Burns works to build ‘partnerships’

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, February 8, 2000

J.C. Burns, newly appointed executive director of Mississippi Department of Economic and Community Development, wants to be remembered for bringing people together.

&uot;I’m a team player. I believe in team work,&uot; he said. &uot;I’m a builder of partnerships.&uot;

Burns and a group of co-workers, have been traveling the state in recent days as part of a &uot;Partnership Tour.&uot; The tour is sponsored by the Mississippi Economic Council, the Mississippi Economic Development Council and local chambers of commerce.

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Burns was appointed to the position Jan. 10 by Gov. Ronnie Musgrove. During the Partnership Tour, Burns wants to listen to the different communities and get their input on economic development.

He spoke in Natchez Monday morning during a meeting at the Radisson Natchez Eola Hotel.

&uot;It’s important we stay on the cutting edge of what is happening in economic development,&uot; he said.

Since Burns is new to the position, many ideas are still in the planning stages.

Ideally, Burns said he would like the state to offer design incentives to draw industry to areas like Southwest Mississippi.

This could include items such as tax or training incentives, he said.

A&160;roomful of officials from the surrounding counties shared their thoughts with Burns at the meeting.

Topics of conversation ranged from the importance of regionalism, education and transportation and tourism to economic development.

Anne Stowers, Director of the Natchez Chamber of Commerce was glad Burns decided to make a stop in Southwest Mississippi.

&uot;I’m excited he is making the effort to visit each part of the state,&uot; she said.

Natchez Mayor Larry L. &uot;Butch&uot;&160;Brown was also pleased with what Burns was trying to accomplish.

&uot;I think&160;(Burns) is obviously a person in an appointed position who want to do a job well and wants to be informed in these early stages,&uot; Brown said.

Both Stowers and Brown said they were impressed with Jay Moon, one of Burns’ colleagues at the development office.