Building Our Future, Wednesdays at 9 a.m. on Supertalk North Mississippi 93.7 FM
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Focusing on the economic and entrepreneurial stories in our area…
What is an ACT Work Ready Community?
ACT Work Ready Communities (WRC) empowers states, regions, and counties with data, processes, and tools that drive economic growth. Participants are leveraging the ACT WorkKeys®National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC) to measure and close the skills gap — and building common frameworks that link, align and match their workforce development efforts.
By achieving certified ACT’s Work Ready Communities status, counties are demonstrating they have a robust workforce development effort aligned to their economic development needs.
Why Our Area?
Our area is experiencing a population boom, thanks to economic and entrepreneurial opportunities!
Building Our Future On-Demand Episodes
May 27, 2020
TVA is bringing new renewable energy to the Tennessee Valley. They have contracted with Origis Energy to develop a solar system in Lowndes county. Johan Vanhee is the Chief Commercial & Procurement Officer of Origis and in this episode fills us in on the project and importance of solar energy.
May 20, 2020
Another update from our friends at Baptist Hospital North Mississippi. Hospital Administrator and CEO Bill Henning joins our Gary Darby for the latest.
May 20, 2020
Great information from William Nicholas the Economic Development Director at the Office of Research & Sponsored Programs on the Ole Miss campus and Jon Maynard the President and CEO of the Oxford-Lafayette County Economic Development Foundation. The conversation travels through the pandemic, plans for recovery, the Heartland Forward and the 2020 Census.
May 6, 2020
The Magnolia Combined Cycle Plant is a three-unit gas generating plant on approximately 374 acres in Benton county near the town of Ashland. Lead Tech Steve Thompson helps us learn another way TVA is providing power to the valley and how workers dealing with the pandemic.
April 23, 2020
Our guest was Melissa Hancock the Program Manager for Residential Services with TVA. Melissa gives us energy saving tips while we are under the Safer at Home order. She also talks with Gary Darby about educating the children and ways to make that fun for the kids.
April 22, 2020
Emergency rooms have changed during COVID-19. Dr. Jason Waller of Baptist Hospital North Mississippi. Dr. Waller tells us how they are handling things during the pandemic and why you should not put off a visit to the ER.
April 15, 2020
On this show our guest was Dr. Cade Smith. Cade is Assistant Vice Chancellor for Community Engagement at Ole Miss. We learn what community means and the partnerships between the university and the state of Mississippi
April 7, 2020
Today we heard from Keith Hayward the general manager and CEO of North East Mississippi Electric Power Association. Keith breaks down business during these times of COVID-19 and new ways to pay your bill.
March 25, 2020
March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness month. Robin Doctor from the Baptist Cancer Center North Mississippi was today’s guest on the show. Robin told us how the Cancer Center is handling things throughout COVID-19 as well as symptoms of colon cancer.
March 11,2020
The city of Oxford was named the #8 micropolitan in the nation by Policom. Jon Maynard of the Oxford-Lafayette County EDF explains those numbers and Oxford’s partnership with TVA as a community for Innovation Academy.
March 4, 2020
Dr. John Green stopped by the studio to explain the importance of Census 2020. Dr. Green is the Director of the Center for Population Studies at Ole Miss.
February 26, 2020
Dr. Kevin Hall of Stern Cardiovascular & Baptist Memorial Hospital North Mississippi joined the show. Dr. Hall covered obesity & the do’s and don’ts for a heart healthy Mississippi.
January 29, 2020
Today we have a lengthy discussion with Ole Miss Provost & Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. Dr. Noel Wilkin joined Gary Darby to discuss robots delivering food, resources for entrepreneurs,, the online masters business administration program, cannibus research and more. Listen below.
January 15, 2020
More information from Dr. Scott Therrian of Baptist Memorial Hospital North Mississippi. Dr. Therrian explains the weight loss center and surgery. You can go to baptistonline.org for more information and of course listen here to Dr. Therrien.
January 8, 2020
We begin 2020 with Wayne Andrews, the Executive Director of the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council. Wayne gave us great information on how the arts are helping the north Mississippi economy and future events in the Oxford-Lafayette county area
December 26, 2019
In our last show of 2019, Allyson Best gave us more information concerning Insight Park and Ole Miss
December 19, 2019
The NorthCentral Electric Power Association serves eastern DeSoto County, western Marshall, and small areas of Tate & Lafayette counties. Michael Bellipanni joined Gary Darby to tell all they are doing for their growing service area.
