Sponsored by The Trent Lott National Center for Excellence in Economic Development and Entrepreneurship
Upcoming Events
Job Opportunities
August 22, 2016
New Fall 2016 MSED Graduate Assistants
USM's Master's of Economic Development program welcomes nine new students. These students will be working 20 hours a week helping communities in Mississippi, as well as, working on their degree.
Name
Hometown
Imran Ahmed

Moulvibazar, Bangladesh

Anna Kate Baygents
Hattiesburg, MS
Megan Caves
Laurel, MS
Jeffrey George
Covington, LA
Stuart Hinton
Hattiesburg, MS
Katherine Hogan
Robertsdale, AL
Obie McClure
Hattiesburg, MS
Kristen Mitchell
Brandon, MS
Stefany Walley
Columbia, MS
Alumni Spotlight with Lindsay Ward
Lindsay Ward recently accepted a new position as Senior Project Manager with the Southern Mississippi Planning and Development District (SMPDD). Originally from the Gulf Coast, Lindsay has been working in Calhoun County, Alabama for a local economic development group. She has a Master's Degree in Economic Development from USM and brings great ideas and energy to her team. In her new role she will be working in the Economic Workforce Development Division of SMPDD to assist with responses to RFIS and other economic development opportunities, work to better understand the needs of existing business and industries, and to apply for federal and state grants to assist local government. 
 
SMPDD's geographic service area encompasses the lower 15 counties of the state which includes 38 municipal governments in that territory; through the Twin Districts Workforce Development Area, SMPDD is also the fiscal agent for 24 counties. Ward's main focus area will consist of the lower six counties of Pearl River, Stone, George, Hancock, Harrison, and Jackson. To contact Ward on this new position and how to partner with SMPDD on future opportunities, she can be reached at LWard@SMPDD.Com .
smART Space Community Arts Center Feasibility Study
For her capstone project Emily Adcock prepared a feasibility analysis for transforming the old Hattiesburg American building into a multi-purpose center for the arts. The building was donated to the Hattiesburg Arts Council.
The study examined political, market, site & engineering, and financial feasibility. Her findings show that making a community arts center available to public and private access would create an economic competitiveness, encourage a stronger sense of community, and promote creativity for existing and new residents.  Emily is completing her internship with the Mississippi Economic Development Council (MEDC) in Jackson.
Southern Miss Economic Development | tasha.may@usm.edu | 118 College Drive #5191
Hattiesburg, MS 39401-0001