Cluster goes from public to private sector

The Enterprise for Geospatial Solutions has shifted from the University of Mississippi oversight to the private sector in an organization called Magnolia Business Alliance. The university and member companies decided the organization matured to the point that the private sector is best suited to take over. The state of Mississippi, first through the Mississippi Space Commerce Initiative and then through EIGS, has spent the last decade nurturing a high-tech business cluster in the geospatial industry. During the past year, 847 people were employed by EIGS member companies with an average salary double the per capita income for the state. Revenues for the cluster topped $125 million. The Web site is www.magnolia-ba.biz. (Source: Magnolia Business Alliance, 09/02/10)