The Warren County Port Commission made a sound decision giving Pablo Diaz a raise and extending his contract through March 2024.

“We think he’s done a great job; the community thinks he’s done a great job,” commissioner Don Brown said. “We’ve had EDF (Economic Development Foundation) up and going, people are contributing to that and looking at other things we can do to build up our economic development, and of course they are concerned about the availability and sustainability of what we’re doing.”

Diaz, who was the economic development director for Grenada when the port commission hired him, wears several hats. He’s the port director, president of the Vicksburg-Warren Chamber of Commerce and president and CEO of the Vicksburg Warren Economic Development Partnership.

He was hired to take over Warren County’s economic development program at a starting salary of $190,000, which was split between the Port Commission, the city of Vicksburg and the Warren County Economic Development Foundation, and has proven to be a wise investment. Since coming to Warren County, he has been involved in efforts to bring three companies here that resulted in 642 new jobs for Warren County. Getting Vicksburg Forest Products to come here helped keep the former Anderson-Tully site in operation.

His efforts with other economic development officials to get Unified Brands here filled a vacant building at the Ceres Industrial Park and will result in 425 jobs in the area.

Diaz also negotiated increases on ongoing leases for the Port Commission, even though the leases were not up for renewal.

Diaz’s abilities were recognized by Gov. Phil Bryant, who appointed home to serve as a member of the governor’s Military Defense Initiative Task Force.

With other communities looking for quality economic development directors, Brown said, “We know if you’ve got a good person, you’ve got to try to do what it takes to hold on to him and you can’t wait until the last minute.”

Brown is right. Warren County is one of many counties and cities in Mississippi and the south competing for jobs, and one of the keys is having an economic development director who is knowledgeable, has the right contacts and has the respect, not only of the people in his field, but of state officials and business and industry.

Pablo Diaz meets that description. We’re glad he’s staying.