THIS INVESTMENT SUPPORTS DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A COMPREHENSIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (CEDS) IN THE REGION SERVED BY EAST CENTRAL PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT, INC., WHICH COMPRISES CLARKE, JASPER, KEMPER, LAUDERDALE, LEAKE, NESHOBA, NEWTON, SMITH AND SCOTT COUNTIES. THE CEDS PROCESS IS DESIGNED TO BRING TOGETHER THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS IN THE CREATION OF AN ECONOMIC ROADMAP TO DIVERSIFY AND STRENGTHEN THE REGIONAL ECONOMY.