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Mississippi Economic Development News – Week of November 8, 2010
Mississippi Economic Development News – Week of November 8, 2010
Mark your calendars now for the MEDC Member-to-Member Seminar
Tuesday, December 14, 2010 . 11:30 – 1:00
“Coopertition” -The New Strategy for Working Together
Speakers: Gray Swoope, Executive Director, Mississippi Development Authority and
Neal Wade, Senior Vice President, Economic Development, The St. Joe Company, Florida (former Alabama Development Office executive director)
Lafayette County will get 1,000 new jobs over the next five years when one of its largest employers relocates some of its out-of-state operations to Mississippi.
http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20101104/BIZ/11040350/-1/nletter01/Oxford-area-to-get-1K-new-jobs?source=nletter-news
A New Jersey-based company that manufactures green oil spill cleanup products is locating its headquarters in Greenville. Marcus Young with the Delta Economic Development Center said Ganti liked the idea of manufacturing green products in a town called Greenville.
http://msbusiness.com/blog/2010/11/oil-spill-cleanup-company-will-locate-in-greenville/
A four-state alliance of public and private entities calling itself “Gulf Coast Economy: Ready 4 Takeoff Coalition” introduced itself locally Thursday at the Knight Nonprofit Center in Gulfport.
http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2010/11/coalition_targets_economic_dev.html
(Chandler) Russ, executive director of Natchez, Inc., said that competitiveness is one thing he will use to grow the economic footprint of Natchez and Adams County.
http://www.istockanalyst.com/article/viewiStockNews/articleid/4646448
With a fledgling biofuels company set to open three plants in Mississippi in the next five years, the state’s tree supply could become a valuable alternative-fuel source.
http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20101030/BIZ/10300324/1263/RSS
Two special elections pending in north Mississppi. Potential candidates were weighing their options Wednesday as Gov. Haley Barbour prepared to call special elections for the state Transportation Commission and the state Senate.
NEMS360.com – News, Business, Classifieds, and Events in Northeast Mississippi
Ohr-O’Keefe opening “almost a miracle.” Cutting the ribbon were (Frank) Gehry, (Jerry) O’Keefe and Biloxi Mayor A.J. Holloway.
http://www.sunherald.com/2010/11/06/2617403/ohr-okeefe-opening-almost-a-miracle.html#ixzz14hzW511C
The Southern Growth Policies Board’s 2010 Report on the Future of the South offers ideas for economic development in the South. The report, The Road to Recovery is Named Main Street, highlights creative initiatives in the region that aim to help communities recover from the recession.
Click here to download the 2010 Report on the Future of the South
Trudy Featherston has been named interim executive director of the Booneville Area Chamber of Commerce and Booneville Main Street Association.
http://msbusiness.com/blog/2010/11/featherston-named-chambers-interim-leader/
MEDC Scholarship Period Open October 1 – November 15, 2010 to MEDC members for professional development courses offered in 2011. This is the last full week of the open period. Don’t delay!
www.medc.ms
The Economic Development News is a weekly service provided to members of the Mississippi Economic Development Council (MEDC), Mississippi’s state association of economic development and chamber of commerce professionals – www.medc.ms
MEDC calendar:
November 15 – All Scholarship applications due in MEDC office
Member-to-Member Seminar . December 14 . Jackson
2011 MEDC Winter Conference . February 2 – 4 . Jackson
2011 MEDC Summer Conference . July 13 – 15 . Biloxi
Carol Hardwick, CAE, Executive Director
Mississippi Economic Development Council (MEDC)
P. O. Box 3721, Jackson, MS 39207
www.medc.ms
Mississippi Economic Development News Week of January 4, 2010
The MEDC Winter Conference “REINVENTING, RENEWING, REFOCUSING DURING CHALLENGING TIMES” is February 3-5. Registration information is at www.medc.ms.
With the recession showing signs of ebbing, Gulf of Mexico ports hope hundreds of millions of dollars in expansion projects proposed before the downturn will help them capture more trade as the world economy recovers.
http://tinyurl.com/yzggcwb
Alan Bates, Choctaw County Economic Development director, said Raven Biofuels is considering the EcoPlex as a prime candidate for a facility.
http://tinyurl.com/ylpj8wx
Mississippi gained an estimated 11,784 new citizens in 2009, according to a newly released Census Bureau report that sets the state population at 2,951,996 for the fiscal year ending June 30,
http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20091223/NEWS/91223006/-1/Nletter03/Miss.-loses-and-gains-in-population-?source=nletter-news
Gagliano’s little restaurant is one of five new businesses opened in Wesson throughout 2009, one of the most successful years for economic development the town has experienced in quite some time.
