Archive
Mississippi Economic Development News – Week of October 4, 2010
Mississippi Economic Development News – Week of October 4, 2010
Sleep Innovations, Inc., a market leader in designing and manufacturing customer driven foam product solutions, joined members of the Community Development Foundation (CDF), to announce it will expand the company’s Baldwyn, Mississippi based manufacturing facility.
http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20100928007044/en/Sleep-Innovations-Expand-Baldwyn-Mississippi-Manufacturing-Capabilities
Mississippi government would be banned from taking private land for economic development ventures under a proposed state constitutional amendment that appears headed to the November 2011 statewide ballot.
http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9IISUPG0.htm
Area leaders see the Federal Highway Administration’s Record of Decision that will bring the North Mississippi sector of Interstate 69 around Clarksdale as the kind of economic news they had been seeking for years.
http://www.pressregister.com/articles/2010/09/29/news/doc4ca24e9bda01c671228696.txt
Mississippi will use part of a $5 million federal grant to create a nonprofit group that will try to increase high-speed Internet access through broadband.
http://msbusiness.com/blog/2010/09/state-receiving-federal-funds-for-broadband/
National Geographic magazine has named Hattiesburg an Adventure Town.
http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20101001/NEWS/101001007/-1/Nletter03/Hattiesburg-dubbed—Adventure-Town-?source=nletter-news
Madison the City Chamber of Commerce officials looked far and wide but ended up with a new director from down U.S. 51.
http://www.mcherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100930/NEWS/9300308/Chamber-hires-new-executive-director
Work is underway in Brookhaven on a new healthcare facility that King’s Daughters Medical Center officials expect will provide more convenient and quicker services for patients in need.
http://msbusiness.com/blog/2010/09/kings-daughters-building-new-healthcare-facility/
A local tax break to nurture and attract businesses will be a key selling point for the city’s new planning and economic development director.
http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2010/10/tax_break_to_help_gautier_lure.html
Tupelo businessman and economic development leader Harry Martin will receive one of seven Medal of Service awards Tuesday in Jackson.
http://www.wtva.com/news/local/story/Martin-to-receive-Medal-of-Service-award/pV1ntk2e4E6WdDKQcN8q0g.cspx
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says it will go forward with a feasibility study of a “one-lake” flood-control plan along the Pearl River in metro Jackson – if funding can be found.
http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20101002/NEWS/10020331/Flooding+proposals+may+be+studied
MEDC Scholarship Period Open October 1 – November 15, 2010 for professional development courses offered in 2011. Economic development courses offered by the National Development Council will be included in the approved courses for MEDC tuition scholarships for the first time, thanks to the generous contributions of the Electric Power Associations of Mississippi, Entergy Mississippi, Mississippi Development Authority, Mississippi Power Company, Tennessee Valley Authority and MEDC. Courses offered at Chamber Institute, Community Development Institute, Economic Development Institute and USM’s New South Basic Economic Development course will again be on the list. Applications must be postmarked by November 15, 2010.
www.medc.ms
Register Now! The MEDC Regional Chamber Workshop “SHOW ME THE MONEY! – Creating $$ in Your Budget” will be held in Petal, Mississippi, on October 20. Pamela Adams, Regional Development Director of Constant Contact will be the featured speaker. Her topics include “The Power of Email Marketing and Building Lists – Creating Your Own Campaign,” and “Making Constant Contact Work for You and Your Members.” The Constant Contact technology is provided free to Chambers. Deborah Reynolds, President of the Petal Chamber of Commerce, will disclose her proven ways of adding money to her budget, and a select panel will discuss grant opportunities. The workshop is proud to have CHAMBER PLUS as the Event Sponsor along with the Mississippi Market Wholesale Show. Registration fees are $25 for MEDC Individual Members and $40 for non-members.
Registration information is at www.medc.ms or call 601-352-1909.
