Business Alignment 2026

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BIPEC Members,

I am excited to share that the Boards of Directors of the Mississippi Economic Council (MEC), the Mississippi Manufacturers Association (MMA), and the Business and Industry Political Education Committee (BIPEC) have authorized the leadership of each organization to collectively evaluate the potential for a transformative initiative called Business Alignment 2026.

Kicking off this month, this year-long project is designed to explore the potential for what nearly 30 states have already done. That is to unify our three organizations into a single entity that can better serve the collective interests of Mississippi’s business community.

As we begin this process, it is important to underscore that no decisions have been made. We approach this endeavor with a commitment to a thorough, open, and fair evaluation of this initiative. The goal is to determine if and how a more unified organizational structure might deliver greater value, effectiveness, and advocacy power for our members across all sectors of the economy.

Each of the organizations bring unique strengths to the table:

  • MEC, through its strategic planning efforts, is focusing on aligning Mississippi’s business community. Our members continue to support initiatives designed to create long-term economic opportunities for all sectors of the economy. This project represents an ability to strengthen this goal, while carefully determining the best path forward.
  • MMA, with its deep roots in advocating for manufacturers, sees this project as an opportunity to strengthen the voice of industry. Recognizing that manufacturing is a major driver of Mississippi’s economy, partnering with the broader business community has the potential to expand our reach as we strive to positively impact economic growth in our state.
  • BIPEC, with its legacy of protecting and advancing free enterprise through elections, research, education, and member action, remains fully committed to ensuring that any potential combined effort would lead to an even stronger political voice for job creators in Mississippi.

As part of Business Alignment 2026, we will conduct a series of listening sessions across the state. These sessions will be designed to ensure that our members are heard. Through independent research, benchmarking, and careful analysis of our organizational structures, we will collectively assess whether a unified organization is the best path forward for our members and the future of Mississippi’s economy.

We will keep you informed at every step of this process, sharing key findings and progress reports. Our goal is to ensure that the outcome reflects what is best for the business community as a whole.

Thank you for your continued trust and engagement. We are confident that, together, we can make the best decisions for the future of our organizations and our state.