Carol's Weblog

Economic Development News Week of November 2, 2009

medccarol — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:47:14 +0000

Jackson, Mississippi ranks eleventh in Business Week’s Forty Strongest U. S. Metro Economies.
http://images.businessweek.com/ss/09/10/1022_40_strongest_us_metro_economies/12.htm

Officials with CE-Bio, LLC, have unveiled plans to locate a nutritional supplements manufacturing facility in a 57,000-square-foot plant at the Metro Industrial Park in Olive Branch.
http://msbusiness.com/blog/2009/10/ce-bio-moving-to-larger-facility/

Start-up company Meridian Furniture held a ribbon cutting ceremony at recently renovated facilities in Iuka. The company will initially employ 75 people, with as many as 150 jobs expected to be created as they expand.
http://tinyurl.com/ycl3glq

G&G Steel recently completed a $950,000 expansion that is expected to increase employment at the company from its current 30 to about 140 employees.
http://tinyurl.com/y8p5qx3

A financial hitch has delayed legislative action for a company that plans to build a $300 million factory in the Mississippi Delta, but lawmakers say they still expect the project to come through.
http://tinyurl.com/y8dmxh7

Leaders of the largely rural Appalachian rural belt that runs from southern New York to northern Mississippi are seeking ways to use alternative energy initiatives to spark the 13-state region’s long-sluggish economy.
http://tinyurl.com/y9v9fcn

Foreign firms flock to south Mississippi. At least 18 companies have ties to foreign shores. They include some of the most recognizable names in the world, such as the United Kingdom’s Rolls-Royce and BAE Systems and Italy’s Finmecanica.
http://tinyurl.com/y98xnk7

After sitting gutted and empty for years, an historic, pioneering department store is getting new life as a luxury corporate apartment building in Vicksburg.
http://msbusiness.com/blog/2009/11/the-valley-gets-new-life/

Whit Hughes, deputy director of the Mississippi Development Authority, said a regional mindset for economic growth makes sense, especially when wooing foreign investors. “When the economy does improve, they’ll be looking for low-cost, high quality options such as our states,” he said.
http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2009/oct/30/auto-execs-warm-hands-around-vw/?business

The Alliance, made up of business leaders, economic development officials and government officials, hopes the aerospace industry’s already significant presence in the Gulf South region will persuade the Department of Defense to award Northrop Grumman the task of replenishing the Air Force’s fleet of refueling planes.
http://msbusiness.com/blog/2009/10/states-join-forces-to-land-kc-45/

Lyn Arnold, executive director of the Tunica County Chamber of Commerce, says Tunica’s efforts to attract more manufacturers are continuing to move forward.
http://tinyurl.com/yaypbnt

Sandy Holifield, who handles commercial development for the Jones County Economic Development Authority, said Wednesday that officials are “real excited” about the openings.
http://www.leadercall.com/local/local_story_302111101.html

The Stone County Economic Development Partnership (SCEDP) has helped Stone County become among the first counties in the state to take part in the Mississippi Development Authority’s (MDA’s) asset mapping project. Asset mapping identifies, categorizes and quantifies a community’s assets.
http://msbusiness.com/blog/2009/10/county-puts-assets-on-the-map/

Community Development Foundation President David Rumbarger of Tupelo Miss., shows off one of the Apple Macbooks, Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2009, that will be given to every student from 6-12 grades starting next year. The program is part of a partnership between the Tupelo Public Schools District and Apple.
http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20091027/NEWS/91027035/1263/rss

Three multimillion-dollar projects planned for the Northside (Jackson) have been temporarily put on hiatus as developers weather the economic storm and wait for contracts to be finalized.
http://tinyurl.com/yajb8vk

Several Web sites serve up a wealth of information about home-based businesses, from different types of businesses to tax considerations and avoiding work-at-home schemes.
http://www.sunherald.com/383/story/1699004.html

We agree with assessments that suggest the deepest part of the recession may be past, but as Community Development Foundation President David Rumbarger said last week, “We don’t know how steep the climb is on this side of the valley.”
http://www.istockanalyst.com/article/viewiStockNews/articleid/3596405#

Congress has provided $25 million for engineering and other preparations for storing some the nation’s petroleum reserves in the Richton Salt Domes.
http://tinyurl.com/y9s85gy

The Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic, featuring some of the top golfers on the Champions Tour, will be played at Fallen Oak Golf Course on April 28-May 2, 2010.
http://www.sunherald.com/sports/story/1715893.html

An Arkansas company expects to complete by mid-December its acquisition of Greenwood’s PYCO oil mill.
http://tinyurl.com/y9fep9r

The Mississippi Manufacturers Association and the Manufacturing Extension Partnership of Mississippi present “Profit 101” and “Sales Development” Wednesday, Nov. 11, to help manufacturers improve their businesses.
http://www.mma-web.org/UserFiles/File/Seminars/MEP%20Sales-Profit.pdf

Join the MEDC group on LinkedIn – http://www.linkedin.com/groupRegistration?gid=2323556 (members only)

Register now for the Nov. 17 MEDC Regional Chamber Workshop Series — sponsored by Cellular South — in Newton featuring Shane Moody of the Destin Area Chamber (back by popular demand).

