They’re
singing the blues in Indianola, and probably will for
years to come. However, this is not the dire situation
it sounds like—in fact, it’s very much a positive
development. Business and civic leaders have come together
to capitalize on Sunflower County’s rich blues music
heritage. The focal point of these efforts, and the centerpiece
of what promises to be a bright future as a tourist destination,
is the B. B. King Museum. The legendary musician and Indianola
native son is actively involved in plans for this showcase
of his career and the history of Delta Blues. When the
museum opens (those involved in the project are aiming
for a 2005 opening), it is likely to generate an almost
unfathomable economic boom.
With an economy still heavily dependent on agriculture,
Indianola—like many Delta communities—has
struggled with a sluggish climate in recent years. Added
to this is the lingering effect of the closing of the
Modern Line manufacturing plant two years ago, and the
resulting loss of hundreds of jobs. Indianola is ready
for an economic boost, and blues tourism looms as the
road to success. While looking ahead to the boom times
the museum promises, city officials and business owners
also speak of other positive signs.
“We’ve felt the effects of recession, and
we’ve seen some businesses close,” says Mayor
Arthur Marble, “but our main goal right now is to
keep our heads up and be thankful for what we do have.”
Marble says he considers the Indianola community a team,
comprised of educators, business people, other members
of the community, and government officials. “We
keep our eyes open to each other’s needs,”
he comments. “Everybody cares about everybody, and
that spirit is one of the key elements it takes to survive
tough times.
“We’re very focused now on developing blues
tourism, and we’re fortunate to have the King of
Blues himself, B.B King, as an Indianola native. There’s
also discussion of becoming a part of the Main Street
Program,” Marble adds. “This could certainly
help our existing businesses.”
At the Sunflower County Economic Development District,
new director Blake Wallace has been busy strengthening
the organization both internally and externally. “One
of the first things I did was implement an industry visitation
program,” he explains. “We’ve now visited
just about every manufacturer in the area, and will be
visiting with all the municipal officials as well.
“Internally, we’re working on strategic planning
and some technical upgrades to the office, such as improving
our database,” he says.
Wallace reports that his office is working actively with
several industrial prospects, as well as with existing
businesses considering expansion projects. He comments
that his own background in both the public and private
sector has helped him in his position. In addition to
thirteen years’ experience in economic development,
Wallace was for several years a business owner himself.
Fall is a busy time for the Indianola Chamber of Commerce,
reports director Beth Lyon. Back-to-school luncheons for
area teachers provide an opportunity to meet with local
merchants. The Chamber is also working with those merchants
to coordinate their fall promotions, and the annual Community
Fund Drive is another big project.
“Even with the generally sluggish economy in the
Delta, Indianola is doing well,” she continues.
“The B. B. King Museum, when it opens in a couple
of years, will vastly increase our tourism opportunities.
Indianola is home to many very successful businesses,
like the Crown Restaurant and the Indianola Pecan House,
which are known far beyond the Delta.”
“It’s been a healthy year for us so far,”
says Randy Randall with Planters Bank. “Deposits
and loans are even stronger than we expected. Planters
Bank is an integral part of the Delta, with operations
in nine communities. I believe people are looking for
banks with deep roots in the Delta.”
Randall says he is especially pleased with the bank’s
branch operations in Greenwood, Cleveland, and Leland.
“They’re doing exceptionally well, thanks
to really strong personnel who are executing our philosophy
of customer service with a personal touch.
“Overall, Indianola is doing fairly well,”
he continues. “The ag situation looks healthier,
thanks to some meaningful government assistance. And we’re
all grateful to companies like Dollar General and Super
Value, who continue to demonstrate a strong commitment
to the community.”
“It looks like a really good year for agriculture,”
agrees Joe Ricotta with Community Bank. “The preliminary
yields are very promising, and people are optimistic about
the prospects for 2004. And the infusion of money back
into our economy from the ag sector is a big positive.
“We still have some challenges in bringing in new
industry, especially to fill the now-vacant Modern Line
plant, but our new economic development director is doing
a good job.”
Delta Pride Catfish remains Sunflower County’s largest
employer, and president Steve Osso says business is stable.
“This year’s Lenten season was very robust,
and catfish’s image as an appealing and healthy
product is continuing to grow. After a long time of having
to focus on the overseas competition situation, the Catfish
Institute is once again able to devote its resources to
promoting the premium American product.”
He adds that Delta Pride continues to make operational
area improvements, and additional renovation plans are
under consideration.
Indianola Insurance Agency is celebrating its 100th anniversary
this year. Still in its original location (though the
building has been expanded over the years), the independent
agency represents a number of companies. They cater to
all types of business, commercial, personal, and agricultural
clients. Doug Russell characterizes the insurance market
in the state as tight, attributed in part to the number
of insurers who no longer do business in Mississippi.
“The state lost many farm insurers,” he comments.
“Farmers can still find policies, but they and we
have to look harder.
“We’ve also seen some rate increases in home
and auto insurance. Just like other things, people are
shopping around more now for insurance, and many are taking
higher deductibles to keep costs down.”
“The Indianola economy is doing okay,” says
Tom Gresham of Gresham Petroleum/Double Quick, the Delta’s
largest operator of convenience stores and gas stations.
“Our economy is still strongly related to agriculture,
and it looks to be a good farm year.”
Gresham makes extensive use of Indianola’s Charlie
Capps Technology Center for workforce training, and says
that the Center is a valuable resource. “Companies
throughout the Delta should make use of this excellent
facility—in today’s world, there’s no
such thing as too much training for employees. The Capps
Center is really tuned in to the needs of the Delta.”
