The Women of 58 INC. and the Shelby County Chamber
In 2017, Shelby County leaders determined a new approach to economic development was necessary to meet the ever-changing needs of the high-growth county.
58 INC. was born of that desire to support growth in all sectors through the expansion of existing industries and the recruitment of new industries to complement the economy in a healthy, sustainable way. The founding board members embedded a strong relationship with the Shelby County Chamber into 58 INC.’s day-today operations with shared programming initiatives and shared office space.
Together the two organizations set the goal to meet with a minimum number of existing Shelby County companies each year, and in the first two years of partnership, they have exceeded that goal by at least 33% each year. These visits, along with work groups, roundtables and surveys, help to feed the programming of each organization.
“We work to increase the economic vitality of Shelby County by working closely with various communities, corporate representatives, local government officials, business owners, private developers and land-use planning officials to bring desired economic investment to all communities in Shelby County,” said 58 INC. Managing Director Yvonne Murray.
Kathy Copeland, the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce’s incoming board chair, said: “Partnerships create opportunities. Growing our own work force is a passion. Partnerships also foster diversity, which is where the real strength of our future rests. It also speaks to the value of both organizations working side by side.
“We want to advance economic prosperity and business health through a collaborative partnership among stakeholders focused on targeted initiatives and business recruitment to assure a robust economy in Shelby County,” Murray added. “Our primary focus is balanced job growth in the commercial, retail and industrial sectors.”
Murray is joined by a team of strong women that includes Melody Whitten, 58 INC.’s Director of Development; Mechelle Wilder, 58 INC.’s Board of Directors Treasurer; Pari Barzegari, the Shelby County Chamber’s Director of Community and Career Development; Jordan Powell, the Shelby County Chamber’s Director of Investor Relations; and Kathy Copeland, the Shelby County Chamber’s incoming Board of Directors Chair.
“Our team strives to support each community and business in Shelby County and meet them where their needs are,” Murray said. “This means a large breadth of support services catered to the scale and potential of each community. We support development and recruitment in the industrial, commercial, technological, retail and workforce sectors.
“We support development through active recruitment of new businesses, marketing of our communities and available properties, provision of data and analysis, education of our leadership, advocacy and problem-solving for existing businesses and the creation of programming and direct solutions,” Murray continued. “We love that each and every day brings new, fun challenges. We get to support our communities in a variety of ways and fl ex creativity in how we solve problems.
“Economic development is a field that touches a little bit of everything. In one day we might work with a brewery, an automotive supply manufacturer, a sporting goods distribution facility, a quick service coffee location and a student planning their career path. Our field is the intersection of government, nonprofit and business sectors.
“We want to be constantly changing to meet the needs of our county,” Murray said. “We have to tell our story, and we have to tell it together. Shelby County is not on an island. We are one piece of a region that has unlimited potential. If we can come together as a team — as a family — we can’t be stopped. I think we’re on that path now.”
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