Special Section: Year in Review
A better year for the Delta brought many positive developments
2005 could be a great year for the Delta

By Alan Taylor
DBJ Contributing Writer

The year now coming to a close has been an eventful one in the Delta, and in many ways a positive one. As reported in this publication over the past twelve months, there have been many welcome developments in the region, including an improved agricultural climate, the arrival of new industry and the creation of many new jobs, the completion of much-needed road projects, and the reports of improving sales and business expansion that have come from various economic sectors.

While these pages also reflected the many challenges still faced in the region—from the continuing need for even more job growth, better educational opportunities, and improved health care access to lingering tort reform issues and the low prices and overseas competition which still effect some sectors—the general outlook expressed by those interviewed for various stories was optimistic.

This brief review of some of the events covered by the DBJ in 2004 cannot hope to touch on all the significant and positive things that have occurred during 2004. However, a look at just some of the highlights of the year in the Delta can, perhaps, provide a sense of the signs of economic upswing cited by business and civic leaders.

The new year brought a new state administration, and Delta business leaders expressed optimism about the future, given Haley Barbour’s own Delta roots and his strong business connections. In a DBJ interview shortly after his inauguration, the governor spoke about the importance of job creation, especially in the Mississippi Delta.

“Economic progress in the Delta is crucial to the entire state,” he commented. “We have got to raise incomes and prosperity in the region.” Barbour went on to say that the Delta needed to concentrate on a number of areas, ranging from tourism development to improved educational opportunities.

“In Mississippi, we often underestimate ourselves,” he observed. “If I don’t accomplish anything else during the next four years, the one big accomplishment I would like to achieve is raising our expectations of ourselves.”

Helping to raise expectations were the signs of economic improvement evident even as the year began. Mississippi State University released information showing a 30% increase in the overall production value of the state’s major agricultural industries between 2002 and 2003. Said Dr. Lester Spell, Commissioner of the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce, “A good growing season, a compatible harvest, and overall improvements in commodity markets resulted in high yields and increased profitability for Mississippi producers.”

In a shining testament to Delta economic development efforts and the spirit of teamwork between state and local officials, the region received truly good news in February. Textron Fastening Systems, a leading component supplier to the automotive industry, announced that it would locate a major manufacturing plant in Greenville. The facility (which celebrated its grand opening in October) is expected to ultimately employ up to 500 people.

Textron is one of the companies which have made extensive use of Indianola’s Charles. W. Capps Technology Center for its pre-employment testing and training, highlighting the Center’s value as a resource for the kind of world-class work force training which industry leaders deem crucial for growth in the Delta.

Another major boost to economic optimism came in March, when the French corporation Faurecia announced its plans to open a manufacturing facility in Cleveland. Also a leading global supplier of automotive components, Faurecia is expected to employ 250 workers in Cleveland by 2006. Along with elected officials and local business representatives, Entergy Mississippi played a major role in bringing Faurecia to the Delta—economic development is a primary focus for the utility.

Even smaller Delta towns felt the positive impact of improving economic conditions and the efforts to attract new businesses to the region. In June came the announcement that Rosedale had been selected as the site for a new manufacturing plant for IBPS, a company that produces pre-manufactured homes. The facility is expected to create 300 jobs over the next three years.

Said Rosedale Mayor Cary Estes, “There are two major benefits to IBPS locating here. First, the location of the facility will provide jobs to the region. Secondly, it will provide affordable housing to area residents.”

Beyond these major new industries, Delta towns reported the opening or potential coming of numerous smaller new businesses in various sectors, which cumulatively will add a significant number of additional jobs and create more economic development success stories. These range from the Noramec call center in Greenwood (not only the city’s first such operation but also the first minority-owned business recruited to locate there) to the proposed biodiesel plant under consideration for the Clarksdale area.

In a May interview, Mississippi Development Authority executive director Leland Speed spoke of these promising developments, and commented on the needs of the Delta and some of his agency’s goals for the region.

“Today, the hottest jobs are in the computer/technology and health care industries,” he observed. “Mississippi must embrace the ever-growing service sector. That includes refocusing our vocational and technical programs to accommodate the skills needed by these industries.

“One of our primary goals at MDA is creating partnerships and building alliances at the local, state, and federal levels. Economic and community development is a group process.”

Infrastructure is always a major factor in the decision to locate an industrial facility in a particular area, as well as a continuing concern for that area’s residents. The Delta region saw significant progress in road construction during 2004, including expansion projects on Highway 61 and Highway 49, and ongoing work on Highway 82. These projects are all part of the 1987 Four-Lane Highway Program, and are expected to help bring more economic activity to the area.

One of the most eagerly anticipated was the expansion of Highway 49 West from Silver City to Yazoo City, which opened during the summer. Frank Howell, Director of the Delta Council Development Department, points out that a large part of the Delta will directly benefit from the expansion.

“A direct four-lane access to Jackson and Interstates 20 and 55 is vital to communities like Belzoni, Indianola, Leland, Cleveland, Greenville, and Clarksdale,” he states. “The new road cuts fifteen minutes off the time it takes to get from the Delta to Jackson. It should also prove to be much safer than the previous situation.”

The proposed Interstate 69 came closer to reality with the announcement in August that a site near Benoit had been officially designated as the location for construction of the Great River Bridge. While it may be many years before the new interstate highway actually connects Canada and Mexico, as is planned, Mississippi is ahead of many states in actual construction of road segments. The expansion of Highway 304 in Desoto County—a project well underway—and the new Highway 61 bypass around Clarksdale will both be a part of the eventual I-69.

