*Required
Patrick
Lasseter
EDLD
501: Leadership in Education
Dr.
Mullins
September
26, 2009
Community Assessment: Batesville, MS
Defining the Community
The
community of Batesville, Mississippi is located in Northwest Mississippi at the
intersection of Highway 6 and Interstate 55. The city of Batesville has a wide trade area that is able to
attract manufacturing businesses due to its location on these major Mississippi
roads as well as its proximity to the cities of Memphis, Tennessee, an hour to
the North, and Jackson, Mississippi, two hours to the south. With a solid connection by road and the
Canadian National Railway to the surrounding communities and major cities,
Batesville is the county’s leader in terms of the potential for the economic
development. Several major
manufacturing businesses have been attracted to the community. The businesses are attracted to the community
because of the realistic ability of the community to produce goods that can
easily be carried throughout the mid-south United States and beyond.
Geography
Batesville
owes many of its opportunities to its location within the state of Mississippi. As previously stated, the city is two
hours from the state capital and one hour from Memphis, Tennessee. The proximity to these markets as well
as the interstate make Batesville a desirable, albeit not perfect, hub between
the two major cities. Economic
success is found not only in manufacturing, but also as a stopover town along
the interstate. Additionally, the
greater Batesville community also relies on farming and has the resources as
Panola County has land in the Mississippi Delta, Loess Hills, and North Central
Hills regions. Any goods that are
produced in the city and county are easily transported in all directions and at
all levels (locally, statewide, and nationwide).
Basic Demographics
Panola
County has a population of approximately 34,274 people with an average age of
33 (National averages is 35). Approximately
7,000 people live within the city limits of Batesville. Only 12.1% of the population is over
the age of 65 and 70.6% is over 18, both slightly below the national
averages. Racial demographics are
as follows (National averages in parentheses):
Table 1
Race | Percentage
of Population |
White | 50.5%
(75.1%) |
Black | 48.4%
(12.3%) |
Hispanic
(of any race) | 1.1%
(12.5%) |
Other
(Asian, American Indian, etc.) | Less
than 1% (about 10%) |
Twenty-eight
percent of the population has disability status, a figure much higher than the
national average of 19.3%. With
21.2% of families below the poverty level, Batesville far exceeds the national
average of 9.2%. Median household
income at the last census was approximately $26,785, as opposed to the national
average of $41,994. Education
levels in the city are also well below the national average.
Table 2
Education
Level | Percentage
of Population (National Average) |
High
school graduate or higher | 63.5%
(80.4%) |
Bachelor’s
degree or higher | 10.8%
(24.4) |
The
community of Batesville has several unique factors in these areas worth noting
here. First, the racial
demographics are split nearly 50/50 between white and African-American, a major
deviation from the national average.
This breakdown is not uncommon for Northwest Mississippi, however. Secondly, the high numbers of families
below the poverty line is much higher than the national average and suggests
that the jobs in the county are aimed at the lower levels of education seen
table 2. Education levels in the
city are alarmingly low considering the proximity to local and state colleges
(see the section on Education).
These basic demographics show that Batesville has many socioeconomic
challenges and is not a typical American town, but more so a typical town for
its area of the state.
Economic Elements
The
sources of Batesville’s jobs come primarily through industrial employers from
outside the community in the manufacturing and warehouse distribution areas. The largest of these is the Batesville
Casket Company, which employs 490 people in and around the community. Other major employers include Framed
Picture Enterprises, Crown Brand-Building Packaging, Parker Hannifin
Corporation, ACI Building Systems, Performance Food Group, and Serta Mattress
Company, among others. Also, the
addition of GE Aviation in recent years has also brought over 50 jobs to the
area to date. The wages are lower,
on average, than most skill-level positions due to the type of work as well as
the standard of living in Mississippi.
Unemployment
in the community is higher than the national average. As of May, according to the New York Times, unemployment in
Panola County was up 4.2% over the last year to 13.3% total (compared to 9.1%
nationally, up 3.8%). The jobs
available to the community are being impacted by the tough economy. The lower levels of education
undoubtedly contribute to higher levels of unemployment and the high level of
poverty in the community. Also,
the decline of manufacturing jobs in the nation as a whole has contributed to
the loss of jobs in the community as production is cut to save money. In other words, the types of jobs in
Batesville are not “recession-proof.”
Overall,
the future economic situation of Batesville is certainly tenuous in many
areas. The state of the national
economy puts many manufacturing jobs at risk, affecting Batesville
greatly. The short-term outlook is
that Batesville will lose jobs to the current economic crisis, but the city has
the potential to add jobs in the event of an economic turnaround due to its
location and the presence of other successful employers in the area.
Physical Infrastructure
Batesville’s
physical infrastructure is fairly strong.
Water and sewer facilities are provided by the city and maintenance is
conducted by city workers.
Internal roads are in fair condition and allow easy access to the region
as a whole. The rural surroundings
of the community provide ample room for the growth of the community. Major industry is located primarily in
the northern parts of Batesville, along Highway 35 and Interstate 55. Although Batesville does not have an
airport, it is less than an hour from Memphis International Airport that
provides easy routes to and from the community. As stated, major highways including Highway 6 and Interstate
55 give Batesville a desirable location and access to other major cities at the
local and regional levels.
Although not located on water to serve as a port city, Batesville’s
location along the major highways affords easy access to ports on the
Mississippi River.
Cultural and Recreational Resources
Although
not a beacon for the arts, Batesville is a supporter of local culture. The local civic center hosts numerous
shows throughout the year that encourage the local arts, crafts, and hobbies
such as gun collecting and hunting.
