“Hire Mississippi’ Signup And Informational Summit Set For December 13

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – The Public Service Commissioner for the Northern District wants to help more Mississippi companies have an opportunity to bid on jobs with the state’s largest utility companies.

Public Service Commissioner Brandon Presley says in 2016, the state’s five largest power and natural gas companies spent more than 800 million dollars in operations and maintenance costs.

70% of those jobs went to out of state companies.

Presley has started a program called “Hire Mississippi.”

He says the goal is to increase Mississippi businesses’ access to utility contracts, and create a more transparent and open bid process.

“I want to make sure that we tear down the glass wall that is kind of around these contracts and make sure more Mississippi businesses are going to work, if we don’t take care of the businesses in the state of Mississippi, you can bet no other state is going to take care of our businesses and our people,” Presley said.

Presley is hosting a “Hire Mississippi” Sign Up summit.

Contractors and businesses are invited to the free event to sign up for the initiative.

It is set for December 13th, at the Bancorpsouth Conference Center in Tupelo.

It is scheduled from 11:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.