U.S. Senators Roger Wicker and Cindy Hyde-Smith recently announced a $71.46 million Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant for the Mississippi
Robyn Marlow
By Charlotte Buchanan “Take me to Ruleville,” an advertising slogan for North Sunflower Medical Center has become one of the best known and often
Bad Apple Blues Club Clarksdale Hot Spot Promises Authenticity and Good Times
By Jack Criss Sean Apple may not have been born in the Mississippi Delta; but he says he’s lived here long enough that it almost
Bill’s Custom Automatics Three Generations of Gunsmiths in Shelby
By Mark H. Stowers The name sounds as ordinary as any—Bill’s Custom Automatics. The small white nondescript building in the town of Shelby, the highway
Mississippi Cautiously Reopens Using a State Managed, Locally Executed Approach
By Becky Gillette There is no one-size-fits-all recipe for reopening different kinds of business across Mississippi that have been impacted by closures associated with the
Matt Malouf Using His Love for Selling With Tom James Custom Clothier
By Susan Marquez Matt Malouf has selling in his blood. The Greenwood native’s uncle runs the family furniture store that bears their name. “When I
Laura Beth Strickland
By Charlotte Buchanan • Photography by Ashley Gatian Laura Beth Strickland is a native of Vicksburg and is Executive Director of the Vicksburg Convention and
Mag-Pie Gift & Art Shop Serving Clarksdale for Over a Decade
By Aimee Robinette Mag-Pie Gift & Art Shop is a one-of-a-kind space that has endured for over 108 years. The shop opened in 1912 in
Blue Ridge Foods Bringing Meat Processing to Greenwood
By Susan Montgomery Brian Waldrop, the Greenwood entrepreneur, is excited about Blue Ridge Foods’ plans to open a meat processing and distribution facility in a
Great Strides Made in Adopting More Telemedicine – Healthcare Providers Revise Policies to Respond to Threat
By Becky Gillette Delta hospitals and clinics, along with their counterparts in the rest of the country, drastically changed procedures as cases of the coronavirus
Municipal Leaders Supporting Local Businesses – Working to Stop the Virus Spread
By Becky Gillette During the unprecedented coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) disruption to nearly every aspect of business and personal lives, Delta residents were looking to
The Mississippi Gift Company – A National Mail Order Company and Tourist Destination
By Angela Rogalski Founded over twenty-six years ago, The Mississippi Gift Company has become a national ecommerce/mail-order company and tourist destination dedicated to celebrating Mississippi.
Major Blight Frequent and Longer-Lasting Floods are Devastating to the South Delta
By Becky Gillette • Photography Courtesy of the Mississippi Levee Board A repeat of the type of catastrophic Mississippi River flooding seen a year ago
Nichols Steel Decades of Excellence
By MARK H. STOWERS Steel needs in and around the Greenville area have been met by Nichols Steel for the past two decades. The business
Planters Bank Celebrates Centennial Rooted in Service and Community
By Aimee Robinette “Planters Bank’s history is as rich as the soil it was founded upon,” says Alan Hargett, CEO, who has spent thirty years
It’s a Love Thing – Delta Soaps & Scents
By Angela Rogalski Delta native Jennifer Jones Knighton may live on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, but she has a deep and abiding love for her
Brewer Screen Printing Family-Owned For Over Forty Years
By Angela Rogalski Brewer Screen Printing in Greenwood provides custom screen printing for all types of product orders. From T-shirts to decals, banners to signs,
Entrepreneurial Development Program – Bringing Opportunity to Life in Panola County
By Amile Wilson Panola County has a unique geography. The Gateway to the Delta is bisected by Interstate 55, halfway between Oxford and Clarksdale and
The Oliver Family Book: A Mississippi Delta Saga
By Patrick R. Shepard In the 1870s, James Samuel Oliver arrived in the Mississippi Delta by swimming across the Mississippi River—with a fresh bullet wound
Lina’s Interiors – Serving the Delta for Over Sixty Years
By Angela Rogalski Tradition. Beauty. Style. Lina’s Interiors, located at 109 E. 3rd St. in downtown Leland Miss., offers antiques, home décor and unique gifts