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=20398952&BRD=1377&PAG=461&dept_id=172922&rfi=6
Grenada County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Phillip Heard is to be commended for his devotion to his job and his community, even in the timing of his planned retirement.
http://www.grenadastar.com/v2/content.aspx?module=ContentItem&ID=160725&MemberID=1218
South Mississippi will see major developments and milestones in 2010. http://www.sunherald.com/pageone/story/1838913.html
The past few months have offered some signs of life, according to Jay Moon, president and CEO of the Mississippi Manufacturers Association.
http://tinyurl.com/y8merjv
The Brookhaven Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce is a center for changes in the city and the county, and now it’s starting to change a little itself.
http://tinyurl.com/yeqxpk4
Mississippi Main Street confident heading into a new year
http://tinyurl.com/ydbbls5
(Natchez-Adams Chamber President Debbie) Hudson said specifically the restructuring of the economic development authority, the recreation movement and promoting regionalism will be key focuses in the coming year.
http://tinyurl.com/yddo99l
Outgoing Clinton Chamber of Commerce President Nolan Aikens – One of the chamber’s main goals for 2009 was to help Clinton become more visible so that when the economy turns, we will be on the radar screen for businesses and others.
http://tinyurl.com/yerduu7
My administration, while focused on this critical legislative session, will continue to pursue job creation and economic development as top priority.
http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20100103/OPINION03/1030302/1046/OPINION
(Ocean Springs) Mayor Connie Moran told board members earlier this month that a new Economic Development Council would work as an ad-hoc committee on behalf of the city to attract new business and enhance the local economy.
http://www.sunherald.com/local/story/1838921.html
The 99th Mississippi Blues Trail marker will be dedicated Wednesday at the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in Tuscumbia.
http://tinyurl.com/ybxas8x
The MDA has received $9.6 million to administer the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program and will distribute $175,000 to counties and $100,000 to municipalities.
http://www.starkvilledailynews.com/content/view/189571/60/
Tax on soda. The representative (John Mayo) would like to see the money go to the Department of Health, Department of Education and the Mississippi Development Authority.
http://www.wlox.com/Global/story.asp?S=11760268
Golfweek’s 40 Best Casino Courses includes six in Mississippi
http://tinyurl.com/y8ce9we
Southaven Dining Tax Could Feed Tourism
http://tinyurl.com/y9dpbzd
Here in Mississippi, experts predict that the state will begin a turnaround as well in 2010. Again, it is expected to be a slow and shaky one.
http://tinyurl.com/yedpnwe
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 December 14, 2009
Great Southern Wood Preserving Inc. is moving at break-neck speed to open a pair of facilities in the heart of Brookhaven and hire 15 to 20 employees by Feb. 1… “When you have a prospect of that kind of notoriety, that’s the kind of industry we want in Lincoln County,” said Brookhaven-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce Executive Vice President Cliff Brumfield.
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=20394107&BRD=1377&PAG=461&dept_id=172922&rfi=6
In a letter, Barbour informed the Mississippi Legislature that Severstal repaid a $10 million loan for infrastructure development to the state four years ahead of schedule.
http://msbusiness.com/blog/2009/12/severstal-makes-early-loan-pay-back/
Tim Mood, VP of Economic Development, Electric Power Associations of Mississippi, was awarded the 2009 Rural Economic Development Leadership Award by Awards Chairman Dennis Mingyar.
In terms of estimated number of new jobs created, Harrison County ranks first with 1,774, followed by Tishomingo County (725 jobs) and Adams County (445 jobs). In 2009, Hinds County led the state in the number of new and expanded facilities announced at 32. Rankin County was second with 18 and Forrest County and Harrison County both had 15.
http://msbusiness.com/blog/2009/12/recession-cuts-projects-by-more-than-half/
In the first meeting to discuss the creation of a private funding source for local economic development, the group loosely dubbed, “Natchez Now” met at Regions Bank with a little more than 50 people present.
http://www.natchezdemocrat.com/news/2009/dec/10/business-owners-talk-private-economic-development-/
The White House announced the president’s plans to nominate Marilyn A. Brown for one of two vacant seats on the nine-member Tennessee Valley Authority board.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hSAfykJ65dLgtGN0MULu9vQJTe0QD9CGP51O0
People wanting to start a business or generate more profit in an existing one can participate in a seminar series the Mississippi State University Extension Service is providing through an entrepreneurial network.
http://msbusiness.com/blog/2009/12/extension-to-offer-nxlevel-program/
MEDC 2010 Winter Conference . February 3-5 . Hilton . Jackson
“Reinventing Renewing Refocusing During Challenging Times”
Registration is now open – www.medc.ms – for registration information.
A block of rooms at the Hilton is being held until January 3, 2010.