Attend national professional development courses (EDI, CDI, IOM and New South) in 2010 and let MEDC pay your tuition. Apply now for your scholarship – www.medc.ms – Professional Development – funded by MEDC, MDA, Mississippi Power Company and Tennessee Valley Authority.

Register now for the Dec. 8 Member-to-Member Seminar in Jackson featuring Chandler Russ, Director of the Existing Industry and Business Division at MDA.

Go to www.medc.ms for registration and scholarship information.

Carol Hardwick, Executive Director
Mississippi Economic Development Council (MEDC)
P. O. Box 3721, Jackson, MS 39207
www.medc.ms
MEDC 2010 Winter Conference . February 3-5 . Hilton . Jackson
MEDC 2010 Summer Conference . July 21-23 . Beau Rivage . Biloxi

MEDC is Mississippi’s professional association of economic development and chamber of commerce professionals.

Economic Development News Week of October 26, 2009

medccarol — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 20:50:56 +0000

Governors from two states will make a major aerospace announcement Monday that will impact the Gulf Coast Corridor — an area from the Mississippi Gulf Coast, through Alabama and into Northwest Florida along I-10. Barbour will appear via satellite.
http://www.northescambia.com/?p=11747

The governors of Alabama and Mississippi plan to try to rally support for a plan to turn a four-state region along the Gulf of Mexico into an Aerospace Alliance.
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/florida/AP/story/1298412.html

The Mississippi Delta soon could be home to a “very sophisticated, advanced manufacturing” operation that would create 500 jobs in five years, Gov. Haley Barbour said Wednesday.
http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20091022/NEWS/910220363/-1/nletter01/Gov.-touts–300M-manufacturing-plant-for-Delta?source=nletter-news

NASA’s John C. Stennis Space Center has become the first site to earn project ready certification in an industrial site program formalized by Mississippi Power Co.’s economic development department.
http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20091019/NEWS/91019020/-1/Nletter03/Stennis-center-earns-certification?source=nletter-news

State lawmakers may be gearing up in the coming days for another special session – this one dealing with an economic development project in north Mississippi.
http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20091021/NEWS/910210379/-1/nletter01/Special-session-possible?source=nletter-news

Reed’s Metals Inc., a growing metal manufacturing plant on U.S. 84, is undergoing its third expansion project in as many years and will soon pull in more workers, produce more metal and pour more income into Lincoln County.
http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20091021/BIZ/910210352/-1/nletter01/Metal-firm-expands-despite-economy?source=nletter-news

Northrop Grumman plans to begin conducting test flights of its small, unmanned Navy helicopter Fire Scout in the skies over Jackson County within the first few months of next year. Along with flight testing comes maintenance. The company plans to add 10 new jobs for flight testing and eight to 10 through the maintenance support contract, company officials said Friday. Three have already been filled.
http://www.sunherald.com/pageone/story/1696394.html?story_link=email_msg

Mississippi had the eighth lowest rate of job losses in the construction industry, an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America
http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20091021/BIZ/91021022/-1/Nletter03/Miss.-among-lowest-in-construction-job-loss?source=nletter-news

Mississippi saw the number of people working climb in September as the state's unemployment rate slipped in every county. The state's unemployment rate fell to 8.8 percent in September down from 9.7 percent in August, according to the Mississippi Department of Employment Security.
http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20091022/BIZ/910220349/-1/nletter01/Jobs-outlook-begins-to-brighten-in-Mississippi?source=nletter-news

At the Biomass Summit this week in Washington, people were talking about Mississippi, said Sumesh Arora, director of Strategic Biomass Solutions (SBS) for the Mississippi Technology Alliance.
http://msbusiness.com/blog/2009/10/mississippi-the-buzz-at-biomass-summit/

Economic developers across Mississippi are using a new method to poll businesses and industries to find out their needs and develop better policies to assist their growth. The 27-question survey was developed by MDA with feedback from economic developers statewide in an effort to expand the reach of the organization's Business Retention and Expansion Program.
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=20379338&BRD=1377&PAG=461&dept_id=172922&rfi=6

The U.S. Department of Labor has unveiled $447 million in funding allocations for Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) for states to assist workers who lose their jobs due to outsourcing and foreign trade.
http://msbusiness.com/blog/2009/10/stimulus-bumps-up-taa-funding/

The land is available. The first tenants are established. Political support is present at the local and state levels. Bring on the jobs. The Columbus-Lowndes Development Link revealed its master plan today for the GTR Global Industrial Aerospace Park . . .
http://www.cdispatch.com/news/article.asp?aid=3385
http://www.cdispatch.com/news/article.asp?aid=3391
http://www.cldlink.org/gtr/ - Presentation

