Episode 159: How Can Symbolism Changes Positively Affect Perceptions of a State’s Business Climate? | Mitch Stringer, Cooperative Energy

• October 5, 2021

“I worked passionately both personally and professionally to support the flag change along with economic developers from across the state. We have a lot of work to do to better our state, but this change was a big step in the right direction and an accomplishment that will be felt for generations to come.” –Mitch Stringer

Can symbolism affect business? Can a long-standing perception of a state be changed? In Mississippi, these questions are generating real-time analysis. Following bipartisan calls for change, 73% of the state’s voters adopted a new flag, prompting a change in the narrative of Mississippi and making a statement that, yes, symbols matter.

Mitch Stringer, Director of Economic Development at Cooperative Energy, talks with Faye Davis about how the change is signaling a desire for Mississippi to keep moving forward and into the future. He dives into how companies’ perceptions are changing and how deal flow to the region is affected, as well as the excitement and joy that emanated from the campaign leading up to the change.

Mitch also shares how his skills have set him up for success in his multifaceted role at Cooperative Energy, and what differences in the work he experiences representing a state-wide territory rather than at the regional level. Mitch is celebrated as one of North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers, tune in now to hear exactly why he’s such a dynamite, yet humble as can be, professional!

America’s Jobs Team is sponsored by Research on Investment / Gazelle.ai

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