Aerospace project head scratcher

Mississippi state Rep. Jeff Smith (R-Columbus) told listeners of a radio show Jan. 25 about a major aerospace project, which could create 4,000 jobs, that was expected to come to Mississippi. State-wide economic development officials were left not only flat-footed, but scratching their collective heads. Golden Triangle Development LINK’s CEO, Joe Max Higgins, said: "We didn't know anything about it” and called the Mississippi Development Authority about the possible project. “Nobody knew anything about it." On the radio show, Rep. Smith said: "We have a rather large project looking at Mississippi and we're hoping they say 'yes’," he told radio host Paul Gallo. "It's aerospace, so that would eliminate 80 of the 82 counties" (Meaning: On either one on the Gulf Coast or Lowndes County). After the show, Smith was surprised when an MDA official called wanting to know the source of his information. Reached Feb. 1, Smith said the information came from Gov. Phil Bryant on Jan. 23 at a Republican caucus meeting. Higgins remains skeptical of the potential project. (Source: Columbus Dispatch 02/02/18)