Over the course of the past year, the DBJ elicited comments and projections from representatives of the various industries which play major roles in the Delta economy. While certainly challenges remain, the general feeling was one of optimism, and significant positive developments were reported throughout the various sectors.

The Delta’s access to quality health care options continued to expand in 2004, with many area hospitals reporting physical expansion plans and new treatment programs. Delta Regional Medical Center in Greenville and Bolivar Medical Center in Cleveland both established Diabetes Centers to address a serious Delta health care issue—the region has, in fact, one of the highest incidences of the disease in the country.

Delta Regional also announced ambitious plans to develop a $100 million South Campus over the next several years.

Many area hospitals reported aggressive recruitment programs, helping to attract more specialists to the area. The North Central Mississippi Regional Cancer Clinic in Greenwood was one of the institutions adding staff this year. “We’re fortunate to have brought in a number of people with extensive experience in their respective fields,” reported Dr. Arnold Smith.

Delta colleges and universities have completed or are planning expansion projects as the year draws to a close. Higher learning institutions are also increasing their programs that reach out to non-traditional students, and in cooperative efforts with their communities, government agencies, and even other schools, are now offering a wide range of work force training options.

It has been a particularly eventful year for Delta State University. At festivities in April that featured a keynote address by Gov. Barbour, the university inaugurated its seventh president, Dr. John M. Hilpert. The ceremony was held at the new Bologna Performing Arts Center on the campus, a facility which is proving to be a premier venue for the cultural life of the Delta. DSU also recently occupied a new multi-million dollar student services building.

The university is continuing to expand its offerings to the Cleveland community and beyond, Hilpert says. “We’re very busy trying to establish a greater level of activity with our outreach centers in other Delta towns, including classes now in Tunica. We’re also researching the future of distance learning, which I believe has real potential in the Delta.”

The year saw a growing focus on the potential for Delta tourism, with many new attractions opened or planned, and a coordination of efforts to attract visitors to Delta communities and their myriad cultural, historical, and recreational activities.

Celebrating its grand opening in March was the Tunica River Park, a $25 million ecopark that overlooks the Mississippi River. It joins the Tunica National Golf Course and Tennis Center as attractions designed to make the area known for more than just casino gaming. On the horizon for Tunica are a NASCAR racetrack and a convention center.

Indianola, one of the first Delta towns to embrace and spotlight its music heritage, is moving ahead with its planned B. B. King Museum and Delta Interpretative Center, reports Beth Lyon of the Indianola Chamber of Commerce.

An indication of the increasing emphasis on Delta tourism was the Delta Regional Authority’s “First Steps” tourism meeting in July. Explained Pete Johnson, DRA Federal Co-Chairman, “The meeting was designed to bring together tourism leaders and other Delta individuals to look at the economic opportunity tourism holds for the region.”

As the DBJ focused on various Delta communities during the course of the year, a recurring theme became apparent—revitalization. Towns large and small reported a renewed drive towards downtown renewal, restoration of historic buildings, and efforts to bring people back to the town centers to work, shop, and even live.

Jackson is still experiencing phenomenal residential and industrial growth, especially in its suburban areas, thanks in large measure to the Nissan plant. Now, however, civic leaders are focusing again on the heart of Jackson, formulating plans to rejuvenate and repopulate the city’s center. Projects such as the renovation of the old Electric Building—the headquarters of Entergy Mississippi—are providing a model for the type of mixed-use structures which are bringing people back to downtown areas.

Just beyond the Jackson metropolitan area, Haley Barbour’s hometown of Yazoo City received a major boost with its designation as a Mississippi Development Authority “Key City”. As Yazoo Chamber of Commerce executive director Jerry Frasier explains, “This designation should prove to be a major catalyst for further downtown redevelopment. It makes all the resources of the MDA available to us, to help with everything from curb appeal to improved schools and housing.”

Greenwood continues to benefit from the revitalization efforts of two of its largest corporate citizens. In the spring, Staplcotn completed the renovation of its headquarters, a long time fixture of the city’s Cotton Row Historic District. This project has helped spark other renovation projects in the area.

The Alluvian Hotel, created through the efforts of Viking Range Corporation, has brought a new level of upscale lodging to Greenwood and the Delta. This year, Viking received the Business Leadership Award from the National Trust for its revitalization efforts, and The Alluvian won the Grand prize in the luxury hotel category in Lodging International’s annual design competition.

In a bold program fostered by Mayor Lawrence Leyens, Vicksburg brought businesses and professionals back to vacant downtown buildings, and completed major landscaping, lighting, and other downtown improvements. Greenville, Clarksdale, Rosedale, and Drew were among other Delta communities reporting major renovation and infrastructure improvement projects.

All in all, 2004 has been a positive year in the Delta. While several new plants and several hundred new jobs cannot by themselves solve the region’s long-standing problems, they are certainly strong indicators of turnaround, and positive proof that cooperative efforts between government, civic, and business leaders can bring good results. A renewed sense of pride and optimism is also evident in the efforts of Delta communities to bring vitality back to their downtown districts and generally improve the quality of life offered to their citizens.

In August, a 10-year strategic plan called Blueprint Mississippi was unveiled. Spearheaded by the Mississippi Economic Council, the 11-point plan was designed to show how government and the private sector could work together to improve the state’s economic future.

In formally accepting the Blueprint Mississippi plan, Gov. Barbour made comments which—while directed at the state as a whole—also serve as a summary of the economic position of the Delta as the year ends. Said Barbour, “We are on the front edge of a rising tide…we have the opportunity to seize the moment more than at any time in our history." DBJ