BY WILL MAYO

This is the time of year when TV channels and community theaters across America present holiday classics like “A Christmas Carol” or “It’s a Wonderful Life.” In both of these stories, the central character gets a chance to see what the future will be like if he takes the right–or the wrong– path.
The Mississippi Delta recently had its own vision of what the future could be like if we take the right steps. On October 26, the Milwaukee Tool Company announced its plans for opening a manufacturing facility in Greenwood.
The news that Milwaukee Tool is coming to Greenwood is a big story—and it is receiving a lot of news coverage. But, the story behind the story is there could be many more announcements just like it across the Delta—if we will do what it takes to make it happen.
As the director of economic development for Entergy Mississippi, I have a unique view of this part of the state. Entergy, the largest provider of electric service in the Delta, has been promoting business here for more than 75 years. Most recently we created a position that focuses solely on economic development in this part of the state.
We see the Delta in its entirety, rather than one particular community, city or county. And to us, the outlook for northwest Mississippi is a lot brighter than you might think.
There’s no doubt that we are in an economic slowdown. One new business is not going to reverse a trend overnight. But the important thing to remember is that businesses that are shutting their doors are doing so because of national economics–not because they are in the Delta.
We can bring new jobs and new business to the Delta–but we have to realize we are in a global competition. We’ve got to take advantage of our strengths and work on our weaknesses.
One strength that the Delta has is the wide variety of agencies now working to aid our region. Groups like the Enterprise Corporation for the Delta, the Delta Regional Commission and the various Empowerment Zones here all help attract business.
When you add to that group existing agencies like the Mississippi Development Authority, the Delta Council and the Electric Power Associations, you have quite a team on your side. All of these agencies are real assets, and we need to work with them.
Fortunately, a spirit of cooperation is also one of the Delta’s strengths. I travel all over the country and visit many communities each year. In many, many places the biggest hindrance to economic development is provincialism. You would be amazed at how many communities would prefer to kill a potential deal rather than have it go to a city just a few miles down the road.
The Delta is different in that regard. Long ago, we realized the truth of the saying “a rising tide floats all boats.” People want new business in their city or community. But, if they cannot get it, they are almost as happy to see it go somewhere else in the Delta. That’s the right way to encourage economic development.
As far as weakness, the biggest area where the Delta needs improvement is education. An educated workforce is the key to prosperity in the future, and the entire Delta community is going to have to come together to resolve this problem.
Entergy Mississippi is working hard in this area. We announced earlier this year that we are sponsoring scholarships at all eight state universities, including Delta State and Mississippi Valley State. We are also offering scholarships at the seven community colleges in our service territory, including Coahoma, Delta, Holmes and Northwest.
The business community can make a difference in education. I urge other Delta businesses to take a look at how they can help local schools, whether it’s through an adopt-a-school program or by providing volunteers to mentor young people.
Since we are competing against the world for jobs, the Delta has also got to learn what it will take to be competitive. Entergy offers programs to educate community leaders in what businesses want. Through our TeamCity program, communities across the Delta have been assessing what they have that makes them attractive to business and how they could be more attractive by taking a few simple steps.
Finally, the most important thing to remember is that we can be successful. What happened in Greenwood with Milwaukee Tool is evidence of what can happen in other cities. Entergy is ready to work with you in the 21st century.
If we work as a team, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” will be more than a movie - it will be a way of life in the Delta. DBJ

(Will Mayo is the director of economic development for Entergy Mississippi.)