MEDIA ADVISORY: MSU economic development forum

Contact: Maridith Geuder

Key personnel with state and local agencies, as well as a variety of Mississippi State representatives, will convene May 17 and 18 at the university to explore initiatives and resources that support statewide economic and community development.

The day-and-a-half event at the Wise Center auditorium is sponsored by the campus-based Industrial Outreach Service and the Technology Resource Institute.

Keynote speakers at noon each day are Kirk Schulz, MSU vice president of research and economic development, on the 17th and Gray Swoope, executive director of the Mississippi Development Authority, on the 18th.

Participants will be introduced to various MSU programs that are available to support business and industry. They also will have the opportunity to share information with members of the Mississippi Economic and the Mississippi Economic Development councils, among others.

While not a public event, all sessions are open to interested members of the news media.

MSU's Industrial Outreach Service works to improve the efficiency and competitiveness of the state's business and industry by providing services and linking companies with available institution resources. Services include lean manufacturing, operational improvement, quality systems, and organizational planning and development.

The Technology Resource Institute serves as a referral center for university resources that can provide research consulting, training and planning focused on economic development.

For additional information, telephone Bill Martin at 662-235-0513.

For more information about Mississippi State University, see http://www.msstate.edu/.