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Economic Director Reports Uptick For Jobs In The County

By David Howell
Editor


WATER VALLEY – Yalo-busha’s economic and tourism director painted a positive picture with his spring report to county officials in the “first Monday” meeting April 1.
    Bob Tyler started with details of a possible third expansion at Windsor Foods in Oakland that could add a bakery and more jobs.
    “Then there is going to be a fourth and fifth,” Tyler said. “The Oakland plant is going to be the flag ship of Windsor Foods,” Tyler explained. Windsor currently operates 11 plants nationally.
    Windsor employs 307 employees and could add more if the third expansion becomes reality. If the company adds job, it will be eligible to receive a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). Tyler said the company will apply for $650,000 and the county will be required to match 10 percent.
    Tyler also reported that Allied Filter will be moving out of the county-owned Kellwood building in Coffeeville. The company will be moving to it’s new location in Water Valley later this month. Allied is currently employing 16 workers and expected to add more.
    Tyler said a company that manufactures utility vehicles had been interested in the building when it was vacated. The company is now experiencing financial problems, making the deal unlikely.
    Other details in Tyler’s report include:
    • BorgWarner is ramping up its workforce after an expansion announced last year. The company currently employs 465 people, making it the largest employer in the county.
    • Water Valley Poultry has recently increased it’s workforce from 140 workers to 185.
    • Valley Tool in Water Valley currently employs 130, but is expected to add jobs in the near future.
    • Kim Hollowell has regained control of K&D Cultured Marbled in Coffeeville. Tyler said Hollo-well was the original owner and operator of the company which employed 26 at its peak. Hollowell sold the company but had to take it back after it began to lose momentum.
    “The company is regaining momentum and is back up to 16 workers,” Tyler said.
    • Tyler also noted that B&D Materials in Oakland is steady with 24 employees. Benny Fly owns the business, which Tyler described as a highly successful company that ships building materials to multiple states.
    “Besides panels and other building materials, B&D also produces compost and they sell tons of the product,” Tyler reported.
    •  Larry Lindley has sold the rental cabins located at the I-55/32 intersection to Michael Gray, owner of Gray’s Electric. Lindley has expanded his antique operation at Oakland exit and plans to open a restaurant this spring.
    “On behalf of my Yalobusha County Economic Development board, I would like to thank the supervisors for all they are doing to help us create jobs,” Tyler added.
    The county’s economic development director also stressed the strong working relationship across the county with Oakland, Coffeeville and Water Valley.

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