On May 9, 2017 representatives from Duvall Decker Architects, P.A., Hope Enterprise Corporation, Hope Credit Union, Utica City Officials Mayor Broome and Alderman Mathis, Elder James Owens, One Voice, and Gulf Coast Community Design Studio, along with the Mississippi Center for Cultural Production, gathered to tour the town of Utica. The tour provided an opportunity for each representative to better understand Utica’s history, assets, challenges, speak with residents, and engage with Utica store owners. The day began at Utica City Hall and toured stores along Main St., Sipp Culture’s sites, visited the historic Utica High School building, Kitchens Lumber Company, the old Sunflower grocery store and concluded after lunch at Strong’s Family Restaurant.
This tour also provided an opportunity for each attendee to learn more about the work, upcoming projects and new developments with Sipp Culture. This gathering, while very productive, was just one step in the process of creating partnerships to help inform how resources can be pulled together to help shape the vision of what’s possible in our community.
“We’re excited about our work with Sipp Culture through HOPE’s Small Town Partnership. Through the Partnership, HOPE works with local people to identify goals for the town and the resources needed to facilitate the future growth and development.”
– Felecia Lyles of Hope Credit Union VP Regional Branch Administrator