Delta Bohemian Billy and Madge Howell: Ambassadors for the Delta
By Becky Gillette Billy and Madge Howell are redefining tourism in the Delta. The eclectic couple doing business as The Delta Bohemian® (deltabohemian.com) have the
Everybody Deserves a “2nd Chance” – Furthering Adult Learners Legacy
By Angela Rogalski Second chances can be game changers in people’s lives, there is no doubt about that. Sometimes they can be the break someone
Flooding and Chronic Waste Disease
Top the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks Concerns for the 2019 Hunting Season By Mark H. Stowers Mother Nature has not been
Crown, Cork and Seal
Unique Beverage Industry in Panola County By MARK H. STOWERS Food, soft drinks and shaving cream all have at least one thing in common—they come
Taylor Power Systems – A Premier, Mississippi Made Generator Company
By Angela Rogalski For over thirty years Taylor Power Systems has established a solid reputation as a premier, Mississippi-made, generator manufacturer. Located in Clinton, Mississippi,
Nina Parikh – And the Lure of Mississippi For the Film Industry
By Angela Rogalski Photos Courtesy of Mississippi Film Office The Mississippi Film Office is committed to bringing more film and television production to the state.
Scott Barber
By Charlotte Buchanan Scott Barber is a native of New York, has lived in Germantown, TN for the past eleven years, but spends each day
Processing Industrial Hemp – One Mississippi Farmer Explains the Ins and Outs
By Angela Rogalski Cultivation of industrial hemp was legalized under federal law in December 2018, and while the plant was technically legalized, the U.S. Department
Andy Taggart Noted Attorney and Political Veteran Takes Aim at A.G.’s Office
By Jack Criss Andy Taggart decided that the time was right. It might have seemed like a last minute decision, coming as it did on
Loss of Population – Delta Leaders Working to Offset Decline
By Becky Gillette The population of the Mississippi Delta continues to decline, according to figures from the U.S. Census comparing populations in 2010 to 2018.
How I Made It… Professionals Discuss How They Got Where They Are Today
By Angela Rogalski What defines “making it” professionally? Is it when you’re at the top of your field of expertise and feel that sense of
The District at Eastover – Jackson Takes Business and Pleasure to New Heights
By Angela Rogalski A21-acre site that was the former Mississippi School for the Blind in Jackson is now an amenity-rich community destination representing the best
Delta Casinos – Using Innovations to Remain Competitive
By Becky Gillette In the heyday of gaming in Mississippi in 2007, Mississippi River casinos had combined gross revenues of $1.6 billion. That was when
Devastating – Flooding in Yazoo Backwater Area Water is Extremely Slow to Recede
By Becky Gillette In thirty-three years of farming, Clay Adcock has never missed planting a cotton crop on his farm in the Holly Bluff area.
Cheryl Thornhill
By Charlotte buchanan Photography by Richard Beattie Cheryl Thornhill is a native of Hattiesburg but has lived in Greenwood for the last ten years. Thornhill
Rural Broadband – Electric Cooperatives Given the Power to Move Rural Areas Out of the Digital Dark
By Becky Gillette Mississippi recently adopted legislation that would allow electric cooperatives in the state, which have an estimated 1.8 million customers, to provide broadband
Plein Air – Campbell McCool’s Traditional Neighborhood Development
By Aimee Robinette Mississippi is a fabled state, complete with artistic legend and lore blended with fact. Such a place exists in Taylor, a stone’s
Business Spotlight – Stripe It Up
Young Entrepreneurs Bring A Much-Needed Service to the Delta By Angela Rogalski From pressure washing to striping parking lots, warehouses, or anything else that needs
Ubon’s Restaurant & BBQ – A Family Tradition
By Angela Rogalski Ubon’s Barbeque of Yazoo (ubonsbbq.com) is nationally recognized and has won numerous awards and championships. The late Garry Roark, Pitmaster, was featured
Delta Defense Training, LLC – Teaching How To Use Weapons Safely and Efficiently
By Angela Rogalski Firearms training is a vitally important part of owning a weapon. From maintaining the gun to handling it safely and accurately, taking