Vitech Systems Group, Inc., a leading provider of enterprise software to group benefit and public pension funds, announced today the opening of a new regional office in Ridgeland, Mississippi.
http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS152971+20-Oct-2009+PRN20091020

Even with an economic revival, many U.S. jobs lost during the recession may be gone forever and a weak employment market could linger for years.
http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20091020/BIZ/910200362/-1/nletter01/After-recession-eases–higher-jobless-rates-may-be-new-norm?source=nletter-news

Five Mississippi ports on the Tennessee Tombigbee Waterway feel their assets are being underutilized, and they have formed GROWPORTS in an effort to change that.
http://msbusiness.com/blog/2009/10/ports-pooling-marketing-efforts-with-growports/

The Mississippi World Trade Center 2009 Annual Meeting and Awards Luncheon will be held 11:30 to 1:00 on Thursday, November 12. Contact 601-353-0909 or aatkins@mswtc.org

MEDC Calendar:
November 17 – MEDC Regional Chamber Workshop, Newton, MS “Connecting With Your Members”- www.medc.ms
December 8 – MEDC Member-to-Member Seminar, Jackson, MS “Existing Industry & Business – A Fresh Approach” with Chandler Russ, Director, EIB Division, MDA

MEDC is Mississippi’s professional association of economic development and chamber of commerce professionals.

Economic Development News Week of October 19, 2009

medccarol — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 19:07:34 +0000

“Foreign direct investment has clearly played a major role in the economic development of the Mississippi Gulf Coast region, and I predict that it will manifest itself in a number of different ways in the years to come,” said George Freeland, executive director of the Jackson County Economic Development Foundation.
http://www.sunherald.com/business/story/1681952.html

In 2006, she heard of a chance to return to her home state, for a job at American Eurocopter, part of the EADS consortium, the European airplane and military equipment maker. EADS planned to build a second plant in Columbus, Miss., and make rescue helicopters for the United States Army. Ms. Ryan applied, was hired as a flight test engineer
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/18/business/18excerpt.html?_r=1

Jackson and Hattiesburg have made headway in battling the economic downturn and are among the best places in the nation to start a small business. CNNMoney.com lists the two cities among its 20 best midsized and small cities, respectively, to begin a small business, which the Web site defines as employing 1 to 49 people.
Clarion-Ledger article – http://tinyurl.com/yley2je
Hattiesburg – http://money.cnn.com/smallbusiness/best_places_launch/2009/snapshot/142.html
Jackson - http://money.cnn.com/smallbusiness/best_places_launch/2009/snapshot/157.html

Okolona-based United Furniture Industries will expand the company’s Okolona operations and adding at least 100 new jobs, company officials announced today.
http://tinyurl.com/yze7qoe

BlueFire Ethanol Fuels, Inc., a company focused on changing the world’s transportation fuel paradigm through the production of ethanol from non-food cellulosic wastes, has announced the strategic relocation of its second planned biorefinery to Fulton, Mississippi.
http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20091017/BIZ/910170338/1005

INFINITY will inspire young people, provide economic development and show the world how Mississippi and Louisiana “are involved in cutting-edge exploration from the bottom of the oceans to the far reaches of space.”
http://www.sunherald.com/local/story/1680964.html

On Oct. 14, the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) held events around the state for local economic developers during a nine-city rollout of the new PriorityOne program.
http://msbusiness.com/blog/2009/10/mda-introduces-priorityone-program/

Whit Hughes, MDA’s deputy director, told economic developers from Leflore County and surrounding areas at The Alluvian hotel that Priority One will be simpler and less expensive than previous efforts.
http://gwcommonwealth.com/articles/2009/10/15/news/top_stories/10152009news3.txt

Cellular South announced Friday its company’s planned acquisition of a regional Alabama wireless provider. The country’s largest privately owned wireless communications carrier said it plans to take over Corr Wireless . . .
http://msbusiness.com/blog/2009/10/cell-south-acquires-alabamas-corr-wireless/

Meridian Community College and Lockheed Martin began a partnership a year ago teaching basic aircraft assembly skills at the college’s new Workforce Training Center. . . . Green, along with 34 others that completed the training, was hired on at Lockheed Martin over the course of the last year, with a 100 percent retention rate.
http://waem.tmi.ms/Lockheed%20Martin%20MCC.html

Funding provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) has paved the way for numerous overlay projects in Northeast Mississippi.
http://msbusiness.com/blog/2009/10/road-projects-receive-stimulus-funds/

They are among 11 residential developments statewide that are splitting $4.3 million in credits awarded by the Mississippi Home Corp.
http://tinyurl.com/yj2pugb

