Cooperative Competes
Cooperative Competes is a multi-faceted Economic Development initiative intended to show companies that Mississippi is a competitive region to do business. The purpose is to increase the tangible assets within our 55 county service territory, and the intangible expertise of our communities and economic development organizations.
Recent Cooperative Competes Announcements
Funding
Cooperative Competes allows economic development organizations, or the recognized authority, to apply for grant funds to offset industrial property development costs. These funds are provided jointly by Cooperative Energy's 11 Member distribution cooperatives. Grant funds can be used to offset site and building development costs and/or reduce upfront costs for eligible economic development activities. Eligible projects typically require new job creation, increased capital investment, electric load growth, and require a local funding match. Potential uses of Cooperative Competes grants include:
Environmental Studies / Assessments and Associated Due Diligence Fees
Site Preparation and On-Site Demolition
Site Visit Preparation
Industrial Park Signage and/or Aesthetic Improvements
Targeted Marketing Materials
MDA Site Grant Matching Funds Assistance
Other Uses Approved by Cooperative Energy Economic Development
Programming
It takes more than a piece of property for businesses to reduce risk, and save time and money. It takes the subject matter expertise of a community, and its economic developers, to help businesses through every step of a site selection or expansion decision. Cooperative Competes creates education and networking opportunities to enhance community expertise. Programming topics include utilities, permitting, elected official leadership development, and more.
Cooperative Competes programming is typically by invitation only. If you have an interest in a specific subject matter, or in attending an event, please contact a member of the Cooperative Energy Economic Development team.
For more information on Cooperative Competes, please contact one of our Economic Development team members.