Enterprise for Innovative Geospatial Solutions (EIGS)

Mission Statement

The Enterprise for Innovative Geospatial Solutions (EIGS), a program of the Magnolia Business Alliance, nurtures and supports the growth of the geospatial technology small and medium enterprise cluster. EIGS coordinates the interaction among the high-tech geospatial companies, university research programs, state agencies, and other related organizations in order to grow the geospatial businesses in our regional cluster into a world-class industry group. EIGS provides specific business services to existing companies, recruits complementary businesses and talent to the state, facilitates research opportunities, and supports activities to ensure that an educated, well-trained workforce is available to address the growing development needs of this industry.

View an overview of the “Innovative Economies” initiative award to the Magnolia Business Alliance and Enterprise for Innovative Geospatial Solutions from the U.S. Small Business Administration (PDF).

 
Background

The US Department of Labor targeted 14 industries starting in 2004 for the Presidential High Growth Jobs Initiative to take advantage of high business growth in vital sectors of the American economy.  Among these targets is the Geospatial Industry selected for its potential to add substantial numbers of new jobs transformed by technology and innovation requiring new skill sets for workers.  Geospatial technology is the combination of GPS (global positioning systems), GIS (geographical information systems), and satellite or aerial image-based remote sensing all related to features on the surface of the earth for decision making.

The success of the booming geospatial industry in the United States includes one of the most successful state business initiatives in Mississippi history.  In partnership with NASA, Mississippi chartered what is now called the Enterprise for Innovative Geospatial Solutions (EIGS) industry cluster in 1998. This cluster organized complimentary geospatial businesses, government agencies, and educational institutions in Mississippi to help to create a trained workforce, transfer geospatial technology from public institutions into the market, and foster new business growth.