THE ALLIANCE \ Overview

 

Greater Jackson Alliance

The Greater Jackson Alliance (GJA), a regional alliance of twelve entities, was organized for the following purposes: to develop and implement a marketing strategy to promote Greater Jackson, to enhance cooperation between the various governmental jurisdictions in Greater Jackson, and to facilitate and coordinate economic development efforts for Greater Jackson.

 

GJA was established in 1994, and its Board is composed of an economic development professional and, in most cases, a volunteer that represent each entity. The Greater Jackson Chamber of Commerce functions as the fiscal agent and secretary for GJA and serves as the central clearinghouse for prospect inquiries. Each GJA entity also administers economic development and marketing programs for its respective jurisdiction.

 

Since its inception, Greater Jackson Alliance has assisted its state, regional, and local allies and partners with over seventy locations throughout Greater Jackson and has been very instrumental in bringing new companies to the Greater Jackson area and assisting existing companies in the Greater Jackson area with expansions. In addition, GJA has been a sponsor for several major tourism events, such as the Splendors of Versailles, the Palaces of St. Petersburg, and the Glory of Baroque Dresden. GJA annually participates in a number of trade shows and marketing trips to recruit industry to the Greater Jackson area. GJA routinely updates and develops various promotional and informational pieces to showcase the Greater Jackson area. GJA hosts numerous consultants and prospects on familiarization tours of the Greater Jackson area. And, GJA is conducting a media/branding campaign to promote the Greater Jackson area.

 

The current members of GJA are the Attala County Industrial Development Association, the City of Jackson, Copiah County Economic Development District, Entergy Mississippi, Inc., Hinds County Economic Development District, Jackson Municipal Airport Authority, Leake County Industrial Development Association, Madison County Economic Development Authority, Greater Jackson Chamber of Commerce, Rankin First Economic Development Authority, Simpson County Development Foundation and Warren County. GJA is presently expanding its membership base and geographic boundaries to include other entities within Central Mississippi. It is anticipated that this effort will help GJA become an even stronger regional alliance and a better reflection of its market area.

 

Through these endeavors and other on-going efforts, ther Greater Jackson Alliance’s goal is to make Central Mississippi the premier location for business and industry.