Taggart Announces Candidacy For Mississippi Attorney General
Veteran attorney, Andy Taggart, has announced his candidacy for Attorney General of the State of Mississippi. Over the past three decades, Taggart has served as
Delta Blues Museum – Celebrates Forty Years of Excellence
By Angela Rogalski Along with a brand new year, January 2019 ushered in a milestone for the Delta Blues Museum in Clarksdale as they celebrated
Hunt Marketing – It’s A Team Effort That’s Moving the Company Forward
By Angela Rogalski Playing on a team can be the catalyst for some of the most rewarding times in a person’s life. The camaraderie and
Leland Makes Things Happen- A Small Delta Hot Spot
By Greta Sharp Leland sees itself as a good investment, thanks to its growing economy, strong businesses and involved community members. “Like a lot of
Hooker Grocer + Eatery- Clarksdale Gets a New and Slightly Different Restaurant and Market
By Angela Rogalski In November 2018, Clarksdale got a new restaurant, market, and butcher shop all rolled into one great new business, Hooker Grocer +
Bubba O’Keefe- Clarksdale-Coahoma County Tourism Director
By Randall Haley • Photography by Austin Britt Developer of Clarksdale’s highly anticipated Travelers Hotel and co-founder of the Juke Joint Festival has taken on
The Farmer’s Wife – Major Contributors to Most Operations
By BECKY GILLETTE Ask Delta farm wives what they like the most about their role keeping ag operations running efficiently and by far the most
On The Move – A City Filled with Anticipation
By Greta Sharp As the new year dawns in Clarksdale, this is a city filled with anticipation. Hard work and persistence paid off in December
Rave Reviews from Satisfied Customers
By Becky Gillette • Photography by Charlie Godbold In the 200-mile radius around Tunica where Pride of the Pond catfish is distributed, there is a
Business Spotlight- Dixon Drone Photography
Weekend Hobby Has Turned Into a Business By MARK H. STOWERS Drone technology was first used by the military for use in strikes, and over
A Possible Revitalization Plans in the Works to Re-open the Former Harrah’s Casino
By Becky Gillette • Photography by Austin Britt A ghost town could once again be a thriving center for jobs and entertainment if plans proceed
Peyton Potter – Third Generation Farmer
By mark stowers • Photography by Roy Meeks Peyton Potter was born into farming in Washington County and he’s the third generation to toil the
Numerous Projects in the Works in Downtown Clarksdale
By Randall Haley Photography by Austin Britt Clarksdale’s downtown revitalization is under way, and plans including multiple new venues have built a plethora of high
One Foot in Front of the other- Smith steps into the shoe spotlight
By Aimee Robinette • Photography by Rory Doyle Mary Beth Smith of Cleveland has always had an interest in design. Today, she has parlayed that
Opening of Last Leg of I-269 – Will revolutionize travel and commerce in the region
By Becky Gillette It is hard to overstate the importance of the 1-269 corridor scheduled to open in October in Northwest Mississippi and part of
Two MVSU officers complete police academy
Two Mississippi Valley State University officers are now ready to protect and serve after successfully completing the Law Enforcement Training Academy at Mississippi Delta Community
Delta Regional Medical Center Adds New Screening to Save Lives
Each year, over 212,000 people are diagnosed with lung cancer and 155,000 will die which is more than breast, colon and prostate cancers combined. The
Wonderlust- A Travel Dot Com That Offers Much More Than Just a Destination
By Angela Rogalski The online publication Wonderlust seems to take a print approach to digital. And why wouldn’t it? The founder and editor in chief
Regulations and Fuel Costs are Challenges- Moving Drivers into More Technology is Key
By Mark H. Stowers Trucks need to be moving from point A to point B at the least amount of cost in the shortest period
Flint’s Hardware- Serving the Community for 129 Years
By Angela Rogalski • Photography by Timothy Ivy It’s quite amazing that a small Delta business could make it 20 years, but 129? Flint and
Vicksburg Lumber Mill to Expand Operations Creating 125 Jobs
