IHL Commissioner shares economic importance of Mississippi’s universities

MERIDIAN, Miss. (WTOK) - Universities in Mississippi provide an economic backbone the state of Mississippi needs, according to Commissioner Dr. Alfred Rankins, Jr., of the Institutions of Higher Learning. He spoke to the Meridian Rotary Club Wednesday.

Rankins highlighted the importance of Mississippi’s public universities, showing the economic value they hold for the state of Mississippi and how they provide a brighter outlook for the state and its citizens.

“What I’ve learned is Mississippi is very resilient, despite what some may say. Mississippi is a great place to live there. A lot of opportunities here, and we just want to spread the message of the positive aspects of our universities and the state of Mississippi. What our graduates provide to the state once they graduate and move into the workforce economically, how beneficial it is to the state to have a system of universities as opposed to each university operating alone outside of the system,” said Rankins.

The state has 8 public universities. Rankins said these institutions contributed over $289 million to the state’s general fund.

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