From left, MS Public Service Commissioner De ' Keither Stamps, U. S. Rep. Bennie Thompson, Entergy CEO Andrew S. Marsh, Gov. Tate Reeves, Entergy Mississippi CEO Haley Fisackerly, Warren County Board of Supervisors President Kelle Barfield and Vicksburg Mayor Willis Thompson take part in a groundbreaking ceremony at the former Baxter Wilson Plant site for Entergy’ s $ 1.2 billion Vicksburg Advanced Power Station, which is projected to be completed in 2028.
The mission of the Vicksburg Warren Economic Development Partnership rests on the community’ s resolute efforts to capitalize on its assets through cooperation among governmental and private entities. Like any other worthwhile endeavor, preparation and effective execution of short- and long-term objectives are the keys to compounding progress and success. That is the ongoing story of the Vicksburg Warren Economic Development Partnership— a coalition of the City of Vicksburg, Warren County, and the private sector, working together to deliver a shared vision for the future that secures economic growth and enhances the welfare of our residents. The foundation of any large-scale initiative, and especially of a community-wide effort, is effective organization and cooperation. In nature, as in economic development, a community of well-organized and cooperative individuals ensures not only survival but also a bright future for its residents.
When the Partnership first developed its Mission Statement, it brought the community together to identify what we call our“ North Star.” This North Star was envisioned as a guiding statement— a slogan that encapsulates what we aspire for Vicksburg and Warren County to be, to represent, and to grow into. From those early visioning exercises emerged the slogan: Vicksburg USA: Tech, Entrepreneurial, Cool, Historic, and Full of Art. This mantra reminds us of the many dimensions that make our community
Rendering of Vicksburg Advanced Power Station
strong and serves as our compass, helping us prioritize investments that move us closer to a wealthier, more vibrant future for all residents.
TECH
As the home of the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers( USACE) and the Engineer Research and Development Center( ERDC), Vicksburg and Warren County host a high concentration of jobs in the technology sector. Capitalizing on this remains one of our most exciting opportunities. The Mississippi Center for Innovation & Technology( MC- ITy) continues to grow and is becoming the crossroads between our research base and the broader community. Partnerships housed at MCITy include ERDCWERX, Mississippi State University, Alcorn State University, the University of Mississippi, Jackson State
University, and the U. S. Small Business Development Center, among others. These collaborations strengthen ties between ERDC, academia, and the private sector, fostering both technical and non-technical business development. One great example of how these partnerships are coming to life is the Cybersecurity Training Program, created through a collaboration between Rust College, MCITy, Cisco, the City of Vicksburg, and Accelerate Mississippi. The program gives local residents the chance to gain industry-recognized credentials and practical experience through hands-on labs, career coaching, and workforce training— opening doors to new opportunities in one of today’ s fastest-growing fields.
Through MCITy’ s direct connection with the Vicksburg Warren Economic Development Partnership, the Chamber of Com-
12 • THE VICKSBURG POST & VICKSBURG-WARREN COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE