Mississippi Code Title 37. Education § 37-141-51

(1) There is hereby created the Regional Initiatives Program within the University Research Center as created by Section 37-141-1 et seq.

(2) The program shall provide financial assistance to counties through grants to substate economic development organizations or an aggregate of such organizations to carry out specific projects that will augment the objectives and strategies of the statewide economic development plan in accordance with the Statewide Planning Act of 1987.

(3) Counties may designate substate economic development organizations to include but not limited to economic development organizations such as local chambers of commerce, local economic development authorities, planning development districts, multicounty organizations funded by local governing authorities and the federal government or other organization deemed appropriate.