Mississippi Economic Development News – Week of March 15, 2010

Mississippi Economic Development News – Week of March 15, 2010

MEDC Chamber Workshop – March 23 – “ALL SHOOK UP ON TUPELO – How to Shake Up Your Chamber to Better Serve Your Members”  – Register by Thursday, March 18 – Registration form at www.medc.ms

MEDC Member-to-Member Seminar – April 13 – “Nuclear Energy and Mississippi” – with Kenneth Hughey, Vice President of Business Development of Entergy Nuclear. Information and registration form at www.medc.ms

Monsanto held a ground-breaking ceremony today for a $2.4 million corn breeding station in Flora.  The 26,000-square-foot corn breeding station in the Flora Industrial Park will employ approximately 10 full-time and up to 50 seasonal workers.
http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20100309/NEWS/100309023/-1/Nletter03/Monsanto-breaks-ground-on-Flora-facility?source=nletter-news

A German company broke ground on a $300-million pipe manufacturing plant today in Tunica County, kicking off a development that officials believe will have far-reaching economic benefits.
http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9ECEHM80.htm

Mississippi lawmakers have passed a $50-million bond bill to attract a company that might build solar panels in the state.   House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Percy Watson says the company would create 500 jobs within five years with salary and benefits packages averaging at least $34,000.
http://msbusiness.com/blog/2010/03/lawmakers-okay-funds-for-solar-panel-plant/

A new film studio, complete with sound stage and production office space, will be built in Canton to encourage movie production in the state.  State officials say the 39,000-square-foot facility, called The Mississippi Film Studios at Canton, could employ up to 250 workers when film production is underway.
http://msbusiness.com/blog/2010/03/state-unveils-film-studio-plans/

The state Senate has passed a bill to provide help the cut & sew industry in Mississippi.
http://www.wxvt.com/Global/story.asp?S=12130265

The U.S. Senate yesterday unanimously confirmed Earl F. Gohl Jr. as federal co-chair of the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC).
http://www.arc.gov/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=237

And in a measure of “dollars invested and deals” secured, Columbus has been listed as a top micropolitan area for 2009 by Site Selection magazine.
http://www.cdispatch.com/news/article.asp?aid=5140

The Mississippi Main Street Association economic development project for the City of Ellisville is already paying dividends.
http://www.leadercall.com/local/local_story_067103643.html?start:int=0

Similarities between Panama and the Mississippi Gulf Coast are creating connections between the two leading up to the expansion of the Panama Canal and the Port of Gulfport.
http://www.sunherald.com/2010/03/08/2010517/panama-coast-have-great-deal-in.html

Keesler’s total economic impact for Fiscal Year 2009 has been calculated at more than $1.10 billion.
http://www.keesler.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123194167

We left Monday’s Hernando Chamber of Commerce Luncheon with a full stomach and positive outlook on the path of our neighbor to the north.
http://www.desototimes.com/articles/2010/03/08/opinion/editorials/doc4b957a701df50608336614.txt

Nissan on Wednesday debuted the first light commercial vehicle that will be built at its Canton plant and sold in North America during a truck show in St. Louis.  The company will complete a $118 million plant expansion in the next month to build the NV commercial van, which will go on sale later this year.
http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20100311/BIZ/3110333/-1/nletter01/Nissan-debuts-new-van?source=nletter-news

Officials in Gautier seem to have generated a lot of momentum for change by soliciting residents’ opinions of the city. Now the city’s challenge is harnessing that energy and using it to achieve specific, well-thought-out goals.
http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-opinion/2010/03/editorial_gautier_officials_creating_momentum_for_change.html

“The inventory is broad and it’s deep,” George Freeland, executive director of the Jackson County Economic Development Foundation said. “Each locale has clearly demonstrated its capacity to attract new aerospace investment, and that’s happened independent of the tanker. We have to keep that in perspective here.”
http://blog.al.com/press-register-business/2010/03/industry_recruiters_look_ahead.html