Vicksburg Forest Products is opening a lumber mill in Vicksburg. After significant upgrades and modifications are complete, the multi-million dollar corporate investment will create 125
UM Alumna Begins Endowment to Rename Magazine Innovation Center
University of Mississippi alumna Amy Lyles Wilson is working to raise $100,000 to rename the Magazine Innovation Center at the Meek School of Journalism and
Renovations Scheduled to Begin for Myrtle Hall Library
Amanda Jones, Director of Family and Youth Opportunities, is coordinating a movement in Clarksdale to renovate the old Myrtle Hall School Library and turn it
Delta Council Announces 2018-19 Officers
Delta Council recently held their 83rd Annual Meeting Friday, June 1, on the campus of Delta State University at the Bologna Performing Arts Center. The 2018-2019
Luke Andrews- Chairman of Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers
By MARK H. STOWERS Farm Bureau has always held farmers and ranchers in high esteem and work to insure their futures in the field and
Section of U.S. 82 in Leflore County Renamed in Honor of Crash Victims
Part of U.S. 82 in Leflore County is being renamed in honor of the fifteen Marines and one Navy Corpsman who died on July 10,
Small Town Newspapers Swimming against the social media wave
By Aimee Robinette • Photo by Timothy Ivy For decades, there have been discussions throughout the industry that newspapers are on the verge of extinction.
The first edition of the Delta Business Journal published in June 1998.
Congratulations on the Delta Business Journal’s celebration of its 20th anniversary. This milestone represents a lot of hard work by you and your team. Over
Frankel Farms Father/son duo continuing a family tradition
By Charlotte Buchanan • Photo by Roy Meeks Lee Frankel and his son Martin operate a successful farming operation between Leland and Shaw. They are
Flooding on the Mississippi River Becoming More Common and Severe
By Becky Gillette It seems that every year when the Mississippi River rises, it is getting higher and higher. During the past ten years, the
DELTA ADVOCATE- Richard Dattel
Community service is nothing new to Richard Dattel of Greenville. He’s been at it since he was right out of college and elected to the
Tourism Report Shows Revenue, Jobs Continue to Rise in Mississippi
Visitors spent $6.343 billion while visiting Mississippi in Fiscal Year 2017, the second-highest amount on record, according to the new Visit Mississippi Tourism Economic Impact
Gipson Appointed Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce
Gov. Phil Bryant announced he has appointed Rep. Andy Gipson, R-Braxton, Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce. Gipson will replace Cindy Hyde-Smith, who Gov. Bryant
Leadership Shakeup at GLF Hospital
In a 3-2 vote, the Greenwood Leflore County Hospital board voted out CEO Jim Jackson. He had been CEO since 2009 and with the hospital
Barnes Named to Forbes’ List of Top Wealth Advisors
Dudley M. Barnes a CFP® affiliated with Raymond James Financial Services, member FINRA/SIPC was among the advisors named to the Forbes list of Best-In-State Wealth
Board of Trustees appoints MUW Senior Vice President as Acting President
The Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning named Nora Miller as Acting President of Mississippi University for Women at its meeting held
Mule Train March Celebrates 50 Years in Quitman County
From May 10-13, Quitman County will commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the Mule Train March that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. planned during his fight
Downtown Clarksdale’s Travelers Hotel Hoping to Open in Early 2019
There’s a new 20-room hotel coming to downtown Clarksdale, the Travelers Hotel, with a tentative opening date of early next year. Ann Williams is executive
Amtrak To Stop in Marks
The “City of New Orleans Route” passenger Amtrak service from Chicago to New Orleans hosted by Canadian National will soon be making daily stops in
Rural Broadband -C Spire and Entergy join forces to bridge the digital divide in rural America
By Becky Gillette Photos Courtesy of Connect Americans Now Two major efforts are underway to help “bridge the digital divide” by providing reliable broadband service
Solon Scott The man behind the success of Scott Petroleum
