JACKSON, Miss. (AP) – The Mississippi Economic Council is holding 12 meetings statewide as it prepares to lobby officials to implement its recommendations to spur economic growth in the state.

The group is trying to rank the priorities it listed in October, when it released the results of its $1.25 million research project. The business lobby aims to present its plan to the new governor, lieutenant governor and Legislature in January.

Monday in Jackson, a group of Rotary Club members and business leaders ranked improving educational achievement as the most urgent of the plan's nine overarching goals.

Blake Wilson, president and CEO of Mississippi Economic Council, says making progress requires a "multiple-year commitment," in the same way the state set out to improve its highways more than 20 years ago.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.