Protecting Mississippi's Defense Industry

Defense is one of Mississippi's strongest industries. But as MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports even it could see an economic downturn.

In north Mississippi the steel and furniture industries are reporting large production slowdowns. But if you ask Joe Max Higgins Jr., CEO of the Columbus Lyons Development Link, he will say the defense industry is still booming.

“My defense guys are the ones looking to add jobs and add on to their buildings. So it kinda insulates us somewhat from what’s happening in the economy.”

But with national defense budget cuts pending, Higgins is concerned about the states air force training programs.

“1/3 of the Air force pilots get their wings in Columbus Mississippi. Well anytime you start parking planes that means nobody’s flying it. So if they reduce the amount of pilots that the air force need what happens to the pilot training bases, there are three of them. But on the same flip of the coin, we see the movement going towards the unmanned aircraft and we’ve got two manufactures that make those.”

It's not always easy attracting private investment especially during an economic downturn. Gray Swoope, Director of the Mississippi Development Authority says the state is doing all it can to hold on to the more than 2500 jobs in the defense sector.

“That means working with our local economic development professionals. That means we as a state continue to work with in being a partner. And it also with the governor’s office and congressional delegation. That we’re all working together to make sure that we’re doing everything that we can to support the private defense companies doing business here and make sure that we’re on the cutting edge of new products being brought to the marketplace.”

And there is more good news for the state’s defense industry. national Defense Secretary Robert Gates recently recommended the newest ship in the navy's arsenal, to be built on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. For MPB News, I'm Lawayne Childrey.