Local arts are supported primarily through civic organizations. Recreation includes youth leagues, but
is primarily accomplished at the schools through athletics. No less than four parks also serve the
community, with a skate park opening this past year. Tennis courts, baseball fields, basketball courts, and other
playgrounds are located at most of these parks for the greater community’s
enjoyment.
The Power Structure
The
power structure in the community is typical of Mississippi. The county government consists of an
elected board of supervisors divided into five districts. These work with the elected county
clerks, Sheriff Hugh “Shot” Bright, administrators, and other departments to
ensure a working community at the county level. Mayor Jerry Autrey and a board of five aldermen lead the
city of Batesville. These
positions are elected and have to answer to a concerned constituency, as seen
in the last election when multiple new aldermen were elected. Other than civil servants, church and
business leaders, in that order, guide the community. Often present at community meetings, church leaders express
the interests of their congregations and provide a needed leadership for much
of the church-going community.
Business leaders, such as Robert Dunlap, provide great leadership and
financial support to community interests, such as the schools. Key groups in the community include
civic organizations such as Batesville Rotary Club and Country Club.
Role of the Government Agencies
Government
agencies in the community work independently and together to ensure that our
community functions properly. Like
many governments in the area, the political structure works publically and
behind the scenes. A few decisions
rely on the “good ol’ boy” system, while most are cognizant of the community’s
interests as a whole. Aldermen
work with several business leaders and experts to understand the impact of many
of their decisions on the community.
Other agencies, such as the local and county police, keep the community
safe by employing an innumerable number of officers. As a result, the white community can function without fear.
History
As
a Mississippi Studies teacher, I feel qualified to state that the land upon
which Batesville and Panola County sits was gained through the Treaty of
Pontotoc Creek during Indian Removal under Andrew Jackson. Batesville was named for Jim Bates, a
railroad conductor, and received a charter in 1866. Batesville became the county seat of Panola and currently
serves as one of two seats, along with Sardis.
Profiled
in the book We Ain’t What We Was, the
cities of Batesville and Sardis have shared a history that began to diverge
around the time of integration. Up
until the 1960s, the two cities were similar economically and
demographically. Beginning at the
time of integration, movement of the white community shifted toward
Batesville. Aided by the completion
of Interstate 55, Batesville became the county’s economic center of industry
and manufacturing. Since the
1970s, Batesville has continued to grow while Sardis has grown smaller. The funds generated by the economic
success of Batesville have allowed the city to establish a solid infrastructure
and become a leading city for northwest Mississippi. Additionally, the support of both the white and black
communities of the city of Batesville and its companies and agencies has
contributed to its sustainable growth
Community Barriers
Problems
in the community are always present.
In Batesville, barriers to progress include race relations, economic
struggles, and a “small town” mentality.
First, race relations in Batesville are representative of those in the
south as a whole. Scars left from
segregation are still evident in the way the white and black communities formed
throughout the area. Although
Batesville appears to function well, interaction with people in the city
reveals that race is still a barrier and vital issue. Next, Batesville has struggled in the current economic
climate. The industry that
Batesville has relied on for years is suffering and preventing much progress
and prosperity. Also, Batesville
relies heavily on tax monies generated from tourists that stop in the
town. With the decline in travel,
revenue in Batesville’s strong restaurant is down significantly. Lastly, the “small town” mentality also
keeps Batesville from growing to its potential. Whether it is a desire to remain a small town or just the
mindset, the city has been a barrier to itself in some ways. There is a vital need to look outside
the community for ways to grow and prosper and Batesville must continue to look
outside in order to bring in more and more jobs and citizens. Located just down the road from
Memphis, Batesville should view itself as a community connected to a growing
city and strive to better integrate itself with that economic outlet.
Values
Like
many Southern cities, Batesville espouses a value system based in Christianity
and football. The Christian
presence in the community is inescapable and pervasive in every aspect of
business, government, and education.
This common thread in the community helps to unite any racial divides,
if even for a short time. The
community values small town living and individuals. Also, I believe that South Panola football contributes to
the community by bringing many different people together at a common
venue. Few other times are the
white and black communities as integrated as Friday nights. There is certainly a true sense of
community that comes from this value system.
Uniqueness
The
community is distinct. Whether you
are a member of the community or not, Batesville conjures up images of South
Panola High School’s win streak and state championships. The city has one of the greatest chain
restaurant strips in the country.
Also, the ability to meet one person and soon know everyone adds to this
uniqueness.
Schools, Colleges, and Universities
Panola
County has two consolidated school districts, North and South Panola. There is one private school in the
county, North Delta Academy.
Batesville is a part of the South Panola Consolidated School
District. Public schools in Panola
County include:
Table 3
North
Panola School District | South
Panola School District |
Como
Elementary | Batesville
Elementary |
Crenshaw
Elementary | Batesville
Intermediate School |
Greenhill
Elementary | Batesville
Middle School |
North
Panola Junior High | Batesville
Junior High School |
North
Panola High School | Pope
School |
| South
Panola High School |
While it does not have any colleges or
universities, Batesville is close to numerous community colleges, including
Northwest Mississippi Community College and Coahoma Community College. Also, Batesville is close to a number
of four-year colleges, including the University of Mississippi, the University
of Memphis, Rhodes College, and Rust College, among others.
REFERENCE INFORMATION
The
following is a list of websites that I used to gather information and data on
Batesville, Mississippi.
http://cityofbatesvillems.com/
http://factfinder.census.gov/
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/03/03/us/20090303_LEONHARDT.html
http://www.panolacoms.com/
http://www.panolacounty.com/
I
also consulted the following book:
Frederick
M. Wirt, We Ain’t What We Was: Civil
Rights in the New South (Durham: Duke University Press, 1997).
Any
additional information was gained from having lived in Panola County for the
past year and through conversations with locals born and raised in this fine
city and county.
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