WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., today met with representatives from the Lauderdale County Board of Supervisors to discuss economic development and other issues of importance to the area.

The Lauderdale County supervisors discussed the strengths of east Mississippi’s colleges in training a skilled workforce. With over 330,000 residents within commuting distance of the county, the supervisors believe the area is well-situated to attract new developments.

Officials told Senator Wicker about their bid to relocate a KC-135 refueling simulator from Altus Air Force Base in Oklahoma. The county identified a National Guard building in Lauderdale as a prime candidate for the relocation. It housed a similar simulator for 17 years before the military moved it off base in 2005. The building sits empty today.

Attendees at today’s meeting included:

• Wayman Newell, President of the Board of Lauderdale County Supervisors (District 2)
• Jonathan Wells, Lauderdale County Supervisor (District 1)
• Josh Todd, Lauderdale County Supervisor (District 3)
• Joe Norwood, Lauderdale County Supervisor (District 4)
• Chris Lafferty, County Administrator, Lauderdale County
• Rick Barry, Counsel
• Lee Thaggard, Counsel
• Bob Luke, architect
• Justin McDonald, Yates Construction
• Bill Hannah, East Mississippi Business Development Corporation