At one time, that meant you were pretty much limited to bank stocks. And while more than a quarter of Mississippi's public companies are still in that category, the list has expanded. There are opportunities in many other industries which offer investors the chance to diversify without getting too far from home. I hope not.
Emotions have no place in investing.
Remember, you're just trying to make money. The biggest reason is because you can get a close-up look at the company. After all, they are in your own backyard. You can clearly see how that business is doing. You may even be one of their customers or vendors.