The state has seen a 9000 percent increase in unemployment claims over the past month while businesses that have been forced to close fight for their survival during the statewide shelter-in-place.
Reeves issued the order on April 1. It is set to expire on Monday, though Reeves could extend it. Prior to Reeves, numerous local governments issued similar orders closing restaurants and numerous businesses, while only allowing people to leave their house for essential travel.
“We need Mississippians helping Mississippians. I have asked a trusted group of our state’s top business minds to do just that. Under the ‘Restart Mississippi’ umbrella, they are going to develop a series of recommendations and goals for our new economy. They will study the impact of COVID-19 on our workforce and small businesses. And they will help us recover—day by day,” Reeves said in a press release.
The committee is chaired by Joe Sanderson of Sanderson Farms. Also serving on the executive team are Tom Gresham, president of Delta Council, John Hairston of Hancock Whitney, Jonathan Jones of Jones Capital, Colby Lane of Veriforce, and Tim Smith of Avectus Healthcare Solutions.