Often times the benefits of building a business in Rural America are overlooked. However, what Michael and Anne LaBelle see as the competitive advantages of growing a business in Rural America are exactly what brought the couple back to the rural South and the Alabama Black Belt.

In rural communities where resources are often scarce and isolated, innovative use of space is crucial. In Houston, Missouri, Texas County Memorial Hospital is doing just that: renovating an antiquated facility to be used as a new surgery area for the hospital as well as to serve as an on-campus tornado safe room with educational programming space.

Building Community Leaders for Regional Success Strong leaders are integral to the success of Rural America, binding together neighbors, sustaining the deeply-rooted culture, and searching for ways to keep the community moving forward.

This week, President Obama issued a proclamation that opened, “In America, we believe that anyone willing to work hard and take risks can get their good idea off the ground and into the marketplace. 

Anyone who knows Heather will emphasize the passion that she has for her work, her community, and her clients. As Executive Director of the Kisatchie-Delta Regional Planning and Development District (KD), Heather has committed her organization to helping grow the community in which she was raised.

Obion County has one of the highest unemployment rates in the state of Tennessee, and some residents there struggle with personal demons that hurt their chances of finding job opportunities. In response to this reality, LeEllen Smith, a homemaker and mother from Troy, set out to establish a non-profit business venture that would train workers in sewing and textile skills through the development of a new line of clothing.

Often times an investment in basic public infrastructure brings with it a lot more than simple utility services for a community. In Carterville, Illinois, a recent DRA investment into the construction of water and sewer lines in a yet-to-be-developed area of the town has cleared the way for a new cancer treatment center that will bring increased health care services to the more than 300,000 residents of southern Illinois.

Martine Jackson wears many hats, each of which are purposed to support her neighbors and friends in Carbondale, Illinois. A partner in Rhode & Jackson law firm, Jackson has spent the past sixteen years advising clients and employers on employment law and ensuring workplaces are safe and equitable environments.

Success and creation breeds from necessity. After the personal experience of caring for his father and a number of years of professional experience working with assisted living and hospice centers, Gary Johnson decided there was an opportunity to do things better than existing providers.

Tucked away in rural  Western Kentucky near the confluence of the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers is a growing tourist empire in Moors Resort. Open since 1951, Moor's Resort has provided a recreational and fishing outlet for outdoor enthusiasts from St. Louis to Chicago and in between. However, it was not until the late 1980's when Mark and Kathy Wood took over ownership that Moors Resort became the empire on Kentucky Lake that it is today.

After 30 years of serving the people of the Missouri Bootheel, Southeast Missouri Food Bank (SMFB) will finally have their own home. Through a DRA investment and other public and private investments and fundraising efforts, SMFB is relocating its services to a 64,000 square-foot complex that will serve as its new distribution center.

A native of Crockett County in West Tennessee, Bobby Goode began as a strong leader in his local community and has grown to now lead Tennessee as State Director for USDA-Rural Development (USDA). Appointed on August 25, 2009 by President Barack Obama, Goode describes his agency's mission as "improving the quality of place" in rural communities across Tennessee.

Through funding support from the Delta Regional Authority, Louisiana Technology Park has opened a new, state-of-the-art digital media studio called the Level Up Lab. The first of its kind in the South and the Delta region, Level Up Lab provides qualified, pre-screened companies and entrepreneurs the tools, mentorship, and space to create video games, mobile apps, and other digital content.

Monticello and Southeast Arkansas have broken ground on construction of a rail spur that will provide increased access to the Monticello Economic Development Commission Industrial Park.

After nearly a quarter of a century of serving the Mississippi Delta region as CEO of the Aaron E. Henry Community Health Services Center (AEH), Aurelia Jones-Taylor is committed to bringing quality health care to Mississippi residents no matter their location or health status.

In order to attract private investment and support a community's economic vitality, a community must have the necessary transportation infrastructure to support commerce and development.

When a husband has extensive industrial sales experience and the wife has marketing and business experience, it can be tempting to start their own business when they see the opportunity. In 2004 John and Renee Pender combined their skills and founded Pender Industrial.

The nation's ongoing drought has dropped river channels to unsafe levels, exposing traffic to previously unseen hazards, including destructive rock pinnacles, narrowing waterways, and sandbars.

This week, as we celebrate Thanksgiving, the Delta Regional Authority reflects on how thankful we are for our Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs, especially during National Entrepreneurship Month.

On November 11, 1971, my father, at the age of 22, walked into a recruiting office on Dickson Street in Fayetteville, Arkansas, to enlist in the United States Navy.

With the goal of regional outreach and collaboration, Southern Illinois Healthcare (SIH) is opening a simulation and learning lab in Carbondale that will provide distance learning and continuing education to health care students and industry professionals throughout the Southern Illinois region.

We know now more than ever that a more connected Delta region is a more productive Delta region. Broadband availability in our communities connects our people to increased educational and professional opportunities and creates jobs in the region.

Over the past year, the manufacturing sector has been a strong driver of economic growth in Alabama. Supported by investments in space and technology in southern Alabama and large automotive operations throughout the state, manufacturing is growing and attracting companies from around the world to Alabama.

You won’t find many people more proud of their home than Jane Netterville. A lifelong resident of beautiful Lake Bruin, an oxbow lake just west of the Mississippi River with “a beautiful cypress setting”, Netterville does all that she can, even in brief greetings, to convince people it’s the perfect place to live, vacation, or simply relax. As a real estate agent by profession, she has spent many years working with the vast properties around the lake and realizing the needs of the region in order to be an attractive locale.

Many entrepreneurs get their start in a field other than business. For the owners of Hub City Bicycle, starting a business came from their desire to help their community of Jackson, TN. Approached with the idea of opening a bike retail and repair shop, Justin Wren jumped on the opportunity with a long-time friend, Adrian Parchman.

