The Golden Triangle Planning and Development District is celebrating 50 years in service

But the service that longtime director Rudy Johnson is most proud of is the District's commitment to the area's senior citizens.

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – An area economic development and civic improvement agency hit a major milestone.

The Golden Triangle Planning and Development District is celebrating 50 years in service.

GTPDD covers a 7 county area, handling a variety of services from billing for smaller utility companies to grant-writing help for local governments, and loans for small businesses.

But the service that longtime director Rudy Johnson is most proud of is the District’s commitment to the area’s senior citizens.

“Our aging is the throwaway group. Nobody cares about our aging, but I do. We are going to do everything we can to facilitate keeping them in their homes as long as we can before they go meet the Good Lord, or they have to go off to the nursing. So, that is what we do,” said Rudy Johnson, Executive Director.

The public is invited to GTPDD’s 50th Anniversary Celebration at the District’s Headquarters on Miley Drive in Starkville this Thursday afternoon at 4:30.