Archive
Economic Development News – September 14
In a recession where companies are consolidating and unemployment is rising, communities and economic development groups are giving area businesses the personal touch. While issues vary by business, some general concerns are emerging these days, said Benjie Barham, director of business development for the Hinds County Economic Development District.
http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20090913/BIZ/909130342/1005
It’s among her responsibilities, she said, to make companies in the Southeast including Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, North and South Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia more aware of the opportunities for collaboration in research and development with companies in Quebec.
http://www.globalatlanta.com/articlevid/20380/572/
The number of hotel rooms in Vicksburg has grown by 25 percent over the past year, a growth rate is five times larger than the state industry average.
http://tinyurl.com/mv6zrv
“If we don’t get new taxes, we’re going to be in trouble,” Brown told the Community Development Foundation in Tupelo on Friday.
http://www.bellinghamherald.com/latestheadlines/story/1067168.html
Gov. Haley Barbour today announced the appointment of Les Range as executive director of the Mississippi Department of Employment Security.
http://tinyurl.com/lpcxcy
Economic development officials in Tupelo say a program to donate land to first-time homebuyers will help several families and contribute to urban renewal. http://tinyurl.com/mc42wf
“The purpose of this year’s (Leadership Summit at Mississippi State University) conference, ‘Creating the New Economy,’ is both to assess and to support the transition to the entrepreneurial, information rich, sustainable economy that we must achieve in the early days of the 21st century,” Richardson said. http://www.starkvilledailynews.com/content/view/166187/1/
President Barack Obama has named two nominees for the Tennessee Valley Authority board of directors.
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/09/10/business/AP-US-TVA-Directors.html?_r=1
The Mississippi Heritage Trust’s biennial 10 Most Endangered Historic Places list, unveiled Thursday night in Jackson, includes the Alcazar Hotel in Clarksdale, Arlington in Natchez and Church Street in Port Gibson.
http://tinyurl.com/lr852o
Cognevich to serve as SEDC chair.
http://tinyurl.com/moumky
The thrill is gone at many attractions across the country as recession-mired tourists stay home, but in Indianola, Miss., a favorite son is packing ’em in at the B.B. King Museum.
http://tinyurl.com/m84muy
George County Board of Supervisors voted last week to join four, and perhaps five, other counties in forming the Regional Railroad Authority of East Mississippi. The rail authority seeks to build 50 to 55 miles of rail line, depending upon the exact route that will connect Waynesboro and Lucedale.
http://www.sunherald.com/news/transportation/story/1601071.html
Budget hearings to begin Sept. 21…Also appearing before the JLBC will be the State Tax Commission, the economic developers at the Mississippi Development Authority and Dr. Phil Pepper, the state economist.
http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20090913/COL0412/909130318/1171/OPINION
A $9.4 million proposal to convert a vacant building in the historic Mill Village neighborhood in Tupelo into loft-style apartments has received the housing tax credits needed to proceed.
http://tinyurl.com/kpdwp4
Madison County will soon have a new hospital. …”There is no question that we need a new hospital, and those of us in public service and economic development are 100 percent for this project.”
http://tinyurl.com/la2hgl
Mississippi’s community colleges are seeing record-breaking enrollment for the fall of 2009.
http://msbusiness.com/blog/2009/09/two-year-schools-enrollment-soars/
DeSoto County Economic Development Council President and CEO Jim Flanagan said he was saddened to hear of (Bob) Williams’ death. Williams served as the first chairman of the DeSoto County Economic Development Council.
http://www.desototimes.com/articles/2009/09/07/news/doc4aa55f505e03c947779955.txt
The United States Mint announced today (Sep. 9) that the nation will honor Vicksburg National Military Park in Mississippi through its new quarter-dollar coin program. The Vicksburg design will be the ninth to be featured on coins released under the United States Mint America the Beautiful Quarters Program, and will be issued in 2011.
http://tinyurl.com/kouxb2
“They’ll never hear you coming” may be Bad Boy Buggies’ slogan, but the builder of silent, electric-powered 4x4s is starting to scream. Bad Boy Enterprises, which designs, manufactures and markets the buggies from its Natchez headquarters, is poised for big growth says its new CEO John Skrabo.
http://www.natchezdemocrat.com/news/2009/sep/13/new-ceo-ready-lead-bad-boys-expansion/
The Mississippi World Trade Center in partnership with Northrop Grumman Ship Systems presents “Making Waves in a Sea of Change” international trade & small business conference for women & minorities scheduled for October 14-15 at the IP Casino Hotel & Conference Center in Biloxi. Companies from across the state are invited to participate in this exciting and informative program beginning with a “Power Breakfast” and keynote speech by Brigadier General Catherine S. Lutz. http://www.mswtc.org/resources/documents/brochure.pdf
The 2008 Salary Survey of Economic Development Professionals in Mississippi is on the MEDC website. http://www.medc.ms/Salary_Surveys.html
Please note that this Economic Development News is provided via online links. We are welcome your online news links for consideration for inclusion in this report. We are not able to attach pdfs or word documents emailed to the MEDC office. Do you have a google alert for news about your organization? Go to www.google.com and click on Settings to set up an alert. You may be required to have a gmail account.
