Mississippi in Los Angeles
I just returned from Los Angeles where I attended the American Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE). I found out while I was there that I did not leave Mississippi far behind at all, for two reasons:
Grammy Museum: There is a Mississippi Blues Marker right in downtown L.A. in the middle of L.A.Live near the Grammy Museum, in front of the Staples Center. It is there because of all the awards musicians from Mississippi have won.
USA Today: Also, when I picked up my USA Today on Friday, August 5, the byline on the front page of the Life Section was Greenwood, MS, and the headline was “Mississippi Bonds Actresses of ‘The Help’,” which is a story about the filming of that movie. You can read it online and see a trailer of the movie at http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2011-08-04-the-help-mississippi_n.htm
If only I could have brought back to Mississippi the great L.A. weather!
Carol Hardwick
Mississippi Economic Development News – Week of March 27, 2011
Mississippi Economic Development News – Week of March 27, 2011
Governor Barbour proclaims March 25, 2011 as Economic Development Day in Mississippi.
http://www.mississippi.org/index.php?id=946
ADP official (Chad Newell): Hattiesburg area doing well economically
http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/article/20110324/NEWS01/103240314/1002/ADP-official-Hattiesburg-area-doing-well-economically
Harrison County industrial park gets boost. Harrison County economic development director, Larry Barnett, said the county is marketing the site as a location for ‘general manufacturing.’
http://www.wlox.com/global/story.asp?s=14309420
Franklin County supervisors have voted to join the Southwest Mississippi Regional Railroad Authority — a group working to save the 66-mile railroad from Natchez to Brookhaven if it is abandoned by its owner.
http://picayuneitem.com/statenews/x915418219/Franklin-Co-joins-railroad-authority
Panola Partnership Executive Officer Sonny Simmons was elated over recent results stating, “I don’t think many communities go to Washington in this political climate and come back with a check in hand,” he said adding, “It was well worth a trip to Washington.”
http://www.panolacounty.com/news/dc-delegation-lands-grant-funds-industrial-park
The Miss-Lou’s reach toward regionalism took another step Wednesday afternoon as the economic development subcommittee of the Miss-Lou regional steering committee hosted the first luncheon of the year.
http://wp.natchezdemocrat.com/2011/03/24/regionalism-luncheon-promotes-%E2%80%98coopertition%E2%80%99/
Study highlights positives, negatives of downtown.
http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/article/20110318/NEWS01/103180315/Study-highlights-positives-negatives-downtown
The Area Development Partnership has exceeded its $2 million fundraising goal.
http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/article/20110326/NEWS01/103260330
Jackson County Industrial Trade Show seen as networking opportunity for local businesses.
http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2011/03/jackson_county_industrial_trad.html
MEDC Calendar:
July 13 – 15 – MEDC Summer Conference “FULL SPEED AHEAD,” Biloxi
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
Carol Hardwick, CAE, Executive Director
Mississippi Economic Development Council (MEDC)
P. O. Box 3721, Jackson, MS 39207
www.medc.ms . 601.352.1909 . fax: 601.352.2061
carol@medc.ms
Mississippi Economic Development News – Week of March 21, 2011
Mississippi Economic Development News – Week of March 21, 2011
Speed picked to lead MDA.
http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20110317/BIZ/103170327/Speed-picked-lead-MDA?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CHome%7Cp
State’s top econ developer is paid…
http://nems360.com/bookmark/12371502
Gray Swoope and MDA’s Guiding Principles
http://philhardwickblog.wordpress.com/2011/03/14/gray-swoope-and-mdas-guiding-principles/
Keesler, South Mississippi share close bond.
http://www.sunherald.com/2011/03/16/2949385/keesler-south-mississippi-share.html
Obama taps Miss. man for TVA panel; Oxford business owner would serve through 2015 if OK’d
http://www.istockanalyst.com/business/news/4979975/obama-taps-miss-man-for-tva-panel-oxford-business-owner-would-serve-through-2015-if-ok-d
Main Street Association wants to raise $1.8 million for downtown communities.
http://www.sunherald.com/2011/03/16/2949119/main-street-association-wants.html
MEDC Salary Survey just in! Results of the 2010 Salary Survey of Economic Development Professionals in Mississippi, provided by the Mississippi Economic Development Council (MEDC) and the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is now on the MEDC website.
http://www.medc.ms/Salary_Survey_MS_2010.pdf
A full house in Tunica. County hits the jackpot in several industries.