The Enterprise for Innovative Geospatial Solutions (EIGS) housed at The University of Mississippi is pleased to release the economic impact data for Mississippi’s geospatial technology industry cluster for 2009. . . . Mississippi’s geospatial companies continue to create high paying, high technology jobs that are positively impacting the state’s economy.
http://news.gislounge.com/category/eigs/

Brian Wilson, chief economic development officer for Noxubee County, announces his departure from the Noxubee Alliance effective January 1, 2010.
http://tinyurl.com/yzuc4sb

The Mississippi Enterprise for Technology (MsET) has announced the installation of Dr. William A. Lewis, president of Pearl River Community College (PRCC), and Chandler Russ, director of the Mississippi Development Authority’s (MDA’s) Existing Industry and Business (EIB) Division, to its Board of Directors.
http://www.technologyalliance.ms/news-press/view.php?entryID=2955

Congratulations to Barbara Travis for placing 1st Runner-up at the 2009 Ms. Senior America pageant, which was held in Atlantic City October 4-8.
http://tinyurl.com/yzrjgqt and http://tinyurl.com/yjndtnc

Learning why graduates . . . leave the Pine Belt is the reason behind a recent Area Development Partnership survey of Southern Miss, William Carey University and Pearl River Community College students.
http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/article/20091013/NEWS01/910130321/1002

The metropolitan area (Memphis) has become one of the most important rail and intermodal centers in the country thanks to the intersection of five Class I railroads – BNSF Railway Co., Canadian National Railway Co., CSX Corp., Norfolk Southern Corp. and Union Pacific Corp.
http://www.memphisdailynews.com/editorial/Article.aspx?id=45343

The Mississippi Arts Commission (MAC) has introduced Arts Reinvestment Initiative (ARI) grants to non-profit organizations statewide to provide support for jobs in the arts that have been lost or are in jeopardy of elimination due to the current national economic downturn.
http://msbusiness.com/blog/2009/10/mac-offering-stimulus-funded-grants/

Mississippians have suddenly found themselves in the midst of emerging new technologies and energy options.
http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/article/20091014/OPINION01/910140302

The Mississippi Development Authority will host a series of workshops statewide to provide information about the State Energy Program (SEP) and Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program. These workshops are designed to educate city and county officials, as well as community and business leaders, about the opportunities available under both programs and to clarify the application processes.
http://www.mississippi.org/index.php?id=724

MEDC Calendar:
November 17 – MEDC Regional Chamber Workshop, Newton, MS “Connecting With Your Members” - Sponsored by Cellular South - Register now! – www.medc.ms
December 8 – MEDC Member-to-Member Seminar, Jackson, MS “Existing Industry & Business – A Fresh Approach” with Chandler Russ, Director, EIB Division, MDA

MEDC is Mississippi’s professional association of economic development and chamber of commerce professionals.

Chandler Russ to Speak December 8

medccarol — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 16:06:27 +0000

MEDC Member-to-Member Seminar Series

On December 8, MEDC continues its Member-to-Member Seminar Series in Jackson with “EXISTING INDUSTRY & BUSINESS – A FRESH APPROACH” with Chandler Russ, Director of the Existing Industry & Business Division at the Mississippi Development Authority. Russ will talk about the EIB Division’s programs and new items they have or may be proposing. 11:30 to 1:00 (lunch included) . $30 registration (advance registration required) . www.medc.ms – Bring a friend or business associate!

MEDC Regional Chamber Workshop Nov. 17

medccarol — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 16:04:58 +0000

MEDC Regional Chamber Workshop Series

On November 17 the MEDC Regional Chamber Workshop Series kicks off its 2009-2010 season with a new sponsor, Cellular South.

“CONNECTING WITH YOUR MEMBERS” will be held at the in Newton from 8:30 to 3:00. Speakers include Shane Moody, CEO of the Destin Area Chamber, Beth Stevens, Executive Director or the Greenwood-Leflore Chamber, and Chance McDavid, of the MSU MSCAT team. Topics include membership retention, membership sales, non-dues revenue, benefits of membership, boosting your membership using social media, and MSU’s First Impressions Program. Thanks to the sponsorship of Cellular South, registration costs are very low – only $25 for MEDC members and $40 for non-members.

“We are pleased to sponsor this MEDC Chamber Workshop Series in Newton, with its first-class speakers, and in the spring in Tupelo, to provide valuable training not only for MEDC members, but also for those in smaller communities who may not be able to attend the large conferences. This is a real service being provided by MEDC for local volunteers and staff of chambers of commerce,” remarked John Casey, Business Development Manager for Cellular South.

More information and registration is at www.medc.ms.

Please tell others about this valuable training!