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:
MEDC Regional Chamber Workshop . October 20 . Petal
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
Economic Development News Week of November 23, 2009
The company will produce the composite components at its composite manufacturing center of excellence in Iuka, Mississippi. At peak production, ATK could produce up to 25 miles of A350 XWB composite components per month.
Five businesses held grand openings here (in Petal) Friday. Deborah Reynolds, president of the Petal Area Chamber of Commerce, said the solid financial news comes in part due to small businesses. “These openings are a tremendous impact,” she said. “Our small business community is what keeps us going, and the work they’re doing is why we see the same steady sales tax figures.”
http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/article/20091116/NEWS01/911160313
Stark Aerospace held the grand opening celebration of its new facility in Columbus yesterday. Stark Aerospace is a subsidiary of IAI North America, the U.S. subsidiary of Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. (IAI).
http://msbusiness.com/blog/2009/11/stark-aerospace-cuts-ribbon/
Pepsi bottlers, elected officials and economic development leaders yesterday celebrated the opening of a state-of-the-art Pepsi South bottling facility here that will produce 350,000 cases of Pepsi and Dr Pepper products per week. The 236,000 square foot plant is located in the Forrest County Industrial Park, and is the only soft drink production facility in the area.
http://msbusiness.com/blog/2009/11/pepsi-plant-officially-in-operation/
Advance Mississippi has released its latest issue brief, which provides an in-depth look at nuclear energy.
http://msbusiness.com/blog/2009/11/advance-mississippi-releases-report/
The head of the Central Mississippi Planning and Development District is confident U.S. 80 – one of Jackson’s most troubled commercial areas – can be saved. “This is a gigantic sector plan to try to take a part of the city of Jackson that is depressed and bring it back,” said Clarke Holmes, CEO of the development district. “This is city planning 101.”
http://tinyurl.com/yg7sowx
Brookhaven — Lincoln County business leaders are accelerating plans to develop a 400-acre business park acquired last year solely with local funds.
http://tinyurl.com/yzx6chm
Tim Mood, vice president of economic development for the Electric Power Associations of Mississippi, said Brookhaven and Lincoln County have always managed to have strong local leadership, period. “Look at some of the individuals in the past that have contributed to the local economic development process: Charleigh Ford, Doug Sullivan, Tillmon Bishop, Bill Sones, Chandler Russ and many others,” he said. “That excellence continues today with Mayor Massengill and Cliff Brumfield, a pro-business board of supervisors and IDF board carrying the torch.”
http://tinyurl.com/yhrss7x
In a time when some major automakers are transitioning, business as usual is more than welcome at the Nissan manufacturing plant.
http://tinyurl.com/yky4nj8
“I have a positive feeling about the outlook for our economy,” said Barron, who was in Jackson recently to speak at a forum sponsored by the Mississippi Council on Economic Education. “We’re seeing economic growth and spending but consumers will still be challenged because of unemployment rates.
http://msbusiness.com/blog/2009/11/barron-sees-positives-in-economy/
Facing growing budget constraints, Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour wants to save money by cutting the state’s public universities from eight to five.
http://tinyurl.com/yzbj9xz
Federal regulators Thursday authorized Entergy Corp.’s utilities in Mississippi and Arkansas to leave a multistate agreement, a move expected to eventually save money for electric customers in Arkansas.
http://tinyurl.com/yfjv9ej
The Jones County Economic Development Authority Board of Director’s unanimously voted to provide a letter of support for Mississippi Power Company’s Kemper County Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle Project and passed a resolution of support for the State Port in Gulfport
http://www.leadercall.com/local/local_story_324105830.html
Join the MEDC group on LinkedIn – http://www.linkedin.com/groupRegistration?gid=2323556 (members only)
_____________________________________
MEDC Scholarship Application Period Open through Nov. 30
MEDC is now taking applications for scholarships for 2010 courses – Attend national professional development courses (EDI, CDI, IOM and New South) in 2010 and let MEDC pay your tuition. Apply now for your scholarship – go to www.medc.ms and click on Professional Development for an application – funded by MEDC, MDA, Mississippi Power Company and Tennessee Valley Authority. Application deadline is November 30.
