Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves will be the the keynote speaker for the Delta Council's 89th Annual Meeting set for Friday, June 7, 2024, at Delta State University’s Bologna Performing Arts Center (BPAC) in Cleveland.
“We are excited that Governor Reeves has accepted our invitation to address the members and guests of Delta Council,” said Delta Council President, C. D. “Bubba” Simmons II, a Washington County producer. “Governor Reeves has been responsive to us on every issue we have ever asked him to get involved in, and we look forward to having him as our special guest.”
As the 65th Governor of Mississippi, Tate Reeves continues to build on his strong record as a leader who fights to improve educational opportunity and grow new careers so that Mississippi’s best and brightest can raise their families and thrive.
Since he took office as governor, Mississippi has seen record educational gains which have been called the “Mississippi Miracle.” Mississippi went from being ranked the second-worst state in 2013 for fourth grade reading to 21st in 2022. In 4th grade math, Mississippi went from dead last to 23rd. Mississippi’s graduation rate is currently at an all-time high and better than the national average.
Less than one month into 2024, Mississippi shattered yearly economic development records when Governor Reeves announced $12 billion in new private sector investment. This includes the single largest economic development project in state history – a $10 billion private sector investment in Madison County by Amazon Web Services.
Additionally, it includes the largest payroll commitment of any major project in state history through a joint venture between Accelera by Cummins, PACCAR and Daimler Trucks & Buses. The joint venture is investing approximately $2 billion to locate manufacturing operations in Marshall County.
Under Governor Reeves’ leadership, Mississippi achieved an overhauled statewide workforce development strategy, all-time low unemployment rates, and the largest tax cut and the largest teacher pay raise in state history.
A Rankin County native, Governor Reeves is a graduate of Florence High School and an honors graduate of Millsaps College, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in economics. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation. Governor Reeves and his wife, Elee, are the proud parents of three daughters, Tyler, Emma, and Maddie.
The 2024 Delta Council Day will commence with the 21 st Annual Salute to Delta Honor Graduates event at 9:00 a.m., held outside of the Bologna Performing Arts Center on the lawn.
We will welcome the high school graduates, their families, and school officials and present the graduates with awards. The event is designed to bestow special honor upon two exemplary students from each of the high schools throughout the Mississippi Delta Region, including public, parochial, and private schools. In addition, a $2,500 scholarship will be awarded to the top Delta Honor Graduate selected by higher education officials in the Delta. The Top Delta Honor Graduate will be recognized on stage at the Delta Council Annual Meeting during the Business Session.
At 10:30 a.m. in the auditorium of the BPAC, after the inaugural presentation of the colors and God and Country, the Business Session will proceed with the recognition of the 2024 Delta Council Community Service Award and the tradition of the Wear Cotton contest. Among other features of the Business Session, including a recap of the year’s challenges and opportunities, will be the introduction of the 2024-2025 Delta Council Officers. The meeting will be highlighted by a message from Keynote Speaker Governor Tate Reeves.
The tradition of a fried catfish luncheon will wrap up Delta Council Day on the grounds of the Quadrangle on the Delta State University campus. Delta Council invites and encourages members and guests to attend and participate in this 89-year-old Delta “red-letter” day.
Sponsors for the meeting are BankPlus, Catfish Farmers of Mississippi, Cotton Incorporated, Delta State University, Mississippi Corn Promotion Board, Mississippi Land Bank, Mississippi Rice Promotion Board, Mississippi Soybean Promotion Board, Simplot Grower Solutions and Southern AgCredit.