Economic Development News Week of October 12 2009

medccarol — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 16:02:34 +0000

Jackson County economic development officials must sense that the stars are aligned for a $2 billion energy project in Moss Point.
http://tinyurl.com/yh9×526

Of Mississippians unemployed in July, 16,600 gained jobs in August, putting the state’s jobless rate below the national average of 9.6 percent.
http://tinyurl.com/yb5nzsq

ProVia’s ownership since has sold the operation; Exterior Profiles Corp. is assuming outdoor fence, deck and home products production at the site, creating 34 jobs, said Wilson, who reports company officials hope to employ more than 100 people, “as the market recovers.”
http://www.cdispatch.com/news/article.asp?aid=3192

GreenTech Automotive, Inc. unveiled plans Tuesday to develop and manufacture hybrid, fuel-efficient automobiles on 1,500 acres in Tunica County’s Metro-Mega-site, with an option to purchase more land as needed. The initial phase of the project is estimated to cost $1 billion and provide 1,500 jobs locally, according to company officials.
http://tinyurl.com/yau2fxm and http://tinyurl.com/y9ozwza

Swoope and his team were ready for downturn and have reacted with more business for state. Mississippi has made significant gains in economic development despite facing the effects of a national recession, Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) officials said.
http://msbusiness.com/blog/2009/10/mississippi-making-significant-strides/

Pearl native founded company that designs wireless sensor systems that drive down power consumption. Following his education, he worked in Washington, D.C., but Butler said he always had a desire to return to Mississippi, and in 2006, he founded Camgian in Starkville.
http://msbusiness.com/blog/2009/10/camgian-seizes-on-opportunity/

Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) played a key role in the successful launch of a United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket for The Boeing Company today from Space Launch Complex 2W at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., carrying DigitalGlobe’s WorldView-2 commercial satellite… The 10-foot diameter composite payload fairing, encapsulating the payload, was fabricated by ATK’s Iuka, Mississippi facility.
http://tinyurl.com/yhp3rn8

Entergy Corporation is the only energy company included in BusinessWeek magazine’s 2009 “Best Places to Launch Your Career” ranking.
http://tinyurl.com/yj34cyw

The City of Tupelo and the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality will be recognized nationally next month at the National Brownfields Conference for turning an environmentally contaminated area into the popular downtown Fairpark District.
http://tinyurl.com/ydahdxq

A public hearing is set for Oct. 29 before the Mississippi Public Service Commission to increase the Claiborne County plant’s capacity to 1,443 megawatts, which would make it the nation’s largest single reactor.
http://www.vicksburgpost.com/articles/2009/10/08/news/doc4ace0c6e5708d778634565.txt

Biloxi-Gulfport, Pascagoula and Mobile, Ala. are all attracting new companies and business investment. http://www.nola.com/business/index.ssf/2009/10/economic_outlook_for_new_orlea.html

The Link plans to unveil a master plan for the aerospace megasite Oct. 19 at 10 a.m. at East Mississippi Community College, Higgins said. There, citizens can see just what engineers, the Tennessee Valley Authority and others involved with the project have in mind.
http://www.cdispatch.com/news/article.asp?aid=3187

After more than two decades of states racing each other for one economic prize after another, the Tennessee Valley Authority launched a program in 2004 that streamlined the giant industrial site-selection process — for communities looking for new jobs and for companies looking for sites to build on. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/oct/11/mega-impact/

Mississippi Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney says he should decide soon whether State Farm can boost homeowners’ rates in three coastal counties.
http://tinyurl.com/ycweuj4

John Turner, director of economic development for Entergy Mississippi, said there’s still “hurt and pain” in the state’s economy. He said businesses that shelved projects are showing interest and beginning to call again.
http://tinyurl.com/ylc8m7y

MDA will be hosting a renewable energy workshop this month in Vicksburg. A webinar focusing on the energy-related stimulus opportunities available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) will be held on Tuesday, October 13, at 10 a.m. The full Energy Awareness Calendar is on the website:
http://www.mississippi.org/index.php?id=732

The Mississippi Economic Development Council presents its MEDC Regional Chamber Workshop Series on Tuesday, November 17 in Newton. Speakers include Shane Moody, CEO of the Destin Area Chamber, Beth Stevens, Executive Director or the Greenwood-Leflore Chamber, Chance McDavid, of the MSU MSCAT team. Topics include membership retention, membership sales, non-dues revenue, benefits of membership, boosting your membership using social media, and the First Impressions Program. www.medc.ms

The Mississippi District Export Council presents Export University – Export 101 – An Introduction to Exporting, Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at the Franklin Furniture Institute at MSU.
http://tinyurl.com/yjmbos7

The Mississippi Technology Alliance (MTA) will offer the Venture Coaching Academy in online and in-person classes beginning November 10, 2009. MTA President and CEO Dr. Randy Goldsmith will lead workshops, webinars and independent study focused on preparing companies for private investment. The one-of-a-kind curriculum addresses the business development needs of high performance entrepreneurs, university-based incubator and tech park directors and experienced managers at general purpose incubators serving innovation-based companies. Call 601-960-3610 or email sgaines@mta.ms.

