Chamber Study Highlights Mississippi’s Innovative Contributions
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Global Intellectual Property Center (GIPC) today released a report highlighting Mississippi’s contributions to America’s innovation economy. This study is part of GIPC’s State Fact Sheets, which provide a look at the roles innovation and creativity play in each state. The report highlights local companies and facts demonstrating how innovation and creativity—which are safeguarded by strong IP rights—serve as a driving force behind economic recovery and future growth.
“Innovation and creativity are vital to Mississippi economy,” said Dr. Mark Esper, executive vice president of the Chamber’s GIPC. In 2007, Mississippi innovators received 184 patents, and in 2008 involved approximately 2,900 businesses in the creation and distribution of certain copyrighted works, an increase of 13.8% from the year before.
Esper noted examples of innovation and creativity in Mississippi. Mississippi government, universities, and the private sector invested more than $770 million in research and development every year. Additionally, in 2007 alone, the Mississippi high-tech industry employed 52,377 workers while the software industry employed approximately 7,000.
“Indeed, Mississippians are proven innovators,” said Esper. A native of Tupelo, Mississippi, Elvis Presley built the foundation for rock and roll, and was both a cultural and musical icon. In addition, the Gamma-Electrical Cell was invented by Jackson-born Henry Sampson. The Cell was used to build rocket engines and led to the development of binder systems for propellants. “America has a unique story to tell, and Mississippi plays a large role in this story. Innovation and creativity are essential to economic growth and human advancement, and Mississippi’s IP contributions reflect this.”
The Mississippi State Fact Sheet is intended to be a resource for legislators, policymakers, and the public to identify successful companies, inventors, creative artists, and innovators to better understand the role they play in our economy and society. As part of an easy-to-use, interactive map, the State Fact Sheet project can be accessed online at www.theglobalipcenter.com, as well as in a printable format.
The Chamber’s Global Intellectual Property Center is working around the world to champion intellectual property (IP) as vital to creating jobs, saving lives, advancing global economic growth, and generating breakthrough solutions to global challenges.The U.S. Chamber is the world’s largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.
For more information, please contact Trinh Nguyen at 202-463-5379.
