Momentum Mississippi passes the Legislature! So why is this important to wildlife you ask? Momentum Mississippi is an economic development incentive package that involves wildlife-associated tourism. It recently overwhelmingly passed the House and the Senate. Mississippi leaders Speaker of the House Billy McCoy, Speaker Pro Tem J.P. Compretta and Ways and Means Chair Percy Watson and Lt. Governor Amy Tuck, President Pro Tem Travis Little and Finance Chair Tommy Robertson led their respective chambers in working out an outstanding bill, acting on the first initiatives of the Momentum Mississippi process.

Momentum Mississippi finds its roots in the comprehensive Blueprint Mississippi study, but gains its passion from Governor Haley Barbour. Governor Barbour has made it clear that creating jobs is job #1 and he has delivered for all the people of Mississippi by creating and supporting Momentum Mississippi, which will put our State at the competitive forefront for economic development.

Governor Barbour understands the significant role that sportsmen have in Mississippi's economic development. Sportsmen in Mississippi annually pay $55.6 million in state sales, fuel and income taxes this could pay 1,881 teachers' salaries or fund the annual education expenses of 10,488 students. Sportsmen support more jobs in Mississippi (12,258 jobs) than Northrup Grumman Shipyard (10,000 jobs), our state's largest private employer. Mississippi's sportsmen annually spend more than the value of the state's cotton crop ($670 million versus $406 million). And the ripple effect of Mississippi's sportsmen is $1.2 billion on our state's economy.

Hunters and anglers mean jobs in the states that have made the effort to maintain their hunting and fishing opportunities. The economic impact that sportsmen have on our economy played a part in encouraging the Legislature to pass Momentum Mississippi.

Much of Mississippi's quality of life is based on its bountiful waters, beautiful forests and expansive fields. And this quality of life plays directly into the equation for economic development as well as recruiting quality health care professionals.

Wildlife Mississippi has been a part of Momentum Mississippi from the very beginning. We look forward to working with the Governor and the House and Senate in the future to continue to build real momentum for Mississippi's future.

William J. Van Devender
President