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 – August 24, 2009
The 300-acre Jackson County Aviation Technology Park’s designation as Project Ready in a Mississippi Power economic development program was celebrated in an airport hangar Thursday. George Freeland, executive director of the Jackson County Economic Development Foundation, said the certification gives the site adjacent to the Trent Lott International Airport an extraordinary competitive position.
http://tinyurl.com/l2zwse
The expansion will more than double BNSF’s shipping capacity . . . if need dictates, BNSF can double again in the future. The intermodal yard is located in Southeast Memphis, very close to the DeSoto County market, which has been enjoying positive absorption of industrial space for the last several years.
http://msbusiness.com/blog/2009/08/burlington-northern-santa-fe-to-expand/
An Arkansas-based consulting firm is in Natchez this week meeting with representatives from several public and private entities to discuss the Natchez-Adams Economic Authority. Natchez-Adams Chamber of Commerce President Debbie Hudson said the meetings came as a result of…
http://www.natchezdemocrat.com/news/2009/aug/21/hired-firm-talking-eda
Downtown officials study Oxford’s redevelopment.
http://tinyurl.com/nd93fk
“It is big for Ridgeland and Madison County,” Tim Coursey, executive director of the county’s Economic Development Authority, said of 200 Renaissance. “Those are three major companies.”
http://tinyurl.com/n37zxx
More than half of the $4.9 billion in Gulf Opportunity Zone bonding authority remains available for economic development projects in areas affected by hurricanes Katrina and Rita nearly four years ago.
http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20090816/BIZ/908160360/1005
About 14 years after the district was created by the city of Ridgeland to give the area a 19th century feel, the West Jackson Street Overlay District has become a hot spot for local businesses, as well as a hub for special events.
http://tinyurl.com/nqs4v3
David Vowell, president of the Philadelphia-Neshoba County Community Development Partnership, said he expects “the whole community” will support Young and that he’s “off to a good start.”
http://tinyurl.com/mmdm9r
The innovative curriculum for this course comes from the Southern Entrepreneurship Program (SEP) developed by Dr. Brent Hales of the Trent Lott National Center of Excellence in Economic Development and Entrepreneurship at the University of Southern Mississippi.
http://www.meridianstar.com/local/local_story_235011657.html
Entergy, the second largest operator of nuclear plants in the country, is also considering putting a new reactor at its Grand Gulf nuclear station in Mississippi. That site already holds an early site permit from nuclear regulators.
http://www.reuters.com/article/bondsNews/idUSN218659820090821
After nearly a year, Mississippi Home Corp. is again issuing bond-backed mortgage loans, thanks to an easing credit market. The agency announced Tuesday that $25 million will be available.
http://tinyurl.com/lzf8lx
Elected officials study ‘Economic Development 101’
http://tinyurl.com/ntovkk
Mississippi Investment Petroleum Co. has preliminary work under way in Houston after it leased and took over the Tri-State Petroleum Products refinery.
http://nems360.com/bookmark/3246073
Chandler Russ, a former Brookhaven-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce executive vice-president who is now director of MDA’s Existing Business and Industry Division, cited the importance of retention and expansion of existing business and industry at all levels.
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=20359214&BRD=1377&PAG=461&dept_id=172922&rfi=6
“The need for an assisted living facility has long been discussed in Brookhaven, and the presence downtown should prove to be a great asset,” (Chamber of Commerce Executive Vice-President Cliff Brumfield) said.
http://tinyurl.com/lqjzkb
Burns Cooley Dennis Inc., a Mississippi-based geotechnical and materials engineering firm with an office in Gulfport, received a 2009 National Honor Award from the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) for its work on the U.S. 90 over St. Louis Bay Bridge project.