By susan montgomery When Solon Scott Jr. was born in 1937, he and his parents lived in a commercial building in Itta Bena that today
Darden North—A Doctor Who Writes More Than Just Prescriptions
Award winning author of murder mysteries By Angela Rogalski Where do you find a board-certified physician in obstetrics and gynecology who is also an award-winning
Champy’s World Famous Chicken
Brimming with Delta Flavor By Mark H. Stowers Growing up in the Delta, Seth Champion was immersed in Delta flavor—hot tamales, fried chicken, original salads
Milwaukee Tool Expands in Three Mississippi Locations
Milwaukee Tool is expanding operations at three Mississippi locations, investing $33.4 million and creating 660 jobs. The expansions are planned for the company’s sites in
Small Town Living A happy haven for many
By MARK H. STOWERS Though many have been bypassed others have withered to a small portion of their former stature, Delta small towns once thrived
What’s Cooking? Turning a passion into a thriving business
By Susan Montgomery What’s cooking? Ask Mary Lindsey Smith around lunch time on weekdays. Or run by her catering business and restaurant on West Park
Japanese Company Funds Beef Plant Revival
By Mark H. Stowers • Photography by Jason Williams Redemption always leads to a good story and there’s no former business in the Magnolia State
When a “Shark” Accepts the Bait
Get Ready for the Adventure of a Lifetime! By Angela Rogalski Vicksburg natives, Richard and Juli Rhett, owners of Sierra Madre Research, a company that
A Different Clarksdale
New Leadership, New Faces, New Businesses By Greta Sharp • Photos by Austin Britt If there is one word that characterizes today’s Clarksdale, it’s new.
Custom Duck Hunting – Drawing enthusiasts from across the country
By Susan Montgomery There’s something about the sights and sounds—and even the scents – of the duck country that draws hunters from almost everywhere to
One People, One Goal, One Greenville A community with a plan
By greta sharp • Photos by Roy Meeks When Greenville’s Hot Tamale Festival was featured in Garden & Gun and made the cover of Mississippi
Sensational Senatobia: A community on the rise
It’s easy to be impressed with Senatobia. Small town charm with proximity to Memphis’ amenities. A new sports park. Good schools and a growing community
New Book Celebrates First 100 Years of UM Business School
By Stella Connell The University of Mississippi School of Business Administration concludes its series of events celebrating the school’s centennial with a book launch Friday
Billions of dollars to be passed down
Wealth transfer will be significant in the Delta over the next fifty year By Susan Montgomery Within then next 10 to 50 years, wealth from
Catfish Industry – A Rise in Delta Aquaculture
By Mark Stowers The catfish are biting. The industry that began in 1959 in Yazoo County has seen its share of peaks and valleys in
Grenada: Right on the Verge of Greatness
Grenada has the best of both worlds. It’s firmly invested in its historic downtown and natural resources. But the city also welcomes new opportunities: a
Southern Bancorp Helping People Climb Economic Security Ladder
Unique banking operation plays large role in the Delta By Becky Gillette Southern Bancorp is a different kind of bank. It’s a bank on a
Transportation Industry Challenges
Driver Shortage, Infrastructure Shortcomings and Regulations By Mark H. Stowers Products, commodities, raw and finished goods have to get from one place to another whether
Community Foundation of Northwest MS launches Public Policy Campaign
Strategy is to increase awareness By Susan Montgomery Sometime in August, the Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi will run a series of print and television
Danny Whalen elected to Mississippi Bankers Association Board of Directors
Danny Whalen of Cleveland has been elected to a 3-year term on the Mississippi Bankers Association Board of Directors. Whalen will represent his region of
Oxford experiencing a growth explosion
By Angela Rogalski Photography By Austin Britt Oxford has many things to celebrate when it comes to its past, present and future; not the least
Henk van Riessen
Delta Precision Technologies, LLC By Susan Montgomery Henk van Riessen’s one of those lucky people who grew up understanding what his vocational field would be.
