Glenn McCullough

 

The Mississippi Development Authority’s Aspire Mississippi program is based on the belief that local leaders working together take action to improve their community. This creates an environment that reduces risk and attracts private capital investment, which creates new job opportunities that give Mississippians a promising career path.

This leadership, “Community Development = Economic Development,” strategy is being implemented by counties participating in the Aspire Mississippi program knowing that positive results can be achieved.

Each community is different. One community may set a goal of improving public education to increase high school graduation rates. Another community may decide that the development of a planned industrial park is needed for economic growth. Local leaders must determine specific, measurable goals for their community then take the necessary steps to achieve them.

The social infrastructure of people coming together to debate, discuss and ultimately gain a consensus for a shared vision for what their community can become is a fundamental part of any successful community development process.

This social infrastructure often takes the form of a chamber of commerce, community foundation and/or economic development organization which is designed to be the place where people come together to share ideas and work as a team to achieve the goals set for their communities. This includes developing a plan and determining who will take on certain roles to make their communities better places to live, work and raise a family.

MDA’s Aspire Mississippi program, with resources from Gov. Bryant and the Mississippi Legislature, is designed to support Mississippians as they take on local leadership responsibilities that result in community development which leads to enhanced economic development. In turn, communities generate a stronger tax base and more and better jobs, becoming a community that embraces continuous improvement to become the best place it can be.

The Aspire Mississippi program is supported by Cooperative Energy, Entergy Mississippi, Mississippi Power and the Tennessee Valley Authority – all working together with MDA to help program participants envision, build consensus, develop a plan and take action as a team to realize their goals of stronger, more vibrant communities.

Currently, leaders in five counties are participating in the program – Attala, Choctaw, Marshall, Simpson and Webster.

While the Aspire Mississippi program is a year-long commitment for participating counties, the process of local leaders taking ownership of community development to achieve the goal of vibrant economic development never ends as we aspire to be the best Mississippi we can be.

Glenn McCullough Jr. is executive director of the Mississippi Development Authority.