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 – June 29, 2009
United Solutions, a manufacturer of plastic house wares, announced this week that it is expanding operations at its manufacturing facility in Sardis by adding a minimum of 20 jobs, equipment and infrastructure.
http://www.panolian.com/content.aspx?module=ContentItem&ID=138007&MemberID=1180
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the selection of 11 organizations to receive $6.9 million in loans to spur economic development and create or save an estimated 465 jobs in rural communities. – … (2) counties in the Mississippi Delta… The funds go to community development or regional planning groups who then re-lend the money to local businesses. The loans must be used to create or retain jobs by starting or expanding businesses.
http://tinyurl.com/npks7f
In addition to Wednesday’s program, the Mississippi Development Authority is among those groups that have set up a Web site with information about the more than $71 million it will distribute. MDA money primarily will go to community development, energy and economic development and bond financing.
http://tinyurl.com/m837ew
Speaking in West Point Thursday, the director of Golden Triangle Regional Airport said “We’re a mirror of the local economy.” … Over the past six years, he continued, more than $3 billion of new investment has come into the region, much of that occurring within the vicinity of the airport.
http://www.dailytimesleader.com/content/blogcategory/14/60
German Filmmakers to Focus on Vicksburg
http://tinyurl.com/ms5ea7
(Mayor-elect Parker)Wiseman has met multiple times with Greater Starkville Development Partnership CEO Jon Maynard and joined him on a trip to Jackson to meet with Mississippi Development Authority Executive Director Gray Swoope and his staff to discuss development opportunities and challenges facing the city.
http://www.starkvilledailynews.com/content/view/154440/60
Jackson County Economic Development Director George Freeland said the addition of the taxiway allows Northrop Grumman to complete more of the Fire Scout testing in Moss Point. This could create at least 16 more jobs at the center, Freeland said.
http://www.sunherald.com/local/story/1442408.html
Viking Range Corp.’s dishwasher plant is showing that not everything is down in this economy. This morning the Greenwood-Leflore County Chamber of Commerce held another in a series of its Industry Breakfast Tours. Beth Stevens, executive director of the chamber, said the tour …
http://tinyurl.com/n4c98u
The Mississippi Main Street Association (MMSA) celebrated achievements of Mississippi Main Street communities and member towns at a Blues Reception and Annual Awards Luncheon held (June 25) at the Old Capitol Inn. List of award winners:
http://msmain.pmhclients.com/images/uploads/2009_Mississippi_Main_Street_Awards.pdf
The TAP Alliance, an effort to join Tishomingo, Alcorn and Prentiss counties to cooperate on economic development projects, is founded on the principal that success in one area can benefit all. Tishomingo County Development Foundation Executive Director Gary Matthews, says money does not recognize political boundaries, nor does the workforce.
http://www.wxvt.com/Global/story.asp?S=10531937&nav=menu1344_2
The Mississippi Development Authority’s Tourism Division announces that three Mississippi cities – Pascagoula, Vicksburg and Greenville – are ranked by Outdoor Life magazine in the top towns for hunters and anglers to live in its June/July 2009 issue.
http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/article/20090603/NEWS01/90603020
As links in a chain provide support and stability, so can “business clusters” for the forest products industry, according to a new report by Mississippi State University’s (MSU’s) Forest and Wildlife Research Center. http://www.msbusiness.com/article.cfm?ID=8470
MEDC 2009 Summer Conference . July 22-24 . Beau Rivage . Biloxi
Sponsor deadline . July 1 . (for program listing)
Registration deadline . July 10
601-352-1909 . http://www.medc.ms/Conferences.html
Mississippi Economic Development News – May 11, 2009
Economic Development News – Week of May 11
The Arts Reinvestment Initiative, a new grant just announced by the Mississippi Arts Commission, will support arts-related jobs threatened by the weak economy. ARI will provide one-time grants to nonprofit organizations or government agencies in Mississippi to sustain jobs in the arts that have been cut or are in danger of being eliminated due to the current national economic downturn.
