USM Professor Speaks to International Economic Development Webinar

Dr. Chad Miller, associate professor in the Department of Economic Development, Tourism, and Sport Management at The University of Southern Mississippi, served as a featured speaker for an International Economic Development Council webinar held recently.

More than 185 professionals across the U.S. and Canada participated in the event which focused on “Leveraging Transportation Routes for New Opportunities in Rural Areas.” Of key interest was how the demise of coal would impact transportation, and how technology (e.g. drones and driverless trucks) might impact transportation.

Participants received guidance on how to:

• Effectively market transportation assets to business location consultants and corporate real estate directors
• Develop and connect a community's narrative around workforce, land and regional assets to transportation networks
• Capture opportunities around new transportation routes, trends and technologies

“This was an opportunity to share with the profession the findings of our work on how rural communities can leverage their transportation assets to improve economic development,” said Miller. “A key point is the need for economic development and transportation professionals to work together.”