Developing an educated workforce to improve the economy of Mississippi was the bulk of a message from the Mississippi Economic Council as it made its latest statewide tour stop in Vicksburg Wednesday.

The MEC pitched their goals to a large crowd during the Vicksburg-Warren County Chamber of Commerce’s monthly meeting at the Vicksburg Convention Center.

The MEC is currently on an 18-city tour across the state, gathering information and focusing on the future of Mississippi by discussing economic development, workforce training, healthy living and community programs that are making a difference.

Those in attendance were allowed to participate by electronically selecting answers to key questions MEC would like polled from the various communities in Mississippi.

Participants were asked if they believe the economy is better today than it was five years and overwhelmingly 57 percent said yes, while 21 percent were evenly split on no or not sure.

Scott Waller, the interim president and CEO of the MEC, directed the program and indicated just over 60 percent of respondents at previous MEC tour stops also indicated the economy has improved.

Other questions included transportation and infrastructure issues, which MEC has targeted as a key component of improving Mississippi’s economy. The Mississippi Legislature is expected to take up the ongoing issue in the 2018 session.

“We are committed to working with the Lieutenant Governor (Tate Reeves) and the Speaker (Phillip Gunn) to address transportation funding,” Waller said. “Transportation impacts everyone.”

By the response from those at Wednesday’s event, they agree. More than 70 percent said the overall quality of roads and bridges is extremely important to Mississippi’s economy. And more than 60 percent strongly support spending money on improving roads and bridges in the state.

But the overall theme of the message was developing workforce training for future development, which most agree begins with education.

According to the MEC, by the year 2020, 65 percent of U.S. jobs will require post-secondary education and training beyond high school. Currently, 61 percent of Mississippi jobs require such training.

“Education and workforce development are a single issue,” Waller said. “They work together.”

Those in attendance believe 65 percent of Warren County’s workforce is somewhat prepared in post-secondary education and training.

Marvin Moak, the president of Hinds Community College’s Vicksburg campus, said during a panel discussion with Vicksburg-Warren School Superintendent Chad Shealy and Vicksburg-Warren Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Pablo Diaz that education must also be “flexible and adaptable” in training a stronger workforce. He indicated HCC offers workforce training classes to students at midnight.

“Some of them are leaving their jobs at 11:30 at night to come to class,” Moak said. “We need to prepare opportunities for students.”