Chamber of Commerce
our History
The organizational meeting for the Tunica County Chamber of Commerce was held on April 17, 1956 in the Courthouse in Downtown Tunica. The Chamber was chartered by the Secretary of States’ office on March 29, 1956. The Chamber was formed on the encouragement of Mr. John Henry and the five members of the Tunica County Industrial Committee. The committee’s work with industrial prospects led to the conclusion that the creation of a Chamber was a vital necessity to move Tunica forward. Fifty-three citizens attended the inaugural meeting and fifty business and individuals immediately joined the Chamber.
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Several of these names are still recognizable in the Tunica business community and are still Chamber members today: Blue & White Café, Dulaney & Dulaney, Dunn Jewelry, MS Power & Light, Murphree’s Grocery, C. W. Owens & Son, Planter’s Oil Mill, A. T. Tucker, Jack Turner, Watson’s Cash Store, Whittington Wholesale.
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Marvin Watson was elected the first president, O’Dell Sanders, Vice President, and Ellis Koonce, Secretary-Treasurer. Members of the Board of Directors were Sterling Seabrook, Hayes Farish, H. C. Bond, James Wilson and Dick Whittington.
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Membership dues were set at $10.00 and $25.00 annually for individuals and businesses respectively. By the first of June, the Chamber had 74 members.
The Chamber got off to a fast start by locating an industry in Tunica late in 1956. The Tunica Manufacturing Company made pillows and bedding and remained an active industry in Tunica until 2002 employing up to 350 people.
While the Chamber has evolved in its nearly 50 year existence, the focus is still on diversifying the economy and providing leadership in community development. Still mostly grounded in agricultural related industries and services until 1992, the Chamber struggled to create the wide ranging economic base that provides a recession proof economy.
Gaming found Tunica County in 1992 creating a steady stream of jobs and tax revenues to support an enlarged program at the Chamber and an intense effort to establish industrial parks and recruit manufacturing, distribution and warehousing to the area. Today, this is the primary purpose of the Chamber – recruiting and retaining industry.
One Stop Shop
Our Team is here to help you and your business succeed. By being our member, you will be introduced to a network of partners to assist in increasing your resources and opportunities. Our team helps companies locate and expand, ensuring they are connected to stakeholders, workforce, permitting, incentives and other resources.
Real Estate and Building Database
Our Team has access to relevant information for available building space and real estate in Tunica County. The database includes agriculture, commercial and industrial zoned land with infrastructure data and site conditions. Custom maps can be produced based on the results of each search for an additional fee.
Market Research and Data Analysis
Our Team provides workforce, infrastructure, industry and job-related data and growth analysis. Some of the information available include:
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Labor Force Availability ​
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Economic Trends and Conditions
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Industry and Occupational Analysis
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Wage Analysis
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Infrastructure Availability
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Business Lists
Jaylin James
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Chief of Staff for Tunica County Chamber of Commerce
For more information on business services and the Chamber of Commerce in Tunica County, please contact Mr. James at jj@experiencetunicacounty.com.
