Contact: Robbie Ward
Photo by: Megan Bean
STARKVILLE, Miss.--For Quitman Mayor Eddie Fulton and other community-minded citizens, it all began about nine months ago when a group of strangers with notepads arrived in the small town.
These visitors' notes, taken meticulously on the community's history, current appeal and suggested improvements, have led to a new outlook for the small east central Mississippi city. Now, an emergence of new citizen committees, a city logo, a website redesign in progress, and a new park have created a renewed pride and invigorated sense of place among the townspeople.
Organized by Mississippi State University's Community Action Team, the First Impressions program has led to a chain reaction of community action in the town of about 2,500, located 25 miles south of Meridian.
Having worked with dozens of townships throughout the state, from Alligator to Winona, the MSCAT program aids local communities in identifying their strengths and weaknesses, as well as connecting community leaders to groups and individuals who can help.
"It's been inspirational," Fulton said. "We've got so many things going on now it's crazy."
The First Impressions program, Fulton said, led to the formation of a group of about 100 people, the Quitman auxiliary committee, which then led to renewed community activities such as a new non-profit arts commission and other organizations.
Jeremy Murdock, project manager for the Community Action Team at MSU, said working with the mayor and others in Quitman has shown what dedicated citizens can achieve. Murdock helped organize town hall meetings with the Mississippi Development Authority, the Mississippi Arts Commission, and the state Department of Archives and History to inform residents about opportunities available to them.
"They have a lot of natural resources and could really capitalize on them," Murdock said.
One project has been turning a small piece of donated land near downtown into a city park. Brian Templeton, a MSU extension associate landscape architect, has worked with the city in making this a reality.
"It can be a great welcoming and open area for Quitman," Templeton said. "They want to make the park a gateway to the city."
Mayor Fulton also has received assistance from an MSU art class to better tell the rest of the world what Quitman has to offer. The class designed a variety of city logos and a more functional website.
Fulton said that during a down economy, finding ways to market a small community online is essential. And he's not shy about wanting to better market his city, citing Quitman's award for best drinking water in the state. He also has plans to channel the renewed community spirit into long-term projects.
"The next step is to go after a comprehensive plan grant," he said.
Partnering with the MSCAT program, Fulton said, has helped serve as a catalyst for community activity.
"They've opened doors for us," he said.