R E G I O N A L   G O A L S   A N D   O B J E C T I V E S

 OVERALL GOAL:              Improve regional per capita income from 66.69% of the
                                      national average in 2000 to 70% in 2010 and 75% by 2015.

 PRIMARY
 SUPPORTING GOAL:        Improve highest level of education attained by adults 25 years and                                               older in the region as follows:

                                                                                   2000              2010             2020
                                    
                                     Some college and higher          38.0%             40.0             45.0
                              
                                        High school completion          30.8                35.0             40.0
                            
                                                            Dropouts          31.2                25.0             15.0
 

• Reduce the dropout rate, as measured by the Mississippi Department of Education, in the region’s public school districts to 10% by 2013.
• Provide two years of tuition-free community college education for each high school graduate in the region by 2010.
• Assure that by 2020 every pre-school child in the region will have access to early childhood programs with at least a two-star rating as established by the Mississippi Child Care Quality Step System.

 SECONDARY
 SUPPORTING GOALS:      Develop a mixed, diversified economy including:

                                                  • Regional tourism
                                                  • Entrepreneurship
                                                  • Advanced manufacturing
                                                  • Health care
                                                  • Innovation and technology
                                                  • Technical Services

                                      Complete the four-lane construction of all Vision 21 highways
                                      within our region that have been designated for immediate
                                      attention by MDOT by 2015.

                                      Assure that the region is clean, attractive and features healthy, vibrant                                           communities.