City and County Government
The Center for Government and Community Development (GCD) is a unit of the Mississippi State University Extension Service, which is located within the Division of Agriculture, Forestry, and Veterinary Medicine at Mississippi State University.
The center’s staff design and deliver educational programs, training activities, information, and technical assistance in response to the high priority economic and community development needs of Mississippi communities and their citizens. Participants in GCD programs include local government leaders, community-based organizations, state and local agencies, and business enterprises.
The activities of the center help the university build strong partnerships with agencies, institutions, organizations, and foundations that have a shared commitment to strengthening the well-being of Mississippi communities and the work of local government officials.
The GCD mission also includes providing community leaders, organizations, agencies, businesses, and citizens with high quality, science-based information on economic and community development topics. This is accomplished through a variety of communications channels, including newsletters, websites, trade magazines, and special reports.
See The Center for Government and Community Development website for more information.
Featured Resources
Publications
News
STARKVILLE, Miss. -- The Mississippi State University Extension Service and the Mississippi Municipal League are known for their commitment to serving the state’s communities.
FLOWOOD, Miss. -- When responding to emergencies, collaboration between state agencies is critical in the effort to save lives.
STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Individuals who are interested in running for municipal office in 2025 have three opportunities to learn more about the roles of elected officials and the election process during a free, virtual workshop. The Mississippi State University Extension Center for Government and Community Development is offering Ready to Lead: A Workshop for Aspiring Municipal Leaders in Mississippi.
Success Stories
How did Flowood end up with the largest pickleball complex in Central Mississippi?
Fenton Pope looked around his native Covington County a quarter-century ago and saw what he believed was an alarming amount of farmland out of production.
Being a municipal clerk isn’t easy. In Mississippi, these city officers are appointed by local aldermen and the city mayor, who hire and fire these financial recordkeepers at will. When voters elect different leaders, those officials can appoint new municipal clerks, who may know only a little about what the job entails.
