Video: Link Economic Update At E.M.C.C.

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COLUMBUS, Miss.(WCBI)–At the helm of economic development in the Golden Triangle, the LINK has been successful in Columbus and Lowndes County, and now West Point and Clay County with the landing of Yokohama Tire. For right now the Link is focusing soley on Starkville and Oktibbeha County.

Thursday, on the Mayhew campus of EMCC  the Golden Triangle Development LINK gave an update on past accomplishments and future goals.

Meeting with state regional and local business and economic development leaders, the LINK gave a briefing on whats been built, how the industry was landed, its impact, and future goals. It was sort of a chamber of commerce meeting times three, benefiting the three cities as one whole partnership.

“I’m going to tell you what you have to hand it to the Link in covering the three counties in the Golden Triangle. They got a phenomenal team. The record over the last 12 years,” said ARC Director Mike Armour.

A prime development site along Highway 25 was shelved because of concerns over Indian burial grounds but The LINK says landing a new project in Starkville and Oktibbeha County is its their number one goal. A total of eight locations are on the table when it comes to wooing the next industry.

“Both city council and the supervisors agree, we said you don’t have any product. And you’re going to have to have to issue some bonds to buy a site to put water, to put sewer in it so we can help you recruit some companies. And i think the city and county elected officials understand that,” said LINK C.E.O. Joe Max Higgins.

“But we know that we’ve really got as a community get behind them support them financially. You know we’ve heard today that this business takes money. And so I think our supervisors and our aldermen, our elected officials are committed to that. They see the importance of it,” said Greater Starkville Development Partnership C.E.O. Jennifer Gregory.

Oktibbeha County is in a unique situation. With an upcoming school consolidation and other infrastructure upgrades competing for the same tax dollars Developers know there is a fine line to walk.

“Because jobs are such a priority. So our elected officials have a lot on their plate but they’ve got to really balance where this fits in. And all indications point to the fact that they see this as a priority,” said Gregory.

“You know you look at the money they gave Toyota, Nissan, and Yokohama. And you look at the payback period. You know in most instances paid back in an 8 to 10 year period depending on the project. So, you know the public doesn’t know that when you are giving that you are getting the money back in sales tax and jobs and all of the above,” said Armour.

“So, we’ve got to start right now making economic development a financial priority in Starkville and Oktibbeha County. We think that’ll prove results in the long run,” said said Gregory.

Also discussed was workforce development and the Communiversity to be ready in mid to late summer.

The LINK is expected to have these kinds of updates at least twice a year as they continue going after new industries.