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Brain Drain & Economic Development

Brain Drain /ˈbrān ˌdrān/: the departure of educated or professional people from one country, economic sector, or field for better pay or living conditions.

Will our state have enough nurses and doctors to care for the elderly in the coming years?

Are we keeping the future entrepreneurs who will build Mississippi businesses and economy?

These questions are essential to consider when thinking about the future of our state and its cities.

According to the 2020 census, Mississippi is one of only three states to lose population. Data from the Census Bureau shows Mississippi has lost over 60,000 “Millennials,” nearly 10% of the state’s Millennial population, since the 2010 census. Many of these Millennials are college-educated or skilled workers, and their departure is known as the “brain drain.”

The common causes include:
Political instability.
Poor quality of life.
Limited access to health care.
A shortage of economic opportunity.

For years Carthaginians have witnessed the economic downfall of our city. Consequently, this has left vacant lots, buildings, and patches of land (See pictures below). With nowhere to work, enjoy extracurricular activities, shop, or enjoy the scenery, Carthage has faced its own dealings with the brain drain.

It is time that the City of Carthage targets these leading causes and does its part in retaining our young people and our educated, skilled, and future entrepreneurs.

Once elected, I, Luis Montgomery, am prepared to propose solutions to help target the leading causes of the brain drain.

These solutions will include a fast-track business development plan that will allow a pathway for entrepreneurs to establish businesses that will help diversify Carthage’s economic market.

Businesses in the likes of but not limited to:
Liquor stores
Hotel
Sports Bars
Boutiques
pet grooming
Specialty health food
Bookstore
Mini-Golf Course
Gamers Arcade
Create an Attraction
Medical Marijuana Dispensaries
Food Delivery Services

The stronger our economy, the more sustainable our city’s budget. Sustainable economic development is the key to the complete functionality of the city.

Investments in Power Grid:

Over the course of the past month the City of Carthage has experienced several power outages due to the overwhelming amount of power usage. It is no secret that our power grid is outdated and unable to handle the amount of power it takes to support a home in 2022.
What solution is there?
The City of Carthage has the power to establish solar energy hubs throughout the city. These hubs could be in the forms of solar energy powered parks, solar energy fields, or even solar energy powered streetlights. This could significantly reduce the strain on our power grid and effectively reduce the number of power outages.
Once elected, I, Luis Montgomery, will advocate and fight for 21st century advancements of implementing solar energy into the city’s power grid.
It is time we begin to invest in our city infrastructure and sustainability!

CANDIDATE LUIS MONTGOMERY ADRESSES TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE CRISIS:

“Roads remain the essential network of the non-virtual world. They are the infrastructure upon which almost all other infrastructure depends. They are the paths of human endeavor.”
― Ted Conover
Our country’s vast network of highways and bridges connect our communities and support our economy. When properly executed, transportation infrastructure investments raise economic growth, improves productivity, and increases land values. The City of Carthage being in the center of Mississippi has established itself as the crossroads of the state. It is time that our city’s government uses this fact as encouragement for investments in our roads, bridges, and highways.
Carthage’s main highways are used in our citizens everyday life. Even more so, citizens from Neshoba, Attala, Scott, Hinds, and Madison Counties are frequently traveling throughout our city to get to work, family, and extracurricular events.
Our neighborhoods are losing their value and morale due to the lack of effort by our city’s government to prioritize our greatest essential to our economy.
Once elected, I, Luis Montgomery, am prepared to present outlines of Infrastructure proposals that will target the deterioration of our city’s streets.
It is time we do more than patch-up jobs!

Candidate Luis Montgomery officially announced his candidacy for Alderman in an open letter to his constituents. See below.