Coahoma County is one of 13 counties in the Mississippi Delta region and 19 throughout the state of Mississippi that are part of the Growth and Prosperity (GAP) program to give economically distressed areas of the state an extra incentive to attract jobs and capital investment.
The state Senate recently gave its approval to continuing the program.
Created by the Mississippi Legislature in the Second Session of 2000, this program, which abates all state and local taxes – excluding schools, police and fire protection – for a period of 10 years on projects that meet the minimum standard (at least 10 new employees) for new and expanding industries and other qualified businesses, has been extremely beneficial in marketing local communities, said a press release in the recent issue of the Delta Council newsletter.
GAP has also been a cornerstone of the Delta Strong efforts.
“Delta Council thanks Chairman Buck Clarke and Lt. Governor Tate Reeves for their support of the bill, which Chairman Clarke drafted to extend the incentives until 2033. Speaker Philip Gunn and Ways and Means Vice Chairman Willie Bailey have jointly agreed to shepherd the bill on the House side.
“It is important that those of us who utilize this program and benefit from it, show our strong support for its continuation to the legislature," said Tom Gresham, chairman of the Delta Council Development Department.
He pointed to Chairman Buck Clarke and Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves for their support of the bill. Gresham said Clarke drafted a bill to extend the incentives until 2033. House Speaker Phillip Gunn and Willie Bailey, vice chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, jointly agreed to shepherd the bill on the House side, said Gresham.
Local economic development organizations, county Boards of Supervisors, cities and local businesses are urged to go on record in support of the continuation and extension of the GAP program.
Those wanting additional information should contact Mike Philpot at Delta Council at 662-686-3350 with any questions or comments.
