Mississippi River Delta Region

UNTAPPED ASSETS, UNTAPPED POTENTIAL
This special section profiles six companies that are doing business in the Mississippi River Delta region. These companies range from corporate headquarters and automotive suppliers to technology firms. The common theme is the tremendous welcome and all-in support they have found in the Delta.

The mention of the words “Mississippi Delta” evokes many images: plantations, cotton, catfish, juke joints and, of course, the blues.

 

Truly, the region is the epitome of Southern culture, where the heritage of the Deep South is alive and well. Today, the spirit of this region is embodied in its big cities like Memphis, Little Rock, Jackson and New Orleans, and in thousands of colorful small towns.

 

While the Delta is distinctive and engaging, it’s also incredibly rich in natural resources, and one of the nation’s most fertile agricultural regions. It carries a well-earned reputation for rich, dark soil and hospitable, hardworking people.

 

The Delta region, made up of 252 counties and parishes in eight states (Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee) — as defined by the Delta Regional Authority — is home to 10 million people. For decades, the region has faced complex issues that have challenged its economic growth. But now, as state and federal efforts abound, many parts of the Delta are thriving like never before.

 

A new chapter of new jobs

The Delta is making huge contributions to the economies of the South and the nation. Of the 100 largest capital investments announced each year in the South over the last 11 years, 247 of the 1,100 (23 percent) came from the eight-state Mississippi River Delta region. That is an astounding total considering population in the Delta region accounts for a little more than 8 percent of the South’s total population of 128 million people.

 

One of the largest announcements of 2016 so far is Continental Tire’s decision to invest $1.4 billion and create 2,500 jobs in Hinds County, Miss. The company will produce commercial vehicle tires for North America at a site off Interstate 20, two miles from Clinton, Miss. and 20 miles from Jackson.

 

What’s driving that kind of growth?

“The Delta is incredibly pro-business,” said Chris Masingill, chairman of the Delta Regional Authority, a federally backed development agency working to improve all aspects of life in the Delta region. “We want to make sure our businesses are successful because we want opportunity for our citizens.”

 

A mighty river

An undeniable draw for many companies is the Mississippi River, forever the region’s lifeblood. Along with being a virtually unrivaled water resource, the flow of the Mississippi has created an abundance of rich, flat land for new companies.

 

Billions of gallons of water from the river are used every day by manufacturers, energy companies, and agribusiness in the region. In addition, it has proven invaluable for many companies that want to move products by water. The Mississippi River is the largest shipping lane in North America and the third-largest river basin in the world. It connects 31 states and two Canadian provinces. Cargo shipped has an annual impact of about $135 billion a year.

 

“The Mississippi River is the major economic artery of the Delta region and its communities,” explained Masingill. “When the Mississippi thrives, our region and its economy thrive. There are few places that have a natural resource with so much opportunity for job creation, transportation, agriculture and tourism as the Delta region has in the Mississippi River.”

 

As the Delta attracts large, capital intensive projects, the Mississippi River is a primary reason.

 

Creating opportunity

Diverse industries are thriving in the Delta region — some you might expect like petrochemicals, automotive, manufacturing and distribution, as well as some that are more unexpected, like information technology and corporate headquarters.

 

Helping to drive growth is the federal-state partnership known as the Delta Regional Authority (DRA), which is working to change the business climate, economy and quality of life across the entire area.

 

By implementing bold and innovative ideas, DRA has worked hard to bring opportunity to the Delta region through improving infrastructure, enhancing transportation, making the workforce more competitive, and improving access to quality healthcare.

 

The impact is staggering. From 2002-2015, DRA has worked with 934 projects to help communities find success. It’s also focusing on increasing the number of small business and entrepreneurship ventures. In New Orleans, for instance, DRA has supported the Idea Village, an ecosystem to support new business. In other areas, DRA has invested in business incubators and is working to keep young talent in the region, a clear benefit to all companies.

 

Recently, DRA released a new strategic plan for 2016-2019 entitled “Moving the Delta Forward.” This plan includes goals to benefit companies and the region as a whole: create a strong pipeline of skilled workers, increase internships and apprenticeships, and attract new talent. Further, the plan outlines DRA’s ongoing efforts to build basic and digital infrastructure, improve capital access, and foster vibrant communities.

 

All of the goals are designed to bring a prosperous future, both for the Delta region and the companies that locate there.

 

Worth a closer look

This section is a guide to the opportunities the Delta can provide. It features six case studies of companies based there. These case studies shed light on several unique assets that are found in the Mississippi River Delta region. Many of these assets are still largely untapped and they await your company.

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