Mississippi’s top politicians told hundreds of business leaders Thursday that economic development and the state’s economy are booming, but some also warned about looming meltdowns for agriculture and the state’s insurance market.

The business leaders mingled and heard politicians speak at the Mississippi Economic Council’s annual Hobnob event. MEC is preparing to merge with two other organizations in 2026 to form the Mississippi Business Alliance.

Scott Waller, president and CEO of the Economic Council, called the merger “an unprecedented step forward” that will propel the state’s business community and economy.

“Business drives the future for our state,” said John McKay, president and CEO of the Mississippi Manufacturers Association. He will lead the new organization.

The Alliance will be the state’s new chamber of commerce. It will bring together MEC, the Mississippi Manufacturers Association and the Business and Industry Political Education Committee. 

Gov. Tate Reeves said the new group will help build “a bigger, stronger Mississippi in the years to come.”

The state’s top politicians, all Republicans, on Thursday spoke about wide range of topics during the casual gathering at the Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson.

Reeves said the state now has “the strongest economy” in its history.

“No state, and I mean no state, is hotter than Mississippi,” he said.

But others leaders offered warnings of major challenges or problems.

Agriculture Commissioner Andy Gipson said Mississippi is in the midst of an “agriculture crisis,” from high input costs for farmers and global trade wars that have sapped overseas sales of commodities.

But he said solutions are in the works, including a soybean trade deal with China announced by President Donald Trump this week. He also said Mississippi’s geography, with plenty of fertile land and water, promises a brighter future.

Gipson said lack of water in other parts of the U.S. will within 20 years turn the Southeast into “the food production center for the country.” 

Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney said Mississippi being the only state without a robust mitigation program to strengthen housing stock against hurricanes and other natural disasters could spell doom for the state’s insurance market, and economy at-large.

“Some gaslighting members of the state Legislature decided (earlier this year) they would kill the program to mitigate houses,” Chaney said. “Now, we’re the only state without a mitigation program.”

Chaney also warned of major, continuing problems with access to health care and of the potential for hundreds of thousands of Mississippians to lose health coverage amid the ongoing battle in Washington over the federal Affordable Care Act.

House Speaker Jason White told the business leaders they should support his push in the coming legislative session for expanding “school choice,” or “education freedom.” This push, coming from the Trump administration, would include using public tax dollars for private schools and allowing families more choices in their children’s education. White said it would help with workforce development, better training Mississippi students for jobs.

White also said the House plans to tackle another major issue for businesses by pushing to raise the corporate tax credit for spending on child care for employees to 100%, or “dollar-for-dollar” of what companies spend.

Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann told the audience Thursday that state economic growth hinges on three things: “Good schools, a trained workforce and a solid housing market.”

“This year, the Senate will be addressing all of these,” Hosemann said.