Tuesday, officials from Pearl River County and the county’s two municipalities met to discuss economic development and using teamwork as a strategy to increase industry and job creation.

“The meeting was all about the Greater Picayune Area Chamber of Commerce and the community working together,” Chamber Director April Lovelace said.

Several members of the Pearl River County Board of Supervisors were present at the meeting, including District IV Supervisor J. Patrick Lee.

Lee hopes open communication between the county and the two municipalities will help the county grow as a whole.

“Economic development is the hardest thing I’ve had to tackle, it doesn’t just happen overnight. Some projects take years to develop but we’re just going to keep working like we are and being proactive,” Lee said.

The county is taking measures to boost economic development, Lee said. The county is working with state officials like Gray Swoope, who was introduced to the county in March as a new member of the economic development team with the Butler Snow law firm, which is under contract with the county.

Lee said officials like Swoope notify the county when they find companies looking to relocate or startup.

“Then we look to see if there are any properties available in the county for these businesses,” Lee said. “Every day, we’re talking to someone about that.”

County and city officials plan to meet quarterly to discuss economic development countywide, Lee said.