The City of Clinton is investing $10,000 for a seat at the table with other members of a new regional economic development organization called Connect West. The Board of Aldermen authorized the annual payment at its January 2 meeting.
Mayor Phil Fisher has been recruiting local business leaders to join the group, hoping for twenty to twenty-five members. Clinton’s representative on the Connect West board hasn’t been determined, but it won’t be any of the City’s elected leaders.
The group will be hiring an economic development director to attract businesses, industries and homebuilders to Clinton and western Hinds County. The City has been without anyone to lead its economic development efforts since Daniel Lang resigned as director in 2022 to take a similar position in Flowood.
Ward 4 Alderman Chip Wilbanks believes the regional approach is a good idea.
“We’ve tried a number of other things, and I think it’s time to try something new,” Wilbanks says. “People are excited about this, and I hope it’ll work. The City is participating, [and] there are businesses participating that have a stake in bringing in economic development for Clinton.”
Alderwoman-at-Large Ricki Garrett agrees.
“The regional concept has certainly worked for cities like Tupelo, the Golden Triangle area, Natchez and Vicksburg,” she says. “This may really give some stability to our economic development efforts, because this group of businessmen are obviously committed to this and to trying to help with economic development in the City.”