Mississippi Development Authority seeks 28 positions restored, presses for pass-through accountability after agency downsizing

Jackson — The Mississippi Development Authority told the Senate appropriations committee on Nov. 1 it needs more staff and clearer rules for pass-through appropriations as it manages record tourism numbers and a growing set of programs.

Director Kork, executive director of the Mississippi Development Authority, said the agency has shrunk from about 270 pins in 2020 to roughly 197 today and requested restoration of 28 pins plus a $3.1 million budget increase for FY2026 to fill key roles and provide succession planning. “Without a serious reduction in program responsibilities, which I'm prepared to work closely with this body to achieve, we have cut too many people too fast,” Kork said.

Why it matters: MDA manages tourism promotion, workforce and infrastructure programs and numerous pass-through grants. Agency leaders said legislative clarity on pass-through appropriations and program consolidation would improve accountability and reduce agency workload.

What MDA told lawmakers

- Staffing and organization: Kork described a top-to-bottom agency review and reorganizations that reduced headcount while increasing program responsibilities. He said the agency is hiring to fill vacancies and expects to reach roughly 90% of authorized staffing by the end of the current quarter. A deputy said 13 pins tied to welcome-center staffing are on hold while the Department of Transportation renovates facilities.

- Budget request and positions: Kork asked for 28 pins and $3.1 million in FY2026 to fill operational gaps created by earlier staffing cuts, restore succession planning and support core fiduciary functions that oversee large pass-through contracts and grants.

- Pass-through funding and accountability: The director said current line-item pass-through appropriations typically name a nonprofit and a dollar amount without specifying program rules, audit requirements or match obligations. He asked lawmakers to consider creating programmatic pass-through funds with standard eligibility and compliance rules so the agency and legislators have clearer enforcement and reporting standards.

- Training and modernization: Kork described a new personnel policy manual and called for a committed training budget. Finance officials said MDA has budgeted training line items (a committee question referenced $175,000) and is using local community colleges for skills training, including Excel and workforce development courses.

- Tourism performance: Tourism leaders said Mississippi had about 43 million visitors in 2023 and approximately $1 billion in visitor spending; the agency highlighted a high-profile Rose Parade float and a Grammy Museum partnership that drove broader national publicity.

Nut graf: MDA told appropriators the agency is managing growth in program responsibilities and pass-through spending while operating with fewer staff. The agency asked the Legislature both for headcount and statutory or budgetary reforms to standardize pass-through accountability and reduce overlapping infrastructure programs.

Additional details

- Program consolidation: MDA suggested consolidating duplicative infrastructure programs (ports, airports, forestry, highway funds) to reduce administrative complexity and improve transparency.

- Welcome centers: Agency officials said welcome-center renovations led to 13 personnel authorizations being held in reserve until physical renovations complete; the agency expects to complete phased remodels during the first half of the year.

Ending: The committee agreed to follow up with written proposals and legislative language. No formal vote was taken during the presentation.