A Brookhaven woman has been appointed the new business counselor for Southwest Mississippi.

The Mississippi Small Business Development Center has announced Heather Emory as its new business counselor for southwest Mississippi. Emory is a Franklin County native and Brookhaven resident. She has 20 years of experience in higher education.

Emory joined the MS-SBDC in May as a contract counselor, where she worked with business owners regarding COVID-19 concerns. She joined the team in October as a full-time business counselor.

Before working with the MS-SBDC, Emory worked at Copiah-Lincoln Community College and Hinds Community College.

“I hope that we see economic growth in southwest Mississippi,” Emory said. “We are right for that type of business to come into our area or develop in our area. We have the land and we have the work force for that.”

With a combination of her business knowledge and area connections, the MS-SBDC believed she would be a good fit for the position.

“I am very proud to serve this area as the MS-SBDC Business Counselor,” Emory said. “It has been a long-time dream to see this area grow and thrive. I am excited to be a part of that process.”

Copiah-Lincoln Community College serves as the host institution for the southwest Mississippi office.

“Having a SBDC business counselor on our campus is a step in the right direction for our district,” Co-Lin President Dr. Jane Hulon Sims said. “Strong small businesses will help attract larger companies to this area. Co-Lin is committed to doing everything possible to see this area grow.”

The MS-SBDC has served the entrepreneurs and small business owners of Mississippi since 1981. The MS-SBDC offers one on one counseling, technical support and workshops for the small business community in the Magnolia state. All counseling services and workshops are 100 percent confidential and no-charge.

As business counselor, Emory covers 10 counties in southwest Mississippi. Her office is located at The Billy B. Thames Conference Center on the Co-Lin campus in Wesson. To request counseling or to sign up for a workshop, go to www.mssbdc.org or call 662-832-3643.

 

Story by Gracie Byrne