Tupelo, MS, June 13, 2014... As the largest city in Panola County, Batesville has the consumer demand driving the need for additional retail, restaurant and hotel choices for residents and visitors.

To pursue this potential, the City of Batesville and Panola Partnership have partnered with The Retail Coach, a national retail recruitment and development consulting firm.

 "Our primary goals are to enhance the quality of life for our residents; increase visitor traffic to our area; and increase local employment opportunities," said Batesville Mayor Jerry Autrey. "In doing so, we also expand the sales tax base to benefit the entire community."

Batesville's Competitive Advantages
The Retail Coach consultants have already been in Batesville to conduct onsite research that includes a Retail Trade Area determination and Retail Gap/Opportunity Analysis.

"We see a lot of good things in place that will support our work to expand the current retail sector," said Joseph Koon, Regional Project Director of The Retail Coach.

Those factors include Batesville's location on I-55, the traffic and overflow from the University of Mississippi during games and special events, and a strong daytime employment count from the Tri-Lakes Medical Center and other large employers.

 "We also offer the advantage of available space and prime land for development," said Mayor Autrey, noting The Retail Coach has divided Batesville into three submarkets for its study.

Retail Study Components
"Determining an accurate Retail Trade Area is the foundational tool for positioning Batesville for successful retail expansion," said Koon. "The Retail Trade Area is where retailers derive approximately 85% of their business. The Secondary Retail Trade Area is where retailers derive the remainder of their business."

Additionally, The Retail Gap/Opportunity Analysis will highlight which of 52 retail categories in Batesville are exhibiting deficiencies or leakages.  A leakage occurs when residents shop in surrounding communities instead of their own hometown.

Additional research underway includes demographic, socioeconomic, psychographic and workforce profiles. An assessment of Batesville's three primary retail corridors will reveal new development and redevelopment opportunities as well.

Drawing upon results from this market research, The Retail Coach will work with the City and Panola Partnership to develop a Retail Economic Development Plan that includes targeted retailer recruitment.

Workshop for Existing Businesses  

All of The Retail Coach's findings and strategies will be presented to local businesses during a free workshop that will be announced in the near future.

"With a better understanding of the spending patterns and purchasing behaviors of consumers, we can help current owners and managers better target their marketing and offer more of the products that Batesville visitors and residents want," said Koon, a Mississippi native and graduate of Southeastern Louisiana University.

The Retail Coach is based in Tupelo, Mississippi and has assisted over 250 communities throughout the U.S. during the past 15 years. For more information, contact Koon at 662-231-1682.

Be a part of the recruitment!  Take a few minutes to complete our Consumer Survey!

Visit the Partnership's new Retail Industry Webpage

Last week, we were honored to have John Baas, Director MMA Government Affairs, with us to discuss new legislation affecting how our larger employers and manufacturers do business in Mississippi. 

Two programs introduced during the meeting were:

(1) Utility Sales Tax Exemption:

Starting July 1, 2014, manufacturers will be exempt from paying the 1.5 % sales tax on the purchase of electricity, natural gas, propane or other fuels used in their processes.  This new exemption will result in approximately $7 million each year staying in the hands of manufacturers so that they can use this money to hire new employees, invest in new equipment, or start new product lines.

(2) Advanced Manufacturing Partners:

Northwest Mississippi Community College has partnered with several industries to provide paid internships for students in the Industrial Electronic Engineering Technology Program.  Toyoda Gosei MS in Batesville is a local participant of this partnership.  NWCC welcomes any of our local industries to participate.