Sheila Freely and Calhoun County mayors honored local business and community leaders and Derick Zeigler, Baptist Health Vice President and Regional CEO, emphasized the commitment his company has to the county at the annual banquet of the Calhoun Economic Development Association Thursday night.
Ben Hogan and Rudy Pope
Freely presented three awards on behalf of CEDA honoring local businesses during the banquet held at the Front Porch in Vardaman. She recognized Faith Furniture in Vardaman operated by Mack and Annie Douglas in the old Nabors Hardware buildings.
Freely also saluted Bruce Telephone Company for their work on expanding fiber options to Calhoun County citizens and businesses. She awarded Kim Lovorn of Southern Belle a plaque saluting her business that was founded in Slate Springs and now has a worldwide customer base.
Each mayor presented a separate award to a leading contributor in their community. Vardaman Mayor James Casey saluted Bobby Inmon for his years of service to the town as a local accountant. "He could have gone anywhere but he chose to stay here at home and help this community," Casey said.
Bruce Mayor Rudy Pope honored Ben Hogan with Pontotoc Electric Power Association. "We'd be in the dark without them," Pope said of Hogan and his organization.
Calhoun City Mayor J.R. Denton thanked Joey Hawkins of Hawkins Home and Auto for their civic mindedness while operating a successful business.
Zeigler
Zeigler spoke on the investments Baptist makes in all its communities and said it has agreed to spend at least $1 million a year over its 50-year lease with Calhoun County making improvements to facilities at the hospital and nursing home in Calhoun City.
Zeigler also announced they are close to completing a merger with Baptist out of Jackson that would make Baptist Health System the largest of its kind in Mississippi and the fourth largest employer in the state.
Freely thanked closed the meeting thanking all who contribute to the economic success of Calhoun County.
"We're proud of what we have and want everyone to know about it," she said.