http://southcentral.construction.com/news/ms/
Cities and counties can apply for up to $1M with ZERO percent match on the Brownfield Assessment Coalition Grant. MDEQ will work with communities to assist them in their efforts, but with the deadline a mere 60 days away, they must get started now. Guidelines are at:
http://www.epa.gov/oswer/grants-funding.htm
The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) is pleased to announce it has awarded Rachael Tackett, owner of the new Rachael’s boutique women’s clothing store in Greenwood, Mississippi, a $12,938 economic development grant through Community Bank.
http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/news.html?d=171322
The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) is pleased to announce it has awarded Mario Valera, owner of the new Domino’s Pizza in Indianola, Mississippi, a $5,217 economic development grant through Community Bank.
http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/news.html?d=171745
In partnership with Advance Mississippi, Rep. Brian Aldridge (R-Tupelo) and consumer conservation subcommittee and legislative partners recently toured North American Coal Corporation’s Red Hills Lignite Mine and Power Plant.
http://www.msbusiness.com/article.cfm?ID=8821
The Mississippi World Trade Center (MSWTC) has earned professional certification in four service categories after completing and passing a rigorous certification process conducted by the World Trade Centers Association (WTCA).
http://www.msbusiness.com/article.cfm?ID=8820
ARRA has provided authority to expand leverage for the Small Business Investment Companies (SBICs) and increase investments in smaller enterprises.
http://www.wildman.com/bulletin/071609/
http://www.sba.gov/idc/groups/public/documents/sba_program_office/inv_rcvry_act_sbic_changes.pdf
For a listing of SBICs go to: http://www.sba.gov/aboutsba/sbaprograms/inv/inv_directory_sbic.html
A proposed 47-acre mixed-use development known as the Livingston Township has received zoning approval from the county, but failed to receive some specific variances requested by developers.
http://www.onlinemadison.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=21725&TM=18084.88
“Community Bank will do whatever it takes to help our customers, and our town, succeed,” said Ms. Baird. “The FHLB EDPPlus grants have provided much needed capital to start up local businesses, and in small Delta towns, we need every possible advantage to encourage new business development, especially in the current economic downturn.”
http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/news.html?d=171745
The International Economic Development Council, in partnership with GrantStation, brings you the GrantStation Insider each week. The GrantStation Insider provides you with the latest information on new funding programs, upcoming grant deadlines, conferences, trainings, and relevant information for grantseekers.
http://www.grantstation.com/insider_cobrands/International_Economic_Development_Council.asp
The Mississippi World Trade Center has acquired statewide exclusive distribution rights to CenTradeX, the premier source for comprehensive global business intelligence and cordially invites you to attend a VIP Preview. CenTradeX President, Chuck Wigand and Executive Director Mark Condon will be in Jackson at the MSWTC conference room on August 26-27 for a presentation and kick-off demonstration of this new power tool for trade and foreign direct investment.
http://www.mswtc.org/events/Demoflyer.pdf
Carol Hardwick, Executive Director
Mississippi Economic Development Council (MEDC)
P. O. Box 3721, Jackson, MS 39207
www.medc.ms
MEDC is Mississippi’s professional association of economic development and chamber of commerce professionals.
Mississippi Economic Development News – August 3, 2009
A startup car company says it’s moving forward with plans to build a multibillion dollar plant in Mississippi that could produce a million fuel efficient vehicles a year.
http://www.newsday.com/company-says-it-s-still-planning-new-car-plant-in-miss-1.1331545
The economic development team at Entergy Mississippi Inc. has launched a new web site that connects business leaders around the world to Mississippi communities. The URL is MississippiSiteSelection.com.
http://www.msbusiness.com/article.cfm?ID=8740
“We are delighted to have these new members to contribute to the ongoing discussion toward advocating energy solutions that will benefit Mississippians and fuel economic growth,” said Advance Mississippi chairman Glenn McCullough Jr.
http://www.msbusiness.com/article.cfm?ID=8745
A firm has been chosen to provide a feasibility study on building an arena in downtown Jackson.
