Southern Mississippi Planning and Development District

11/07/2025

We had an absolutely amazing day at the Veterans Day Celebration & Health Fair in D’Iberville! 🇺🇸

A huge thank you to Sadd Healthcare and Care4all Caregivers for hosting and making this event possible! ❤️🤍💙

It was a great day dedicated to supporting our veterans, with engaging activities, valuable resources, and plenty of community spirit. Our SMPDD MAC Center and the Veteran Directed Care program enjoyed fantastic networking with veterans and fellow attendees.

10/28/2025

Accessing the vast vault of Medicare information, plans, and deadlines can feel overwhelming. But with the right tools, you can find exactly what you need. Think of Medicare.gov as your national library for Medicare information, while your local SHIP is your personalized librarian, offering one-on-one support to help you find the information that best fits your needs.

SHIPs and Medicare.gov are two trusted resources for people with Medicare to get help with understanding and comparing plan options and costs. Medicare.gov is the official government website that provides information on Original Medicare and federally contracted private health insurance, while SHIPs offer local, personalized counseling services. Depending on your needs, you can use one or both to help you navigate Medicare during the Open Enrollment Period. If you'd like to learn more about SHIP, visit www.shiphelp.org.

10/24/2025

The SMPDD Team is deeply saddened by Melvin Thompson’s passing. His kindness and dedication touched us all, and his legacy will live on in the care we give and the work we do. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends 💙💙💙

10/23/2025

SMPDD is proud to be part of this project with all of our partners, Congratulations to all! 🎉🎉🎉

Just In: The Mississippi Department of Employment Security (MDES) has received a $5.7 million federal grant to improve shipbuilding skills training. This funding, part of an $86 million program from the U.S. Department of Labor, will support training in high-demand fields like welding and marine electrical work.

The grant will benefit major employers, including Ingalls Shipbuilding and Bollinger Shipyards, which together expect to hire 2,500 new workers annually. Tailored training programs will focus on technical skills, leadership development, and upskilling current employees.

For more details, visit https://mdes.ms.gov/news/2025/10/21/mdes-secures-57-million-federal-grant-for-shipbuilding-skills-training/.

10/02/2025

We’re proud to have Allison Beasley Hawkins on our team at SMPDD 💙 Her leadership in economic and workforce development is shaping a brighter future for our region and building a stronger Mississippi!

Today’s board spotlight shines on Allison Beasley Hawkins, CEcD, IMO, Economic/Workforce Development Division Director at the Southern Mississippi Planning and Development District.

For more than 20 years, Allison has overseen economic and workforce initiatives across a 15-county region, managing a team of 20+ professionals and coordinating grants, technical assistance, and partnerships to drive growth.

Her career path includes leadership roles with the Area Development Partnership and the Lauderdale County Tourism Bureau, where she focused on research, prospect development, and destination growth.

A two-time graduate of The University of Southern Mississippi, Allison holds a Master’s in Economic Development and a Bachelor’s in Political Science. She is recognized for her ability to align data, strategy, and collaboration to strengthen communities and expand opportunities.

09/30/2025

Way to Go, Rossie!! We are Proud to have you on our Team! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

09/25/2025

Ocean Springs Senior Center and First Missionary Baptist Church both had dynamic presentations on fall prevention during Falls Prevention Awareness Week!

We did some uplifting seated chair movements together, and the energy was fantastic!! Huge thanks to Humana for the delicious Chick-fil-A treat that kept us motivated! 🙌🪑🍗🎉



National Council on Aging

09/25/2025

September 24th marked a great day for the City of Columbia as they opened and celebrated the Grand Opening of Village of Grace. They are located at 612 Jackson Avenue, Columbia MS 39429.

"Village of Grace isn’t a personal care home. It’s a place where veterans and elders are honored as cultural keepers were meals taste like memory and where the porch light stays on not just for safety but a beacon of welcome" 💙💙💙

Congratulations from SMPDD, we welcome you as a resource partner for our Veterans! 🎉

09/22/2025

One in four Americans age 65+ falls every year. Being common doesn't make falling a normal part of aging. Learn why older people fall and how to take fall prevention precautions.

09/18/2025

🎉 They did it! The Wellness Team proudly wrapped up the Matter of Balance sessions at Sacred Heart Catholic in D'Iberville! 🙌🧡

What a fantastic experience bringing the Matter of Balance Program to Sacred Heart Catholic Church, D'Iberville, MS. 💪🌟

A huge thank you to Humana, Encore PT Services, and Memorial Health for sharing their time, expertise, and heart with our participants. 🙏🏽🏥

Interested in bringing a FREE workshop to the seniors in your community? Let’s connect! 📬✨

Contact:
Ashlee Dearman
Preventive Health Coordinator
Office: 228-868-2311
Email: Adearman@Smpdd.com

🎯🌟

A Matter of Balance