MSGC bemoans few job-generators

The Mississippi Gulf Coast’s (MSGC) six southern counties are still waiting for major new job generators to materialize; although the Mississippi Development Authority has worked to bring mega-projects to other parts of the state. Economic indicators show South Mississippi’s economy to be stagnant even while the national average is on the rise. Non-farm employment has fallen 4.7 percent. Statewide decreases from 2004-13 were 0.4 percent. A Mississippi Economic Council-funded study may help target businesses for the coast. MDA has assisted new industries to the state with $716 million in grants and loans since 2008; less than 1 percent for coastal Mississippi. Hattiesburg state Sen. John Polk questions why mega-projects such as Nissan seem to land north of Interstate 20, which runs through the state capitol. "Something's not right ...” MSGC business/political leaders must set goals and unite, said Brooks Holstein, founder of Biloxi-based COMVEST Properties, like the “mind-boggling” job Tupelo has done through one of the nation's oldest economic-development foundations. Source: Sun Herald, 04/12/14.