Leadership conference lays foundation for economic development

By By Fredie Carmichael / staff writer
Jan. 18, 2003
Hundreds of educators, businessmen, elected officials and others met for a day-long conference Friday to learn ways to boost the business climate through educational leadership.
Organizers said they were convinced that people in East Mississippi and West Alabama are committed to doing what it takes to make the economy as strong as it can be.
More than 300 people attended the 1st Annual Leadership Summit at Mississippi State University-Meridian Campus. They heard leaders talk about what it takes to create a successful community.
Gov. Ronnie Musgrove opened the event, stressing the strong connection between a good public education system and strong economic development efforts.
Some businessmen who attended the summit said they were optimistic that Mississippi's business climate is beginning to improve.
Willie Bradley, a former Natchez resident who owns a flooring business in New York, said he attended the conference to hear Musgrove and to find out how things in his home state are changing.
Harold Hodgkinson, co-director for the National Center of Demographics and one of the featured speakers at the event, said that successful small businesses can help the state make progress.
Hodgkinson used history and statistics to paint a picture of what it takes to be successful.