Video: Link CEO Talks Communiversity

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COLUMBUS, Miss.(WCBI)–In the 11 years since Joe Max Higgins came to Lowndes County as a jobs recruiter, the Golden Triangle has gone from a little known stretch of prairie to one of the Southeast’s pre-eminent industrial hotspots. And now, the region is preparing for what could be the crown jewel in staying ahead of the game in recruiting high-tech jobs of the future.

Billions of dollars in investments and hundreds of new jobs … and almost 3 thousand acres ready with utilities, roads, and rail for new industries. But Columbus Rotarians heard today [Tuesday] about the Golden Triangle Development Link’s newest asset…it’s called a Communiversity. Plans are being finalized on land at the entrance to the Golden Triangle Airport complex near Paccar.

“I anticipate that we’ll secure the balance of the funding hopefully with the legislature this Spring. Our architects are going through interviews right now. Our goal is to start construction of the Communiversity in August of 15,” said Joe Max Higgins/CEO-Golden Triangle Development Link.

The 38 million dollar partnership between the state and local governments will provide work force education and training for high skilled jobs for potential workers certified on the machines of the future.

“It’s going to be a place for people can get the work force skills they need to work in the industries of the future that we are recruiting. That’s where megatronics is going to be taught. It’s where a lot of good things are going to be done,” said Joe Max Higgins.

Communiversity….Yokohama Tire under construction in West Point already is using the preliminary tests for the new training center’s future students.

“There is going to be some rank and file jobs, but the folks who work there are going to have to make silver on the work keys test. They are going to have to pass a manufacturing skills class. It’s about 8 weeks, to be eligible for working there,” said Joe Max Higgins.

And the new center isn’t the only step the Link hopes will keep the region on industry’s must visit list. In Starkville, environmental studies are being done at a new industrial park.

“We’ve got companies that we are already submitting that park on and shown it to them on paper. They are saying you sure you gonna build it. Yeah, we got the funding, we got everything to do it we just got to get it done. So we are already showing it to prospects right now,” said Joe Max Higgins.

Being prepared and staying a step ahead is what analysts say is a good link for Lowndes County, Oktibbeha County, and West Point.

After an August 2015 groundbreaking, if all goes as planned, the Communiversity should open two years later.