The Mississippi Creative Economy Road Show made a stop at Delta State University on Wednesday, December 7. Approximately 60 people attended the half-day program sponsored by the Mississippi Development Authority and the Mississippi Arts Commission with the goal of promoting ways in which entrepreneurial creativity can support communities and promote economic growth.
Malcolm White, Director of the Mississippi Arts Commission, gave examples of what the "creative economy" includes, ranging from individual chefs, architects, musicians and artists to institutions like Viking Range, Peavey Electronics, and numerous museums, to communities like Oxford. Ward Emling, representing the Mississippi Development Authority, pointed out that Mississippi is projected to reap $5.8 Billion in 2011 from tourism alone. Three short films showed how the creative economy is transforming the Fondren district in Jackson, the Gulf Coast towns of Ocean Springs and Bay St. Louis, and the Mississippi Delta. A panel discussion of the Mississippi Blues Trail and the B. B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center ended the presentation. Both of these efforts stimulate community pride while drawing in visitors from around the world. This event was hosted at Delta State by the Delta Center for Culture and Learning.
