The Greater Starkville Development Partnership held its annual banquet tonight. This marks the 10th year since various entities (Chamber of Commerce, Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the Economic Development Authority) join forces under the umbrella of the GSDP.

Gray Swoope from the Mississippi Development Authority was the keynote speaker and he focused on team work and Regional Economic Development. Essentially what he said was that this region is poised for tremendous development if we do things right and work together. He mention a word someone coined that describes how entities work together to get projects to the area and then compete with each other for the project–cooperatition (cooperation-competition). However, as he admitted, it is very difficult.

Several Awards were also presented tonight recognizing citizens and organizations for their service:

Service to the Military Award
Bill Poe and Joan Wilson

Crystal Pineapple Tourism Award
Oktibbeha County Heritage Museum

Oktibbeha County Industry of the Year Award
Clark Beverage Group, Inc.

R. Clay Simmons Exemplary Enterprise Award
MetroCast

T. E. Veitch Community Service Award
Bill Poe

Ambassador of the Year Award
Libby Gerald

Starkville Area Education Hall of Fame Inductees
Ms. Robin Dibble
Dr. Denise Rowan
Mr. Bill Simmons

Mr. Jon Maynard, GSDP President and CEO made some remarks and recognized his excellent staff. Amy Tuck, Chairman of the Partnership Board was the Master of Ceremonies.

Congratulations to all the winners and to the GSDP for 10 successful years.