STARKVILLE — The Mississippi Economic Council hosted the Starkville leg of its MEC tour Wednesday at the Mill at MSU. The council, which is a private organization that dubs itself the state’s chamber of commerce, focused on what businesses and the state of Mississippi as a whole can do to foster economic growth.
From 51 small group listening sessions across 18 Mississippi communities, MEC identified some of the things that are stifling economic growth in Mississippi. From what it learned in these sessions, MEC developed a strategic initiative: Securing Mississippi’s Future: A Vision for Economic Growth.
“In doing all of this, we said, ‘What is our next step to make sure that we’re charting a new course for our state?’ and kind of reimagining what Mississippi could look like if we go forward. And that led to the development of Securing Mississippi’s Future: Vision for economic growth,” Scott Waller, MEC president and CEO, said.
Some of the problems MEC identified included the stigmas surrounding postsecondary education that does not come from a 4-year college, transportation issues (both roads/infrastructure and access to public transit) and effective communication to potential workers about what opportunities are available for them in Mississippi.
In addition to identifying issues, MEC also proposed solutions that included destigmatizing other postsecondary education paths like 2-year colleges and trade schools. It proposed strengthening infrastructure to make Mississippi more attractive for industry and providing public transit to help get people to work, and encouraging communities to find ways to communicate to potential employees — particularly young people — about what opportunities are available.
In addition to presenting its own findings, MEC led the room of about 70 business owners and community members in some research questions. They were asked what the biggest challenges facing Mississippi companies were, outside of workforce issues, to which 68 percent said Mississippi’s image/perception.
“We’ve got to find ways to tell our own story in positive ways,” Waller said, pointing to the negative press that Mississippi receives from national news outlets.
The event, which Blue Cross Blue Shield sponsored, also pointed to the ways that a healthy workforce and work atmosphere translate into a healthier business.
Towanda Williams, who attended the presentation on behalf of Mississippi University for Women, found MEC’s presentation to be interesting and informative. She agreed that workforce retention — both in terms of finding new talent and keeping the talent Mississippi has from leaving — is critical.
“There just has to be a change — a shift in the way that employment is offered and the level of employment because we have working mothers, people in other situations,” she said. “People want to work from home more. We’re going to have to adopt some of those ways but then again, nothing beats hands-on learning.”
Waller also agreed that an improvement of Mississippi’s image would be beneficial.
“The image of Mississippi is tainted, of course, from years and years and years,” she said. “But there’s change. And until people really see that, and get involved in what it is that we’re doing here in Mississippi then things are going to stay the same.”
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 39 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 39 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
Join the Discussion