Community

Sanderson Farms of Collins named Feed Mill of the Year

Sanderson Farms’ feed mill located in Collins, Mississippi has been named the 2017 Feed Facility of the Year. Co-sponsored by the American Feed Industry Association and Feedstuffs, the Feed Facility of the Year award recognizes overall achievement in feed manufacturing operations. “Sanderson Farms demonstrates excellence in each of the areas the Feed Facility of the Year program measures,” said Joel G. Newman, AFIA President and CEO. “They quickly rose to the top of this year’s competition, and we are happy to present the company with this award.” To date, only 32 facilities have received this industry best practices honor. The Feed Facility of the Year award recognizes Sanderson Farms’ commitment to safety, quality, regulatory compliance, and employee development. According to AFIA, Sanderson Farms’ work to increase employee engagement and promote morale also factored into the award decision. “Sanderson Farms employees are included in daily conversations about safety and encouraged to offer their suggestions for improvements,” said Bill Bray, plant manager of the Collins facility. “The company’s training programs allow supervisors to assist employees by providing personal attention.” The Feed Facility of the Year award highlights the Collins facility’s overall operating efficiencies. As one of Sanderson Farms’ eight feed mills, the facility produces more than 400,000 tons of poultry feed each year. Sanderson Farms, Inc., founded in 1947, is engaged in the production, processing, marketing and distribution of fresh and frozen chicken and other prepared chicken items. Employing more than 14,000 employees in operations spanning five states and 14 different cities, Sanderson Farms is the third largest poultry producer in the United States. As a company, Sanderson Farms is committed to adopting a fresh approach in everything that we do. Not only where products are concerned, but companywide as well. Though the company has grown in size, it still adheres to the same hometown values of honesty, integrity and innovation that were established when the Sanderson family founded the company back in 1947.

February 6, 2018 in Blog, Community

Miss Hospitality program to be held March 23

The Covington County Miss Hospitality program is seeking contestants for the 2018 title of Covington County’s Miss Hospitality. Requirements for the local program include:

• Be a resident of Mississippi – parent or guardian must also be a resident of Mississippi

• Represent her hometown and/or county, not the city where she attends college.

• Not currently hold a title that would interfere with duties of Miss Hospitality.

• Be a high school graduate, never married, have no children and be age 18 and not over 24 by Wednesday, July 18, 2018 of the pageant week.

• Have a 2.5 scholastic average for the last completed semester.  A transcript is required upon registration for the state pageant.

• Must be present at the coronation ceremony for Mississippi Miss Hospitality and participate in events scheduled for the period July 15-21, 2018.

• If attending an out of state university and wins the state pageant, you must enroll immediately in a university in Mississippi.

• Participate in the Okatoma Festival on Saturday, May 5, 2018.

The entry fee is $20. Local Miss Hospitality contestants will have a seven minute personal interview with a panel of three out-of-town judges and present a 90-second speech in front of the judges and guests on “How would you promote our state to a visitor?” The dress is Sunday dress or a suit. Contestant applications and entry fees must be turned in to the chamber office by Thursday, March 15 at 5 p.m.

The state Miss Hospitality pageant will be held July 20-21, 2018. Applications are available at the Chamber of Commerce office located on First Street South. For additional information call 601-765-6012.

February 2, 2018 in Blog, Community

Chamber to host General Membership Meeting February 5

The Covington County Chamber of Commerce will host its annual General Membership meeting on Monday, February 5 at the Collins Civic Center. The event will take place at 6:30 p.m. This year’s guest speaker will be Scott Waller, President of the Misissippi Economic Council. Recently named to the position, Waller has had an integral role in the growth of MEC over the last 10 years. Waller is only the fourth CEO in MEC’s 69-year history. He previously served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at MEC, where he refined and deployed a comprehensive advocacy plan by building strong relationships with members of the Mississippi legislature and bolstering involvement among MEC’s membership. He has worked to build coalitions and strengthen alliances between MEC members and other organizations to make the Chamber a policy leader on key issues of economic development, education, workforce training, taxes, tourism, and business climate. He also pioneered a comprehensive communications plan using innovative approaches to take advantage of ever-changing technology. Prior to joining MEC, he spent more than 20 years as a newspaper journalist, including four years as Business Editor of The Clarion-Ledger. He is also the former owner and editor of the Madison County Journal and was a co-owner of Siwel Homes, a residential construction company. He is a graduate of Mississippi State University and has completed the respected Institute for Organization Management program, an intensive four-year nonprofit leadership training program conducted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and held at the University of Georgia in Athens, Ga. Waller has continued his dedication to scouting since his days as an Eagle Scout and serves on the executive board of the Andrew Jackson Council of the Boy Scouts of America. He has served on the board of directors of the Mississippi State University Alumni Association’s Central Mississippi Chapter. Professionally, he serves as Chair of Board of the Council of State Chambers’ Policy Center and serves on the council’s board of directors. He is a member the Institute for Organization Management’s National Board of Trustees and the IOM’s Southeast Board of Regents. Waller is also a member of the National Transportation Investment Advocacy Council. He and his wife Kim live in Madison and are active at St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church. Their son, Shane, and daughter-in-law, Whitney, are both graduates Mississippi State University and live in Washington, D.C. Also on the program is the annual “Meet Your Legislators” event. Senator Joey Fillingane, Representatives Bob Evans, Noah Sanford and Mark Tullos will be in attendance to discuss legislative matters. Dinner will be catered by Main Street Café. The deadline to RSVP is Thursday, February 1. The cost is $20 per plate. To make reservations, call the chamber office at 601-765-6012.

January 31, 2018 in Blog, Community

Reindeer Games to be held Dec. 7

The Main Street Merchants in the City of Collins will host the “Reindeer Games” on Main Street on Thursday, December 7 from 5:30-8 p.m. The event is designed to bring families out along Main Street to enjoy the Christmas season. There will be plenty of activities for children as well as shopping and dining throughout the evening. Guests are invited to stroll Main Street and enjoy the sights and sounds of the Christmas season.

December 4, 2017 in Blog, Community

Christmas parade to be held November 30

The City of Collins will hold its annual Christmas parade on Thursday, November 30 at 6:30 p.m. This year’s theme is “Magical, Musical Christmas.” Individuals and groups interested in participating in the parade are invited to enter by contacting city hall. Parade organizers are asking businesses, churches, schools and organizations to participate in this year’s parade. In addition to floats, 4-wheelers, trucks, cars and golf carts are permitted to enter. Due to safety concerns, walkers will not be permitted to participate in the parade with the exception of bands, color guards and the Camp Shelby Youth Challenge group. Entry forms for the parade are available at Collins City Hall and online at www.cityofcollins.com. Floats will be judged for creativity, personalization and spirit of Christmas. Awards will be given for first, second and third place. For more information, contact City Hall at 601-765-4491.

November 16, 2017 in Blog, Community

CCH to host annual Trick-Or-Trot 5K run/walk on Oct. 26

Covington County Hospital will host its annual Trick-or-Trot 5K Run/Walk on Thursday, October 26 at 6:30 p.m. The race will begin at the main entrance parking lot of the hospital and is a fundraiser to the hospital’s Relay for Life team. The pre-registration fee is $30 with the race night registration fee being $35. Registration begins at 5:30 p.m. Everyone is encouraged to come dressed in their best costumes and prepared for a great time! For more information about the run or sponsoring the event, contact event organizer Missy Lott at 601-698-0153 or visit www.facebook.com/covingtoncountyhospital.

October 17, 2017 in Blog, Community