The Hinds County Economic Development District was formed in the early 1970s. The mission is to establish, maintain, and carry on a program of diversified economic development that results in the realization of Hinds County, Mississippi serving as the primary business and employment center for the Greater Jackson metropolitan area. In 2010, the Mississippi State Legislature worked together with local county officials to create and pass House Bill 1687, and the District became an Authority. Continuing with updates and upgrades, the HCEDA moved to its current office, which is located in the Capital Towers Building in 2015. The Authority also implemented a new brand and logo with “Making a World of Difference” as the tagline. The logo is very unique and functions as a capital “H” for Hinds County and a globe with longitude and latitude lines.
So far HCEDA’s largest project has been the attraction of Continental Tire. In October of 2019, Continental opened its third U.S. tire plant in Clinton, Mississippi. The company investment was $1.45 Billion USD. At its peak this plant will employ up to 2,500 jobs with an average salary of $40,000/yr.
The Hinds County Economic Development Authority has a rich history of leadership, which can be viewed below.
Hinds County Economic Development Authority Board Presidents
1990 – Greg Hinkebein
1991 – Phillip Koonce
1992 – Charles Irving
1993 – Frances P. Smith
1994 – David Swinton
1995 – Van Evans
1996 – Leroy Walker, Jr.
1997 – Billy Ray Smith
1998 – Dr. Charles Leonard
1999 – William Jones
2000 – Louis Beverly, Jr.
2001 – Preston Gough, Sr.
2002 – Dr. Dennis Holloway, Jr.
2003 – Van Evans
2004 – Jermal Clark
2005 – Dr. George French
2006 – Howard Catchings
2007 – Henry Michel
2008 – Leroy Walker, Jr.
2009-2010 – Jermal Clark
2011 – Dr. Ryan Tracy
2012 – Dr. R. Faith Cotton
2013 – Earl Washington
2014 – Van Evans
2014-2015 – Ed Johnson
2016 – Joe Rocks
2017 – Louis Wright
2018 – William Hetrick
2019 – Michael Walker
2020 – Vincent J. Byrd
2021 – Mary M. White
2022 – Henry W. Flowers
2022-2023 – Hilliard L. Lackey
2024 – Jason E. Owens