MDA Representatives Tour Benton County to Discuss Economic Development Opportunities

Benton County, MS – November 18, 2025 – A productive and insightful tour of Benton County took place on November 18, 2025, when representatives from the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) visited the area, hosted by the Benton County Chamber of Commerce. The tour aimed to explore potential opportunities for economic development, strengthen partnerships, and identify areas of collaboration to foster growth within the community.

Present during the tour were (L to R): Alesia Evans, William Cork, Mitch Carroll, Andrinetta Howard, Kenneth Todd, Deborah Hall-Burrows, and William Evans

The delegation included MDA's William Cork, Chief Executive Officer, along with PJ Waldrop, Deputy Director and Chief Operating Officer, and Sara Watson, Director of Business Incentives. They were joined by local leaders such as Andrinetta Howard, Executive Director of the Benton County Chamber of Commerce, Kenneth Todd and Deborah Hall-Burrows, board members of the Chamber. Alicia Evans, President of the Mississippi Area Community Action Agency, and William Evans, Vice President of the same agency, also participated in the event, demonstrating the collaborative effort between various local and state entities. Mayor Mitch Carroll of Ashland and various District Supervisors also attended, underscoring the community’s commitment to working together for a stronger economic future.

The tour covered two prominent towns in Benton County—Ashland and Hickory Flat—giving the MDA representatives a firsthand look at the community’s strengths and challenges. This visit allowed the MDA team to engage directly with local leaders and residents, gaining a deeper understanding of Benton County’s needs.

During the visit, Bill Quirk, Executive Director of MDA, remarked, “It was a really nice day touring Benton County, MS, and visiting both Ashland and Hickory Flat. Thanks to the elected officials and Chamber folks for welcoming me. I learned a lot and shared fundamental economic development success formulas. I look forward to coming back in the spring to workshop with community leaders.”

The primary objective of the visit was to engage with Benton County’s leadership, understand the community's economic development needs, and discuss potential areas of collaboration. The visit emphasized the importance of forging strong partnerships between local and state entities to address Benton County’s unique challenges and capitalize on growth opportunities.

With new discussions set to continue in the spring, this visit marked a key step forward in Benton County’s ongoing efforts to revitalize and expand its economic base.

As this collaboration continues to grow, the Benton County Chamber of Commerce remains dedicated to facilitating dialogue, fostering partnerships, and supporting the area's economic development.