The Meridian Star invited some community leaders to write about their top three priorities for 2019. Today’s column is from Bill Hannah, president and CEO of the East Mississippi Development Corporation.

Being the Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Organization for Lauderdale County is quite an honor.

We represent, and serve, over 500 businesses and industries in our immediate area. We are blessed with great “neighbors” in surrounding counties who understand and believe in the “power of regionalism.”

2019 EMBDC Priorities

There are multiple initiatives ongoing at EMBDC for the benefit of our community and members (some are well-planned, some are still evolving).

One definite priority is to complete the development work at the I-20/59 Industrial Park. If you’ve driven by that area you’ve noticed quite a bit of change over the past 3-4 months. There’s still work to complete, but once the development is finished the landscape of the industrial park will literally be changed. The Lauderdale County Board of Supervisors have taken the lead on this and we’re now working with the City of Meridian to re-route a road that dissects this property.

A second priority is to fully engage our downtown businesses and work toward an effective, coordinated Main Street Organization. There are issues remaining but the need for one organization to shoulder the administration of this effort seems fairly fundamental. EMBDC could be that organization or there may be another one that makes sense.

Lastly, in addition to the development work at the industrial park, we continue to focus on establishing a “best in class” existing industry program, led by existing industry executives. Along these same lines of growing jobs and growing better jobs, we’re also pursuing new industry opportunities that best fit our area.