Mississippi Technology Alliance Partners with Tribal Government

Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians (MBCI) Tribal Chief Phillip Martin and Mississippi Technology Alliance President and Chief Executive Officer Angie Dvorak recently announced a partnership to help foster science-based economic development for the state of Mississippi. The alliance's partnership with a tribal government is possibly the first of its kind in the U.S.



"This is an opportunity for members of the public, private and academia sectors to come together to aggressively explore ways to work with the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians," Dr. Dvorak said in a press release.



The Mississippi Choctaw Technology Forum held earlier this week in Philadelphia, Miss., formally recognized the partnership. The April 15-16 event enabled representatives from science and tech-based industries to examine research and business partnership opportunities with the MBCI and tour the MBCI facilities. Representatives also were able to gain perspectives from technology industry officials and discuss research proposals with some of the top scientific educators in Mississippi.



Chief Martin said he hopes the partnership will foster the creation of higher skilled, higher wage jobs that compliment MBCI's existing capabilities.



"We are seeking seeking to develop partnerships with high-tech companies that create win-win relationships for both parties," Chief Martin said.