Prominent Delta auto dealer Tom Wadler has recently purchased
the All American Autoplex, an established outlet for several
GM makes. In an interview with the Greenville Delta Democrat-Times,
Wadler outlined some of his plans for the dealership.
“I’ve got tremendous plans for expansion.
I hope to establish 40 to 50 jobs and continue to bring
good service to the Delta,” he told the Times.
Tom Gresham comments, “Tom Wadler has brought a
new dynamic to the car business in the Delta. He’ll
really build the dealership up, and we’ll see more
people purchasing locally.”
Victor Byas of Byas Funeral Home reports the formation
of a new insurance operation, Byas Funeral Group. Byas
is the chairman, and Henry Shelton is president of the
concern, which represents eleven companies and offers
pre-need funeral coverage, funeral service coverage, and
whole life insurance.
“We’re also forming another corporation, Byas
Transport, LLC,” says Byas. “We have a contract
with Brisk Transportation to deliver groceries to Super
Value stores.” He adds that Byas Funeral Home has
acquired the Delta Heights Memorial Gardens cemetery in
Cleveland.
Indianola Pecan House is known around the country for
its specialty food products, marketed through retail outlets
as well as telephone, online, and mail orders. Tim Timbs
comments, “There’s a lot going on to capitalize
on the history and culture of the area, and there’s
a realization of the history and value of our downtown
and its older buildings. The B. B. King Museum project
has done a lot to bring the community together—everyone
wants to make it a success.”
A recently completed new catalog kicks off the Indianola
Pecan House’ busy fall season, and Timbs reports
several new flavors—including honey crisp pecans,
and “sweet heat” and sugar-free cinnamon varieties.
The latest in the series of popular collector’s
lids, featuring specially commissioned artwork, is now
available.
The Crown Restaurant remains a popular destination for
locals and area visitors alike. “People from the
Northeast really like Southern foods,” states Evelyn
Roughton, “and as we continue to get more and more
tourists in the Indianola area, we concentrate of giving
people the full experience of real Southern hospitality.”
Roughton’s line of gourmet food products, Taste
of Gourmet, continues to grow in popularity around the
country, she reports. The specialty items are sold through
tastings, and the company has added consultants in Michigan,
Minnesota, Illinois, and Indiana. “We’ve also
got people now in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania,”
Roughton comments. “This is a new area for us, and
it’s doing very well.”
Among new Taste of Gourmet items are salsa mix with fresh
cilantro, a best seller since its introduction in January,
and peach pecan pepper preserves.
The popular Gin Mill Mall, known for its art and antiques,
is undergoing a major transformation, reports Tom Bingham.
“With an eye to the coming of the B. B. King museum,
which will be located nearby, we’ve just incorporated
Gin Mill Galleries, Inc.,” he explains. “We’re
planning a major renovation which will make us the largest
privately-owned art gallery in the state.”
The current gallery space will be more than doubled, Bingham
says, and banquet space will be added to the downstairs
area to host artists’ reception, receptions, and
other social events. The focus of the gallery will be
on Mississippi artists.
“With all the talent in the state, there’s
no need to look elsewhere,” he comments. “And
with all the people who’ll be coming to Indianola
for the new museum, we’ll be able to expose Mississippi
arts to the world.”
Certainly, nothing has galvanized the citizens of Indianola
more than the planned B.B. King Museum. In preparation
for its completion, businesses are planning changes, groups
are being formed to meet the challenges of a tourism boom,
and a consortium of top-flight people and firms has been
assembled.
Bill McPherson, Gresham Petroleum/Double Quick executive
and a top official of the B.B. King Museum Foundation,
says the goal is to create a world-class facility equal
to the blues legend’s status in the music world.
As he explains, the beginnings of the project came when
King started looking into building a retirement residence
in his old hometown.
“We approached him about the possibility of a museum,”
says McPherson, “and have been very honored to have
B.B. share our excitement about the project. With our
interim executive director, Allen Hammons, and others,
we’ve got a first-rate team in place. And it’s
important to point out that this project is being spearheaded
by a very diverse group of business and civic leaders,
all coming together to make this a top attraction.”
Fellow foundation member and attorney Carver Randle speaks
of the high caliber of project participants. “Our
architect, Stephen Perkins, played a leading role in the
master plan for the Disney theme park in Tokyo,”
he reports. “Our design firm has worked on facilities
such as the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland.”
The film production firm associated with the project has
done extensive work for the Smithsonian Institution, he
adds.
“It will be exciting to see how this and others
blues museums in the Delta complement one another,”
McPherson comments. “We hope to lay the groundwork
to make many more exciting things happen along the Mississippi
Blues Trail. Although it’s an ambitious plan, we
hope to have the museum open in 2005 to coincide with
B.B.’s 80th birthday.”
“A museum of this magnitude in the heart of town
will create a tremendous spin-off,” says Tim Timbs.
“It will take several years for it to completely
develop, but with the busloads of people that will be
coming in, support businesses from retail to restaurants
will see enormous benefits. And even during the construction
phase, before the museum even opens, there’ll be
economic benefits, because the people here to work on
the construction will be spending money in the community.”
Comments Joe Ricotta, “Our local residents take
often take B. B. King for granted, but people don’t
realize how big his name is outside the Mississippi area.
You can’t even imagine how big an impact the museum
will have.”
With a spirit of teamwork and cooperation, and with the
blues in the air, Indianola is poised to experience one
of the most exciting periods in its history. Blake Wallace
sums up the feeling shared by those working so diligently
to ensure that future: “There are a lot of good
people in Sunflower County. We just need to stay positive,
and goal by goal, we’ll achieve what we all want.”
DBJ
