State Auditor Phil Bryant Thursday touted the importance ofSouthwest Mississippi not only in his campaign bid for lieutenantgovernor, but also in his goals for further economic developmentacross the state.

“We think Southwest Mississippi is a key area for us,” Bryantsaid during a small gathering of Republican supporters at TheCountry Fisherman.

Regarding economic development opportunities, Bryant citedefforts to improve the state’s business climate as a way ofcreating jobs and improving people’s lives and the state’sfinancial standing.

“We think it’s a good thing to create more taxpayers than justpeople paying more taxes,” Bryant said.

Bryant alluded to the Nissan plant in Canton and the plannedToyota plant near Tupelo.

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