Publisher's Commentary
Where do we go from here?
Mississippi as a whole and the Delta in particular have had unprecedented
success in economic development over the last decade.
Unemployment is lower than I can remember
in my lifetime, our standard of living has improved exponentially and I
think that the rest of the country has begun to change their view of the
South as sleepy and dull, to vibrant and aggressive. The existence of this
paper alone is evidence of how the area is growing economically.
While some have argued that much of this
growth occurred because of a national expansion, I can emphatically state
that growth in the Delta is due, in part, to former Mississippi
Department of Economic and Community Development director, Jimmy Heidel
making certain that we got a fair look from companies brought to Mississippi.
For this we will be eternally grateful.
But, times and administrations change.
And it is up to us to both recognize and grow through change. We have a
new Governor in Ronnie Musgrove. He is familiar with the Delta and should
recognize both our problems and our potential. At the very least he surely
realizes that we did more than our fair share electing him to office. He
should be friendly to the region and I am certain that he will work hard
to help erase the education and teacher deficits we currently suffer. Musgrove's
appointment of J.C. Burns of Batesville, as new director for the Department
of Economic and Community Development, is a boon to the Delta. Burns'
work with economic development in the Batesville/Panola County area is
impressive, and he no doubt brings good experience to this position.
With all of this said, I hope that Governor
Musgrove and Mr. Burns will not mind a few extra pounds of unsolicited
advice for a successful eight years instead of a dismal four.
1) Don't go into office with the predisposition
that everything accomplished by the last administration should be thrown
out. In the last eight years MDECD did some important things. We quit waiting
on that day in the future when we would be ready for new industry and began
to recruit hard. It worked. We realized that existing industry was our
best industrial prospect and began to give our companies the help and respect
they deserved. This helped bring a record number of industrial expansions
and jobs.
2) Focus, focus, focus. Set priorities
for the kinds of companies you think will work best and develop expertise
and contacts in those industries.
3) Look across the U.S. for successful
minority business development programs, adapt what you find to fit our
particular circumstances and commit serious resources to building successful
business ownership among women and minorities in our state. Our state can
not succeed in the long term if this is not done.
4) Try to build capacity in small town
development. Many of our small towns have not shared in the Mississippi
miracle. This will be a daunting task and will not take place quickly.
But, I believe that there must be a strategy for growing small town economies
for Mississippi to be fully successful.
5) Keep an emphasis on existing industry,
but look beyond financing programs and incentives. Build expertise among
existing industry staff in problem assessment and be ready to bring expert
assistance from wherever it is needed to solve problems in technology,
management and other critical issues.
6) Use today's technology to our best
advantage. We can track the financial health of our industry base through
the Internet, use trade journals and SEC filings to predict growth companies
and even use e-mail for direct marketing.
7) Most importantly, don't forget the
Delta. We represent roughly one fourth of the people in this state. We
have a growing and impressive manufacturing sector including companies
like Baxter Health Care, MTD, Viking Range, Cooper Tire, Batesville American
and Uncle Ben's Rice. Given the opportunity, we can do more.
Like you, we are committed to change,
committed to growth and committed to Mississippi. And by the way, let's
enjoy the ride.
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