Three new grant opportunities totaling $193.2 million, are being announced by the Department of Labor as open for application: $125 million in Community-Based Job Training grants; $1.2 million in Trade Adjustment Assistance grants and $67 million in Indian and Native American Employment and Training Program grants.  The Solicitation for Grant Application (SGA) for each grant is published in the Federal Register.
 http://www.doleta.gov/grants/find_grants.cfm

The Department of Labor has a new online suite of resources for grant applicants.  Created by the Department’s Employment and Training Administration (ETA), the new site will introduce potential grantees to ETA grants and provide examples to guide people through the process of applying. 
http://www.workforce3one.org/page/grants_toolkit

Blues Trail car tags are now available!  Not only do they help promote the state, they also help fund the Mississippi Blues Commission’s projects, including aid for older musicians and expenses of the Miss. Blues Trail marker program.
http://www.msbluestrail.org/license_plates

Building on the prior successes of YourTown Alabama and WAEMTown events, the Mississippi State University Community Action Team is excited to launch YourTown Mississippi! The mix of presentations, hands-on design work, and lots of sharing and discussing will create a dynamic learning environment loaded with practical ideas to take home and apply in your community.  May 18-20, 2010, Lake Tiak O’Khata Louisville.  Community teams are encouraged to apply early; the workshop is limited to 60 participants.
http://www.mscat.msstate.edu/yourtown

Take advantage of upcoming opportunities to expand your business into other Southeast states and Canadian markets by participating in the business to business matchmaking program at the 3rd Annual SEUS CP 2010 Conference, April 11-13, 2010 in Biloxi, Mississippi. Register today at www.seuscp.org  

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

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, Executive Director
Mississippi Economic Development Council (MEDC)
P. O. Box 3721, Jackson, MS  39207
www.medc.ms 
MEDC Regional Chamber Workshop . March 23 . Tupelo
MEDC Member-to-Member Seminar . April 13 . Jackson
MEDC 2010 Summer Conference . July 21-23 . Beau Rivage . Biloxi

Mississippi Economic Development News – Week of March 8, 2010

Mississippi Economic Development News – Week of March 8, 2010

MEDC is pleased to announce that Kenneth Hughey, Vice President of Business Development of Entergy Nuclear, will speak on “Nuclear Energy and Mississippi” at the next MEDC Member-to-Member Seminar on Tuesday, April 13.  More information at www.medc.ms

The special discounted room rate at the Hilton Garden Inn Tupelo expires Tuesday March 9 for the MEDC Chamber Workshop – “ALL SHOOK UP ON TUPELO – How to Shake Up Your Chamber to Better Serve Your Members.”  The March 23 workshop featuring ACCE speaker Luann Feehan is open to MEDC members and all other chamber staff and volunteers.  www.medc.ms  Please forward to chambers in your area.

Lawn care equipment manufacturer MTD Products Inc. has announced a $6.25 million expansion of its operation in Lee County. Officials say the company will add 107 new jobs.
http://www.wtva.com/news/local/story/MTD-Expands/eUBkeuQSCEqJgb62N5NbaQ.cspx

Officials from Hudson Salvage, LLC, leading purchaser of retail salvage merchandise, have announced the company is locating a distribution center in Tippah County in Northeast Mississippi.
http://msbusiness.com/blog/2010/03/hudson-salvage-adding-distribution-center/

With the recession’s effect still lingering in Mississippi, lawmakers are looking hard at job-creation proposals as the 2010 session heads into its final month.
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2010/mar/01/jobs-the-focus-of-final-month/

Mississippi and Memphis prove a potent duo in attracting a German firm’s first North American plant.
http://siteselection.imirus.com/Mpowered/imirus.jsp?volume=ss10&issue=2&page=122

Sens. Thad Cochran and Roger Wicker announced a $1.1 million grant awarded to the North Central Mississippi Planning and Development District to develop a business incubator and job development center in Attala County.
http://www.starherald.net/local/local_story_062131519.html

