Northeast Mississippi Gets the Message

Here are some clips from speeches by two economic researhers at the recent annual meeting of NE Mississippi economic development officials in Tupelo:

"There is not a single formula, but having cheap low-skill labor isn't effective anymore," he said. "Now you have to find out what makes a region unique, what works well. It could be the weather, it could be the proximity of two major research universities. ... What you have to do is encourage innovation and entrepreneurship. It's about finding a niche, and yes, marketing what you have."Pepper echoed his remarks.The old economic model of luring companies through cheap labor and land is failing because of bigger incentives in China and other countries.

Education is the key. Economic growth and development hinge on educating people, Weiler and Pepper said."Education is a critical foundation for success," Weiler said. "It's quite clear that the more educated the people are, the more a community will better develop."With some 40 percent of Mississippi's ninth- through 12th-grade students dropping out of school, the effects are devastating, Pepper said."

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