Blueprint Mississippi 2011
Goals and Recommendations

(Listed in alphabetical order by topic, not priority.)

RECOMMENDATION:

• Institutionalize a permanent, diverse, privately led statewide organization of leaders charged with providing market research and sustained planning for economic development in Mississippi and implementing the Blueprint Mississippi 2011 recommendations.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

• Support the goals in the report, Mississippi’s Creative Economy, released by the Mississippi Arts Commission with the Mississippi Development Authority:
• Facilitate efforts that make communities throughout the state more creative and vibrant.
• Promote entrepreneurship and small business growth among creative firms.
• Help communities preserve and generate added value from cultural and historic heritage.
• Enhance the competitiveness of the state’s businesses and industries through increased use of art and design.
• Enhance the support and networking infrastructure for creative talent across the state.
• Build capacity to grow and retain creative talent living and working in Mississippi.
• Develop tools and strategies to support growth throughout the tourism industry.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

• Promote diversity in the workforce and in management in Mississippi businesses through training and by joining national and global business networks that promote the common good.
• Invest in local community building projects that promote interracial cooperation.
• Invest in youth programs that promote interracial cooperation in order to ensure future generations of leadership are mindful of diverse perspectives.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

• Evaluate Mississippi’s industry sectors to determine priority sectors, and conduct comprehensive, customized cluster analyses to determine key growth opportunities for Mississippi, beginning with an assessment of the health care industry as a prototype.
• Invest in university research, development and commercialization.
• Develop state-level programs that support rural and minority entrepreneurship and strengthen local economies.
• Enhance entrepreneurship in K-20 (kindergarten through graduate studies) curricula.
• Provide a statewide or regional Web portal for easy business assistance.
• Remove tax and regulatory barriers that make Mississippi’s business climate less competitive.
• Reduce insurance burdens on Mississippi’s coastal businesses and individuals.
• Sustain successful ongoing business recruitment incentives.
• Recognize and promote opportunities that result from the growth and expansion of the technology- driven economy, engaging resources such as the Mississippi Technology Alliance to assist in focusing these efforts.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

• Improve teacher quality by increasing the Teach for America and Mississippi Teacher Corps teachers in the state, strengthening teacher requirements and considering new methods of merit-based compensation.
• Create a quality early childhood education and development system.
• Transition to all-appointed superintendents by 2015.
• Support the Education Achievement Council in its efforts to increase the number of Associate and Bachelor degree holders.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

• Develop tools to stimulate private sector R&D spending.
• Create incentives and support for angel investments.
• Develop tools and incentives to increase capital to support minority and rural businesses.
• Identify, invest in and encourage the use of new technologies that enhance efficiencies and provide cost savings.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

• Target the development of the health care industry as an economic driver for Mississippi’s economy, and create a comprehensive cluster strategy around health care.
• Increase the number of active physicians in the state.
• Increase the number of health care professionals throughout Mississippi.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

• Retain and maintain the infrastructure to capitalize on transportation-related opportunities.
• In conjunction with state agencies, support the development of a proactive, strategic infrastructure master plan to support Mississippi’s economic development goals building on the long-range plan outlined by the Mississippi Department of Transportation and engaging a broad range of stakeholders in the process.
• Support the goals and mission of Mississippi Energy Policy Institute (MEPI).
• Support the goals and mission of Mississippi Broadband Connect Coalition (MBCC).

RECOMMENDATIONS:

• In conjunction with state agencies, expand and brand a strategic, long-term workforce development plan for the state of Mississippi, building on the sound foundational strategy outlined by the State Workforce Investment Board and engaging a broad range of economic developers, resources, providers, business leaders and stakeholders in the process.
• Provide awareness and assistance for occupations and vocations important to Mississippi.
• Develop incentives to attract and retain highly educated workers, with particular emphasis on S.T.E.M. (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) backgrounds.
• Decrease the economic and societal costs associated with teenage births by lowering birthrates among females under 19 years old.
• Expand access to and utilization of health care services, and improve health awareness and education.