MS HB193

Creates the Mississippi River Delta Promise Zone encompassing 19 counties (Adams, Bolivar, Carroll, Claiborne, Coahoma, Holmes, Humphreys, Issaquena, Jefferson, Leflore, Panola, Quitman, Sharkey, Sunflower, Tallahatchie, Tunica, Warren, Washington, and Yazoo) as a rural development initiative.

Directs the Promise Zone, with assistance from the Mississippi Development Authority, to use a regional approach to increase job growth, enhance community development, raise educational attainment, and offer federal, state, and local business development incentives.

Establishes a governing board composed of representatives from colleges and universities, counties and municipalities, local and regional development organizations, banking and finance, small business owners, and innovation-focused entities.

Designates the Mississippi Delta Strategic Compact, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, to administer the Promise Zone and implement regional revitalization efforts based on the 2009 Delta Revitalization Task Force action plan.

Takes effect July 1, 2020.