MS SB2996

Appropriates $19,032,820.00 from the State General Fund and $249,740,113.00 from the State Treasury to the Mississippi Development Authority for fiscal year 2019 (July 1, 2018 – June 30, 2019).

Authorizes 229 permanent full-time positions, 3 permanent part-time positions, 67 time-limited full-time positions, and 0 time-limited part-time positions for the agency.

Establishes performance targets for fiscal year 2019 including 1,500 national recruitment contacts, 225 qualified national prospects, 3,000 new jobs from global contacts, and 24 million annual visitors to Mississippi.

Allocates $4,876,298.00 for Mississippi Tourism Advertising and Promotion (including $299,000.00 for Tourism Grant Development Awards) and $865,000.00 from the Capital Expense Fund for specific projects including Wilson House at Shepard Park ($145,000.00) and fire equipment for the Town of Leland ($280,000.00).

Provides $800,000.00 from the Mississippi Department of Transportation for welcome centers, $100,000.00 for Mississippi Delta National Heritage Areas, $20,025.00 for the Mississippi River Parkway Commission, and $500,000.00 to transfer to Innovate Mississippi.