We can grow our own success. We can improve our lives. We can succeed if we put our mind to it and take the right steps to that end.
In Starkville, we are blessed with tremendous resources. We have a wealth of talent that is both home-grown and imported. The University provides a huge influx of creative and intelligent students and faculty members that enrich our community.
Sadly, we don’t retain as much of this talent as I feel we should. We train them and they move on to other cities, states and even nations. I am confident that Starkville can grow by becoming more entrepreneurial and business friendly, especially for small businesses.
According to the 2008 State New Economy Index report (p. 34), Mississippi ranks fourth in the nation in the number of entrepreneurs as a percentage of our population. That is a very positive ranking and suggests it would be wise for Starkville’s leaders to encourage and promote innovative efforts within our community.
In our nation, the vast majority of new jobs are created by small businesses. Small businesses enrich a community with a variety of employment options, products and services that a single large firm usually cannot match. I feel that Starkville is ideally suited for attracting more small businesses, especially ones in technological and green industries.
We should better promote the Research Park and the business incubator programs that encourage entrepreneurship and small business development. I want to see us encourage the creation of high-tech firms right here. There is no reason for our young people to move off when we can offer them a great community who supports their efforts.
