‘Greenwood Strong’ is real

February 7, 2026

In Greenwood, we like to think of ourselves as resilient, but resilience is not something you truly understand until it is tested. It is easy to talk about community when the sun is shining and life is running on schedule. It is something else entirely when the power goes out, trees fall across roads, and daily routines disappear overnight.

The phrase “Greenwood Strong” first took hold during the uncertainty of the Covid pandemic, when local artist Yolande van Heerden created a series of storefront banners that visually expressed something many of us were feeling but hadn’t put into words. It was not about pretending everything was fine. It was about acknowledging hardship, while choosing to stand together anyway. It was a reminder that strength is not loud. Often, it is quiet, steady, and rooted in showing up for one another.

That same spirit returned this past week when a powerful ice storm moved through Greenwood and much of North Mississippi. The weight of ice snapped tree limbs and power lines. Roads became impassable. Homes went dark and cold. Many families found themselves without electricity, water, heat, or access to basic services for days at a time. In those moments, inconvenience gave way to something more serious. Comfort became secondary to safety. Plans were replaced with improvisation.

And yet, what stood out most was not the damage, but the community's response.

Crews from Greenwood Utilities, Delta Electric, and Entergy worked around the clock to restore power, often in hazardous conditions. These were long days and longer nights, spent navigating downed lines and fallen trees so that homes could be warm again and lights could come back on. City and county crews moved quickly to clear roads, remove debris, and ensure that water and sewer infrastructure remained operational. Much of this work happened quietly, without fanfare, but it was essential.

At the same time, local restaurants stepped up to provide hot meals to first responders and those who could not cook at home. In a town where food is often how we care for one another, those meals carried more than calories. They carried comfort and reassurance. They reminded people that they were not alone.

Perhaps most meaningful were the countless acts of neighbor helping neighbor. People checked on elderly residents. Generators and heaters were shared. Fallen trees were cut up and hauled away, sometimes by people who had never met before the storm. In moments like these, lines between strangers blur quickly, and being a part of a community becomes personal.

It brought to mind a quote from Fred Rogers that I’ve returned to many times over the years. In moments of tragedy, he said, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” Last week, the helpers were everywhere. They wore utility uniforms and work gloves. They stood behind restaurant counters and knocked on their neighbors’ doors. They showed up with chainsaws, generators, and offers of help.

“Greenwood Strong” isn’t just a slogan. It’s a mindset. It’s the quiet decision to help your neighbor before being asked. It’s the willingness to show up when conditions are uncomfortable, and the work is hard. It’s the understanding that community isn’t just something we celebrate when times are good, it’s something we rely on when times are tough.

As someone who works in economic development, I spend a lot of time thinking about community assets. We talk about infrastructure, workforce, and location. Those things matter, but moments like this are a reminder that our greatest asset is our people. The way a community responds in times of distress says far more about its future than any statistic ever could.

This past week reminded me why the Greenwood-Leflore-Carroll region is such a special place to call home. Not because we avoid hardship, but because we face it together. We don’t wait on someone else to fix things. We roll up our sleeves. We look out for one another. We do what needs to be done.

As we continue to clean up and move forward, I hope we don’t forget what we saw on display this past week. Greenwood Strong is real. It lives in our utility crews, our public servants, our local businesses, and our neighbors. It’s part of who we are. And when the next challenge comes—and it always does—I’m confident we’ll see it again.