MEDC Calendar:
November 17 – MEDC Regional Chamber Workshop, Newton, MS “Connecting With Your Members”- www.medc.ms
December 8 – MEDC Member-to-Member Seminar, Jackson, MS “Existing Industry & Business – A Fresh Approach” with Chandler Russ, Director, EIB Division, MDA

MEDC is Mississippi’s professional association of economic development and chamber of commerce professionals.

Economic Development News Week of October 5, 2009

medccarol — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 21:27:32 +0000

Mississippi Power needs permission to acquire, build and operate the plant and associated transmission and gas pipeline facilities and obtains rights-of-way in Kemper, Lauderdale, Clarke, and Jasper Counties.
http://tinyurl.com/y8z7k9y

Gov. Haley Barbour’s office has announced he’s in Malaysia today for one stop on an Asian economic development trip expected to take him to Singapore and Japan.
http://tinyurl.com/yb2oo9p

Working since June with a consortium of 41 Mississippi counties currently under-served with the technology, officials with the Noxubee Economic and Community Development Alliance have launched an initiative to provide high-speed Internet access to all residents of Noxubee County.
http://www.cdispatch.com/news/article.asp?aid=3097

City View Condominiums opened a little more than a week ago. The condos at 827 N. State St. are the latest addition to downtown’s burgeoning market of historic residential renovations. . . . “From a tax base standpoint, having a quality, renovated facility back on the tax base is better than a rundown and vacant facility,” said Benjie Barham, director of business development with Hinds County Economic Development District.
http://tinyurl.com/y8h6ehy

A proposed $2.2 billion Mississippi Power plant that would convert lignite coal into electricity has the potential to bring about 300 jobs to a county with a population around 10,000 and an unemployment rate of 10.6 percent.
http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20091001/BIZ/910010357/1005

The U.S. Small Business Administration is extending its Gulf Opportunity Pilot Loan program through Sept. 30, 2010.
http://tinyurl.com/ykq2uvz

Steel Summit Holdings Inc. celebrated today the grand opening of its new division, Vicksmetal Company, at a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Vicksburg.
http://www.mississippi.org/index.php?id=733

For Kay Olliver, manager of the Greater Belhaven Market, a farmers market is much more than just a place to buy fresh veggies. “It provides a gathering space, a space for our neighbors to come together in a local market and bring their children and bring their dogs,” she said of the market, which is marking its eighth year in the Belhaven neighborhood of Jackson.
http://tinyurl.com/y8qwvuw

Gov. Haley Barbour said Thursday that dismal September revenues probably mean the state budget faces deeper cuts.
http://tinyurl.com/ygnhqb2

A free Tuesday [Oct. 6] online seminar will explore the possibilities and capabilities of various communication technology applications that are available for businesses to market their brands and communicate with potential customers and others. Interested individuals should contact Debbie Miller at MSU at dmiller@cfr.msstate.edu or 662-325-6787.

MEDC Calendar:
November 17 – MEDC Regional Chamber Workshop, Newton, MS “Connecting With Your Members”
December 8 – MEDC Member-to-Member Seminar, Jackson, MS “Existing Industry & Business – A Fresh Approach” with Chandler Russ, Director, EIB Division, MDA

MEDC is Mississippi’s professional association of economic development and chamber of commerce professionals.

Economic Development News – September 28, 2009

medccarol — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 16:32:35 +0000

Terry Fales, director of the Calhoun Economic Development Association (CEDA), updated Bruce Chamber members on the industrial prospects for the future in the county at Monday’s chamber meeting.
http://tinyurl.com/nwchrg

Nearly a year after finding itself on the chopping block, the Cooper Tire and Rubber plant in Tupelo is adding room and more jobs. On Tuesday, plant officials and employees, joined by local and state leaders, broke ground on a 32,000-square-foot expansion. The approximately $7 million project also could add as many as 150 employees to the 1,250-worker plant.
http://tinyurl.com/mqcpoz

U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke has announced a $2 million Economic Development Administration grant to the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College District of Perkinston. The school will use the money to help build a Hospitality and Resort Management Center, which is expected to create 636 jobs.
http://tinyurl.com/lm88co

Jimmy Heidel, an economic development consultant, says a turnaround can start with what’s already there -large, vacant buildings that could be the home to one or more businesses or converted into residential space.
http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20090927/NEWS/909270361/1001

Anyone who tried to rent a home in Pearl River County after Hurricane Katrina was probably met with the soaring cost of rent, but recent efforts by the Mississippi Development Authority are starting to reverse that trend.
http://www.picayuneitem.com/local/local_story_269221131.html

The Jones County Board of Supervisors have completed the $3.65 million sale of Recovery Zone Economic Development Bonds (RZEDB), making Jones County the first municipal debt issuer to take advantage of the Recovery Zone Economic Development allowance.
http://www.leadercall.com/local/local_story_269110410.html

A $1.1 million economic development grant will be used to build a railroad spur line that will service the expansion of Newly Weds Foods in Horn Lake.
http://tinyurl.com/ycrkogs