Budding entrepreneurs in the community of West Plains will soon have an outlet for learning, networking, and developing their own business. The Ozarks Small Business Incubator (OzSBI) is putting the finishing touches on its new IDEA Center, a 2,000 square foot renovated space attached to OzSBI, which will be a pre-incubation space geared to students and young entrepreneurs from West Plains.

Since his election in 2008, Mayor George Evans has actively supported and initiated numerous programs in his hometown of Selma, Alabama. A lifelong educator and public servant, Mayor Evans was superintendent of the Dallas County, Alabama Schools system before serving as Chief Academic Officer for the State of Alabama. He is proud to have served as Selma’s City Council President before being elected as Selma’s mayor in 2008.

Alex Edgin can recognize a strong, successful business model when she sees one. After working nine years for a women’s boutique in New Orleans, Edgin decided that she was ready to open her own shop.

We know that the Delta community and its people deserve good governance, quality infrastructure, productive schools, an educated workforce, and first-rate healthcare.

The downtown of a city is often considered the heart of that community, a part of many towns that in recent years has seen renewed campaigns for investment and revitalization. In Pine Bluff, AR, the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff and its Business Support Incubator, through processes and programs that engage existing and aspiring entrepreneurs, is doing just that: revitalizing the city’s Main Street and downtown corridor.

The downtown of a city is often considered the heart of that community, a part of many towns that in recent years has seen renewed campaigns for investment and revitalization. In Pine Bluff, AR, the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff and its Business Support Incubator, through processes and programs that engage existing and aspiring entrepreneurs, is doing just that: revitalizing the city’s Main Street and downtown corridor.

Commissioner Tracey Glenn is a woman who strives to bring many “firsts” to her community. A lifelong resident and public servant of Williamson County in Southern Illinois, Commissioner Glenn is well known in her area for her successful campaign to become the first woman elected to the Williamson County Board of Commissioners.

Mechanic uses development resources and a flexible business model to grow ATV and trucking business

What began as a passion and hobby for David Gaston has become a thriving business that has gained national rapport among hunters. Gaston is the President of Gaston Custom Calls, producer of quality duck and goose calls made from wood and acrylic.

Through a regional partnership in Northwestern Kentucky, the Tri-County Recycling Alliance will be building a new regional recycling center in Henderson, KY.

This week is National Small Business Week, and I encourage you to celebrate and support those businesses in your community.

In his State of the Union Address, President Obama challenged us to “turn our unemployment system into a reemployment system that puts people to work.”

A decade ago when Alexandria business and city leaders began development of the Central Louisiana Business Incubator (CLBI), part of the feasibility plan included a commercial kitchen for use by food service enterprises and professionals.

Filled with a passion to serve her fellow Mississippians, Trina George has built her career around working with and helping communities and people in her home state. Mrs. George began her career in public service in the non-profit industry, working with youth programs, health care projects, and GED programs for adults and youth – serving individuals across the state. 

In 1997, Susan Forte left her career of 17 years in higher education administration to pursue her vision of connecting small communities to economic development opportunities.

ROSICLARE, IL - Hardin County General Hospital (HCGH) has recently expanded its tech capacity to include an Electrocardiogram (EKG) machine, MARS Holter monitor system, and Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) with the support of a Delta Regional Authority SEDAP grant.

In early 2010, Philip Goggin found himself without a full-time job but determined to make something work. That something came to him at the East Missouri Action Agency where he saw a flyer for the state’s Operation JumpStart program.

Considered a champion of economic development for his community, Judge Greg Terry has contributed leadership and enthusiasm to the rural communities of Carlisle County, Kentucky. Terry is an active leader in the community in which he was born and raised, serving as secretary of the Purchase Area Development District.

Last week, in his State of the Union address, President Obama laid out a strong blueprint for an American economy that is built to last. 

Clarence W. Hawkins has served the Delta Region throughout his life, bringing ethical leadership and economic development to communities in Louisiana. Born and raised in rural towns in central Mississippi and southeast Louisiana, Hawkins began his career of service as a public school teacher and administrator.

The Delta Regional Authority is supporting SET Enterprises and the Alabama-Tombigbee Regional Commission with a $50,000 investment into the construction of a rail spur. SET Enterprises, Inc. is planning to construct a 65,000 square foot steel slitter mill on 17.5 acres in Jackson, scheduled to open on March 30, 2012. The property borders the Norfolk Southern Railway but lacks the necessary rail spur providing access to the future facility from the main rail line.

Within two years of his election, Blytheville Mayor James Sanders has brought millions of dollars in investment and numerous community-building programs to his hometown. Sanders has served his community and state for 30 years in law enforcement, including graduating from the FBI National Academy and most recently serving as Sheriff of Mississippi County.

MEMPHIS, TN – Alexander Inventions, an automotive accessories business, is excited about bringing its Windshield Warning System to the market this year. Created by CEO Jerry Alexander, Sr., the system consists of an EL Film with LED and OLED lighting that can be applied to car windshields and windows.

When the Delta Regional Authority was signed into law eleven years ago, President Clinton and members of Congress saw a wrong and were motivated to make it right. 

With our National Policy Conference coming to a successful conclusion last month, we are now looking toward a successful 2012

Times are tough for families, communities and small businesses across the Delta and across the country. Too many of our friends and family members are out of work or worried about losing their jobs. Too many farmers and small business owners are worried about making it to the end of the year.

Upon the one year anniversary of my swearing in as the DRA Federal Co-Chairman, I’m reflective of the work we’ve accomplished and optimistic about the work we still have in front of us to address the Delta region’s economic development needs.