Mississippi EDI (November 2022)

Outreach, Transition and Economic Development (OTED) hosted a hybrid virtual and in-person, four-day event—the Mississippi Economic Development Initiative (EDI), November 1–4, 2022. The event was to help Veterans, service members, their spouses, partners, family members, and caregivers learn about Veteran benefits, resources, and initiatives, the claims process and/or to complete their claims and discover benefits for spouses. The objective of all event types was to help promote positive economic outcomes and overall well-being for this community.

The event consisted of virtual presentations, Spouse Support Summit, Jobs Fairs, Women’s Health and Benefits Summit, Town Hall, Benefits and Claims Clinic appointments, and Stakeholder Roundtables.

The schedule:

• Nov. 1: Virtual, Microsoft Teams

  • Presentations, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.  
  • Spouse Support Summit, 5–7:00 p.m.
  • Benefits and Claims Clinic, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.   

• Nov. 2: In person, AG and Forestry Museum, Jackson, MS

  • Jobs Fair, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
  • Women’s Health and Benefits Summit, 9 a.m. –2 p.m.
  • Benefits and Claims Clinic, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.   

• Nov. 3: In person, Washington County Convention Center, Greenville, MS

  • Town Hall, 10 a.m.–12 p.m.
  • Jobs Fair, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.  
  • Benefits and Claims Clinic, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

• Nov. 4: Virtual, Microsoft Teams

  • M2C Presentations, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.  
  • Stakeholder Roundtables, 9–11:30 a.m.  
  • Benefits and Claims Clinic, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.   

Outreach, Transition and Economic Development (OTED) established Economic Development Initiatives (EDIs) in July 2018 to provide disadvantaged transitioning Service members and Veterans with opportunities to achieve economic success and total well-being as they advance from military service to civilian life. OTED knows that economic well-being for the Veteran community requires collaboration amongst stakeholders from across the Veteran ecosystem to improve individual access to opportunities as well as long-term economic sustainability. The overarching goal of the EDIs is to create a comprehensive and strategic approach to policy, programs, and services to encourage community-wide economic development.