Just as Mississippi Blues musicians use music to express their hopes, dreams and struggles. With this blog post, I'm calling on Mississippians to come together and work towards a common goal of creating a better future for our state.In many ways,the Mississippi Blues reflects the larger story of the American South and its struggle to overcome adversity and create a better future. The music itself is a testament to the resilience and determination of the people who created it, and serves as an inspiration for future generations to continue this legacy of hope and progress.
Progress to me means taking control of our state's future by turning it into a thriving hub of opportunity and economic activity!With every passing day, we're missing out on the incredible windfalls that come with having more major corporate headquarters relocate to our state. But it doesn't have to be this way. We have the power to change our future and create a brighter tomorrow.
Picture this – with more top-notch corporations in our state, the impact on our economy would be astronomical. Jobs would be created, local small businesses would flourish, and our communities would prosper. Think about our neighbors in Tennessee, where Nissan has located its North American HQ. Not only are Nissan employees reaping the benefits of their presence, but the surrounding communities are as well. From the employees at nearby restaurants, gas stations, and apartment buildings, everyone is experiencing the positive effects of a thriving corporate headquarters.
When considering relocating corporate headquarters, Fortune 500 companies typically look for several factors in a potential new location.
Access to talent: Companies want to ensure that there is a large pool of skilled workers in their industry, and that the area has a well-educated workforce.
Transportation and logistics: Companies prefer locations that are easily accessible by air, road, and rail, and that have a strong logistics infrastructure in place.
Cost of living and doing business: Companies want to minimize costs wherever possible, so they look for locations where the cost of living and doing business is low.
Quality of life: Companies want to ensure that their employees will enjoy living and working in the new location, so they look for areas with a good quality of life, including affordable housing, good schools, and a variety of cultural and recreational amenities.
Government incentives: Companies often receive tax breaks, grants, and other incentives from local and state governments, so they look for locations where these incentives are available.
Infrastructure and facilities: Companies need modern facilities, such as office buildings and data centers, so they look for locations with strong infrastructure and well-maintained facilities.
Natural resources and climate: Companies also consider the natural resources and climate of a location, as these can impact their operations and the well-being of their employees.
Access to technology and innovation: Companies want to be at the forefront of technology and innovation, so they look for locations with a strong technology sector and access to cutting-edge technologies.
By promoting its assets and addressing these key factors, Mississippi can make itself a more attractive location for Fortune 500 companies looking to relocate their corporate headquarters.
But, as we all know, Mississippi consistently ranks 47th for job opportunities and 49th for average starting salaries. It's time for us to take action and make our state a more desirable location for businesses paying higher wages. With our rich cultural heritage, friendly people, and abundant natural resources like the Gulf Coast, we have so much to offer. However, we must also focus on improving healthcare, education, technology and infrastructure to attract more companies like Nissan.
The technology industry is especially crucial for future success. It has the potential to provide high-paying jobs and drive economic growth. Modern companies require a level of technical sophistication to thrive in todays global economy. A statewide level of commitment to innovation has to be on full display for more Fortune 500 companies to look at Mississippi. We have the raw talent here in Mississippi but it needs to be cultivated.
We cannot continue to let our talented young people leave our state in search of opportunity. Improving science and technology programs in schools and providing workforce development programs are key to retaining them. That's why we're proud to announce the BeCloud Give Back program, aimed at improving technology opportunities for our children. To raise awareness in the community, we're launching a one-of-a-kind book that utilizes AI generated illustrations to tell children a story about how technology can be used for good. 80% of the proceeds from the book sales will be donated to support STEM programs in Mississippi.
Mississippi is also blessed with fantastic natural resources and a prime location at the center of major highways, making it a top choice for corporate headquarters. We must promote these assets to attract companies and make Mississippi a hub of economic activity. By investing in our infrastructure, building new parks, supporting hospitals, and schools, we can improve our economy and make our state a better place to live and work.
Lastly, our state's university system offers residents the chance to further their education, but we can do even more by supporting businesses that offer on-the-job training, internships, and industry certifications. The BeCloud Institute of Technology is a perfect example, we provide hands-on training and real-world experience in the latest Amazon Web Services cloud and related IT technologies. Our instructors are seasoned industry veterans who will share their knowledge and experience with our students. Upon completion of the training, students are offered a full-time position with our company, keeping talent here in the state.
Mississippians, join us! It's time to come together and make a difference. The future is in our hands, and we must act now to secure it. Mississippi is known for the Blues, I love the music -- but not the pain. Let's make our state a thriving hub of greater economic activity and prosperity for all!