Bank of Holly Springs

Fielder’s Choice

State-of-State recognition

I’m not sure if Marshall County has ever been mentioned in a State-of-the-State Address. But it was last week.

Gov. Phil Bryant, at the state capitol in Jackson January 15, presented his eighth and final State-of-the-State Address to a joint session of the House and Senate.

In addressing economic development, Governor Bryant talked about the Amazon project, which was announced about a month ago.

Here is that portion of his speech.

“Your support in job creation and business expansion has been fruitful and has a clear and definable return on investment. In the past seven years, MDA has helped create 35,000 new jobs and attracted more than $7 billion of private investment to Mississippi.

“Once again, the constraint of time will not allow me to provide the extensive list of companies and corporations that have chosen Mississippi as their home or the number of local companies that have expanded. However, please allow me to remind you of some of the most recent.

“As we gather here tonight, Continental Tire Corporation continues to construct the largest plant in their universe right here in Hinds County. At its completion, this plant will employ twenty-five hundred Mississippians, with a corporate investment of $1.45 billion dollars.

“And, as you also know by now, Amazon will open its new goods fulfillment center in Marshall County and employ 850 Mississippians. This innovative company has changed the way the world shops, and its fulfillment center could have gone anywhere in America. I am proud to say Amazon chose Mississippi. Tonight we have with us in the gallery, Amazon’s Manager of Economic Development, Mr. Will Cowsert.

“I have assured presidents and prime ministers and chief executive officers that Mississippi works and they have listened. From Tel Aviv to Tokyo, we have traveled the globe seeking investment in Mississippi, and our efforts are paying dividends. More than 155 international corporations now have a presence in our state.”

The Amazon announcement was definitely one that grabbed attention around the world – not just in Mississippi, the Southeast and the United States.

The Chickasaw Trail Industrial Park, in the northwest corner of our county, is the hotbed for economic development in our state.

These type announcements in recent years have been steady. The names of the companies are impressive – like Amazon, Volvo, Post, Mc-Cormick, ASICS, Niagara Bottling and Rockwool.

And no doubt, there are more announcements to come.

Efforts are also underway, through a team effort of educators, elected officials and community leaders, to boost workforce development.

As jobs come to Marshall County, with Amazon and other projects, the goal has to be for Marshall Countians to land good-paying jobs with good benefits. Putting our own people to work right here at home has to be a priority.

Also, development of the Springs Industrial Park on I-22 in Holly Springs is on the horizon, and its locations and features will be very attractive.

The momentum is contagious.

Holly Springs South Reporter

P.O. Box 278
Holly Springs, MS 38635
PH: (662) 252-4261
FAX: (662) 252-3388
www.southreporter.com