BY BLAKE A. WILSON

    Mississippi has a secret weapon; our people care. They care about the community.  They care about each other and they care about the companies they work for.
    Most places can't say that.
    In the higommunity.  They care about each other and they care about the companies they work for.
    Most places can't say that.
    In the high-tech world that unfolds before us, our "high-touch" approach will win points from those companies seeking a strong sense of community.  The Magnolia State has that.
    Travel over 40,000 Mississippi miles in 18 months like I have...and you'll feel it.  Our people seek opportunity.  They value success.  And they are ready to make it happen.
    Dollar General Stores' state-of-the-art distribution center in Indianola is an example of putting the secret weapon to work.  An 850,000 square foot facility, it was constructed and opened in less than a year - almost a miracle compared to the time it would take just to get permitting approvals in some competitor states.
    The Delta is positioned to play a pivotal role in helping Mississippi realize its greatest potential in the new millennium.
Viking Range in Greenwood is putting Mississippi on the map all over the world.   The Delta hosts this state of the art manufacturing plant, producing a high-tech product that is considered the leader of its class among the greatest of chefs worldwide.  Delta ingenuity translates into Delta made which produces Delta pride.
    BellSouth recently targeted Greenville for one of its 411 nationwide call centers; and management boasts productivity levels from employees that should make us proud. Delta strength...Delta energy... Delta pride.
    In the north Delta, an emerging entertainment industry is bringing new jobs to the people of the region; and new ingenuity to the challenge of providing affordable housing, child care, and transportation.  Delta success...Delta focus...Delta pride.
And some of our greatest success finds its roots in the outstanding high tech research and progress we have exported worldwide for years through our Mississippi agribusiness industry.  It finds its roots in the Delta.
    The window of opportunity for Mississippi is opening wide.  Now we have to become better positioned to take advantage of new and emerging opportunities before the window slams shut.
    To this end, we are assembling Mississippi's best and brightest leaders in our 50th anniversary year to help us focus on dealing with challenges identified by business leaders all over the state.   Our surveys tell us we must focus on workforce/education, economic development, health care cost, and transportation ; intermodal, new highways, and maintenance of existing infrastructure.
    Legislators alone cannot solve these problems.  Business alone cannot address them.  Together, we can make our secret weapon work; and build a sense of statewide community that treats Mississippi's diversity as a strength.
Our goal: a sense of statewide community.  The benefit: greater opportunity.  The resource: our secret weapon; Mississippi's caring people.