A new license plate supporting the Mississippi Blues Trail will be available soon.
http://tinyurl.com/ydnv27j

Pragmatism helped Toyota become successful, and author David Magee says it’s pragmatism that will allow the Japanese automaker to open its Blue Springs production plant eventually. Magee, who wrote “How Toyota Became No. 1,” said new leadership at Toyota has…
http://tinyurl.com/nw2lxh

As the restructuring of city tourism operations continues, the Oxford Tourism Council has effectively split the department’s top job into two.
http://www.oxfordeagle.com/news2.html

Construction has begun on the $2.2 million Front Beach path project in Ocean Springs. Funding is through a Community Development Block Grant and hurricane replacement costs from Federal Highway Emergency Relief Funds. “We have had a great deal of public input on this project, and the Board of Aldermen and I are glad to see this project underway,” said Mayor Connie Moran.
http://msbusiness.com/blog/2009/09/ocean-springs-turns-dirt-on-beach-project/

A $3,000 grant to the Mississippi Arts Commission’s Heritage Program will bring in a consultant to evaluate two key folk art sites in the state.
http://tinyurl.com/yb9bopf

Entergy is developing a 170-megawatt nuclear unit in Mississippi, he (Gary Taylor of Entergy) notes. “For America, someone has to build the first one. Americans do feel that it [nuclear energy] needs to be part of the solution, but they have to see that this industry can deliver a new unit on time and on budget. People still remember what happened in the 1970s.”
http://www.siteselection.com/ssinsider/special/Cleaner-Energy-Future.htm

A $19.4-million grant has been awarded to the Mississippi Wireless Communication Commission to help build the Mississippi Wireless Integrated Network, an interoperable wireless network for first responders.
http://msbusiness.com/blog/2009/09/commission-awarded-grant-for-wireless-network/

The Arkansas Economic Development Commission offered incentive packages to 170 companies in 2008 and signed agreements with 95 of them, the commission’s annual activity report reveals.
http://www.arkansasbusiness.com/article.aspx?aid=0.0.129653

You are invited to join the Mississippi Council on Economic Education for the sixth annual U.S. Senator Thad Cochran Forum on American Enterprise on Wednesday, November 18, 2009, with keynote speaker Patrick K. Barron, First Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, and State Treasurer Tate Reeves.
http://www.mscee.org/

The Enterprise for Innovative Geospatial Solutions (EIGS) housed at The University of Mississippi is pleased to partner this year with the Mississippi Technology Alliance (MTA) to present the Tenth Annual Conference on High Technology which is taking place November 18-19, 2009, at the Jackson Convention Complex in Jackson, MS.
http://www.directionsmag.com/press.releases/index.php?duty=Show&id=37896

MEDC Calendar:
September 30 – Deadline for nominations for Governor’s Awards for Excellence in Exporting – http://www.buyusa.gov/jackson/
November 17 – MEDC Regional Chamber Workshop, Newton, MS “Connecting With Your Members”
December 8 – MEDC Member-to-Member Seminar, Jackson, MS “Existing Industry & Business – A Fresh Approach” with Chandler Russ, Director, EIB Division, MDA

Governor’s Awards for Excellence in Exporting 2009

medccarol — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 22:25:51 +0000

This year MEDC will join with the Mississippi District Export Council (MSDEC), the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Export Assistance Center (MS USEAC), the Mississippi Development Authority and the Mississippi World Trade Center in sponsoring the Governor’s Awards for Excellence in Exporting to recognize one or more Mississippi firms for noteworthy success in maintaining or increasing export sales.

One of the brightest economic indicators in Mississippi is found in our success at exporting manufactured goods and services to international markets. Statistics show that the value of Mississippi exports has grown every year since 2003, most years in double digits percentages.

Firms selected to receive this award represent role models for excellence in international business. In addition, this award provides an opportunity to build public support for international business activity by Mississippi firms. And it is a great way to recognize businesses in your area.

Mississippi-based manufacturers, agri-businesses, service companies or suppliers engaged in exporting products or services are eligible to apply. Nominated applicants should demonstrate one or more of the following:
-breakthroughs in existing competitive markets
-introduction of a new product into export trade
-opening a trade area previously closed
-successfully overcoming threats to their existing export activity.

Unique and successful solutions to problems of export trade, such as financing, transportation; marketing or successful promotional programs should also be demonstrated.

Firms will be grouped into four categories: Small (<500), Medium/Large (>500), and by Manufacturer and Service Provider. Nominations will be evaluated by the Mississippi District Export Council’s Awards Committee.

Representatives of the winning firms and the local nominating entities will be recognized at the 2009 Mississippi World Trade Center’s Awards Luncheon to be held Thursday, November 12, 2009 at the Country Club of Jackson, Jackson, Mississippi. All winners — leaders from the business and the local nominating entity – must be present to receive the award.