But 2010 is proving to be a truly new year for DG Foods, which has established new partnerships with a pair of poultry companies that has enabled the business to boost its number of employees from 30 last year to 375 currently.  DG also plans to add about 100 more jobs in the next three to six weeks…  “It’s a success story because of the position they were in,” says Neil Honan, executive director of the Copiah County Economic Development District.
http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20100305/BIZ/3050328/-1/nletter01/Gallman-s-DG-Foods-making-a-comeback?source=nletter-news

Mississippi State University’s First Impressions Team visits Waveland, Mississippi (WLOX video)
http://tinyurl.com/yjf3h42

DeSoto County sees I-269 as ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ development opportunity.
http://memphis.bizjournals.com/memphis/stories/2010/03/01/story3.html?surround=etf&ana=e_article

Could Fayette County in Tennessee and Marshall County in Mississippi emerge as a new industrial submarket in the Greater Memphis area?
http://memphis.bizjournals.com/memphis/stories/2010/03/08/story1.html?b=1268024400%5E2980221

The $28 million Trent Lott National Center for Excellence in Economic Development and Entrepreneurship isn’t your run-of-the-mill office space.
http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/article/20100304/NEWS01/3040364

Bob Covington has been named director of the Mississippi Development Authority’s Minority and Small Business Development Division.
http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/article/20100307/BUSINESS/3070344

Nearly 100 bridges are listed in Senate Bill 3181 for rehabilitation or replacement, including four in both Perry and Jefferson Davis counties.
http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/article/20100306/NEWS01/3060339

What makes a good deal fundable? What do investors want to see in a potential deal? How can you make sure all the bases are covered before that crucial investor meeting? Find these answers and more in the Mississippi Technology Alliance Venture Coaching Academy.
http://www.technologyalliance.ms/ILED/venture-coaching-academy/

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

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, Executive Director
Mississippi Economic Development Council (MEDC)
P. O. Box 3721, Jackson, MS  39207
www.medc.ms 
MEDC Regional Chamber Workshop . March 23 . Tupelo
MEDC Member-to-Member Seminar . April 13 . Jackson
MEDC 2010 Summer Conference . July 21-23 . Beau Rivage . Biloxi

Mississippi Economic Development News – Week of March 1, 2010

Mississippi Economic Development News – Week of March 1, 2010

Register now for the MEDC Chamber Workshop – “ALL SHOOK UP ON TUPELO – How to Shake Up Your Chamber to Better Serve Your Members” – Tuesday, March 23, 8:30 – 3:30.  This workshop is open to MEDC members and all other chamber staff and volunteers.   www.medc.ms  Please forward this information to any chambers in your area.

Folks in and around Walthall County will rest a little easier knowing over 100 new jobs are on the way within the next year and more are to follow.  “…Pam Keaton is to be congratulated for her work in this. It’s through her efforts that Brigade is locating here.”
http://www.msdigitaldaily.com/3/State%20Local/CAT1/Walthall%20County%20Lands%20100%20New%20Jobs/793/default.aspx

Another 53,000 square feet will be added to Martinrea Automotive Structure’s plant in the Tupelo-Lee Industrial Park South.  And with it will come another 50 much-needed jobs.
http://nems360.com/pages/full_story/push?article-Martinrea+expansion+means+50+jobs%20&id=6377073&instance=secondary_stories_left_column

A contract to test engines for unmanned cargo rockets to the International Space Station may propel Stennis Space Center in a new direction for space exploration.
http://www.sunherald.com/2010/02/24/1979590/stennis-will-test-cargo-rocket.html

For businesses that need an injection of capital, (Chad) Newell said the ADP offers the Semcic loan program through local banks. Annie McMillan supervises the program.
http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/article/20100228/OUTLOOK/302280016

