What's Ahead

BLUEPRINT MISSISSIPPI 2011 gives you a role in moving Mississippi forward. Through an extensive grassroots outreach effort, combined with a formal survey process, high priority actionable recommendations have been identified.

The primary goals and recommendations for Blueprint Mississippi 2011 were unveiled on Oct. 13. A fall road show is currently being held in 12 cities across the state to report the goals and recommendations. Also, actions and metrics are being created and responsibilities assigned. The complete report will be released Jan. 5, 2012 at MEC's Capital Day.

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Did You Know?

• Approximately 19,700,000 acres of Mississippi are covered with forests and 61% of the total land is dedicated to forest production.
• In 2010, forestry in Mississippi had a market value of over $1B.
• About 240 foundations are located in Mississippi (as of 2009) with assets totaling nearly $1.1B.
• Mississippi exports total $8.2B annually, up from $3.1B in 2004
• Approximately 19,700,000 acres of Mississippi are covered with forests and 61% of the total land is dedicated to forest production
• Since 2002, Mississippi ranks 5th in the US for growth in exports. (Enterprising States report)
• Mississippi ranks 3rd in the US for new business start-ups between 1999 and 2008. (NETSdatabase-youreconomy.org)
• Each year, roughly 13,000 Mississippians start a new business venture.  (Source: KIEA)
• Mississippi ranks in the top 10 nationally for academic research & development
• Mississippi’s STEM-related (Science, Tech, Engineering and Math) jobs grew by 8.4% over the last decade—almost four times faster than the US average. (EMSI data)
• Mississippi ranks 3rd in the US for high technology payroll growth. (Cyberstates 2010)
• Mississippi has 60 electric power plants, including the 5th largest nuclear reactor in the U.S.
• Mississippi has 4 oil refineries and 11,000 miles of natural gas pipeline
• Mississippi has 685 miles of interstate highway
• Mississippi has 20 rail systems with 2,841 miles of track
• Mississippi ranks 16th in U.S. in state highway performance
• Mississippi has 130,000 people in workforce training at community colleges
• By 2018, 54% of all Mississippi jobs will require some training beyond a high school degree. (Georgetown U. jobs projection study)
• 60% of Mississippi’s physicians practice in urban areas
• Mississippi is the 4th most rural state

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Reports and Studies
of Interest

Mississippi Ranked No. 1 for Oil & Gas Investment

Kiplinger: Mississippi One of Top Five Tax-Friendly States for Retirees

U.S. Chamber Report:
Enterprising States

USA Today:
2011 State GDP Report

2011 State Business Tax Climate Index

2011 Manufacturing + Logistics National Report

ALEC-Laffer State Economic Competitiveness Index

America's Top States for Business 2011

Strategic Biomass Solutions
Renewable Energy/Energy Efficiency Report

Standing on the Shoulders of Giants: An American Agenda for Education Reform

Mississippi High School 2010 Graduation Report

College-Bound Seniors 2010 SAT Report

ACT Profile Reports

How to Help

You can help by providing financial support.

Click Here To Sponsor BLUEPRINT MISSISSIPPI 2011