By By Sheila Blackmon/The Meridian Star
Nov. 14, 2001
East Central Mississippi is geared to take advantage of a "cluster strategy" in economic development in which industry leaders form a core that supports one key business.
Angeline Dvorak, president of the Mississippi Technology Alliance, spoke Tuesday about the strategy and the importance of technology in economic development at the East Mississippi Business Development Corp.'s "Business Before Hours."
Using the catfish industry as an example, Dvorak said the "cluster strategy" there would include cooperation among research labs, equipment builders, and feed, packaging, marketing and shipping industries.
East Central Mississippi is geared to take advantage of the strategy, she said, because it is close to the Alabama border.
Plus, she said, it has sophisticated access to transportation, a solid core of educational opportunities and a mix of old and new businesses that would benefit each other in a cluster strategy.
Sheila Blackmon is a staff writer for The Meridian Star. Call her at 693-1551, ext. 3275, or e-mail her at sblackmon@themeridianstar.com.