Mississippi Economic Development News – June 15, 2009

Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour says he’s traveling to Paris late Saturday for economic development.
http://www.leadercall.com/local/local_story_163172604.html

A $10 million wood pellet plant opened Monday in Stone County and company officials say the 12,000 square-foot facility will produce feedstock for alternative energy.  Gray Swoope, executive director of the Mississippi Development Authority, took part in a dedication ceremony Monday for Piney Woods Pellets. http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/06/08/business/AP-US-Mississippi-Wood-Pellet-Plant.html?_r=2

Area leaders learn to work together — City and county lines don’t matter, and neither do state lines when it comes to regional economic development.
http://tinyurl.com/m8glmp

The state’s economic prosperity apparatus (including Gov. Barbour and the Mississippi Development Authority) remains four-square in its optimism about Toyota’s future in Mississippi.
http://tinyurl.com/ntshwh

Terry, because of a chancery judge’s ruling last month, will annex about 250 undeveloped acres south of Jackson. Commercial and retail growth is expected along the Interstate 55 corridor.  “How this land would be developed would have a definite impact on the economic and quality of life of the town,” Mayor Rod Nicholson said.
http://tinyurl.com/m9d5s5

A new institute will work on an energy policy to promote long-term economic growth in Mississippi as the state pursues renewable power projects, Gov. Haley Barbour said Wednesday.
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2009/06/10/ap6529033.html

The Model Contractor Development Program is the first time the City of Hattiesburg and the Mississippi Development Authority have teamed up to offer the workshop to contractors in the area.  The program is designed to educate small contractors on better business practices and increase their ability to be bonded, officials said.
http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/article/20090612/NEWS01/906120316/1002

Thirty-three miles of (gas) pipe will cross Hinds County, and 26 miles will cut across Rankin County.  Counties not only tax the value of the pipeline but also the value of the gas transmitted through it, said Blake Wallace, executive director of the Hinds County Economic Development District.
http://tinyurl.com/krpe7l

Brookhaven-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce Program Director Kay Burton and Bank of Brookhaven President Bill Sones plan to promote the hometown and network with Big Apple businessmen at this weekend’s 30th annual Mississippi Picnic, a daylong showcase of Mississippi arts, crafts, music, food and culture held in Central Park. 
http://tinyurl.com/lf6tdu

Posters designed by Clinton’s own Wyatt Waters will be a highlight of the 30th annual New York Mississippi Picnic Saturday in the East Meadow of Manhattan’s Central Park.
http://tinyurl.com/n7nlw8

According to author Ed Bee, president of Taimerica Management Company in Mandeville, Louisiana, we’ve come full circle. He recommends going back to community promotion and industrial recruiting. And, most importantly, he writes we have to give up on “one-size-fits-all” approaches to economic development.
http://tinyurl.com/neoank

The Mississippi Public Service Commission was correct in its decision this week to let normal proceedings continue toward a proposed “clean-coal” plant in Kemper County.
http://tinyurl.com/nutyq5

MEDC 2009 Summer Conference . July 22-24 . Beau Rivage . Biloxi
Communicate Educate Innovate – A Beacon for the Future
http://www.medc.ms/Conferences.html
Show your support — become a sponsor — and register to attend today!

Carol Hardwick, Executive Director
Mississippi Economic Development Council, Inc. (MEDC)
601-352-1909 . carol@medc.ms . www.medc.ms