http://www.sunherald.com/business/story/1334895.html
Communities have a new tool to attract business and industry to Mississippi, a workforce analysis report produced by Entergy Mississippi Inc. and four economic development groups.
http://www.msbusiness.com/article.cfm?ID=8218
At a time when the stock market is slumping, Mississippians are making the smartest investment possible in an uncertain economy: providing a better start in life for some of our most vulnerable children. Together with national foundations, Mississippi’s business and charitable communities have contributed $5 million.
http://tinyurl.com/p49xqw
A few weeks ago, McComb and Pike County received the results of an analysis from the First Impressions program, a state program that helps cities and counties focus on the future. The visitors, who were here last October, noted a number of positive things about the city and the county.
http://www.enterprise-journal.com/articles/2009/05/03/opinion/02.txt
Mike Webb is cool and collected, but when conversation turns to economic development, his enthusiasm is contagious. As the assistant vice president of economic development for the Area Development Partnership …
http://tinyurl.com/oo32te
Mississippi Celebrates Its Grammy® Legacy May 28th With Star-Studded Gala in Tunica Hosted by Governor Barbour.
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/05/prweb2398514.htm
In addition to more than 250 students who graduated on Saturday, the University of Southern Mississippi-Gulf Coast feted Coast businessman and community leader Jerry St. Pe’ who is now one of only five to ever receive an honorary degree from USM….As one of the founders of the Jackson County Economic Development Foundation, St. Pé now serves as a member of the organization’s board of directors.
http://www.sunherald.com/412/story/1334977.html
Gov. Haley Barbour’s proposal to restrict the government’s taking of private property died Thursday as Mississippi lawmakers ended a special session without considering his plan.
http://www.meridianstar.com/StateNews/local_story_128004520.html
Administrators of the local chamber of commerce, tourism bureau and a downtown promotional group have all agreed to rough terms of a deal to share offices at the Levee Street Depot, said (Vicksburg) Mayor Laurence Leyens Friday, but details of the agreement are pending.
http://tinyurl.com/ogcua4
Delta Council will host its 74th annual meeting at Delta State University’s Bologna Performing Arts Center at 10:30 a.m. June 12.
http://tinyurl.com/oll5dc
Jay Moon, president of the Mississippi Manufacturers Association, told a Calhoun Economic Development Association (CEDA) audience that “workforce development” is most critical for a strong economy.
http://tinyurl.com/q95nxy
Exports of frozen poultry at the Port of Pascagoula, Miss. increased some 93 percent, to 85,486 tons from 44,270, during the first quarter of 2009 as compared to the first quarter of 2008.
http://www.breakbulk.com/content/?p=644
Following Gulf Coast Renaissance Corporation’s announcement of its MyHome MyCoast program April 8, the nonprofit organization received more than 3,000 phone calls from potential applicants within five days. MyHome MyCoast focuses on closing the affordable workforce-housing gap in Mississippi’s six southern counties.
http://tinyurl.com/or99ha
The Growth Alliance president paid a visit to the Clay County Board of Supervisors Thursday — providing an update on the organization’s activities. Jeff Rowell, who has been at the helm of the Growth Alliance since the beginning of the year, said he plans to start making regular visits to the supervisors.
http://www.dailytimesleader.com/content/blogcategory/14/60/
Harrah’s much publicized partnership with Jimmy Buffett for construction of the Margaritaville casino and resort on the beach in Biloxi remains an important project, says the company’s central dividion chief.
http://www.wlox.com/global/story.asp?s=10319942
Tourism is up in Grenada, according to Walter McCool, executive director of tourism. In the past seven months (October 2008 through April 2009), tourism taxes increased 10 percent over the same months a year ago.
http://tinyurl.com/odmnlp
The WAEM Town “Designing our Future” Workshop included a hands-on design exercise that focused on problem-solving in a hypothetical town in Mississippi. “Everyone who attended WAEM Town is a winner,” said Ken Dupre’, WAEM Program Coordinator. “They can now bring this valuable community place building process back to their own communities.”
http://waem.tmi.ms/WAEMTown.html
2009 Governor’s Workforce Mississippi Reemployment Summit will be held May 18 – 19 in Jackson. http://guest.cvent.com/EVENTS/Info/Summary.aspx?e=6b5ac218-bce3-4c03-a895-b0fb381353e5
Carol Hardwick, Executive Director
Mississippi Economic Development Council, Inc. (MEDC)
601-352-1909 . carol@medc.ms . www.medc.ms
2009 Summer Conference . July 22-24 . Beau Rivage . Biloxi
Mississippi Economic Development News – April 6, 2009
The second Business After Hours event by the Pontotoc Chamber of Commerce featured a panel comprised of Joseph Geddie, executive director of the North Mississippi Industrial Development Association; Tim Weston, field operations manager for the Tennessee Valley Authority; James Threadgill, vice chairman at BancorpSouth; and Jeremy Martin, the North Mississippi service coordinator for the Secretary of State’s office.
http://www.djournal.com/pages/story.asp?ID=287778&pub=1&div=News
<http://www.djournal.com/pages/story.asp?ID=287778&pub=1&div=News>
Problems arise as loop closes – The eventual completion of the Tenn. 385 and I-269 loop could create as much chaos as economic opportunity.
