Mississippi’s economy is on the upswing and Jones Junior College is having a direct impact on that growth Gov. Haley Barbour said during a campaign stop in Ellisville Monday.
“Education is the number one priority in the State of Mississippi,” Barbour said. “There’s nothing humble about Jones County Junior College. You’re one of the junior colleges improving the skills of the people of Mississippi.”
Barbour said Mississippi is primed for international attention after Hurricane Katrina. He said people saw the state’s response and can-do attitude. But, he said, workforce training ahead of big announcements are important because the companies want people who are ready to work in their fields.
“You can’t get more productive by working harder,” he said. Barbour said companies once came to Mississippi for “strong backs and low wages.” Now, he said, companies are coming for strong minds “and they’re willing to pay for it.”
“We don’t have to settle for just not being last,” he said. “What we’re getting is cutting edge technology for our workforce and our children.”
That’s a big change over the past few decades. Barbour said when he was growing up families saw their children and grandchildren leaving Mississippi for the best jobs. But, that’s changing with an improved economy. People no longer must leave Mississippi for high tech or high paying jobs.
“It was called the brain drain,” Barbour said. “Families will see their children and grandchildren stay in Mississippi because this is where the best jobs are.”
Ellisville Mayor Tim Waldrup said his area has seen 650 new electric meters during the past year. That, he says, is a sure sign of the growth in the Ellisville area.
“We have a lot of things going on around here,” Waldrup told Barbour. “Without your assistance this could not have happened.”
“There are more people working now than ever before in the State of Mississippi,” JCJC President Dr. Jesse Smith said. “He is an outstanding leader when the chips are down
Local News
Related Photos
Barbour makes campaign stop at JCJC to tout education, jobs
- Local News
-
-
Arrest made in bomb threat
A 19-year-old Jones County Junior College student was arrested Tuesday in connection with a bomb threat to a building on the school’s campus earlier in the day.
-
City council votes 5-1 to restrict transient vendors
With little discussion, the Laurel City Council voted to put restrictions on transient vendors operating in the city and to change the grade level of the city’s building inspector.
-
Aspiring to greatness
The Rev. Leander Bridges was the keynote speaker at Jones County Junior College’s Black History Program Tuesday.
-
JCJC’s student health fair focusing on prevention
Jones County Junior College students recently had the opportunity to discover the true meaning of Benjamin Franklin’s motto, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” at the college’s Student Health Fair. Hundreds of students took advantage of the opportunity to learn about a wide range of topics including behavioral problems, nutrition, fitness, and foot care.
-
Arbor Day set for Feb. 10
The City of Laurel is recognizing Arbor Day and Laurel Mayor Melvin Mack has proclaimed Friday, Feb. 10th, as Arbor Day in the City of Laurel.
-
Zoo owners ask judge to return animals
The owners of the Collins Zoo have asked a judge to return 11 animals seized by state wildlife officers in January.
-
Several injured in separate 84 East wrecks
The jaws of life were used at about 4:55 p.m. Saturday to free victims of a two-vehicle accident on Highway 84 East, the second serious accident in that area in two days.
-
Animal cruelty case under investigation
Officials are continuing to investigate a case where several animals were seized last week from a home in the Beat Four Community of Wayne County.
-
Piazza becomes city’s Public Defender
In a special ceremony last week at Laurel City Hall, local attorney John Piazza was sworn in as the City of Laurel Public Defender.
-
Jasper County officials work to make upgrades at fire station, voting precinct
Jasper County officials are continuing to work to make improvements at one of the county’s fire stations and voting precincts.
- More Local News Headlines
-
White House Attacks Romney on Birth Control
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Mo. Teen Gets Life Sentence for Killing Girl, 9
Lower-hassle Screening to Be Tested at Airports
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Helmet Camera Captures Calif. Fire Rescue
Worker Tells 911: Powell 'exploded the House'
Triple Win: Santorum Takes Minn., Mo., Colo.
Injured Marine Inspired by Homecoming
No Rape Charges Against Son of NYPD Commissioner
Egypt's Ruling Generals Play Risky Game With US
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
Cab Driver Helps Wis. Family Escape House Fire
Staff Removed at LA School During Abuse Probe
Runaway Goat Leads Police on Wild Chase
