Selected
Article:
DBJ Delta Voices
Q. What steps can we take to keep more of our
college graduates in the Delta here to work and live?”
by
DBJ
“By
getting more businesses in the Delta to offer intern jobs
to college students, it will give them an opportunity to
see what the Delta has to offer. I think hands-on experience
would help them make a decision on whether or not they would
like to live and work in the Delta. It would also help to
provide a listing of job opportunities in the Delta to college
students because most of them may not be aware of what jobs
are available to them.”
Karen
Smith
Executive Director
Yazoo County Convention
& Visitors Bureau
Yazoo City
“There
are a number of approaches that we may take to ensure that
our college graduates remain in the Delta to work and live.
First and foremost we must continue to strive to attract
businesses which have mobility options for college graduates.
At the same time, those of us in economic development must
assist existing companies in obtaining venture capital for
program expansion which incorporates high technology and
increased management opportunities.
Secondly, there must be a concerted effort between and among
educational, cultural and religious institutions to instill
pride and a vested interest in the future of the Delta.
In order to achieve such, we must research, identify and
promote the rich heritage, traditions, resources, strengths
and potentialities that exist in the Delta.
Finally, more attention must be given to providing attractive
yet affordable leisure and recreational type activities
for young adults and their families. Unless this void is
filled, we will continue to see persons migrating and ultimately
residing in locations outside of the Delta.”
Dr.
Moses Newsome
Mississippi Valley
State University
Itta Bena, MS
“I think good, quality jobs in fields
that ‘are popular’ is the key to attracting
and retaining Delta residents. Generally, I do not think
we believe in, and promote, our intelligence, ingenuity,
talents and creativity to the world. We need to quit thinking
that the Delta is a place to escape from and identify it
as a place of the future.
I think we should identify and recognize successful people
and businesses in all fields in the Delta and promote our
talents and abilities. We have to adapt to the changes in
the world around us and ask ourselves how we can prosper
from new technologies and new industries, then apply our
myriad of talents and abilities to develop these ideas.
The lack of an adequate social life is another reason I
hear for people wanting to live other places. Housing for
young people is another issue for the Delta. In some places
there is little rental property and some of that has not
been maintained. But both of those issues circle back to
the jobs issue.”
Lyn
Arnold
Executive Director/
Economic Developer
Tunica County Chamber
of Commerce
“I think we need to encourage our
young people at an early age to become entrepreneurial by
focusing some of our educational efforts on entrepreneurial
training. I think we can keep some of our people if they
have the opportunity, in addition to finding employment
with established employers, to start a business of their
own and as a result of entrepreneurial training, have the
skills and confidence to succeed. This would be a win-win
for the Delta educationally, as those not desiring to start
their own business would have entrepreneurial skills that
employers desire in their employees.”
Blake
Wallace
Executive Director
Sunflower Economic
Development District
Indianola, MS
