This past December, Delta Council held its Midyear Board of Directors meeting. Among other activities, it is a chance to discuss policy priorities and report on the activities of the regional organization to its Board of Directors and friends. Another traditional activity is for Delta Council to recognize the leadership of men and women of the Delta who have passed away over the past year who contributed heavily to the work of organizations like Delta Council. Unfortunately, in 2025, the list was almost 3 times longer than it has ever been.
Looking at the names of the men and women honored that cold December morning, you realize the impact that this group had on all corners and facets of the Delta. It would be easy to get discouraged, and after hearing Delta Council President Clint Dunn’s report to the membership, you realize that the Delta is facing some difficult and weighty issues.
Our region’s largest employer and the bellcow of our economy—agriculture—is in the worst shape it has been in more than half a century. This is not only disastrous for our producers, but it is having devastating impacts on our communities who rely on this economic giant.
The region is wrestling with completing four vital flood control projects in both the North Delta and the South Delta that will give relief to thousands of individuals, but the pace of completion of these projects is certainly vexing.
A proposal shepherded by Delta Council to form a regional authority among our healthcare facilities in order to enjoy the benefits of the economies of scale, has failed for two years in the Mississippi Legislature. It is crucial that we maintain good healthcare for our citizens. It is not only a matter of convenience for people not having to drive five hours to receive healthcare, but it is an issue that if left unchecked, will further see the erosion of our population of working men and women who do not want to be located in a healthcare desert.
Other issues, such as maintaining the robustness of our alluvial groundwater, workforce training and recruitment of industry, the vitality of agricultural research, early childhood education, and the continuation of best conservation practices on this landscape we all love, continue to be priorities every day for your regional economic development organization.
At that December board meeting, our featured speaker, Dr. Mark Keenum of Mississippi State University, remarked to the audience how wonderful it was to see the children and grandchildren of people that he had worked with throughout his tenure in Congress and as Mississippi State University’s leader. Others made the same observation that the room was disproportionately full of younger men and women who realize the seriousness of things this region is tackling.
So yes, it is easy to get discouraged these days. It is easy to point to a large group of Deltans who helped hold the fabric of the region together that passed away, wring your hands and say, “what now?”
However, it is increasingly obvious that there is a new generation willing to assume the mantle of leadership in the Delta and fight for these issues that are so critical for our economy and quality of life. To us, that is hope, not despair. We hope you will join them!
Frank Howell is the Executive Director of the Delta Council.