After 10 years in Jackson, (Natalia) Diaz returned to South Mississippi in 2003. For the past seven years, she has served as senior project manager with the Jackson County Economic Development Foundation.
http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-living/2010/02/life_of_russian_native_takes_many_interesting_turns.html

CoreNet Global today announced the appointment of (MEDC member) Angela Cain as Chief Executive Officer of CoreNet Global, the world’s leading professional association for corporate real estate (CRE) executives, service providers and economic developers.
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/corenet-global-names-angela-cain-as-chief-executive-officer-85383652.html

“A (healthier) company is one that engages in international trade,” said John Henry Jackson, international trade specialist for the Mississippi Development Authority. “Mississippi has a really diverse array of products and companies that export.”
http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20100224/BIZ/2240355/1005/biz/Mississippi-ag-products-sold-worldwide

Spreading growth outside of downtown Jackson is an initiative for the new head of the Jackson Redevelopment Authority.  Jason Brookins began working Feb. 1 under a one-year contract as interim executive director.
http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20100228/BIZ/2280331/-1/nletter01/Agency-reaching-beyond-downtown?source=nletter-news

“I’m seeing restaurants do well downtown and on Highway 98 and on the Hardy Street/98 corridor from downtown to six or seven miles west of Interstate 59,” said Chad Newell, executive director of the Area Development Partnership. “New restaurants are opening in front of big box retailers like Target. Success breeds success.”
http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/article/20100228/OUTLOOK/302280018

Retailers from around Mississippi and several other states will convene in Jackson from June 3-4, 2010, for Mississippi Market, the state’s premier wholesale show. The two-day event, which attracts credentialed buyers from around the country, will be held at the Mississippi Trade Mart building in Jackson.
http://www.mississippimarket.org/ 

Frederick W. Smith, chairman, president and chief executive officer of FedEx Corporation, will be the keynote speaker for the Southeastern United States – Canadian Provinces Alliance (SEUS-CP) 3rd Annual Conference in Biloxi, Mississippi, April 11-13.
http://www.mississippi.org/index.php?id=778

“It’s the population you’re stuck with for 10 years,” (Mayor Parker) Wiseman said. “It not only determines how much federal and state grant money you might be eligible for, but it’s also a number people identify your city with.”
http://www.cdispatch.com/news/article.asp?aid=5026

A dedication ceremony for the newly completed Trent Lott National Center for Excellence in Economic Development and Entrepreneurship is set for March 5 at 5:30 p.m.  The public is invited to the event. The building’s namesake, the Hon. Trent Lott, will be the honored guest …
http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/article/20100228/NEWS01/100226016/USM+to+dedicate+Trent+Lott+National+Center+on+March+5

The Bollinger Foundation is seeking nominations for 2010.  This unique foundation was created to provide financial assistance for the education and support of children who have lost one or both parents.  Priority is given to families in which either the deceased parent worked, or the surviving parent continues to work, in the field of public or affordable housing, or community and economic development
http://www.bollingerfoundation.org/Grants.html

MEDC 2010 Winter Conference photos are now online.  Thanks to Marketing Alliance for providing the majority of the photographs.
http://www.medc.ms/Conferences.html

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

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, Executive Director
Mississippi Economic Development Council (MEDC)
P. O. Box 3721, Jackson, MS  39207
www.medc.ms 
MEDC Regional Chamber Workshop . March 23 . Tupelo
MEDC Member-to-Member Seminar . April 13 . Jackson
MEDC 2010 Summer Conference . July 21-23 . Beau Rivage . Biloxi

Mississippi Economic Development News – Week of February 22, 2010

Mississippi Economic Development News – Week of February 22, 2010

Register now – MEDC Chamber Workshop – “ALL SHOOK UP ON TUPELO – How to Shake Up Your Chamber to Better Serve Your Members” – Tuesday, March 23, 8:30 – 3:30 – www.medc.ms

