STARKVILLE, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi State University aims to create or save 500 jobs and boost the state’s rural economy with a $1 million federal grant.
A group of federal agencies announced grants Wednesday aimed at helping rural areas in 12 states. Mississippi’s grant was the largest.
Mississippi State plans to target 61 of Mississippi’s 82 counties. The school said that along with 500 jobs, it’s aiming for a total economic impact of more than $30 million, including private investment and more efficient businesses.
The school plans a number of efforts, including helping people launch new businesses and helping existing companies grow faster. Mississippi State also looks to strengthen clusters of industries such as auto manufacturing, furniture and agriculture.
The grant also calls for Mississippi state to help minority business owners.
The Mississippi Free Press produced this story through the MFP Solutions Lab, supported by the Solutions Journalism Network. This series digs into Mississippi’s systemic issues and sheds light on responses to them in other communities. Beyond just reporting on problems, these stories interrogate their causes and inspect potential solutions.
