For more than two decades, local governments renewed their contracts with The Golden Triangle Development LINK without any serious debate.

Since 2023, the LINK has brought in 28 new companies and numerous expansions representing $12 billion in capital investment. It has been a proven commodity over an extended period of time.

The lone blip came when the city of Columbus parted ways with the LINK in 2018, only to rejoin the economic development organization a year later.
But a fissure appeared Monday in the relationship with another partner.

The Oktibbeha County Board of Supervisors served the LINK with a two-year notice letter that could end the county’s contract in 2028.

The LINK’s clients are Lowndes, Oktibbeha and Clay counties, and each pays $500,000 annually. The cities within those counties help foot the bill.
All of the contracts are on three-year rolling contracts. If a local government wants to let the contract expire, it has to give the LINK a two-year notice.

If the recent actions of the Oktibbeha County Board of Supervisors are any indication, Oktibbeha County may be joined by Starkville, The Partnership and its economic development group Oktibbeha County Economic Development Agency in exiting the LINK, which would collectively represent $500,000 in annual payments to the LINK.

Starkville Mayor Lynn Spruill, who is head of the OCEDA, has voiced concerns about the LINK’s initial decision to fire former CEO Joe Max Higgins and the organization’s replacement of Higgins.

The LINK fired Higgins in August under ugly circumstances. His successor, Iain Vasey, left just two months into the job. Meryl Fisackerly, the LINK’s former COO, is now the CEO.

Higgins cast a wide shadow over the LINK, where he was not only the face of the organization but its dominant presence.

Is the LINK really the LINK if Higgins isn’t there? That seems to be a major concern in Starkville and Oktibbeha County.

Obviously, the loss of a big chunk of its funding would hurt the LINK.

But it may also prove costly for Oktibbeha County should it leave the partnership.

It can be argued – and Higgins himself did so frequently – that the Golden Triangle collectively is a much easier sell than any one of the counties individually. Collectively, the Golden Triangle offers an incredible spectrum of assets for projects: rail, ports, abundant energy, major highways, cooperative governments, excellent schools, new housing and a major research university. That’s a huge toolbox that has allowed the LINK to find creative solutions for businesses interested in locating here.

Should Oktibbeha County and Starkville break away, they will be weaker and so will the remaining two counties.

There is one more wrinkle to the story: After he was terminated by the LINK, Higgins opened his own economic development business and agreed to a non-compete agreement with the LINK that will end in 2027.

So now our heads turn to the LINK. It has the support of our businesses and our government leaders. It must continue operating at the high level we have become accustomed to.

Missteps are excusable, but you have to find your footing and execute.

We’re confident the LINK can do that.

The Golden Triangle needs that.

The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.

READER FAVORITES

• 

  Our View: Mississippi schools must adapt to fewer students

  By Dispatch Editorial Board • 1 day ago