“I spent eight years with the Lamar County Economic Development District,” Wallace says, “as well as extensive time running my own business and acting as an economic consultant. I can’t tell you how excited I am about coming to the Delta, and specifically, Sunflower County,” he enthuses. “There is so much potential here, and I feel that all of my previous work has prepared me for my responsibilities here.”

Wallace says he made the decision not too long ago to reenter the economic development field full time when the Sunflower County position was brought to his attention.
“I was involved in apparel manufacturing with two partners in my own business,” Wallace relates, “and decided to sell out my interest in order to go back into the economic development field. I ran across an ad on the Mississippi Economic Development Council web site for the Sunflower County position, applied for it, and after an extensive interview process wound up with the job.”

Wallace says that he became familiar with the unique needs of the Delta while working with the Mississippi Development Authority in the early 90’s.

“Sunflower County was part of the Competitive Communities program of the MDA,” Wallace says, “and I was one of the people who helped the County with its strategic planning process. So, I am certainly aware of this area even though I had not done any direct industrial or new business recruitment in the Delta.”

When asked about his take on the Delta and his new job, Wallace responds enthusiastically.
“I’ll be moving my family up soon,” he says, “and I’m looking forward to planting roots here in Sunflower County. Certainly there are enormous challenges to be met, but there are also countless possibilities and enormous potential here, as well. We’ve got to stay on top of our workforce training and make sure that the existing industries have everything they need in order to grow and prosper. There is huge competitive pressure facing our companies and manufacturers in the Delta, and we must assist them.

“Of course, as regards competition, this region is in the same boat as the rest of the nation,” Wallace continues. “The challenge is to be responsive to the needs of our businesses and that’s what I see as one of my primary roles. I’m fortunate in that I’ve got a Board here in Sunflower County that is ready to roll up its collective sleeves and get to work and we have a number of good existing buildings here ready to be fixed.”

Wallace says he anticipates some forthcoming capitol fundraising to enhance Sunflower County’s marketing programs in place as well as additional targeting studies on companies that are believed to be suited for the area.

“I’m ready to jump in with both feet,” Wallace laughs. “I’ve been studying and preparing but I still have a lot of people to meet and I’m looking forward to getting out and doing so. There is a strong base of support here through the Delta Council as well as from others and all of us are ready to get some dollars circulating in the region.” DBJ