More than 50 city and county officials made the journey toJackson Thursday to participate in Brookhaven Day at the Capitol,an annual event designed to promote Brookhaven and Lincoln Countyto the state’s leaders.

Brookhavenites crowded the first floor of the Capitol rotunda by8:30 a.m., bumping shoulders and shaking hands with state senatorsand representatives who came by the city’s table for a quickbreakfast. The local delegation also had opportunities to visitwith Gov. Haley Barbour, Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant and were recognizedas honored guests by the state Senate during its morningsession.

City and county officials had the same message for all ofMississippi’s statesmen – that Linbrook Business Park was ready andwilling to receive industry and the Mississippi School of the Artsshould not be overlooked. Cliff Brumfield, Brookhaven-LincolnCounty Chamber of Commerce executive vice president, was glad to beable to have a quick visit with the governor.

“I mentioned to him that with Linbrook, we have SouthwestMississippi’s potential super site with 400 acres bought and paidfor,” Brumfield said. “I let him know that Brookhaven has thepremier manufacturing site south of Interstate 20, and that we needstate support in finding the right industry.”

Barbour informed Brumfield and the local delegation that he wasaware of the site’s progress, and city and county were “doing theright thing” in moving forward with the development of theindustrial area. The governor added that developing SouthwestMississippi was one of his priorities before leaving office.

In fact, it was the topic of a recent discussion the governorhad with District 39 Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, D-Brookhaven.

“The governor and I have met and discussed a possible industrylocating to Brookhaven,” Hyde-Smith said, who did not elaborate. “Ihave had contact with them – they have shown some interest incoming to Brookhaven.”

Hyde-Smith said government officials would meet with theMississippi Development Authority at a later date to discuss theindustry’s future.

The future of industry was a point made again in a later meetingin the office of Bryant, who also heard more emphasis on thecontinued funding of MSA. The MSA choir drove home the point at 10a.m., when they filled the rotunda with music.

“I heard the MSA choir when I arrived,” Bryant told thedelegation. “I thought angels were in the Capitol.”

Brumfield informed Bryant that the “angels” represented not justa school, but a source of jobs in Brookhaven.

“MSA is like one of our industries,” Brumfield said. “It is oneof our major employers.”

Brookhaven Mayor Bob Massengill pointed out to the lieutenantgovernor that MSA represents not only Brookhaven, but the entirestate.

“Those students in the choir out there come from communities allover Mississippi,” Massengill said. “In fact, I only saw two orthree of them who are from Brookhaven.”

Massengill later explained the importance of convincing stateleaders of MSA’s value.

“Every year, the legislators have to find ways to controlspending,” he said. “And every year, we have to call on ourlegislatures to convince their associates that it really is aworthwhile school that is meeting so many needs and educating somany young people.”

Bryant offered his support for the future.

“We look forward to working with you on these opportunities,” hesaid.

At the end of the day, members of the Brookhaven delegationbelieved their trip had made an impact. Brumfield was optimisticabout funding for MSA.

“I’m thoroughly pleased with our local turnout and the responsefrom our state leaders,” Brumfield said. “I’m very satisfied withour meetings – they were very attentive to our concerns. I feelconfident that our request for continued support of MSA was wellreceived.”

Massengill was also pleased with the entire affair.

“I think it went very well,” he said. “A lot of effort goes intothe planning and preparations for these trips – the Chamber ofCommerce is to be commended.

“You never know how much good it is really doing you, becausesometimes a legislator will only stop by for a minute or two,” themayor continued. “But we’re making them aware of the good thingsthat are happening in Brookhaven and Lincoln County.”

District 92 Rep. Becky Currie, R-Brookhaven, later reported onBrookhaven Day at the Capitol’s lasting effect on the state’sleaders.

“Brookhaven is a homeseeker’s paradise, and they know us by thatname,” she said. “A lot of people complimented us on our bunch andtheir enthusiasm about our city.”

Currie also offered an explanation of the area’s future and whyvisits to the Capitol like Thursday’s are important to the growingprocess.

“I believe Gov. Barbour is going to look at SouthwestMississippi because we’ve been left out,” she said. “And eachreminder is good. For the governor and lieutenant governor andother legislators to see that we have good, hard-working people -that’s what we accomplished today.”