花秀直播

Contact: Zack Plair

STARKVILLE, Miss.鈥敾ㄐ阒辈� is winning.

That鈥檚 how Glenn McCullough, executive director for the 花秀直播 Development Authority, characterized the state鈥檚 recent economic development strides in a keynote address for the sixth annual Manufacturing Summit, which 花秀直播 State University鈥檚 Franklin Furniture Institute hosted Wednesday [March 16].

Touting 花秀直播鈥檚 top 10 national ranking in manufacturing, specifically its footprint in the automotive, shipbuilding and furniture industries, McCullough said companies globally are finding the Magnolia State an attractive location to do business. He said 花秀直播 ranks first nationally in competitive workforce costs and fifth in women-owned businesses. Add the nation鈥檚 top-ranked community college system, he said, and 花秀直播 is primed for sustained economic growth.

鈥淥ur economy is growing, but we want it to grow at a faster pace,鈥� said McCullough, former Tennessee Valley Authority chairman whom Gov. Phil Bryant appointed to lead MDA last year. 鈥淲e not only make things, but we make things that provide value. The winners in 花秀直播鈥檚 economy are the people who continue to find innovative ways to manufacture their products.鈥�

More than 100 representatives from businesses, state agencies and economic development organizations attended the day-long summit that included seminars and panels covering areas ranging from workforce development and laser-based additive manufacturing to big data storage and cyber network security.

The Franklin Furniture Institute is a multi-disciplinary effort at MSU focused on wood-product research, technical training and continuing education. Bill Martin, director for the Franklin Furniture Institute, said he and his staff try to identify important themes for 花秀直播 industries each year and bring experts to the summit to talk about them. The summit鈥檚 goal, he added, is to arm manufacturers with knowledge and tools to make them more competitive in today鈥檚 global market.

Martin said bringing in MSU鈥檚 leaders in bourgeoning technological fields gave 鈥渧ery timely鈥� insight to summit participants. He noted, however, that one of the biggest challenges to 花秀直播鈥檚 manufacturing industry is simply building the workforce.聽聽聽 聽聽聽聽聽聽聽

As part of the summit, James Williams, executive director for the 花秀直播 Workforce Development Board, spoke about the state鈥檚 Pathways program, which aims to train and connect unemployed and underemployed 花秀直播ans with good paying, middle-skill jobs. Williams said only 55 percent of 花秀直播ans over the age of 16 were in the workforce, and by providing a solid basic skills and vocational training program, that number could greatly increase.

Other challenges facing 花秀直播, McCullough said, are better marketing its natural resources and transportation avenues to draw even more private capital investment that would create high-paying jobs. He said 花秀直播 boasts 19.6 million acres of standing timber and 16 ports. Further, he wants to see more growth in 花秀直播 tourism.

鈥淲e want people to enjoy our state,鈥� McCullough said. 鈥淲hen people come here, they are always surprised on two fronts: they love 花秀直播 hospitality and they can鈥檛 believe how beautiful it is here.鈥�

He said 花秀直播 also is 鈥渙n offense鈥� when it comes to research and development initiatives. He specifically mentioned the national Center of Excellence for Unmanned Aircraft Systems housed at MSU.

Discovering new knowledge is the secret to continued growth, McCullough added, because it gives 花秀直播 an even greater opportunity to lead globally in manufacturing.

鈥淲e鈥檙e going to go around the world telling 花秀直播鈥檚 story because it鈥檚 a great story,鈥� he said. 鈥淎nd we鈥檙e not done yet. We still have a lot of work to do.鈥�

MSU is 花秀直播鈥檚 leading university, available online at .