The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center has been headquartered in Vicksburg for more than 75 years, creating a history between the community and the center.

ERDC’s connection to its local community stretches into the future with the company planning to replace or add 800 jobs within the next five years, according to ERDC commander Col. Bryan Green. In addition to committing to increase the number of ERDC hires, Green, who spoke at the Vicksburg-Warren County Chamber of Commerce luncheon Wednesday, addressed issues he said he has encountered when trying to attract and retain talent locally.

“We keep and capture some of the best talent here in Mississippi, but at the same time, we compete very well nationally to try to bring talent from around the United States and the world to the state,” Green said. “We compete well, but competition is fierce.”

That competition means Vicksburg must address some of the issues preventing millennials and young couples without children from making Vicksburg their permanent home, he said.

“Millennials can’t afford a lot,” Green said. “We’re missing that moderately priced, newer (living space) for millennials.

“There’s a little bit of a lack of depth and breadth in the housing market, and that’s what I’m finding to be the largest impact on the decision whether they chose to stay or drift.”

Green said he hopes to not just retain local talent but attract new research and development companies that ERDC can contract with as well.

“There’s $700 million in missed opportunities for the state of Mississippi that we put out in contracts,” he said. “ For whatever reason, we’ve never really garnered the interest to compete for those contracts (within the state), so we’re planting that seed.”

Green reiterated ERDC’s commitment to bringing in 800 jobs, 300 of which would be new positions, by saying, “We are truly committed to the Vicksburg community. We want to grow along with everyone; we love it here in Vicksburg. Those equations (for growth) are easily changed and in our own control.”

Jane Flowers, the Chamber’s executive director, appreciated Green’s insights.

“We have to know what people are looking for when people are moving here,” she said. “It’s going to be all of us working together to make a better Vicksburg.”