This op-ed by Courtney Taylor of Mississippi’s Office of Workforce Development was published by Magnolia Tribune on 04/25/2025.
Mississippi is on the rise in every way. We’ve experienced record-breaking economic development wins, creating more quality jobs in all corners of the state. We’ve eliminated income taxes, surged in national workforce rankings—now at #3 in Site Selection Magazine, ahead of states that traditionally lead—and posted the nation’s second-highest GDP growth. Fourth-grade students here lead the country in gains in reading and math. Across tourism, business, and education, the momentum is real.
The results reflect hard choices and disciplined leadership. Mississippi is prioritizing the return on investment over tradition or convenience. We’ve shown that transformative change is possible when we stop playing defense and take ownership of our future.
But we can’t afford to rest. There are real challenges facing our people, our industries, and our public systems—especially the workforce system. Maintaining momentum requires urgency, tough decisions, and a willingness to break from the past.
We don’t need a rescue plan from Washington. There’s not enough of other people’s money to keep funding outdated approaches. If we want better outcomes, we need to keep doing what’s working: leading with courage, acting with clarity, and staying focused on results.