A nearly eight-year tenure promoting Brookhaven and Lincoln County is coming to an end this week as Cliff Brumfield bids farewell to his position as executive vice president of the local chamber of commerce.

     Brumfield is leaving the Brookhaven-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce to become executive director of the economic development association in Lincoln County, N.C.

     Brumfield’s departure concludes a successful tenure that began in January 2005. Among the highlights of his time here, Brumfield counted the conclusion of the Linbrook Business Park, which now sits eager to welcome tenants, and successful day-to-day operations of the chamber of commerce.

     Brumfield also will be remembered for broadening the chamber’s membership and for his work promoting the retail community and helping market Brookhaven as a shopping destination. The extremely popular Girls’ Night Out program is just one highlight of that focus.

     Indeed, Brumfield worked hard to promote the Brookhaven and Lincoln County area and always had a positive word regarding economic development opportunities here. Further, he has been an asset to not only this community, but also Southwest Mississippi as a whole, having served as leader of the regional group focused on recruiting businesses and industries to the area.

     Brumfield, his wife Rachel and their two daughters will be missed, but we wish them well as they bid Brookhaven good-bye.

     Our outgoing chamber director is trading one Lincoln County for another, but this Lincoln County is better for his time here.