http://www.deltabusinessjournal.com/vol2no8/
Main Street testing phase begins in Tupelo. So when motorists are traveling through on Main Street, in addition to noticing it has gone from four lanes to three lanes, one of the big changes is bike paths being put in, one on each side.
http://www.wtva.com/news/local/story/Main-Street-testing-phase-begins/si46eV8QdEWydmjRr1URAw.cspx
Will the Japan disaster affect Toyota’s Blue Springs plant?
http://msbusiness.com/magnoliamarketplace/2011/03/14/will-the-japan-disaster-affect-toyotas-blue-springs-plant-lets-find-out/
The Center of Family Enterprise Research at MSU along with MSU’s Technology Resource Institute and the Mississippi Technology Alliance are sponsoring a family business workshop May 6 and 7 in Starkville, for family owned and operated businesses. Topics include succession, professionalization, ethics and human resources. The $130 registration fee covers everything including lodging! Email jeffrey.rupp@msstate.edu or visit:
http://business.msstate.edu/tri/familybusinessseminar.php
MEDC Calendar:
March 24 – MEDC reception honoring MDA’s Diamond Anniversary
July 13 – 15 – MEDC Summer Conference, Biloxi
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
Carol Hardwick, CAE, Executive Director
Mississippi Economic Development Council (MEDC)
P. O. Box 3721, Jackson, MS 39207
www.medc.ms . 601.352.1909 . fax: 601.352.2061
carol@medc.ms
Mississippi Economic Development News – Week of March 14, 2011
Mississippi Economic Development News – Week of March 14, 2011
Officials from WPG Americas, a worldwide electronics distributor, announced the company is locating distribution operations at the Airways Distribution Center in Southaven. The project represents a $1.5-million investment by the company and will create 60 jobs over the next three years.
http://msbusiness.com/blog/2011/03/wpg-americas-bringing-operations-to-desoto-county/
Washington Furniture expanding upholstery plant. Washington Furniture has about 100 workers in Pontotoc. Washington said plans are to grow to 400 workers in the next two years, depending on business.
http://msbusiness.com/blog/2011/03/washington-furniture-expanding-upholstery-plant/
A statement on the company’s website said Universal Asset Management will transfer its warehouses in Pocahontas and Walnut Ridge to a 453,600-square-foot facility in Tupelo. The company is expected to recycle large Boeing jets in Mississippi.
http://washingtonexaminer.com/news/2011/03/jet-recycling-company-comes-miss#ixzz1GaJWXuio.
KiOR signs offtake agreement with Hunt Refining Company for renewable fuels.
http://www.environmental-expert.com/resultEachPressRelease.aspx?cid=28518&codi=227990
Gov. Haley Barbour and Gray Swoope, executive director of the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA), presented 13 Governor’s Community Projects of Excellence Awards during a recent ceremony at the Mississippi Department of Education building in downtown Jackson.
http://msbusiness.com/blog/2011/03/communities-honored-for-projects-of-excellence/
MDA in transition. But economic developers around the state say they are not overly concerned that this leadership transition at the MDA will impede their work. And they give Swoope the credit.
http://msbusiness.com/blog/2011/03/mda-in-transition/
Who should lead the MDA? Speculation is rampant.
http://msbusiness.com/blog/2011/03/who-should-lead-the-mda/
Japanese official sees growth in Mississippi investment.
http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20110308/NEWS/110308020/-1/Nletter03/Japanese-official-sees-growth-in-Mississippi-investment?source=nletter-news
The US Green Building Council Mississippi Chapter is planning a week-long Green Tour of Italy on May 21, 2011 as part of their newly established collaboration with the Roman Chapter of the Green Building Council of Italy. For an itinerary and other details go to: www.sustainabitalytour.com
ABC News – Made in America: Viking Range Corp. Helps Revitalize Greenwood, Mississppi
http://abcnews.go.com/US/MadeInAmerica/made-america-viking-range-corp-helps-revitalize-greenwood/story?id=13027553
U.S. Senators Thad Cochran and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) are co-sponsoring legislation to extend the life of leases for offshore oil and gas exploration that the lawmakers say “have been left in limbo since the Obama administration issued a moratorium on offshore energy activities last spring.”
http://msbusiness.com/blog/2011/03/senators-pushing-for-extension-of-offshore-leases/
The Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi is hosting a Northwest Mississippi Forum focused on technology-driven economic development in light of the recent investments by high-tech companies.