Delta Students Get College Experience during Ole Miss Visit
By Christina Steube Students from Madison S. Palmer High School in Marks got a hands-on learning experience in a college atmosphere recently when they visited
Delta Supper Club- For the love of food
By AMILE WILSON • Photography by Rory Doyle Everyone knows the Delta has plenty of stories to tell, some nearly everyone knows while others remain
The Importance of Ag Pilots to the Mississippi Delta
By Angela Rogalski All across the Mississippi Delta, and the entire country, for that matter, Ag pilots gear up for their day very early and
Remembering Bill
By Scott Coopwood, Publisher, Delta Business Journal On Tuesday, (March 28), veteran Mississippi journalist, Bill Minor died. He was 93 years old. For those unfamiliar
Special Report- Construction Industry
By MARK H. STOWERS The building of America has waxed and waned under assorted presidents. In 1927, Herbert Hoover—a civil engineer by trade—actually picked up
GreenTech Automotive
Future Looks Dim for Delta Plant By Becky Gillette The GreenTech Automotive (GTA) facility that has received about $4.9 million in state incentives has failed
David Griffith
New President, Mississippi Association of Realtors Hales from Cleveland By Becky Gillette T he new president of the Mississippi Association of Realtors® is David Griffith,
Special Report: Healthcare
Healthcare in the Delta An overview of 2016 By Angela Rogalski W ith the New Year’s arrival and the challenges
Sartin’s Soulshine
Spreading good vibes, one pie at a time By Amile Wilson Though not from the Delta, Mississippi restaurateur Chris Sartin spent
Delta Legislators
Planning for the new year By Angela Rogalski The New Year is upon us and with that comes a new dialogue
Vicksburg Is On Its Way
Plans for growth on the horizon By Greta Sharp Photography by Roy Meeks “In the next five years, you won’t know this city,” pledges
Southern Delta Outfitters
Slater’s Jigs, same service, but with a new name By Mark H. Stowers For decades, folks around the Delta knew where to buy a jig
Todd Donald
Welding together education at the Capps Center By Mark H. Stowers Photography by Roy Meeks As a farm boy following his father, Todd Donald
Delta Area Insurance
Agents work through regulations and technology to keep clients protected and happy By Mark H. Stowers The need for insurance for business and home
On The Horizon
Two new hotel developments will bring luxury and fun to Cleveland By Angela Rogalski Photography by Holly Tharp Two new destination hotels will be opening
DSU Enrollment on the Rise
University boasts four percent increase Special to Delta Business Journal Photography by Rory Doyle The unofficial numbers, as of Sept. 8, were 2,763 undergraduate students
Eating Fresh With Your Local Farmer’s Markets
By Angela Rogalski Photos courtesy of Ryan Betz & Greenville Farmer’s Marke Being conscious of what we put into our bodies has become very important
Moonshine and Mojo Hands
On a mission to promote blues music and culture By Randall Haley I n 1997, St. Louis native Jeff Konkel walked into a Mississippi juke
North Mississippi Rural Legal Services
Celebrating their 50th anniversary By Becky Gillette It was a far different world in the Delta in 1966, particularly when it came to low-income people
Community Digital Scholars Program
Entity is honored with Governor’s Award The Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi was recently honored at the state capitol with the Governor’s Award for its
The Baptist Town Neighborhood Reinvestment Project
By Angela Rogalski Baptist Town, about a mile east of downtown Greenwood, is a community that is solidly defined by its history and the common
Betty Lynn Cameron
Cameron recalls highlight of job as Greenville Main Street Director By Becky Gillette Betty Lynn Cameron recalls one of the highlights of her 18 years
Ag Revenues
Most producers well-positioned to withstand decline in commodity prices By Becky Gillette •Photography by Greg Campbell A few years ago, ag was seeing glory days
Incubator Network
North Mississippi enterprise centers help turn business dreams into success stories By Becky Gillette Just like baby chicks, sometimes entrepreneurs just need a little incubating.
Haley Insurance Agency
A family owned and operated Clarksdale business By Randall Haley Photography by Randall Haley In 1973, Harold Haley set out to open his own insurance
Boutique Air
Clear skies predicted with new carrier approved to serve airport in Greenville By Becky Gillette It has been a rocky road for the Mid-Delta Regional
Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A Leader Academy Reimagining High School Leadership with Programs in Mississippi Schools By Angela Rogalski Photography by RJ Fitzpatrick Lance Reed is the owner/operator of