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Politics, agriculture, and the economy were the hot topics on a warm Delta morning as hundreds gathered for the 75th annual meeting of Delta Council, Friday, May 28, on the campus of Delta State University.
The event kicked off under the tent on the University Quadrangle with a presentation by Washington political pundit Stu Rothenberg concerning the outlook for the Senate and House races in this watershed election year.
The business session of the annual meeting followed in the Bologna Performing Arts Center. U.S. Senator Thad Cochran was the featured speaker for the meeting.
In his opening remarks, Cochran thanked members of the Council for the invitation to speak at the event, stating he was particularly proud to keynote the Diamond Anniversary of Delta Council.
The Senator noted the important role Delta Council plays in the promotion of agriculture and the drafting of legislation relating to agricultural programs. “I count on Delta Council for input when Congress develops the Farm Bill, the major legislation considered every five years to set national agriculture policy. Because of the historic and ongoing prominence of agriculture in the Delta, the Farm Bill has a major impact on this region. As such, the economy of the Delta has been and will continue to be influenced by the decisions of Congress,” he said.
Cochran expressed hope that the country is beginning to emerge from the recession that resulted in the loss of eight million jobs. “New job creation has been very weak, which means America is currently experiencing what amounts to a jobless recovery,” he said. “In the Delta and throughout Mississippi there is plenty of evidence of this trend. But, the banks are beginning to loan money again and development projects that were put on hold are beginning to see renewed life. However, we are not yet seeing necessary changes in the unemployment levels that are needed to reflect that we have rebuilt a strong U.S. economy. In the Delta region, we feel these effects, and as a region we must continue to work together to bring about new prosperity”
The Senator noted that despite the recession, the Delta has had recent success in attracting business. He cited a number of new companies including Wilhelm Schulz of Germany which is locating a seamless steel pipe manufacturing plant in Tunica, and Twin Creek Technologies of Silicon Valley, California, which is bringing a solar panel manufacturing plant to Senatobia, along with others.
“The firms which I cited, listed the infrastructure and workforce availability as reasons why they sought to locate in the Mississippi Delta,” said Cochran. “These business investments are truly a testament to the hard work and partnerships between the leadership of the Delta and government for implementing the infrastructure, education, and training necessary to attract them.”
In closing Cochran stated, “For over 75 years, the residents of the Delta have looked to the leadership of Delta Council for insight, guidance, assistance, and improvement. The current needs of this historic and unique region require Delta Council to thrive, and I am confident that it will.”
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