Batesville native Ronnie Musgrove will wrap up his first year as governor of
Mississippi this month. The Delta Business Journal caught up with him during
the holidays to ask his thoughts on 2000.

Delta Business Journal: How would you rate your first year in office?
Governor Musgrove: It has been a very good first year of our administration,
and we look forward to continued success and growth for our state.  The
improvements we have made in education, healthcare, and economic development
offers our people the opportunity for a good quality of life right here in
Mississippi.

DBJ: What would you consider, in addition to the announcement of the Nissan
plant's arrival in Mississippi, your/the state's biggest accomplishment?
GM: There have been several accomplishments made throughout our first year.
It is difficult to select just one.  We have taken one of the largest steps
forward for the state in the area of education by passing legislation to
raise teacher pay to the Southeastern average.  A raise in teacher salaries
will, in turn, lead to even better education for our children.  We are able
to recruit new teachers and retain the great ones we have.
The Task Force on Computer Technology is overseeing the placement of an
Internet-accessible computer in every classroom in the state by 2002, and is
bringing Mississippi one step closer to becoming a leader in the world of
education across the nation.
Healthcare for Mississippi's children is more readily available since the
start of 2000.  The Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which
provides much needed insurance coverage to Mississippi children of working
families, has experienced an increase of 36 times the number covered since I
took office.
The Advantage Mississippi Initiative allows us to become more competitive in
economic growth with other states.  With the incentives in the package,
coupled with new approaches to workforce training and community involvement,
we are attracting companies around the world to do business with
Mississippi.  Nissan has shown their faith in our state and in her people;
other companies will soon follow their lead.

DBJ:  What would you consider your biggest challenge this year?
GM: Every opportunity brings with it challenges that we must face head-on,
and each challenge we have faced brought different circumstances and
situations.  Each time, we have developed innovative and creative options to
help us determine solutions.  Our administration has approached each
situation with the determination that we can, and will find solutions that
work in the best interest of our people.

DBJ:  What's on next year's agenda?
GM: We will continue to focus on ways to improve education and healthcare
for our people.  We will also look for new and innovative solutions to
challenges that we take on throughout our state.  We look forward to moving
our state forward and developing Mississippi into America's State of
Promise.

DBJ:  Will you push for a state labor department in 2001?
GM: It is vital that we maximize federal funds for workforce training.
Other states do that through their departments of labor.  Mississippi can
access those funds through an office or division of labor, under the
management of the Mississippi Development Authority.

DBJ:  As we move into a new legislative session, what are your thoughts on
the MDOT financial situation?
GM: The Mississippi Department of Transportation is not under the management
of the Office of the Governor.  However, we must make sure that
transportation dollars are spent effectively and efficiently and that we
work closely together to align economic development with transportation.

DBJ:  What would you consider the biggest accomplishment for the Delta in
2000?
GM: By listening to the needs of the people of the Delta, partnering with
other states, working with our congressional delegation, local and state
leaders, we are tackling the toughest challenges facing the Delta today.
 It is time for us to come together and work as one to bring the Mississippi
Delta up to equal footing with the rest of our state.  That is why we
strongly support the formation of the Delta Regional Authority.  With this
Authority, we are taking action to make improvements that will make a
difference in the quality of life available to the people who live, work and
raise their families in the Delta.
 We are laying the groundwork for the future by crossing political and
community barriers and creating opportunities for future economic growth,
better healthcare and improved education.  Working together, we can develop
a road map for the future of Mississippi that benefits all of our people.
DBJ:  What can Delta leaders do to capitalize on the Nissan Plant?
GM: Nissan is providing 4,000 direct automotive jobs to Mississippians, with
its move to our state.  There are approximately 26,000 additional spin-off
jobs that are expected to be created because of Nissan's presence.  There
are opportunities for all 82 counties in Mississippi to prosper from this
economic development project.
Through the Advantage Mississippi Initiative, the Mississippi Development
Authority is defining focused duties for rural development.  We must bring
rural Mississippi to the forefront.  Small communities don't always hear
about economic development projects, and can be overlooked by prospects.
But, there are efforts that can target smaller manufacturers who can become
significant contributors to the economy of economically disadvantaged or
rural areas.  What will work is a more strategic and coordinated effort for
local developers and community leaders with the Mississippi Development
Authority.