A new era has certainly dawned in economic development for the Mississippi Delta and surrounding regions. The creation of the Delta Regional Authority, co-chaired by Clarksdale native and attorney, Pete Johnson, will be a major step forward toward boosting the economy of the Lower Mississippi Delta. In talking with Johnson, I’m struck by the optimism and “can-do” attitude that he is bringing to his new position, and the fact that the former Mississippi State Auditor is calling the DRA a true “one stop shop” for the regional economic development needs of our area.
Of course, Pete Johnson’s abilities and track record are no secret to anyone who gives even a cursory glance to Mississippi politics. Raised in a famous political family, Pete knows the ropes as well as any person on the state government scene. The decision to make him co-chairman of the Delta Regional Authority was a very wise one, and, speaking from personal dealings with him, Pete’s enthusiasm is contagious.
I also applaud the election of Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee as the other co-chair of the DRA. This up-and-coming political star shares Johnson’s enthusiasm and knowledge of the obstacles facing the region, and surely it can be said that these two will comprise an economic dynamic duo the likes of which have never been seen.
Johnson’s calling the DRA a “one stop shop” struck me as important. Too often, we have seen promising economic development efforts thwarted by in-fighting, turf wars or mismanagement. With men like Pete and Governor Huckabee leading the effort to coordinate all possible resources as easily and beneficially as possible, I believe that— finally—tangible, trackable results will come out of the Delta Regional Authority’s efforts.
The new agency, which will initially operate on a federal-approved budget of $20 million and is made up of counties and parishes from Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri and Tennessee, held its first official meeting on November 15. The occasion took place in Clarksdale, DRA’s temporary home, and was very well-attended and covered by the media. Representatives from Senators Cochran and Lott’s offices were there, as were representatives from all of the governors of the region. Johnson is pushing hard for Clarksdale to remain the permanent home of the DRA, which would be a huge coup for the Delta, and Mississippi. In fact, Clarksdale should be the location for the DRA headquarters putting it right in the center of the region it serves.
It’s important for all economic entities to support the Delta Regional Authority. This is a chance of a lifetime, maybe the last chance, for all of us to come together and make changes in the Delta for the better. Businesses have to step up to the plate and get behind what Johnson and Huckabee are planning to do: stimulate economic growth, create jobs, and, refreshingly, look closely at how to bring together cultural divides in order to form consensus.
It would be all too easy to dismiss the Delta Regional Authority as just another government program. It’s true that we’ve been down this road before. But there are some key differences here that merit optimism. First and foremost, I have to say again that having Pete Johnson and Mike Huckabee leading the charge shows that the DRA won’t be “business as usual.” There is a new and different attitude with these men, and it’s obvious to me that they are extremely serious about positive change. Also, the DRA will be located in the region it is designed to serve, not in Washington, D.C. Accessibility and response, therefore, will be quick.
There are other reasons to be optimistic. Suffice it to say, our area does need help. And as the Appalachian Regional Commission helped that region of the country, I sincerely believe that the Delta Regional Authority can help this region. We have nothing to lose and everything to gain. DBJ

Scott Coopwood
Publisher