Sponsors – sign up now to have your weblink on the MEDC Conference registration info page.
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 December 7, 2009
General Atomics’ Electromagnetic Systems Division (GA-EMS), manufacturer of advanced linear motors for electromagnetic aircraft launching systems (EMALS), has broken ground on its phase IV, 50,000-square-foot expansion at its 72,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Shannon. The project will create at least 20 new jobs.
http://msbusiness.com/blog/2009/12/another-expansion-underway-at-ga-ems/
Forbes.com has rated Jackson the third best “bang-for-the-buck” city out of the 100 largest metropolitan areas in the country.
http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/static/jfpdaily120209.php and
http://www.forbes.com/2009/11/30/cities-affordable-cheap-lifestyle-real-estate-housing-foreclosures.html?partner=forbeslife_newsletter
Forbes.com has rated Jackson the 42nd America’s Fastest-Recovering Cities
http://www.forbes.com/2009/11/19/cities-recovery-unemployment-lifestyle-real-estate-top-ten-chart.html
Five ports on the Tenn-Tom in Northeast Mississippi have launched the joint initiative to boost awareness and traffic on the waterway. Called “GROWPORTS…
http://www.allbusiness.com/transportation/transportation-infrastructure-harbors-ports/13457191-1.html
To help meet Mississippi’s growing energy needs and stabilize rising electricity costs, Entergy Mississippi, Inc. has announced that the Mississippi Public Service Commission approved plans for a major upgrade to the Grand Gulf Nuclear Station in Port Gibson, Mississippi.
http://nuclearstreet.com/blogs/nuclear_power_news/archive/2009/12/03/entergy-mississippi-announces-grand-gulf-nuclear-plant-upgrade-plans-12031.aspx
John Hendrix, director of economic development for the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, has been installed as the 2010 Mississippi World Trade Center president.
The 2009 Governor’s Award for Excellence in Exporting was presented at the Mississippi World Trade Center’s Annual Meeting and International Business Awards Luncheon. The company was nominated by Larry Barnett, Executive Director, Harrison County Development Commission.
http://www.sunherald.com/business/story/1789162.html
Lyn Arnold, president and CEO of the Tunica County Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Foundation, said Friday that she hopes the company can work out its private financing.
http://tinyurl.com/y9ehyae
Advantage Capital Partners and its small business lending division BizCapital provided Mississippi New Markets Development program financing to Capturion Network, LLC, an innovative company which sells, installs and services digital scoreboards for sports and entertainment venues nationwide.
http://www.yachtchartersmagazine.com/node/1210909
The City of Horn Lake has secured all of the funds needed for a multi-million-dollar project benefiting a local business. …The city would be taking advantage of a $520,000 interest-free loan through the Mississippi Development Authority’s Freight Rail Program.
http://www.desototimes.com/articles/2009/12/02/news/local/doc4b1716adb9812991890447.txt
The EDA would be known as either Natchez Economic Development Corporation or Natchez Inc., a $380,000 per year marketing enterprise funded by Adams County, the City of Natchez and private investors.
http://www.natchezdemocrat.com/news/2009/dec/05/new-eda-plan-unveiled/
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has approved the State of Mississippi’s plan for a residential rebate program for the purchase of ENERGY STAR-rated appliances. The Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) will administer the rebate program, which is expected to launch in Spring 2010.
www.mississippi.org/appliance
Toyota is now denying the Nikkei report. Spokeswoman Barbara McDaniel tells the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal that “nothing is decided” but that the company remains committed to opening the Blue Springs facility.
http://msbusiness.com/blog/2009/12/toyota-denies-blue-springs-reports/
The Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) has awarded 25 grants in the first round of the Mississippi Job Protection through Energy Economic Development Program.
http://msbusiness.com/blog/2009/12/stimulus-funded-grants-awarded-by-mda/
Residents in Kemper County were able, for the last time, to gather and voice their concerns or issues over the proposed $2.2 billion lignite coal plant Mississippi Power is planning to build.
http://www.meridianstar.com/local/local_story_336005408.html
Chad Newell, the Meridian native will return to Hattiesburg to serve as the new president of Area Development Partnership.
http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/article/20091124/NEWS01/91124011/USM-alum-chosen-as-new-ADP-president and
http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/article/20091125/NEWS01/911250332
The Madison County Chamber of Commerce has a new executive director.
http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20091202/BIZ/91202017/-1/Nletter03/Madison-County-chamber-has-new-chief?source=nletter-news
Jackson County residents give input on plans for old IP plant. The company presentation also touched on economic development, including a $2 billion local investment, 1,000 construction jobs for up to four years, 177 full-time jobs and about $70 million per year spent locally on salaries and purchasing.
http://www.sunherald.com/local/story/1781858.html
While the economic problems of the Mississippi River Delta region are long-standing and complex, there is hope for the region and it lies directly under our feet. Simply put, the bioeconomy is an economic engine based around the utilization of plant-based materials in a wide variety of bio-based products, including chemicals, plastics and biofuels.
