MSU center leads county website development
Domenico "Mimmo" Parisi (left to right), nSPARC director, discusses the new county website with Oktibbeha County Administrator Don Posey and Oktibbeha County's Board of Supervisors President Marvell Howard. PHOTO: Russ Houston | University Relations
A new Oktibbeha County website developed by a Mississippi State research center will better connect citizens with their county government, and also serve as a "business card" for local economic development efforts.
The university center's director said the project "is the beginning of a new way for Oktibbeha County to work."
"It connects citizens with their county government, and gives them easy access to important information," added Domenico "Mimmo" Parisi, director of the National Strategic Planning and Analysis Research Center. "We believe the site will promote participatory democracy for our community."
The website -- www.oktibbehacountyms.org -- was unveiled this week by members of Parisi's team and county officials. Features include:
--Information about county services, specifically what's available, where to receive them and who to contact with questions;
--Accurate maps of county districts and facilities;
--Access to up-to-the-minute communication, enabling county officials to publish real-time announcements, news and weather alerts; and
--A comprehensive list of elected and appointed officials.
Parisi said the website is designed to serve as an external and internal communication tool, with each county department having access to manage its own content. It also will be critical for economic development purposes, he emphasized.
"The site serves as a 'business card' -- prospective businesses and economic developers can quickly see what the county has to offer," he explained. "It will be a great marketing tool for our community."
Parisi said a top priority at nSPARC "is improving economic competitiveness in our state through community engagement. This project is a clear testament of Mississippi State's commitment to the communities we serve."
Creation of the website doesn't mean nSPARC's work is done. He and his colleagues will be working with county officials to make improvements, Parisi said.
Jim Laird | University Relations
