Page 28 - South Mississippi Living - March, 2018

PEOPLE news worthy HANCOCK
COUNTY
Leslie Henderson and Angelyn Treutel Zeringue
story and photos courtesy of Hancock Chamber of Commerce
During the Annual Meeting of the Hancock Chamber of Commerce, Cathy Wilson of Excel by 5 passed the gavel
to Stephen Schruff, area manager of Mississippi Power Company, as President of the Board.
Schruff provided a report on the proposed small business economic development action plan the Chamber devised to recruit, retain and expand businesses to increase tax revenues. The Mississippi Economic Development Council recognized Hancock County
for this program with the 2017 State Community Economic Development Award. The program is a new, innovative partnership of the Hancock County Port & Harbor Commission, the Hancock Chamber of Commerce and the Hancock Community Development Foundation.
During 2017, the Chamber secured $50,000 in new grants to market Hancock County, including Highway
90 directional signage; raised $6,000 for classroom grants and high school senior scholarships; cut the ribbon on 20 new businesses; managed relocation inquiries from 13 states; provided member businesses with 847,632 website referrals with attorneys, restaurants, real estate professionals and banks topping the list; and rolled out a new networking group, the Hancock Young Professionals.
Leslie Hatcher Henderson of Lazy Magnolia Brewing Company received the 2018 Jody Compretta Person of Passion Award. Henderson was cited for her entrepreneurial spirit and passion for improving the quality of life in Hancock County and Mississippi.
“Leslie embodies the great American success story for business achievements and makes our community and our state very proud,” said Tish Williams, executive director of the Hancock Chamber of Commerce.
Stephen Schruff and Cathy Wilson
UPCOMING EVENTS
MARCH 8
5:30 p.m. – Hancock Chamber Young Professionals at the Golf Academy at Diamondhead
MARCH 10
All Day – Second Saturday in Old Town Souper Mud Fest
MARCH 13
5:30 p.m. – Hancock Chamber Women’s Leadership Roundtable at Lazy Magnolia Brewing Company
MARCH 15
5 p.m. – Hancock Chamber Business After Hours at John McDonald Realty
MARCH 16
8:30 a.m. – Community Conversations with the Hancock Chamber Greenways Committee
MARCH 17
2 p.m. – Waveland’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade
MARCH 20
11:45 a.m. – How to be a part of a Work Ready Community, Hancock Career Technical Facility
MARCH 31
Stella Blues and BBQ Festival in the Depot District. For details: www.hancockchamber.com
28 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • March 2018
FOR MORE REFLECTIONS OF THE GULF COAST >> www.smliving.net