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Chamber History and Board of Directors
History of Chamber: The Okolona Chamber of Commerce was organized in 1934, with
Joseph L. Bowles as its first secretary. Following the depression, the newly formed Chamber
adopted the slogan, "The Little City That Does Big Things".
Okolona Positioned for Growth
A retail analysis study shows that Okolonians only spent 13% of spendable income in town as of Fall 2000.
Our estimated retail area is approximately 14,000, although the population of Okolona is approximately 3,500.
| Benefits of a Chamber membership |
Advertising Opportunities:
- Membership Directory: This annual community guide is distributed to 150 members, businesses, visitors, and new residents annually. This exposure provides high visibility to potential customers. Display advertising is also available.
- Internet Exposure: The Chamber has a home page that includes the business directory of our members, giving them worldwide free exposure. Any member who already has his own home page can have it hyperlinked to their Chamber listing free of charge. Web Hosting is also available for $100 a year to member businesses.
- Newsletter: The Chamber newsletter is printed quarterly and distributed to over 200 members, businesses, and prospects. Display advertising is available.
- Grand Openings/Ribbon Cuttings: These ceremonies, which increase the visibility of new or expanding businesses, are provided to all new businesses in the Okolona area. Post-event publicity is provided in the community newspaper and exposure is given during the event by an area radio station.
- Member Sponsorships: High visibility and advertising value is offered to members who sponsor events during the year. The name of each business sponsorship is prominently displayed and promoted. Publicity affords them broad advertising exposure at no additional cost above their sponsorship fee.
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Networking Opportunities:
- Committees: members may participate in any of our active, dynamic committees, covering a wide range of interests such as Education, Community Image-Building, Community/County Relationships, Business/Industry, Organizational Development, and Special Events.
- Retail and Small Business Development: The Chamber coordinated promotions for industries and businesses at the Tupelo Furniture Market and "Christmas In Okolona" Open House.
- Education Committee: The Chamber Education Committee seeks to build community bridges between education and business in Okolona.
- Advocate for Business: The Chamber is the voice of the business community in local, county, and state issues representing the business community in problem solving, promoting economic development, raising the per capita income and providing strond financial resources to create a better life for all citizens. One example is creating the www.okolona.org website, enabling your business to market directly to the world with your very own web page linked to the community's business website.
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Other benefits:
- Meeting Room Rental: Chamber members are offered the use of the meeting room free.
- Business Seminars: These professionally-conducted and informative seminars are held throughout the year as a service to the business community free-of-charge.
- Calendar: The Chamber maintains a calendar of community events on the website.
- Tax Deductibility: Membership in the Chamber is 100% deductible as a necessary business expense.
- Resource Center: Information resources are available at the Chamber-examples include community demographics, local and area phone directories, a city/county map, lists of clubs, organizations, businesses, industries, and churches.
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| 2007 Board of Directors |
Shirley Giddens,
President |
James Edward Edens III,
First Vice President |
Bill Stuart,
Second Vice President |
Brenda Wise,
Treasurer |
Linda Carnathan |
Louise Cole |
| Dennis Darnell, Jr. |
Hansell Gunn,
Superintendent |
Doug Hanby |
| Penny Holliday |
Lena Hykes |
Kimla Johnson,
Attorney At Law |
| Jerry Morgan |
Pastor Charles Walker |
Charles Wardlaw |
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