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County hears Link presentation on regionalism, asks for clearer returns and local outreach
Summary
The Link told the Oktibbeha County Board it will boost communication with elected officials and pursue industrial recruitment tied to university partnerships; supervisors asked for clearer measures of local benefit and urged the executive committee to review funding allocation during the contract's two-year notice period.
The Oktibbeha County Board of Supervisors heard a presentation from The Link, a regional economic development organization, that emphasized improved communication with elected officials and a renewed focus on industrial-recruitment strategies.
The Link's CEO told the board the group is instituting a sounding committee of elected officials and monthly communications to keep local leaders informed. "We wanna hear more communication," the CEO said, stressing the value of regionalism built over more than 20 years and saying the organization is pursuing projects at the county's industrial park.
Why it matters: Board members pressed The Link for clearer, measurable returns to Oktibbeha County, noting that some counties see larger revenue or job benefits from shared regional projects. "I'd like to see the executive board consider the differential we looked at," a supervisor said, urging the executive committee to evaluate how the county's contributions match local returns during the two-year notice period in the contract.
During question-and-answer, supervisors raised infrastructure concerns for the North Star Industrial Park, including utility and electrical capacity and wastewater needs; The Link said it is working with local partners and university resources to target industries that fit the county's assets and to pursue business-retention and expansion support. "We've hired business retention and expansion staff," the CEO said, adding that those staff will focus on supporting existing industries across the region.
The board and The Link also discussed marketing empty industrial buildings and leveraging university research to convert prospects into manufacturing tenants. Supervisors urged quarterly follow-up meetings or smaller closed-door sessions where more detailed strategy could be discussed without revealing proprietary business development information.
What's next: The Link committed to maintaining a presence at county meetings and to standing up a sounding committee. Supervisors asked the county executive committee to review the partnership and consider whether a different funding split or additional tangible markers of success are warranted as the county approaches the contract's renegotiation window.
