Southern Mississippi Planning and Development District

Southern Mississippi Planning and Development District Departments

The District perceives its function as a change agent to add value to the information and resources it possesses, and by doing so, accomplish its mission of "providing the information and technical capacity needed for private and public sector leaders in Southern Mississippi to make informed decisions and to take effective actions to encourage and accomplish planned development of the region's human, economic, political and natural resources."

The District is segmented into seven divisions to better serve South Mississippi. Each division operates under the coordinated leadership of Leslie Newcomb, Executive Director, and the Board of Directors.

Area Agency on Aging

The Area Agency on Aging serves as the public advocate for the development and implementation of comprehensive and coordinated home and community based care systems responsive to the current needs and future growth of the aging population.

Business Development

The Business Development Department operates three financing programs that enhance economic development: the Economic Development Administration (EDA) Revolving Loan Fund (RLF); the Minority Business Enterprise Loan Fund; and the Mississippi Small Business Assistance Loan Program.

Child Care

Southern Mississippi Planning and Develoopment District manages the CCDF child care certificate program for 15 counties of South Mississippi.

Geographic Information and Mapping

Southern Mississippi Planning and Development District has collected, updated, and created a wide variety of geographic data sets. Utilizing an in-house Geographic Information System (GIS), the District is able to provide mapping and data solutions for planning project support, local governments and client requests. Daily operations include ongoing project work, data collection/editing, production of maps by request, and communication with other state and local professionals involved with work in the GIS community.

Planning and Development

Southern Mississippi Planning and Development District's Planning Department has established a program of work that fosters a thriving, diverse economy for the fifteen-county service area. Recognizing the importance of long-range planning, SMPDD aids its member governments in creating plans to develop their natural and human resources and improve their local economies. By utilizing the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy(CEDS) approach, SMPDD helps communities assess and prioritize their needs, set their goals and implement a plan of action.

Workforce Development

The Workforce Development Program establishes a centrally located place where job seekers can access job training, education, and employment services, and employers can post job openings and get current information on the skills their workers will need to be competitive. Although not all services may be provided under one roof, information about how and where to access them is available at one location. In Mississippi, the one-stop system is called the Workforce Investment Network ? WIN in Mississippi.

Medicaid Waiver

The Elderly and Disabled Waiver program provides home and community-based services to individuals over the age of 21 who, but for the provision of such services, would require the level of care provided in a nursing facility. Beneficiaries of this waiver must qualify for Medicaid as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries or meet the income and resource eligibility requirements for income level up to 300% of the SSI Federal Benefit Rate and meet medical criteria of the program. Individuals must also have deficits in at least three of their activities of daily living.