Mississippi’s economy is on the upswing and Jones Junior College is having a direct impact on that growth Gov. Haley Barbour said during a campaign stop in Ellisville Monday.

“Education is the number one priority in the State of Mississippi,” Barbour said. “There’s nothing humble about Jones County Junior College. You’re one of the junior colleges improving the skills of the people of Mississippi.”

Barbour said Mississippi is primed for international attention after Hurricane Katrina. He said people saw the state’s response and can-do attitude. But, he said, workforce training ahead of big announcements are important because the companies want people who are ready to work in their fields.

“You can’t get more productive by working harder,” he said. Barbour said companies once came to Mississippi for “strong backs and low wages.” Now, he said, companies are coming for strong minds “and they’re willing to pay for it.”

“We don’t have to settle for just not being last,” he said. “What we’re getting is cutting edge technology for our workforce and our children.”

That’s a big change over the past few decades. Barbour said when he was growing up families saw their children and grandchildren leaving Mississippi for the best jobs. But, that’s changing with an improved economy. People no longer must leave Mississippi for high tech or high paying jobs.

“It was called the brain drain,” Barbour said. “Families will see their children and grandchildren stay in Mississippi because this is where the best jobs are.”

Ellisville Mayor Tim Waldrup said his area has seen 650 new electric meters during the past year. That, he says, is a sure sign of the growth in the Ellisville area.

“We have a lot of things going on around here,” Waldrup told Barbour. “Without your assistance this could not have happened.”

“There are more people working now than ever before in the State of Mississippi,” JCJC President Dr. Jesse Smith said. “He is an outstanding leader when the chips are down