Contact: Jim Laird
STARKVILLE, Miss.--Mississippi State University Vice President for Research and Economic Development David Shaw released a statement today [May 12] supporting the Golden Triangle Development LINK’s “first option” of land near the Highway 389-Highway 82 intersection for development of a new industrial park:
“Our community is at a crossroads. Mississippi State, the City of Starkville, and Oktibbeha County have an opportunity to take our economic development efforts to an unprecedented level, and we must not waste it.
“My colleagues and I meet with companies every week, and they are always impressed by what our community has to offer: great schools, beautiful neighborhoods, friendly people, and an educated workforce. Unfortunately, many industries need more than that. Not having a 21st-century industrial park is holding us back.
“Fortunately, we are moving forward. The high-profile site on Highway 82 will offer regional, national, and international companies a marquee location with unmatched access to four-lane roads, the Golden Triangle Regional Airport, and the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway. It is also clear that adding the necessary infrastructure here will be easier. The site also provides room for future expansion — an important consideration as the city, county, and university continue to grow.
“The Highway 389-Highway 82 site is conveniently located to campus, and we believe that companies choosing the new industrial park will offer tremendous partnership possibilities for our research centers and institutes, internships for students, and jobs for new graduates, alumni, and many others.
“In my three decades at Mississippi State, I have seen a lot of great changes take place in our community when people make tough decisions and invest in the future. I believe that we can do that again by developing this new industrial park, and hope you will join us in supporting the Highway 389-Highway 82 site for it.”