Emphasis on existing industry

By Staff
May 23, 2004
On Tuesday, Gov. Haley Barbour and Insurance Commissioner George Dale will join experts in Meridian to focus on one of Mississippi's great untold stories: the value of existing business and industry in creating new jobs.
The spotlight always shines on the rare multibillion-dollar projects Nissan in Canton comes to mind that attract global media attention and provide thousands of workers with jobs at wages that are well above average. Maybe the spotlight shines so brightly because these projects are so rare.
But economic development professionals have figured out that the vast majority of new jobs up to 80 percent that will be created in Mississippi will be created by existing businesses and industry. It is imperative that the state's economic development program provide as much assistance as possible to businesses that are already churning out paychecks, products and services.
How to best nurture existing companies is the basic idea behind the second annual Existing Industry Summit sponsored by the East Mississippi Business Development Corp. The program will unfold Tuesday at Mississippi State University-Meridian Campus' Kahlmus Auditorium beginning at 8 a.m.
It's geared toward mapping out how the EMBDC can help local businesses solve problems, continue to survive and expand. Issues on the agenda include tort reform, environmental permitting, workforce development and the cost of insurance, which were identified by EMBDC's Existing Industry Committee as major issues.
The trials faced by existing businesses and industry in this global economic climate are many and we are pleased that EMBDC is taking a leadership role in identifying problems and, hopefully, offering some solutions.
While major new industrial projects should always be welcomed into a community, working more closely with existing industry is a wise move.

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Mousey Brown

News

Russellville First Baptist Church receives historical marker

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Meeting a higher standard – Russellville High School JROTC

News

RCS BOE announces new superintendent  

News

Miss Dream Girl Pageant names winners

Franklin County

First Metro Bank hosts FAME Girls’ Ranch donation drive

News

PCHS holds annual Shelby Grissom Memorial Fashion Show

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: VFW Post 5184 – ‘No One Does More For Veterans’

Features

Supporting students’ futures

Features

Red Bay Garden Club discusses amaryllis planting

Franklin County

UA announces local students for fall 2023 President’s, Dean’s, graduation lists

News

School news

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Troy Oliver

Franklin County

Appropriations bill passes, allots more than $3 million for new Russellville library/multipurpose center 

Franklin County

Franklin County Cattlemen’s Association names Cattleman of the Year 

Franklin County

Franklin County votes: Unofficial March 5 primary election results 

Franklin County

Funding for new Russellville library, multipurpose community center expected this week

Features

Faces of Franklin County: BTCPA

News

GFWC Russellville Book Lovers Club sponsors downtown art crawl

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Cody Bragwell

Franklin County

42nd annual Miss RHS pageant names winners 

News

Miss RHS pageant takes place Friday

Franklin County

Political announcement: David Hester speaks about run for reelection as county commissioner

Franklin County

BTCPA auditions for final production of season take place March 3-4 

x