Southern Mississippi Planning and Development District

⚙️ Professional Development Day | Advanced Manufacturing: More Than You Think

All 45 SMPDD Career Coaches came together for a full day of professional development, collaboration, and learning—with a special focus on Advanced Manufacturing and the career opportunities available to Mississippi students.

We were grateful to hear from industry and workforce leaders who brought valuable insight and real-world perspective to the day:

🔹 Chris Donovant with NexTech Academy shared how the next generation of makers, builders, and problem solvers can prepare for the high-tech, high-demand future of skilled trades.

🔹 Stephenie Murray with Bollinger and Michael Knakle with Helanbak joined us for an engaging conversation about attracting the next generation to careers in advanced manufacturing and the opportunities available within the industry.

Throughout the day, coaches also participated in updates, resource sharing, and activities designed to help them take what they learned back to the students and schools they serve.

A great day of learning, connecting, and equipping our Career Coaches to help students discover pathways they may have never considered! 💙

Open Enrollment is Coming and our SHIP Coordinator, Cecellia Parker, has been hitting the ground running on Medicare Basics 101 and understanding your benefits. Open Enrollment starts October 15 and runs until December 7!

🚩 Not all Medicare marketing follows the rules.

Before enrolling, know the warning signs of misleading marketing and where to report concerns.

Learn more and find help with your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) or Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) Program! (links below!)

💜 Recognizing National Alzheimer’s Day 💜

Today, our Area Agency on Aging joins communities across the nation in recognizing National Alzheimer’s Day and raising awareness about Alzheimer’s disease and the families and caregivers whose lives it touches.

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive brain disorder that affects memory, thinking, and the ability to carry out everyday activities. Its impact reaches far beyond the individual—it touches spouses, children, caregivers, friends, and entire families.

We’re also proud to recognize the AAA staff pictured here, who are attending the SE4A Conference in Williamsburg, Virginia—continuing to learn, connect, and strengthen the knowledge and resources we bring back to the older adults, caregivers, and communities we serve.

Today is a reminder that awareness matters, support matters, and no one should have to navigate this journey alone.

Let’s continue to learn, lead with compassion, support caregivers, and advocate for those living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.

SMPDD’s very own Bubba Dickey is breaking down Ole Miss vs LSU ahead of this weekend’s big showdown! 🏈🔥😎 Proud to have you on our team, Bubba!

PREVIEW: #7 LSU vs. #8 Ole Miss One of the most highly anticipated regular-season matchups in recent history takes place this weekend at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford.

SMPDD is incredibly proud of Pathway Home and everyone who helped make this program a success. The participants showed remarkable dedication, resilience, and willingness to prepare for life after prison, turning effort into real momentum toward what’s next.

Programs like this remind us that with support, opportunity, and purpose, meaningful change is possible—and we celebrate their hard work!

🎉💙🎉💙🎉💙🎉💙🎉💙🎉💙🎉💙🎉💙

Pathway Home prepares inmates for life after prison HATTIESBURG, Miss. (WHLT) – A South Mississippi organization is helping incarcerated men prepare for a new start before returning home. The Pathway Home Five Re-Entry Program helps individual…

On behalf of SMPDD, and Harrison County Board of Supervisors, $1,000 scholarships have been awarded to Jaya Jefferson and Elisabeth Faulk.

🎉🎉🎉 Congratulations to these students and good luck at MGCCC!

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Harrison County Board of Supervisors

💜💛 Our first Lunch & Learn at Purvis High School was a success! 💛💜

Students signed up for dedicated time with counselors, Mrs. Querns and Ms. Bodin, and SMPDD Career Coach Meg Stewart to talk about their futures, ask questions, and explore their options after high school. 🎓

We love giving our students a place to ask questions, make plans, and feel confident about what comes next! 🌪️💜Southern Mississippi Planning and Development District

Congratulations to the Croatian American Community of Biloxi on honoring heritage and those who have served in our military —what a meaningful celebration. Thank you for your dedication and contributions to our community.

Croatian American community in Biloxi honors heritage, military service Slavic Benevolent Association holds dedication at Croatian American Cultural Center.

🌟 A huge shoutout and heartfelt congratulations to Briley Hines and Josiah Beamon! 🌟

The Stone County Board of Supervisors is thrilled to honor these students for receiving the SMPDD Scholarship—$1,000 to support them at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College this fall.

We’re so proud of your accomplishments and excited to see all the amazing things you’ll achieve. Keep reaching for your dreams—you’ve got a whole community cheering you on every step of the way! 💙🎓

Congratulations again, your bright future starts now! 🎉🎉🎉



Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
Stone County Enterprise