The Chickasaw Development Foundation in Houston was founded in 1953, and is one of the oldest economic development organizations in Northeast Mississippi. Although Chickasaw County ranks 53th in county population among Mississippi’s counties, it ranks 13th in manufacturing jobs. Five of the top 100 companies in Mississippi are either in Chickasaw County or have their headquarters in Houston or the
county. Chickasaw County is home to the largest furniture store in the State of Mississippi. Chickasaw County is home to one of the largest privately owned furniture manufacturers in the United States with over 1,300 dedicated employees. Chickasaw County manufactures a wide variety of products, such as wood products, upholstered furniture, polyfoam, cotton batting, carpet underlay, PVC pipe, wood turnings, shipping containers, specialized farming equipment, kitchen and gun cabinets, and steel fabrication. Josh West, Regional Economic Developer assumed the responsibilities for industrial development, retainage of jobs as well as recruitment of new jobs for Chickasaw County in 2013. The Mission Statement of the Chickasaw Development Foundation was re-created by the directors and approved by the membership of the organization that same year. With the approval of the new mission statement, Chickasaw Development Foundation’s new focus was directed toward community development and now serves as a catalyst for economic growth in Houston and Chickasaw County.