The Nomination Form, Instructions for Nomination and additional information can be downloaded at http://www.buyusa.gov/jackson/

All nominations must be received in the Mississippi Export Assistance Center Office no later than 5:00 PM Wednesday, September 30, 2009. Nominations received after the deadline will not be considered.

Mail to:
Carol Moore, Director
U.S. Department of Commerce
Mississippi Export Assistance Center
175 East Capitol Street, Suite 255
Jackson, MS 39201

Or email your nomination to carol.moore@mail.doc.gov
Or fax to (601) 965-4132.

For assistance or questions, contact

Carol Moore, Director
Mississippi Export Assistance Center
Carol.Moore@mail.doc.gov
(601) 965-4130

or
Jessica Gordon, International Trade Specialist
Mississippi Export Assistance Center
Jessica.Gordon@mail.doc.gov
(601) 965-4133

Economic Development News – September 21, 2009

medccarol — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 17:19:39 +0000

Financial experts say there are signs we’ve reached the bottom of the recession’s economic fall and the rebound has started or is nearing. A national research group has named Jackson among the strongest performing metro markets where month-to-month tax losses are less severe and job losses not as steep as they have been.
http://tinyurl.com/mdeorr

Six months after its official opening, the Jackson County Small Business Incubator is nurturing eight enterprises and training dozens more potential business owners.
http://tinyurl.com/qaem6y

An aerospace park planned for property around the Golden Triangle Regional Airport will be marketed internationally once several pieces of the project are in place, an economic development official said. Joe Higgins, CEO of the Columbus-Lowndes Development Link, says that …
http://www.starkvilledailynews.com/content/view/170983/1/
http://www.cdispatch.com/news/article.asp?aid=2943

A year after its opening, the B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center has drawn about 30,000 visitors to the Mississippi Delta town roughly 100 miles northwest of Jackson where the Grammy-winning singer/songwriter/guitarist once made his living on a cotton plantation.
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/2009-09-16-bb-king-museum_N.htm

Business and economic development professionals will gather Oct. 6 at Millsaps College to discuss “What Does Our Economic Future Hold?” The economy will be the focus of the Else School of Management Fall Forum 2009. Discussing the topic will be Ben Allen, president of Downtown Jackson Partners; Thomas J. Cunningham, vice president and associate director of research for the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta; and John H. Turner, director of economic development for Entergy Mississippi.
http://tinyurl.com/lg2987

Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) announced the release of more than $14.1 million in federal funding to advance high-tech research and development in Mississippi with the objective of creating more jobs for the state.
http://msbusiness.com/blog/2009/09/federal-money-coming-for-high-tech-rd/

U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke today announced a $1.1 million Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant to the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians in Choctaw, Miss., to help renovate an industrial facility in the Choctaw TechParc. The project is expected to create 220 jobs and generate $1.9 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.
http://msbusiness.com/blog/2009/09/eda-gives-jobs-grant-to-choctaw/

Economic development leaders here (Vicksburg, Warren County) have been pushing for more regional undertakings to benefit all job-seekers in west central Mississippi and northeast Louisiana (editorial).
http://tinyurl.com/km4ok5

As Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour and others reiterated to the delegates from 12 states and Puerto Rico, industrial development choices often can hinge on transportation infrastructure choices made years before.
http://www.siteselection.com/ssinsider/snapshot/moving-and-Not.htm

U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan has named four Mississippi public schools as “Blue Ribbon Schools.”
http://www.wreg.com/sns-ap-ms–blueribbonschools,0,391020.story

Hancock officials expect 2010 to mark big return of small business…
Hancock Chamber director Tish Williams said a flurry of restaurants has opened throughout the county, and she released a census of businesses that have “made the grade and then some” during the hurricane recovery process.
http://www.southmississippi.biz/news/article.php?id=00151&vol=07

Site Selection magazine has named the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and Entergy Corporation two of the Top Utilities of 2008. Mississippi Power received an honorable mention.
http://msbusiness.com/blog/2009/09/utilities-named-tops-by-site-selection/

If anyone in Jackson is unaware of the stakes facing the city in terms of overall economic development, downtown redevelopment and the need to grow urban residential opportunity, take a look around the city – then look at your metro neighbors in Rankin County.
http://tinyurl.com/lfdhdx

Economic development officials in Ascension Parish say a company is looking at a Mississippi River site for a $2 billion plant that could bring in 300 jobs.
http://www.pddnet.com/news-ap-officials-company-looking-at-ascension-parish-091509/

Southern Illinois leaders take center stage on issues of health care and economic recovery starting Tuesday during the annual meeting of the Mississippi Delta Grassroots Caucus in Washington, D.C. . . . focusing on health care reform and economic recovery for Mississippi Delta region from Southern Illinois to New Orleans.
http://tinyurl.com/nz2v6v

Economic Development Now - IEDC’s Federal Update Newsletter

MEDC is Mississippi’s professional association of economic development and chamber of commerce professionals.