Less than five months after his firing from the Golden Triangle Development LINK, the largest economic development group in north Mississippi, Joe Max Higgins has been hired to head economic efforts in Tate County.
The Tate County Board of Supervisors and Tate County Economic Development Foundation announced Monday a contract with 2EQLAST, the consulting firm created by Higgins after he departed from LINK. The contract begins Feb. 1 and will make Higgins the head of the Tate County EDF, the organization tasked with helping existing businesses grow and attracting new ones to the area.
“His contacts and experience with economic development will only make Tate County more prosperous and a better place to live for years to come,” District 1 Supervisor Leigh Ann Darby said. “I’m excited that Tate County has this opportunity to have someone with the experience of Joe Max to benefit and help give direction to our community leaders and to our entire community.”
Higgins’ resume includes more than 20 years with the LINK, a position he used to bring in over $10 billion in economic development. Landed deals included with Steel Dynamics, Aluminum Dynamics, Boeing, PACCAR, Airbus, Peco Foods, and Yokohama Tire, paired with the construction of four megasites with plans for a fifth being unveiled in early 2025.
A press release announcing the partnership with 2EQLAST touted Higgins as “one of the most effective economic development professionals in the United States.”
“Bringing in Joe Max Higgins with his level of experience and proven results positions us to compete more effectively for new industry and investment while also fulfilling our commitment of support for our existing industry to ensure their continued success and growth,” incoming Tate County EDF chair Chris Fleming said. “[We’re] especially excited about the opportunity to partner with the Tate County Board of Supervisors in this joint venture. This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to proactive economic development, long-term planning, and responsible growth that benefits both current residents and future generations.”
In a statement, Higgins said he’s excited about the opportunity and will be creating a “road map” to strengthen the economic environment in Tate County while focusing on its role within the Northwest Regional Alliance, a joint initiative between Tate, Lafayette, and Panola counties recently created to bring economic development to the region.
“2EQLAST looks forward to leveraging more than 40 years of economic development experience to help Tate County position itself for sustained future growth,” Higgins said. “I am excited to work alongside a community that is richly endowed with strong infrastructure, committed leadership, strong educational partners – including Northwest Mississippi Community College – and deep human capital.
“My role is to help provide a road map that will lead to the exponential growth of Tate County. We will review the entire economic development program and work collaboratively with local, regional, and state partners involved in the recently formed regional economic development effort with a particular focus on strengthening and advancing Tate County’s role within that broader initiative.”
In August, Higgins was fired from his position as CEO of the LINK after the group’s executive committee determined “a leadership transition is in the best long-term interest of the organization and region we serve.” The committee later clarified that Higgins was let go over “workplace behavior and speech” that went “well beyond profanity.”