December 11, 2019
On this show, Dr. Scott Therrien of Baptist Memorial Hospital North Misississippi, explains the weight loss center and surgery. You can go to baptistonline.org for more information and of course listen here to Dr. Therrien.
December 4, 2019
We open the month of December with Britt Herrin from the Tate County Economic Development Foundation. Britt explains why Tate County is one of the top spots in the state for percentage of growth in investment.
One of our great partners on the show is the Oxford-Lafayette County EDF and Vice President Allen Kurr stopped by the studio. Allen tells us about how that area is one of the top micropolitans in talent attraction and more!
November 20, 2019
On Wednesday, the conversation centered around Batesville and Panola County. Mayor Jerry Autrey and the executive Director of the Panola Partnership joined Gary Darby in studio.
November 19, 2019
This week called for multiple days of discussion on economic development. We started on Tuesday with CEO/GM of North East Mississippi Electric Power Association. Keith fills us in on the all important topic of broadband internet
November 13, 2019
We start the show with a great story of a 22 year old man leaving Taiwan and moving to north Mississippi to attend the Ole Miss School of Engineering. Charles Chang is now a very successful innovator and entrepreneur. This is his story and details on his trip back to Mississippi for the first time in 45 years.
A visit with the new Director of Visit Oxford. Kinney Ferris was recently promoted from Deputy Director to the lead spot by the Oxford Tourism Council. In this interview, you can hear her vision as director and ways she plans on building Oxford’s economy.
November 6, 2019
On this weeks show, we learned how Parks and Recreation can help the economy and quality of life for those of us in north Mississippi. Executive Director of the Oxford Park Commission Seth Gaines tells us all the ways his department helps in a growing Oxford and Lafayette County area.
October 30, 2019
Today we learned about the Baptist Hospital North Mississippi’s Orthopedic Services and Outpatient Rehabilitation Services with David Russell and Luke Bynum
There are exciting new things happening at the Ole Miss School of Engineering. Dr. Dave Puleo, dean of the School of Engineering and Dr. Dwight Waddell, Chair of the new Biomedical Engineering program joined Gary Darby with the details
October 23, 2019
Executive Director Chris Howard of the Department of Rehabilitation Services stopped by the Oxford Studio. He talked about his visit to Olive Branch, Project Search and Mississippi ABLE
October 16, 2019
On this show, the spotlight was on Marshall County. First of all Justin Hall of the Marshall County Industrial Development Authority discusses new jobs and more
Holly Springs Mayor Kelvin Buck gave us updates on quality of life and what’s shaking in his city
October 9, 2019
There are big things happening in Southaven. Mayor Darren Musselwhite joined the show to discuss a variety of great things going on in his city.
October 2, 2019
Daniel Lenard is the Director of Cancer Centers at Baptist Hospital North Mississippi in Oxford and Grenada. Daniel explains the services, technology & growth in our north Mississippi area.
September 25, 2019
TVA Regional Development Specialist Kristi Brown discusses the foundation of TVA and quality of life in north Mississippi
Business is booming in Tate County. Britt Herrin of the Tate county Economic Development foundation talked with Gary Darby about new jobs and more.
September 18,2019
Marc Wong of Baptist Hospital North Mississippi joined Gary Darby to discuss the new Wound Care Center in Oxford.
September 11, 2019
Today on the show, Rick Mize visits with Dr. Josh Gladden. Dr. Gladden is the Vice Chancellor for Research & Sponsored Programs for the University of Mississippi.
September 4, 2019
Great information from Hernando Alderman & Senator elect for District 1 Micheal McLendon. Mr. McLendon discusses how Hernando has handled their significant growth and the Senators hopes for DeSoto county.
August 28, 2019
Keith Hayward & Marlin Williams from North East Power covered a wide variety of topics including broadband. Listen here:
August 21, 2019
There are over 34,000 students in the DeSoto county school system for 2019-2020. Superintendent Cory Uselton talks with Gary Darby about one of the largest economic drivers in DeSoto county
Josh Thornton – Regional Development Specialist with TVA. Josh goes over incentives for businesses in north Mississippi and the power network to serve any kind of industry in the area.
August 14, 2019
Shea Johnson of Baptist Memorial Hospital – North Mississippi on the new Pritikin Program
Allen Kurr from the Oxford-Lafayette County Economic Development Foundation on attracting business and quality of life in Lafayette County
August 7, 2019
William Nicholas was our first guest on Building our Future. Mr. Nicholas is Director of Economic Development – Insight Park on the Ole Miss campus. We learn about Insight Park and what the university is doing to boost the states economy