The Meridian Star invited some community leaders to identify their priorities for 2017. The following is from Lauderdale County Administrator Chris Lafferty.

Setting priorities is a pivotal event for every aspect of life. Setting priorities with the Lauderdale County Board of Supervisors for 2017 is no different.

The leadership of Lauderdale County has compiled three distinct, yet equally important, priorities. The priorities are safety and security, infrastructure and economic development. These core priorities are perpetual in nature and require constant attention for Lauderdale County to be successful in the new year.

Our county is privileged to have such a competent Sherriff’s Department, robust Volunteer Fire Department, professional Emergency Management experts, and caring EMS professionals. These dynamic teams of selfless public servants confidently ensure our safety and security day in and out. Recognizing that the glue that holds these agencies together is the tireless effort of the 911 dispatchers, the Lauderdale County Board of Supervisors enthusiastically voted to update the CAD (Computer Aided Dispatch) system. This joint venture between Lauderdale County, City of Meridian and City of Marion will ensure efficient dispatch and continuity of information between agencies.

Infrastructure is generally a contentious topic. Like every county in Mississippi, Lauderdale County has not experienced substantial increases in state funding. Undoubtedly 2017 will see the same challenge. The Board of Supervisors is painstakingly prioritizing the roads in Lauderdale County to maximize the available funds. We are in continual dialog with state agencies to increase funding and to make our roads and bridges a priority.

In approaching 2017, the county road department is receiving better and more efficient equipment along with providing a path to gain skilled CDL holders. Recognizing the benefit of improvement from within, the Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to send employees to Meridian Community College’s highly successful Commercial Truck Driving Academy. This partnership will provide a higher quality of life of the participants and will provide an avenue for infrastructure to be improved faster.

In addition, Meridian Community College will be providing training to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of our already skilled workforce. The end result of the initiative taken by the Board of Supervisors will be noticeable infrastructure improvements in 2017.

The lynchpin for the solvency of Lauderdale County remains economic development. As forward leaning progressive leaders, the Board of Supervisors continually looks for new and innovated ways to increase economic development. By teaming up with the EMBDC (led by the tenacious Bill Hannah), we are confident that 2017 will usher in substantial economic growth.

Part of economic development in 2017 is partnering with local business leaders to provide the wherewithal to assist in economic development. Another tool that will be nurtured is tourism. By working closely with the Tourism Commission, Lauderdale County should see significant economic growth. Economic development will remain as one of the main ingredients for the success of our county.

As a lifelong resident of Lauderdale County, I can confidently say that Lauderdale County has never had a brighter future than it does moving into 2017. We have the right people in the right place at the right time to create positive generational change in Lauderdale County. The Board of Supervisors and I enthusiastically stand poised to serve.