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/nov/29/guest-column-ailing-delta-can-take-lead-in-ag-to/
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.
Mississippi Economic Development News – May 18, 2009
Land: Eminent domain law works – The political debate over eminent domain laws in Mississippi reached fever pitch in 2009 as part of the national backlash against a U.S. Supreme Court ruling expanding government authority to take private land. Yet, the fact remains that Mississippi’s current eminent domain laws have withstood the tests of time and trial. http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20090510/OPINION01/905100324/1008/OPINION/Land++Eminent+domain+law+works
The Daily Journal asked (Dr. Phil) Pepper, state economist for Mississippi and assistant commissioner of research and planning for the State Institutions of Higher Learning, about his outlook for the state and national economy, which has been in a recession since December 2007.
http://tinyurl.com/ogtxkf
Tate County Economic Development Foundation Executive Director Janie Mortimer said, “Rail service is an asset to the community in economic development. We look forward to working with the new owners of this rail line to ensure that our current industries will continue to have a high level of service.”
http://tinyurl.com/ouweaq
A letter sent to the Mississippi Development Authority Friday could be bringing assistance to the Natchez-Adams Economic Development Authority. EDA Chairman Woody Allen said the letter, which was sent from the Natchez-Adams Chamber of Commerce’s economic development committee and EDA, asked representatives from the MDA to come to Natchez to meet with local leaders to find ways to improve the local EDA.
http://tinyurl.com/qrxxa9
Brookhaven-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce Executive Vice President Cliff Brumfield said the acquisition of the 66-mile line by Natchez Railway, LLC – an affiliate of Utah-based A&K Railroad Materials, Inc. – could translate into enhanced development options for Linbrook in the future. The line was recently sold to Natchez Railway by Canadian National Railway, which sold a total of 252 miles of track in Mississippi.
http://tinyurl.com/p9gyh4
Few will question the fact that Mississippi is the birthplace of America’s music, and Tuesday Governor Haley Barbour unveiled new highway welcome signs highlighting that part of the magnolia state’s identity.
http://www.wlbt.com/Global/story.asp?S=10350815&nav=2CSf
The city’s Visitors and Convention Council became alarmed last month when hotel tax revenues were down more than $25,000 compared to the same time last year. But Jon Maynard, president and CEO of the Greater Starkville Development Partnership, said he has talked with the State Tax Commission and the problem has been discovered.
http://www.cdispatch.com/news/article.asp?aid=1434
HEIDELBERG — Things are growing in this Jasper County town and the results can be seen in site work being done near Interstate 59. Developers anticipate that a hotel and strip mall will be built in the Town of Heidelberg within the next year.
http://www.leadercall.com/local/local_story_131225908.html
Gov. Haley Barbour and the Mississippi Development Authority will hold a China trade forum in Jackson on May 21.
http://www.wxvt.com/Global/story.asp?S=10344580
A “First Impressions” team from the Mississippi State University Community Action Team visited Weir in November 2008 to observe the town from a visitor’s viewpoint.
http://tinyurl.com/p8nglb
Partnerships were on the mind of William Walker, executive director of the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources, as the two-day Coastal Development Strategies Conference opened here Tuesday at the IP Casino, Resort and Spa.
http://tinyurl.com/qb9fgr
Lamar County is the only school district in the state to develop and incorporate economic lesson plans for all grade levels in multiple subject areas. The plan was developed last year with help from the Mississippi Council on Economic Education, a nonprofit group promoting economic education.
http://tinyurl.com/qb9fgr
A new tenant is preparing to move into Leflore County’s business incubator.
http://gwcommonwealth.com/articles/2009/05/12/news/top_stories/05122009news01.txt
As Hartley Peavey surveys the economic climate on his company’s 44th birthday, the music-industry magnate is holding fast to the core principles that earned his company the loyalty of a global customer base.
http://www.meridianstar.com/features/local_story_136232651.html?keyword=topstory
Mississippi has moved up the ranks of bicycle-friendly states from 47th to 24th in just one year, the League of American Bicyclists announced last week.
http://www.oxfordeagle.com/news3.html
July 22 – 24 – MEDC Summer Conference, Beau Rivage, Gulfport, MS
Communicate . Educate . Innovate . A Beacon for the Future www.medc.ms
Carol Hardwick, Executive Director
Mississippi Economic Development Council, Inc. (MEDC)
601-352-1909 . carol@medc.ms . www.medc.ms
Carol's Weblog 