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FutureSTATE 2015

A strategy for Mississippi State University to become
the region's most respected land-grant institution

FutureSTATE 2015 Progress Reports

Spring 2008

PROMOTE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Initiative: Establish a Mississippi State Community Action Team (MSCAT) to assist communities across the state in economic development, ensuring the optimum utilization of university capabilities.

Achievements of the past year:

  • Built collaborative teams and facilitated project work to address community issues, e.g., site analyses for new industrial park locations; redesign of city parks; conceptual designs for comprehensive parks and recreation plans; lake-front development; replanting the Gulf Coast; design awards program development; etc.
  • First Impressions program. Partnered with the Mississippi Development Authority and the Mississippi Main Street Association to conduct community assessment programs. Total of 47 communities: 21 complete; 10 pending; and 16 new requests.
  • Excellence in Engagement grants. Facilitating faculty, staff and student efforts to engage with community partners. Studio School (Kay Brocato); Home Grown Talent (Scott Maynard) and Rail Service Authority Planning and Implementation to explore re-opening the C&G Rail line between Greenwood and West Point (Bill Martin).
  • Agency/institution rapport. Developed stronger ties for MSU with the Mississippi Economic Council, Mississippi Economic Development Council, Mississippi Municipal Association, Mississippi Development Authority, Mississippi Department of Archives and History, Mississippi Main Street Association and regional economic development groups and other service providers, e.g., CREATE Foundation. Also with Community College network (JCJC) and other IHL institutions (Delta State).
  • Funds management. Quarterly report submissions and expenditure invoices developed and submitted on time for the "Industrial Outreach at Mississippi State University" project ($5 mil) funded through the SBA, involving eight units at MSU.

Goals for the next year:

  • Complete community assessments for current inquiries. Enlist other community colleges and IHL to cover communities in their service areas. Conduct one-year follow up sessions with selected communities.
  • Develop acceptable "charrette" process for communities that are not Main Street communities.
  • Facilitate "issues response teams" to address identified needs in communities. Partner with other institutions, agencies and local service-providers to insure sustainable results.
  • Institutionalize the MSCAT concept with other colleges and departments at MSU.

Constraints to full implementation of this initiative:

  • Long-term funding beyond the initial funding provided by the Small Business Administration grant.
  • Access to faculty expertise on schedule with needs of communities.

Proposed modification of this initiative:
None

Overall assessment of the status of the initiative or other comments:
Good results thus far.