Robert Jackson, CEO

201 Humphrey Street
P.O. Box 386
Marks, MS 38646

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STRATEGIES & ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Quitman County Development Organization (QCDO) strives to provide the low-income and predominately African-American residents of Quitman, Panola, and Tallahatchie counties with the resources they need to help themselves.

Affordable Homes
QCDO develops, manages, and rehabilitates affordable housing; offers pre- and post-purchase counseling and follow-up services for first-time homebuyers; and provides low-interest loans and grants to low-income homeowners to rehabilitate their homes.

Recently, it completed a duplex community providing homes to 24 families. It also owns and manages 14 single-family homes. QCDO has rehabilitated more than 140 homes within its three-county service area and provided homeownership counseling to more than 35 families.

Recently, QCDO was part of a housing summit involving representatives from HUD, USDA Rural Development, and the Mississippi Development Authority (the state housing authority), to produce the biggest housing project the organization has ever tackled: it will develop and build 40 single-family homes. Designed specifically with low-income first-time homebuyers in mind, a buy-down of $25,000 on the mortgage will be available to qualified families.

Micro-Enterprise Development
In 1998, QCDO began its Micro-Enterprise Development and Business Loan Program to stimulate and support business development by women and minorities within its service area. The program provides micro loans ranging from $1,500 to $25,000, gap financing and training, and technical assistance. Since 1999, the organization has committed more than $200,000 in loan funds to support trucking, restaurant, day care, and other local businesses.

Child Care
QCDO has operated its Child Day Care Center on the campus of a local high school since 1994. The center serves up to 49 children between 6 weeks and 4 years of age. It also provides jobs to 12 low-income mothers.

Financial Services
In 1981, QCDO established the Quitman County Federal Credit Union to meet the needs of low-income individuals, families, and those unable to obtain conventional credit. In 1999, the credit union expanded its reach to include Panola and Tallahatchie counties and changed its name to Quitman Tri/County Federal Credit Union. Over the last 20 years, the credit union has made $12 million in loans and currently has assets of $5 million. Today the credit union has more than 3,500 members.

QCDO also operates the Youth Credit Union Program to help young people develop organizational and business skills. Started in 1993, the program teaches about saving, investing, and managing a financial institution. The credit union owns the Smart Talk/Sweet Shop, a youth-run store that also offers Internet services after school. This program has some 525 members.

Social Services
QCDO provides a host of social services to the community including: financial counseling, a food pantry and homeless shelter, after school tutoring and homework help, a health monitoring service for isolated elderly people, and notary services.