Hinds County, Mississippi

Economic Development Strategic Plan

The Challenge

Hinds County’s position as a vibrant employment center for the greater Jackson metropolitan area center is well established. Home to Mississippi’s largest city and its state capitol; intersected by two major interstates and multiple rail lines; possessing a significant cluster of healthcare services, research, and education; endowed with distinguished institutions of higher education; and attracting substantial new capital investments to downtown Jackson – Hinds County has all the elements necessary for success. Hinds County’s full potential, however, remains unrealized. Despite its amenities, the county suffers from falling income levels, a declining population, slow employment growth, and an unfavorable image of Jackson – both internal and external.

The Approach

TIP Strategies was engaged by the Hinds County Economic Development District (HCEDD) to craft an economic development strategic plan, identifying appropriate target industries and outlining the necessary steps for attracting emerging industries to the county. To develop this plan, TIP performed an assessment of the county’s challenges and opportunities and identified growth industries it is best suited to attracting. In addition, interviews with major employers and stakeholders, research on specific industries, meetings with focus groups, and benchmarking all added insight on Hinds County’s opportunities and challenges.

The Outcome

TIP designed a comprehensive strategy that included diversifying the economic base through business attraction and retention, as well as ensuring the long-term economic competitiveness of Hinds County by addressing talent and quality of place. Strategies to accomplish these goals include establishing a higher education alliance, launching a next generation leadership initiative; engaging in a targeted marketing campaign to emerging industries; actively supporting entrepreneurship; assisting in the revitalization of downtown Jackson; and promoting heritage tourism in the rural areas of the county.

Blake Wallace Executive Director Hinds County Economic Development District 909 N President St. Jackson, MS 39205 601.353.6056 blake@selecthinds.com

Strategic Planning Capital Area Council of Governments, Texas City of Commerce, Texas City of Dallas, Texas City of Denton, Texas City of Gresham, Oregon City of Kyle, Texas City of Northfield, Minnesota City of Richmond, Virginia City of Rowlett, Texas City of Watsonville, California Coastal Bend Council of Government, Texas Delta Regional Authority Escambia County & Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, Florida Forney Economic Development Corporation Fort Smith, Arkansas Gillespie County, Texas Hinds County, Mississippi Jackson County Business Development Corporation, Illinois Katy Area Economic Development Council, Texas Kirkland Economic Partnership, Washington Lake County Economic Growth and Redevelopment, Florida Lincoln Trail Area Development District (KY) McCormick County, South Carolina McKinney Economic Development Corporation, Texas Midland Development Corporation, Texas Okaloosa Economic Development Council and Walton County Economic Development Corporation, Florida Pearland Economic Development Corporation, Texas Racine County, Wisconsin Southern United States Trade Association (SUSTA) Stuttgart Unlimited, Arkansas Tyler Economic Development Council, Texas Union County Industrial Board, Arkansas

Industry Cluster Analysis Beaumont Economic Development Foundation, Texas Carolinas Gateway Partnership Katy Area Economic Development Council, Texas New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce, Texas Pearland Economic Development Corporation Southwest Mississippi Partnership Tompkins County - Ithaca, New York Impact Analysis City of Rockport, Texas Entrepreneurship Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce, Arkansas Northeast Texas Workforce Clarksville-Montgomery County, Tennessee State of Vermont WorkFORCE Solutions - Lower Rio Grande Valley, Texas Defense Communities City of Wichita Falls, Texas Escambia County & Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, Florida Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce, Texas Okaloosa Economic Development Council and Walton County Economic Development Corporation, Florida