JACKSON - Business leaders believe Mississippi is hampered by a perception that its business climate has declined over the last five years, according to a survey conducted as part of an effort to enhance economic development.
The survey results were discussed Thursday during a planning session to plot a new strategy to encourage business development and retention in Mississippi.
Thursday's meeting is part of the new Blueprint Mississippi initiative launched in October. A series of regional meetings will be held in coming weeks to address business climate, economic development and education issues.
The survey of 64 business people said the most pressing issues for the state's business community are improving the legal climate with more tort reform initiatives and providing more extensive work force training.
Survey participants said Mississippi's strengths are the quality of its residents and its natural resources. But they also said the state falls behind others in work force skills, access to capital and health care and that Mississippi has a negative image that hinders economic development efforts.
Participants in Thursday's strategy session agreed with the survey participants that Mississippi has an image problem.
"What came out loud and clear from today's discussions, though, is that the best way to correct that image problem is to overcome some of these other issues like tort reform," said Blake Wilson, president of the Mississippi Economic Council.
Thursday's discussion group also said the state needs to improve the infrastructure in rural counties, including adding intermodal transportation capabilities and improving rural water systems.
The Blueprint Mississippi group of business and education leaders plans to make recommendations to the Legislature as early as next session that could include amending and updating the state's economic development plan, Advantage Mississippi.
"I and every member of the Legislature I've had a chance to talk to is in favor of this type of approach," said state Rep. Billy McCoy, D-Rienzi, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee.
John McCullouch, president of BellSouth Mississippi and head of Blueprint Mississippi's business climate group, said the state can't afford to lose ground in its economic development initiatives.
"The world changes so fast, we must adapt," McCullouch said.
The Blueprint Mississippi initiative was commissioned by the Mississippi Economic Council and the Mississippi Partnership for Economic Development.
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