http://tinyurl.com/nq8jo9
AARP’s July publication highlights Oxford, MS as one of their Top 10 picks for Places To Live The Simple Life.
http://www.aarpmagazine.org/lifestyle/simple_life_more_cities.html
Christy Knapp assumes expanded role with Oxford-Lafayette County Economic Development Foundation.
http://www.medc.ms/C.Knapp’s_Promotion.pdf
MDA-ED officials say some $10 million in grants will be available through the Mississippi Job Protection through Energy Economic Development project.
http://www.starkvilledailynews.com/content/view/161949/60/
Grenada County MS Selects Pablo Diaz as First Executive Director for Economic Development
http://news.yahoo.com/s/prweb/20090729/bs_prweb/prweb2656194_1
During the week-long workshop that began July 20, the Mississippi Main Street Association and the Laurel community rallied together to develop a master plan for the development of historic downtown.
http://www.leadercall.com/local/local_story_214125723.html
Sen. Thad Cochran’s office released a list of projects, including seven in Northeast Mississippi, due to be funded if H.R. 3288 is passed by the full Senate as expected.
http://tinyurl.com/n9h5pu
The Kosciusko Mayor and Board of Aldermen agreed to look into selling a portion of the Mid-Mississippi Eco-Plex (industrial park) on Highway 19 during the July 21 meeting. Mayor Jimmy Cockroft said an adjoining land owner is interested in a section of the land.
http://www.starherald.net/local/local_story_212100546.html
Southwest Mississippi Resource Conservation and Development, a nonprofit based in Brookhaven, will receive almost $100,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to start or expand businesses in rural communities.
http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20090728/BIZ/90728028/1263/RSS
The city of Waveland received the green light to build a business incubator on Coleman Avenue to entice commerce in hopes of revitalizing the downtown district that was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. http://www.sunherald.com/business/story/1509981.html
Cooper’s Expansion – The Community Development Foundation’s David Rumbarger said in February the expansion would bring 50 to 150 new jobs to Tupelo. Cooper operates with direct employee and contract workers in its Tupelo operations.
http://www.istockanalyst.com/article/viewiStockNews/articleid/3381510
The 72,000 square foot glass building, designed by ESI Design of New York, will provide a showcase for the world-class level of exploration and discovery that has been a part of NASA, Stennis Space Center and Mississippi for over 40 years.
http://tinyurl.com/ndh4g4
The New South Economic Development Course will be held at the Courtyard Marriott in Gulfport September 20 – 25. This IEDC basic course, the only one offered in Mississippi, is one of the first requirements to gaining your Certified Economic Developer designation from IEDC. http://www.usm.edu/profdev_edoutreach/NEWSOUTH.html
The Mississippi District Export Council presents EXPORT UNIVERSITY Export 101 – An Introduction to Exporting Wednesday, August 5, 2009
https://emenuapps.ita.doc.gov/ePublic/newWebinarRegistration.jsp?SmartCode=9Q9L
The United States Commercial Service in conjunction with the U.S. Census Bureau is sponsoring an Automated Export System (AES) Compliance Seminar and Workshop in Jackson, MS on August 13-14, 2009.
http://www.buyusa.gov/jackson/
Carol Hardwick, Executive Director
Mississippi Economic Development Council, Inc. (MEDC)
P. O. Box 3721, Jackson, MS 39207
601-352-1909 . carol@medc.ms
2009 Summer Conference photos at www.medc.ms
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
Mississippi Economic Development News 01.12.09
Mississippi Economic Development News – Week of Jan 12, 2009
“It was a very positive meeting,” said Randy Meador, vice president of Neel-Schaffer Engineers and Planners, who is serving as consulting engineer and planner for the city of Laurel, and as spokesman of the group which met at the Jones County Economic Development Association (EDA) Friday. “We accomplished a lot, but did not get into specifics.”
