JACKSON, MS (Mississippi News Now) -
About 2,000 of Mississippi's top business leaders were in Jackson today for the 63rd meeting of the Mississippi Economic Council, the state's chamber of commerce. Governor Phil Bryant was the speaker at the annual luncheon.
The Mississippi economic council promotes Mississippi development and recognizes star students for their academic achievement.
This year's annual meeting was in the Jackson Convention Center Complex, where 2,000 people are fed in an hour and a half, by over 100 servers.
Governor Bryant, who was sworn in to office this past January, said he didn't really feel like he was governor, until this occasion: speaking to the MEC. He talked about the state's bright future.
"This industry of necessity in health care, is going to pull in thousands of jobs, high tech jobs in the medical community but right here in the metro area, also in Meridian and on the Gulf Coast and Tupelo" said Governor Bryant.
Nationally recognized author of Boomtown USA, Jack Schultz, also talked about this state's bright future, but says that can be taken away by not controlling school dropouts.
"Dropout doesn't just happen overnight" said Schultz. "It happens because those students don't learn to read. If a student isn't reading by the level of the third grade, there is a direct correlation of them dropping out. In fact there is a direct correlation between them ending up in prison."
Entertainment was provided by native Mississippians and legendary soul singer Mavis Staples.
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