MS actually punches well above its weight when it comes to transportation - almost to the point that we have too much to maintain. You simply can’t build 4 lane roads to all the small towns - not even the county seats. That takes a lot of money. And airport wise, we are fine. May not have the airlines, but the infrastructure is absolutely there for air travel, even if it’s general aviation.The downfall of Mississippi is infrastructure. I have discussed this before here and folks forget or ignore it. I have family in rural politics. When the big companies come in to an area they ask for submissions. First page lists criteria about 4 lane highways, railroads, airports, etc. Then they evaluate training potentials, ie jucos. Then it is a matter of land costs and tax breaks.
Mississippi has screwed over the rural areas with abandoned rail lines, 4 lanes that never get finished, and we only have a few heavy lift airports.
Grenada, Canton, Blue Springs, the new battery plant, Continental all have easy access to a 4 lane and railroad. And heavy lift airports aren't that far away.
If the rural area doesn't offer the mass transportation needs of the company they are out.
This is another reason that investing in a bunch of the small towns isn’t viable. And it’s not a matter of zigging when everyone is zagging. @Boom Boom example of Alabama football doesn’t apply, because it’s not MSU vs Alabama, it’s more like MC vs Alabama. You’ve got to at least get a minimal level of competency before we can grab a niche and compete. We are SO far behind, it’s hard to comprehend. We have to first concentrate on the low-hanging fruit, which is making a small portion of Jackson safe - which hopefully will happen with the CCID.