http://www.leadercall.com/local/local_story_010145837.html
Entergy has put on hold its applications to license two new nuclear power plants, including a proposed $5 billion facility in Port Gibson, after ending negotiations with a company to design the facilities.
http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20090110/NEWS/901100345/1001/news
East Mississippi Business Development Corporation President Wade Jones agrees, adding that residents should consider the recession from a global perspective, not just from jobs lost and closings.
http://www.meridianstar.com/local/local_story_011010130.html
The Mississippi Renaissance Garden Foundation’s December 2008 “Bringing Back the Beauty Award” was presented to Moss Point’s Celebration! Committee for its work in providing beautification, community spirit, community cooperation and civic pride. The Celebrations! committee. Its purpose, according to Linda Holden, Moss Point’s Economic Development consultant and coordinator of the Celebrations! committee, is part of an economic-development strategy that includes are promoting tourism and giving Moss Point an identity through fun-filled programs, and expressing that identity in a unique manner.
http://www.sunherald.com/local/story/1060085.html
Looking forward, looking back: (Columbus) leaders ponder year to come…
http://www.cdispatch.com/articles/2009/01/10/local_news/local02.txt
Some southern states — Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas and Tennessee — formally regard the mailbox economy as a form of economic development and are actively recruiting the boomers, particularly to smaller towns.
http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20090111/ARTICLE/901110356/0/SPORTS0301
Efforts are under way in Northeast Mississippi to provide free tuition at the community colleges for new high school graduates. Lewis Whitfield, senior vice president with the Lee County-based CREATE Foundation and a chief proponent of the concept, said the free tuition is being provided in 18 of 31 school districts in Northeast Mississippi, beginning with the high school Class of 2009.
http://www.djournal.com/pages/story.asp?ID=284424&pub=1&div=News
The Brookhaven board of aldermen voted on a list of their top 10 priorities last year, and five of the proposed priorities received a unanimous vote. The top five priorities garnering unanimous votes were economic development, downtown revitalization, systematically replacing equipment, continued paving and tending to infrastructure needs.
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=20237528&BRD=1377&PAG=461&dept_id=172922&rfi=6
Greater Starkville Development Partnership President and Chief Executive Officer Jon Maynard was pleased at Starkville’s economic situation over the past year and hopes to continue the trend in 2009.
http://www.cdispatch.com/articles/2009/01/10/local_news/local03.txt
DeSoto County Supervisors allocated $150,000 to the DeSoto County Economic Development Council for the hiring of a greenways coordinator and establishment of a Northwest Mississippi Land Trust.
http://www.desototimes.com/articles/2009/01/09/news/doc4965e33f16012328500124.txt
“Several of our nongaming businesses are hiring,” said John Hendrix, the tribe’s director of economic development. “We’re hoping the nongaming (operations) can pick up some of those people.” The tribe operates 14 businesses, five of which are tied to gaming. One is the tribe’s commercial laundry service.
http://www.reznetnews.org/article/570-jobs-gone-choctaw-resort-28210
Dennis P. Lockhart, president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, will be the keynote speaker during the annual Economic Outlook for South Mississippi conference on Jan. 15 at the University of Southern Mississippi.
http://www.wxvt.com/Global/story.asp?S=9636994
More than 2,000 runners lined up early last Saturday for the Second Annual Mississippi Blues Marathon. This year’s runners broke time records and made some local business owners very happy.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28468981/
Register now for the 2009 Winter Conference February 4-6 at the Hilton in Jackson. Show your support for the economic developers and chamber of commerce executives. Become a sponsor today! www.medc.ms or 601-352-1909
Carol Hardwick, Executive Director
Mississippi Economic Development Council, Inc. (MEDC)
P. O. Box 3721 . Jackson . MS . 39207 . 601-352-1909
carol@medc.ms . www.medc.ms
2009 Winter Conference . Feb. 4-6 . Hilton . Jackson
2009 Summer Conference . July 22-24 . Beau Rivage . Biloxi
Carol's Weblog 