MS HB23

Creates the Mississippi River Delta Promise Zone comprising 19 counties: Adams, Bolivar, Carroll, Claiborne, Coahoma, Holmes, Humphreys, Issaquena, Jefferson, Leflore, Panola, Quitman, Sharkey, Sunflower, Tallahatchie, Tunica, Warren, Washington, and Yazoo.

Establishes a rural development initiative to revitalize the Delta Region through job creation, increased public/private investment, community development, and educational attainment improvements.

Directs the Promise Zone to work with the Mississippi Development Authority using a regional approach to develop business opportunities and offer new federal, state, and local incentives for business development.

Requires governance by a board composed of representatives from colleges/universities, counties/municipalities, development organizations, banking/finance, small business owners, and innovation-focused entities.

Designates the Mississippi Delta Strategic Compact, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, as the administrative body responsible for implementing the Promise Zone's mandate and the 2009 Delta Revitalization Task Force action plan.