As the third quarter begins, the state of Mississippi gained more private capital investment, creating new jobs that put more Mississippians on career paths.

So far this year, projects announced average more than one each week with private capital investment exceeding $613 million, creating 3,216 new jobs for Mississippians and driving strong economic growth.

In 2018, companies invested more than $1.1 billion in Mississippi, creating more than 5,100 new jobs on projects involving the Mississippi Development Authority and our partners.

A record number of Mississippians are working today. Incomes are up, and unemployment is down. Mississippians are winning. 

Vicksburg and Warren County play a huge role in our state’s economic development success story.

In the last 15 months, four companies have invested $83 million in the area, creating 670 new jobs and generating an annual payroll of over $26.9 million. In addition, through a partnership among the Army Corps of Engineers’ Engineer Research and Development Center, the city of Vicksburg and the local Economic Development Foundation, the Mississippi Center for Innovation and Technology is under construction.

These economic development wins are the result of the effective teamwork of the local economic development team, development districts, universities, community colleges and school districts all working together with MDA.

In Mississippi, we win with people who give the state a workforce advantage. The men and women who make our industries successful complement the industrial sites, buildings and communities making Mississippi the place where companies can achieve their goals in today’s global economy.

Evidence of this fact is that Mississippi’s exports exceeded $11.8 billion in 2018, which is 7.4 percent above 2017, driving our state’s $114 billion Gross Domestic Product to a 10-year high.

Vicksburg is the site of one of the most important battles in the Civil War, and thousands visit the Vicksburg National Military Park each year. Other attractions include the area’s antebellum mansions, casinos and hunting and fishing destinations. The Vicksburg Metropolitan Area’s rich history with its Old Man River and manufacturing industries, coupled with the casinos, tourism and family attractions, is a vital part of Mississippi’s economy.

Last year, 24 million visitors to our state spent $6.5 billion, which generated more than $405 million for the general fund.

Tourism is a growing part of Mississippi’s economy led by dedicated convention and visitor center professionals.

MDA is committed to teamwork with our partners to ensure that innovative programs, such as Aspire Mississippi and MS Works, train local leaders and develop the workforce of the future for economic prosperity.

Gov. Phil Bryant, Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves, House Speaker Philip Gunn, our legislators and economic development partners have created an environment for historic economic momentum. Our congressional delegation also has played a huge role in our success.

Mississippi’s future is promising as we move together forward.

Glenn McCullough, Jr. is the executive director of the Mississippi Development Authority.