The Mississippi legislature has approved a state budget that includes $250,000 for marketing and promotion of the Tupelo Furniture Market.

Legislators said the funds will help the market grow, and will enhance the state's position as the leading producer of upholstered furniture in the U.S.

"Furniture manufacturers are a valuable part of Mississippi's economic engine, and the Tupelo Furniture Market is a great place to showcase those products," said Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves.

Tupelo market president Kevin Seddon said State Rep. Jerry Turner were instrumental in securing the funds, along with several members of the House and Senate appropriations committees.

"We greatly appreciate the efforts of Rep. Turner," Seddon said. "He, as well as many others in the state legislature, identified a need to support the market and one of our state's leading industries, and took the initiative."

Turner said he felt it was imperative for Mississippi to support the market in light of the furniture industry's importance to the state, plus the fact that furniture markets in Las Vegas and High Point also receive government financial support.

"For more than a quarter century, this furniture market has provided a national audience of buyers for furniture producers operating in Mississippi, making furniture manufacturing the leading industry in the state," said Turner.

The next Tupelo market will take place Aug. 15-18.