Horn Lake – Newly Weds Foods, a leader in the production of food coatings, seasonings and ingredients for the food processing and foodservice industries, is investing $1.25 million in new equipment and creating 20 new jobs. 
http://msbusiness.com/blog/2010/02/newly-wed-foods-adding-workers/

According to Gov. Haley Barbour, Mississippi has received a $20-million federal grant that will help fund railroad improvements from the Port of Gulfport to Hattiesburg, a major step for the Mississippi economy.
http://msbusiness.com/blog/2010/02/stimulus-funding-railroad-improvements/

The Mississippi State University College of Business released their Economic Analysis for Mississippi
http://www.economywatch.msstate.edu/EconomyWatch_Spring2010.pdf

Super wealthy seek yachts in Mississippi. (Trinity Yachts president John Dane said) “Since we moved the company here after Hurricane Katrina, we have about 650 Trinity workers here and probably 150 subcontractors.”
http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20100216/BIZ/2160336/-1/NLETTER01/Super-wealthy-seek-yachts-in-Miss.?source=nletter-NEWS-JacksonMS-controlsubjectlinetest

Which Would You Choose: Growth or Economic Decline? Unless we restore Michigan as an inviting place for investment, business and raising a family, Mississippi will leave us in its economic dust.
http://www.mackinac.org/12133

Applications for the 2010 Mississippi Banner School in Financial Readiness award are now available. The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) and the Mississippi Council on Economic Education (MCEE) have partnered to offer an award to schools for preparing students to be economically and financially ready to participate in the real world.
http://msbusiness.com/blog/2010/02/applications-available-for-financial-readiness/

-The Healthiest Counties in Mississippi – and in the U. S.
-Broadband Match: Sort of a dating service to apply for Recovery Act $$
http://philhardwickblog.wordpress.com/

The Franklin Furniture Institute of Mississippi State University has released the Mississippi Furniture Industry Economic Impacts study.
http://www.ffi.msstate.edu/pdf/economicimpact.pdf

Here in Mississippi, state officials have come up with a novel approach that they hope will improve the chances that the jobs they create will outlast the subsidies. Labor experts say the experiment is being watched with interest by other states.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/17/business/economy/17mississippi.html

Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) and Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) announced the award of a $4.8-million federal grant to support the rebuilding and expansion of the Regional Workforce Training Center at Southwest Mississippi Community College (SMCC) in Summit.
http://msbusiness.com/blog/2010/02/workforce-center-receives-federal-grant/

Navistar Defense, LLC, has been awarded a contract for $752 million to provide 1,050 enhanced International MaxxPro Dash Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles. Navistar will conduct work at its Garland, Texas, and West Point, Miss., assembly plants.
http://www.defense-aerospace.com/article-view/release/112381/navistar-wins-$751m-order-for-improved-mrap-vehicles.html

Natchez – Local leaders and laymen gathered Monday to discuss the concept of regionalism, and the leaders had one clear message to the laymen — if it’s going to work, it’s up to you.
http://www.natchezdemocrat.com/news/2010/feb/17/vidalia-hosts-first-three-public-forums-regionalis/

GIS clusters from around the globe gathered in Mississippi for 2^nd International GIS Cluster Conference
http://www.directionsmag.com/article.php?article_id=3407

On Monday, March 15 the MS World Trade Center and MDA will host a luncheon seminar at the Capitol Club in Jackson, MS on “Doing Business in Israel and the Middle East.”  Sherwin Pomerantz, president, and Benjamin Dansker, VP of ATID EDI Ltd. will share opportunities throughout the Middle East for MS exporters.
http://www.mswtc.org/events/IsraelFlyer.pdf

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

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, Executive Director
Mississippi Economic Development Council (MEDC)
P. O. Box 3721, Jackson, MS  39207
www.medc.ms 
MEDC Regional Chamber Workshop . March 23 . Tupelo
MEDC Member-to-Member Luncheon . April 13 . Jackson
MEDC 2010 Summer Conference . July 21-23 . Beau Rivage . Biloxi