Rethinking the rules. Reworking the formula. Knocking down walls. Finding new paths.
MDA created the Asset Development Group to focus on non-traditional economic development opportunities unique to Mississippi. Such opportunities often require longer term development, guidance, vision and support than traditional projects or grants and are tailored to the current world we live in.
Mississippi communities are diverse, great places to live, work, worship, and raise families. Much of our uniqueness is derived from assets like cultural heritage, hospitality, unspoiled waterways, forests, natural resources, infrastructure, and recreational choices. Our asset mapping program furnishes mapped communities with a comprehensive inventory of existing assets as seen through the eyes of a team of experienced economic developers. The team members have seen similar assets used in unique ways successfully in other communities and can share those insights in the mapping process. Mapped communities are given an asset inventory of assets they already have along with many suggestions and ideas on how those assets can be developed for economic development. The Asset Development Group continues to work with the mapped communities to develop a vision on what the community wishes to become in the next 10 to 20 years and help develop a plan to make that happen.
To visit MDA's interactive website highlighting distinctive offerings in Mississippi communities that have gone through the asset mapping process, select the Mississippi Asset Map website.
The Asset Development Group encourages the studied and balanced economic development of Mississippi’s abundant resources while working in specific areas to conserve and preserve the natural habitat and beauty of our landscape. Economic development and responsible environmental stewardship work as complementary components in our vision of a healthy and prosperous Mississippi. A recent example of this balanced approach is our lake development effort. Mississippi has abundant surface water resources and rural land. The development of residential/sportsman lakes creates beautiful places to live and play while at the same time they create a steady stream of public revenues used for county government services and public education.
The Asset Development Division is home to the State Mineral Leasing Program. MDA is responsible for leasing the state’s minerals for oil and gas exploration and development. Mississippi is ranked number 12 among the oil producing states and number 20 in natural gas production. Oil and gas production is the state’s biggest revenue source from our mineral resources. This program issues mineral leases and seismic permits for state owned lands and waters.
Mississippi Main Street Association (MMSA) is a program of the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Mississippi Main Street communities benefit from the wide array of programs and support offered through MMSA. For more information on the Mississippi Main Street Association select MMSA.
