STARKVILLE, Miss. -- The most recent set of economic, community health and retail data is available to developers working to improve Mississippi counties and towns.

The Mississippi State University Extension Service annually compiles massive quantities of local retail, health and economic data. This information is organized and distributed to help MSU Extension fulfill its mission of extending knowledge and changing lives.

Alan Barefield, Extension economic development specialist, oversees the process of gathering the data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the Bureau of Economic Analysis and several proprietary data sources. Extension experts analyze this data and provide information to Mississippi counties and towns.

“Annually, we compile a county package that includes retail profiles, general economics and health economics profiles, as well as a city/town profile package for retail sales analyses, and make them available on our website,” Barefield said.

Community economic development officers use this information to recruit new businesses and retain existing businesses. It is also helps identify areas where economic growth efforts should focus.

Find these profiles online at http://extension.msstate.edu/economic-profiles.