Dollar General’s new distribution center, Viking Range’s new Specialty Products plant, the 68 new acres of industrial space at the Port of Rosedale, improvements to the Leflore Industrial Park, retention and expansion of Wolverine Tube in Greenville, and the creation of the Delta Center for Manufacturing Technology - all of these projects are testament to the real power of an empowerment zone to stimulate the economy.

The early fits and starts that plagued the Mid Delta Empowerment Zone Alliance (MDEZA) have been conquered to a large degree, and the program is at last proving to be of real benefit to citizens of the Delta. This, however, does not mean that some frustration isn’t inevitable. The program is not and cannot be a panacea for every ill, nor can it fund every project that comes along.

The MDEZA was established with authority to address a wide variety of problems, and that in itself may be the source of a lot of frustration. When people are told that there is money available to address housing issues, education issues, day care issues, drug treatment and pregnancy related issues, and every sort of assistance for economic development and job creation - well....expectations can run rather high - unrealistically so.

There is money. And all of these issues are under the authority of MDEZA. Forty million dollars is a lot of money, but it isn’t enough to actually provide all of the funding for all of the needs in the Delta. It was intended as seed money for building the structures within the community that can address these issues over a very long period of time.

Another source of frustration is the very nature of the program. With its intention to stimulate community involvement, it has created a board of 75 members. The object is to involve the community at all levels - from government, to churches, to educators, to economic development professionals, business leaders and interested citizens.

While the goal is a good one, a 75-member board is unwieldy, to say the least. Differences of opinion always arise. With this many people and this many objectives, the recipe for a bureaucratic quagmire is already in place.

In spite of these problems, the program is moving. The designation of the empowerment zone only lasts until the year 2004. At that time there will still be substandard housing, drug abuse, problems with child care and pregnancy, people who aren’t properly educated, and a need for additional well-paying jobs.

If the goals of MDEZA are met, however, there will be community-based programs in place that will continue to address these issues. There has already been a great deal of progress and people who are close to the program are optimistic that a great deal can be achieved, both during the life of the program and afterward.

Henry Cote of the Mississippi Department of Economic and Community Development (MDECD), who is the state coordinator for the Empowerment Zone and Enterprise Community programs, knows that there is a long way to go, but sees definite improvement. "One thing I’ve noticed," he says, "is that one thing that has been sorely needed for the Delta to move ahead that is a networking relationship between entities, more coming together to work through problems.

"We’re bringing together the leadership from six counties. There is a new mind set in elected officials, new interest in attracting sustainable development. Regardless of where the companies set up shop, the entire zone benefits from it," Cote explains. "If a company hires 500 people, they won’t all come from just Sunflower County or Humphries County. And you have to have a job before you can pay the house note.

"People are seeing the big picture. Industry, education and housing go hand in hand. This program really is helping development. Heartland Catfish, for example, had to run a forced-main sewer line to the Yazoo River. They were able to get a grant to help with that and new access roads. They’ll add 60 jobs to the new facility. That just shows how quickly a start-up company can expand with all the incentives," Cote says.

"This is one of only three rural empowerment zones in the nation. National magazines are singing the praises of Mississippi’s Empowerment Zone success," Cote continues. "Coupled with our excellent state incentives, MDEZA is an excellent development tool. Without the money, there wouldn’t be such an increase in development."

David Work, Director of the Port of Rosedale agrees. "We have 68 new acres of hydraulic fill. We had an EDA grant for $1,625,800. That has to be matched. We were able to get a port development loan from MDECD for $500,000, but that still left us $350,000 short. We were able to get an MDEZA grant for that portion. I don’t know where we would have gotten the rest of that money. I was tickled to death to get this part of the project.

"The employment tax credit is an awfully good prospect tool too. It’s definitely an incentive. People have looked at us because of it," Work concludes.

Jim Murphy of the Sunflower County Economic Development District is enthusiastic about additional aspects of the program. "The big hit, of course, was locating Dollar General. That is lots of jobs and lots of opportunities. But that also creates peripheral businesses. A lawn and patio furniture company that supplies Dollar General just located a new business in Drew. They have 40 employees. We’re also seeing a lot of activity in housing proposals - modular homes and multi-family projects are being discussed.

"This program has also closed the gap between communities and larger government entities," Murphy continues. "It has created partnerships that are a lot more than just words. The relationship between housing, training and job creation is a product that should come from this program, and it’s beginning to take shape. For a county that has traditionally run a 16% to 17% unemployment rate, we’re now at 8.8%. We’re finally leveling out with the larger towns around. There is still a big challenge though - getting our workforce into shape."

Cliff Brumfield of the Leflore County Industrial Foundation says there are more benefits than just the tax advantages and grant money to be had from MDEZA. "Many other federal programs have funds set aside that can only be spent in empowerment zones," he explains. "There is money for education, water and waste treatment, housing, business development and other needs. These are not just one-time sources. They can be renewed throughout the life of MDEZA.

"These opportunities are limited only by the imagination, perseverance and determination of the people interested in these areas. The opportunities afforded by MDEZA are helping increase interest in improving housing, education, municipal water and sewer systems and infrastructure needs for industrial parks and sites.

"The benefits are there," Brumfield continues. "In order to take advantage of them, citizens must organize and set goals. The mere designation doesn’t guarantee the benefits. People have to get involved and make this happen for themselves."

Harold Latham, Executive Director of MDEZA, agrees wholeheartedly with this assessment. "Forty million dollars cannot solve all the problems," he says. "What keeps causing the problems? Welfare as we know it hasn’t worked. We have to address the social and pathological disorders that exist. There has been a historical brain drain from this region because of a lack of sustainable good jobs.

"This program offers the hope and promise that has been lacking. We have talked about people pulling themselves up by the bootstraps, but we left out the boots and the straps. Now we have the basic components in place to continue at the grass roots level - to develop superior programs that will continue after 2004.

"The Board of Commissioners represents a huge human capital resource. This alliance came together to breathe life into the ‘stone soup’ concept," Latham continues. "We probably have the biggest challenge of any of the empowerment zones or enterprise communities, but I’m very optimistic. The program is beginning to bear real fruit, and as it does, more enthusiasm is being created. I’m elated to be working with Mr. Heidel and his fine staff in addition to all the people here in the Delta.

"My goal is that if anyone talks to any of the 29 thousand-plus residents in the empowerment zone after 2004, that they will all say the program has made a difference," Latham concludes.

There are already many hundreds who will say this. The people being hired by Dollar General, the company in Drew, Viking Range and Heartland Catfish; those whose jobs were saved at Wolverine Tube; those who are being trained in programs throughout the Delta; and those who are benefitting from the various housing, education, medical, and childcare programs already created or enhanced by the program.

No one will say there is not a long way yet to go, but with this much success already on the books and six years remaining, there is great hope that a giant step can be made in solving the economic and social development problems of the Delta. Fulfilling the promise and capabilities that all Deltans know exists here is a goal worth working for. DBJ

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Site last updated January 10, 1999.