Our Director

Sheila M. Freely is our Director and a Calhoun County native. She retired from the USDA, Rural Development organization in December, 2011, after 31 years of service. As one of USDA’s Directors, she worked 19 counties in northeast Mississippi. During her time with USDA, she was instrumental in bringing federal grant and loan dollars to North Mississippi, with a portfolio of over $300,000,000.00. She has worked with Mississippi’s federal and state elected officials and economic developers throughout the Southeastern United States.

As CEDA Director, she focuses her attention on meeting and networking with individuals and groups to help all Calhoun County citizens, existing businesses and new businesses in job creation and development.