I’ve always been very impressed with the Enterprise for Innovative Geospatial Solutions (EIGS), indeed its been a true Geo industry success story & Geo Tech cluster role model out of the South. I was interested today to receive notification today that read “Mississippi’s Geospatial Cluster Transitions from Public Sector to Private Sector”. According to the news release, the cluster will now operate through a self-managed, self-funded program administered by the newly-formed Magnolia Business Alliance (MBA). To date, the not-for-profit org has been a vocal voice and advocate for Geo technology professionals in Mississippi and now it seems the org will have a chance to advance as a privately run entity. About EIGS… The State of Mississippi, through the Mississippi Space Commerce Initiative (MSCI) and the Enterprise for Innovative Geospatial Solutions (EIGS), has spent the last decade nurturing and growing a high-tech business cluster in the geospatial technology industry. As a result, the state is now home to one of the nation’s largest and most well-organized geospatial technology clusters.
This particular reference got my attention… Throughout its history, MSCI and EIGS have contributed significantly to the state’s economic well-being by providing a growing number of high-paying jobs that generate tax revenue for the state. During the past year, 847 people were employed by EIGS member companies with an average salary of $57,885, roughly double the per capita income for the state. Revenues for the cluster topped $125 million. Good luck to the group as they move forward – see more on MBA at http://www.magnolia-ba.biz/ see also details in this official PR