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/apr/04/editorials-problems-arise-as-loop-closes
During the luncheon, Jay C. Moon, president and CEO of the Mississippi Manufacturers Association, informed business and industry leaders, county officials and college workforce trainers about the present state of manufacturing in Mississippi and the nation.
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=20292564&BRD=1377&PAG=461&dept_id=172922&rfi=6
<http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=20292564&BRD=1377&PAG=461&dept_id=172922&rfi=6>
Governor Haley Barbour is bringing together state agency heads, legislators and local government officials as well as inviting the public to participate in a Mississippi Stimulus Summit on April 16. The summit is scheduled from 2 p.m.-4 p.m. at the Jackson Convention Complex following the annual meeting of the Mississippi Economic Council; no
reservations are necessary.
http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/index.php/site/comments/barbour_schedules_stimulus_meeting_040209
The city must attract more businesses to speed up recovery from Hurricane Katrina and help it thrive in the future. That was the feeling among candidates for city elections Friday night at a forum held at the University of Southern Mississippi. The forum was sponsored by the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce.
http://www.sunherald.com/local/story/1251133.html
Keynote speaker was Blake Wilson, president and CEO of the Mississippi Economic Council, who offered words of encouragement about the future of the arts in Mississippi, particularly in education.
http://www.meridianstar.com/local/local_story_093002605.html
We have an integration center at our warehouse facility in Southhaven, Mississippi, where we’re able to burn testing, software loading, inserting IP addresses on the switches, though we can also do remote programming of the switches, and various things. When we ship, it’s a solution ready to install, so it cuts down on the implementation time, relieving the partner, and improving their cash flow, since they can now turn their project around quickly.
Sen. Thad Cochran,(R) Mississippi said, “It’s a bold statement and a confident statement about the economic future of our state, the decision to locate this facility here. This facility will be capable of producing up to five million rounds annually, enough to fill most of the Marine Corps 50 caliber requirement.”
http://www.wlox.com/Global/story.asp?S=10131533
The 102-year-old Levee Street Depot — for years expected to house a private transportation museum — could be much more, Mayor Laurence Leyens said Wednesday, suggesting the Vicksburg Convention and Visitors Bureau, Vicksburg Main Street and Vicksburg-Warren County Chamber of Commerce also be tenants in the city-owned building.
http://www.vicksburgpost.com/articles/2009/04/02/news/doc49d4eb7c87b61907432189.txt
Mississippi Development Authority officials reported Monday that the Petal School District drives the Friendly City in terms of economic development.
http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/article/20090331/NEWS01/903310308/1002
“I am so pleased to see the city and county working together with the Growth Alliance in order to coordinate our efforts to make West Point and Clay County a better place to live and work,” said Growth Alliance Board Chairman Michelle Easterling. “We are making strides, even in the dourest of economic conditions. I believe we all realize that we can
move our community forward if we unite on common principles and objectives.
http://www.cdispatch.com/news/article.asp?aid=872
The brainchild of Bill Adams, TVA’s megasite program has garnered national attention since its unveiling in 2004. Since then, five sites have been sold. These announced projects are expected to eventually create, according to TVA, more than 5,500 direct jobs and represent $5 billion in capital investment. And this does not include ancillary jobs
and investments from related suppliers and service businesses.
http://www.businesstn.com/content/200903/marketing-megasite
And don’t miss out on the Chamber Workshop in Oxford on April 16 “Putting Your Chamber in Overdrive” which will cover membership retention and recruitment, retail development, ambassador programs and other value-added programs. www.medc.ms
Save the date – July 22-24, MEDC Summer Conference, Beau Rivage, Biloxi – details soon.
Carol Hardwick, Executive Director
Mississippi Economic Development Council, Inc. (MEDC)
601-352-1909 . carol@medc.ms . www.medc.ms
Member-to-Member Seminar . April 14 . Hattiesburg
MEDC Chamber Workshop . April 16 . Oxford
2009 Summer Conference . July 22-24 . Beau Rivage . Biloxi
Carol's Weblog 