POPLARVILLE —
Following a short presentation by State Sen. Tony Smith (R-Picayune), the board of supervisors adopted on Monday a resolution encouraging state officials and agencies to exercise “fairness and parity” regarding location of new industries in Mississippi.
Smith told supervisors that some officials in South Mississippi have realized that most of the economic development in Mississippi is being directed toward North Mississippi, and the resolution calls for the governor, the Mississippi Development Authority and other state agencies “to exercise fairness and parity for the South Mississippi region regarding economic development opportunities and infrastructure improvements.”
Supervisor Sandy Kane Smith made the motion that the resolution be adopted, and the motion was seconded by Supervisor Joyce Culpepper. The vote was unanimous, with Supervisors J. Patrick Lee, Anthony Hales, Sr., and Dennis Dedeaux also voting for it.
Sen. Smith said that the resolution, which will be presented to most boards of supervisors in South Mississippi to get their support in the effort, was the result of a group of officials from South Mississippi recognizing that most of the economic development efforts in the state are being directed toward North Mississippi.
He said the group of officials he represents is not trying to “strong arm” anyone but is trying to attract more industry for South Mississippi and make state officials aware of the economic and infrastructure needs of the southern part of the state.
He said the resolutions from the boards of supervisors will be presented to Gov. Phil Bryant, MDA officials and other state officials during a March 15 meeting on state economic development. He said state senators, representatives and supervisors from South Mississippi plan to meet with the governor and other state officials on that date.
On hand also on Monday was State Sen. Angela Burks Hill (R-Picayune).
Sen. Smith said the resolution was the result of a meeting of a number of supervisors from South Mississippi, held several weeks ago, during which a plan was developed to meet with the governor to share South Mississippi political leaders’ concerns. Most senators, representatives and supervisors are “on board,” said Smith.
Added Smith, “When we sat in on some economic development meetings, those of us from South Mississippi discovered that everything that is happening is in the northern portion of the state today. . .We are not going in trying to strong arm anyone; we just are asking that officials be aware of our economic needs and resources.”
News reports last week said South Mississippi lawmakers were circulating the resolution, asking that South Mississippi be treated fairly in parceling out the economic development packages.
The group pushing the resolution is trying to get it signed this week by boards of supervisors and city governing boards in South Mississippi prior to presenting it to the governor.
Rep. David Baria (D-Bay St. Louis) co-authored the resolution as did Sens. Smith and Hill.
Supervisors zipped through a long agenda that took two and one-half hours to work their way through, and then went into executive session to discuss legal and personnel matters.
The supervisors then recessed and plans to meet again on Feb. 22 at 9 a.m.
Local News
Related Photos
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State Sen. Tony Smith addresses supervisors on Monday concerning a resolution to be presented to the governor. Backs to camera from left are supervisors Dennis Dedeaux and Sandy Kane Smith, and board attorney Joe Montgomery. Out of picture to right is Lee, Lumpkin and Culpepper. (Staff photo by David A. Farrell)
Supervisors adopt resolution encouraging more economic development in South Miss.
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