Mississippi loses population (Jackson, Greenville, Southaven: buyers, college, military)

[Mouldy Old Schmo]

Again.
Exiting Mississippi: Census finds state again loses people
Could they be going to Lake Oswego?

[viverlibre]

Its not that we are losing population as much as who we are losing. We are mostly losing the best and brightest while those with little motivation are staying and reproducing.

There needs to be a mass evacuation of the Delta, there are very few good jobs there and will never be...

[Mississippi Alabama Line]

From my work experience, I know for a fact that the census bureau admits they don't accurate count rural cities (I can't remember the exact size, but I want to say it was under 50,000). I hope this is the case across Mississippi.

Even still, what can be accurately inferred is that there is a serious problem with the brain drain.

[sammyreynolds1977]

If i were just graduating college I wouldn't stay here either. Go someplace else and make some money. People here won't pay you squat.

[Mississippi Alabama Line]

Originally Posted by sammyreynolds1977

If i were just graduating college I wouldn't stay here either. Go someplace else and make some money. People here won't pay you squat.

I saw where companies like Stein Mart and Back Yard Burger originated in MS. Their HQs are now in Jacksonville, FL and Nashville, TN respectively. Everybody knows about Bryan and Viking.

How can we expect the population to ever grow if these companies leave or sell?

The ones I've got my eye on are Drake Waterfowl, Trustmark, Renasant, Bancorpsouth, Newk's, Northrop Grumman and CSpire. I hope they stick around and keep their flag planted in Mississippi. Obviously the military presence is very well known and depended on.

[sammyreynolds1977]

I was told when Viking sold the buyers had to agree not to move the company for a period of time. Cspire has invested to much money into the Ridgeland area I hope they don't consider leaving. Milwaukee tool has also hired a lot of people that were laid off by Viking and are currently expanding.

[Mouldy Old Schmo]

Back Yard Burgers started in my hometown in the 1980s. They had an office in a shopping center. Stein Mart started in Greenville. They still have a store there.

[Sharif662]

I agree with Viverlibre on this and only certain locations will those graduates remain career wise ( Jackson , Gulf Coast, & Southaven metros). There's always going to be certain industries the state lacks due to quantity more so quality in my opinion.

It's not so much lack in pay, plenty of jobs pays money to those with experience/knowledge just depends on the location/company. Yet my state should do more in attracting major tech companies. We have the potential and land space for multiple firms but some of our state's policies and overall PERCEPTION is truly weighing us down. People rather harp on the superficial characteristics of the state (both within & outsiders) than express unresolved tenacity for progress.

[Phil75230]

Originally Posted by Sharif662

I agree with Viverlibre on this and only certain locations will those graduates remain career wise ( Jackson , Gulf Coast, & Southaven metros). There's always going to be certain industries the state lacks due to quantity more so quality in my opinion.

It's not so much lack in pay, plenty of jobs pays money to those with experience/knowledge just depends on the location/company. Yet my state should do more in attracting major tech companies. We have the potential and land space for multiple firms but some of our state's policies and overall PERCEPTION is truly weighing us down. People rather harp on the superficial characteristics of the state (both within & outsiders) than express unresolved tenacity for progress.

I'm afraid that with high tech, MS is better off trying to grow its own. I doubt Google or Microsoft will locate a branch office anywhere near the state (unless you call Atlanta and the Big Texas Cities 'near'). High-level techies want to be near lots of amenities and are willing to sacrifice purchasing power of their paychecks to get them. It's not fair, but that's the way it is.

Well, MS growing its own high tech stuff AND improving its amenities -- even advertising their amenities better could work wonders. Play up the music and literary scenes, and keep a lid on the most pointless of boneheaded legislation about "morality" (techies tend to have a very strong libertarian streak).

[sammyreynolds1977]

Phil is correct which is why when Amazon builds their HQ2 it will be in either Austin or Atlanta.