http://www.desototimes.com/articles/2011/03/08/news/local/doc4d759725c6e45075485971.txt
A free web seminar, “Quality of Life is Everyone’s Business,” will be presented by Mississippi Technology Alliance and Mississippi Development Authority.
http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs028/1102654215313/archive/1104752146119.html
MEDC Calendar:
March 24 – MEDC reception honoring MDA’s Diamond Anniversary
July 13 – 15 – MEDC Summer Conference, Biloxi
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
Carol Hardwick, CAE, Executive Director
Mississippi Economic Development Council (MEDC)
P. O. Box 3721, Jackson, MS 39207
www.medc.ms . 601.352.1909 . fax: 601.352.2061
carol@medc.ms
Mississippi Economic Development News – Week of March 7, 2011
Mississippi Economic Development News – Week of March 7, 2011
The mills being sold are located in Warren, Ohio; Wheeling, W. Va.; and Sparrows Point, Md. … Severstal is doubling its capacity at the Mississippi plant to 3.4 million tons, from current capacity of 1.7 million tons.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703559604576176500838366690.html
MDA’s Swoope accepts economic post in Florida. Toyota plant, expansions among credits.
http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20110301/BIZ/103010340/-1/nletter01/MDA-s-Swoope-accepts-economic-post-in-Fla.?source=nletter-news
Toyota suppliers build their work forces
http://nems360.com/view/full_story/12157452/article-Toyota-suppliers-build-their-work-forces?instance=secondary_stories_left_column
Barbour files legal brief concerning damage caps
http://msbusiness.com/blog/2011/03/barbour-files-legal-brief-concerning-damage-caps/
Legislation seeking to give tax incentives to businesses that use state universities and community colleges for research awaits action in the Senate.
http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20110303/BIZ/103030334/Tax-credits-research-advocated?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CHome%7Cs
The proposed House Redistricting Map is now on The Standing Joint Congressional Redistricting Committee and The Standing Joint Legislative Committee on Reapportionment Redistricting website.
http://www.msjrc.state.ms.us/
MIKE ARMOUR: Let’s move forward with union-free global automakers
http://www.nems360.com/view/full_story/11667774/article-MIKE-ARMOUR–Let-s-move-forward-with-union-free-global-automakers?#ixzz1FH1iqQbX
Special delivery: DeSoto delegation takes wish list to Washington.
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/mar/01/special-delivery/
Pointing to a new approach to economic development in the area, (Blake) Wilson said Natchez appears to finally be on the right track.
http://www.natchezdemocrat.com/news/2011/mar/04/encouraging-words-can-fuel-fire/
Utilizing river is smart move for us all. Few would argue that our area is blessed with an asset that not every community in the country has — access to the country’s mightiest river.
http://www.natchezdemocrat.com/news/2011/mar/06/utilizing-river-smart-move-us-all/
College tuition guarantee studied in Tupelo.
http://www.wtva.com/news/local/story/College-Tuition-Guarantee-studied-in-Tupelo/l0zskhvvYECgnNRPzl7BBA.cspx
TVA releases 20-year strategic plan
http://msbusiness.com/blog/2011/03/tva-releases-20-year-strategic-plan/
2011 Official Mississippi Tour Guide is now available.
http://www.visitmississippi.org/literature/index.asp
Gary K. Reed has been promoted to branch manager for the U. S. Small Business Administration’s Gulfport office. … he will be responsible for the distribution and promotion of the agency’s economic development programs and counseling services to Mississippi’s 12 most Southern counties.
http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/article/20110306/BUSINESS/103060316
The OU Economic Development Institute is offering a spring session in Dallas. As a one-week special, from now through Wednesday, OU EDI is offering $100 discount off of tuition costs. More information can be found at www.ouedi.org or by contacting the OU/EDI office directly at (405) 325-3891.
Cool website: World Sunlight Map
http://www.opentopia.com/sunlightmaprect.html
MEDC Calendar:
March 7 – Marriott room block expires for lodging on March 24 www.medc.ms
March 24 – MEDC reception honoring MDA’s Diamond Anniversary
July 13 – 15 – MEDC Summer Conference, Biloxi
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
Carol Hardwick, CAE, Executive Director
Mississippi Economic Development Council (MEDC)
P. O. Box 3721, Jackson, MS 39207
www.medc.ms . 601.352.1909 . fax: 601.352.2061
carol@medc.ms
