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MISSISSIPPI ECONOMIC COUNCIL
First Lady Michelle Obama
Christens
Newest Northrop Grumman-built Coast Guard Cutter
First Lady Michelle Obama breaks a bottle of
sparkling wine across the bow of the Coast Guard's newest national security
cutter, officially Christening the ship Stratton (WMSL 752). More than 3,000
guests attended the ceremony at Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding facilities in
Pascagoula, Miss. Mrs. Obama was supported by (l-r) Mike Petters, president,
Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding, U.S. Coast Guard Capt. Bruce Baffer, prospective
commanding officer, Stratton (WMSL 752) and Adm. Robert Papp Jr., commandant of
the U.S. Coast Guard.
First Lady Michelle Obama Christened the Northrop
Grumman-built U.S. National Security Cutter Stratton in front of 3,000
guests at the Pascagoula shipyard Friday, July 23, calling the ship
"truly magnificent."
Stratton is the third of eight planned National
Security Cutters being built at Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding in
Pascagoula for the U.S. Coast Guard. Stratton is named in honor of
Captain Dorothy C. Stratton (1899-2006), the U.S. Coast Guard's first
female commissioned officer and director of the SPARS ("Semper Paratus -
Always Ready"), the U.S. Coast Guard Women's Reserve during World War
II.
For More
Thursday, July 29, 2010
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(Click on the icon below)
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All Levels of
Education
Improve in Mississippi
Report Shows Largest Gain in
Nation in 4th Grade Reading
Mississippi is seeing
improvement across all levels of education, according to an annual
progress report released June 30 by the Southern Regional
Education Board. Significant progress in the state includes:
Achieving the largest
percentage-point increase in the nation in reading at the National
Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) Basic Level from 2007 to
2009 among Mississippi’s fourth-graders
Narrowing the
achievement gap for Mississippi’s black fourth-graders in reading
and black eighth-graders in math on NAEP
Increasing the composite
ACT score and the number of students taking the ACT from 1999 to
2009
Enrolling high school
graduates from Mississippi in the state’s postsecondary institutions
at a higher rate than U.S. peers
The Mississippi Economic
Council has long been an advocate for improving education, with
priorities placed on adequate and appropriate funding at all levels,
demanding additional accountability and focusing on improving in the
state's dropout rate.
For More
For Statement from MEC President Blake
Wilson
Delta Delays
Decision on Nonstop Flight to D.C.
Flying nonstop to D.C. more important than ever!
Delta Air Lines has agreed to give Mississippi another
chance to show its support for maintaining nonstop flights between
Jackson and Washington, D.C. The airline had planned to suspend the
service in September due to low demand but is now extending flights into
December to allow our community to show its support for this important
route. It is important that all Mississippians show their support for
the service if they want it to continue. Delta is Mississippi’s largest
airline – serving seven airports across the state. The airline has
served our market since 1929 and is a key factor in the continuing
economic development of our region. Show your support by booking a
nonstop flight from Jackson to Washington’s Reagan National (DCA) at
delta.com. The nonstop flights operate six times a week with an 8 a.m.
departure from Jackson and an 8:35 p.m. departure from Reagan-National.*
*NOTE: Effective Sept. 2, flight times will change
to a 7 a.m. departure from Jackson and an 8:45 p.m. departure from
Reagan-National. Flights are operated by Delta Connection carrier Comair.
Momentum
Mississippi Incentives Help Spur Worthington Expansion
Worthington Industries, a global supplier of pressure
tanks and pressure cylinders, is expanding operations at its facility in
New Albany. The expansion represents a company investment of more than
$11 million and will create 80 new jobs over the next five years; 30 of
those jobs will be added this year. Currently, the New Albany facility
employs 165 workers.
The Mississippi Development
Authority worked with company and local officials to help facilitate the
expansion using Momentum Mississippi incentives. The State also provided
workforce training assistance to the company.
For More
Leadership Mississippi
Met on Coast in June
The 2010-11 class met on the Mississippi Gulf Coast June 10-11, The meetings focused on
economic development.
Meetings are also planned for Greenville
in August, to look at Healthcare and in Natchez in October to address quality of
life.
For More Information about the Program
To see where the 2010-11 class will travel
Forum Held on
Health Care Reform Legislation
MEC Connect Looked At How the Patient Protection
and
Affordable Care Act Will
Impact Businesses
A Discussion on Health Care Mandates
August 4, 2010
9:30 a.m. – Noon 3rd Floor Theatre, Jackson Convention Complex
105 E. Pascagoula Street
Jackson, MS 39201
Governor
Haley Barbour will host a discussion on the impact
mandates associated with the recently passed Health
Care Reform Act. The event will be held in the 3rd
Floor Theatre of Jackson Convention Complex at 105
E. Pascagoula Street in Jackson.
There is NO COST to
attend thanks to the sponsorship of the Mississippi
Manufacturers Association, Mississippi Economic
Council, National Federation of Independent
Business, and Mississippi Hospitality & Restaurant
Association.
Speakers will include Gov.
Barbour, Christine Scullion of the National
Association of Manufacturers, Mike McCallum of the
National Restaurant Association, Dr. Tim Alford of
the Mississippi State Medical Association and Aaron
Sisk of the Mississippi Insurance Department.
For Invitation
For Agenda
To Register
Sponsored by
There is NO COST to attend thanks to
the sponsorship of the Mississippi Manufacturers Association, Mississippi
Economic Council, National Federation of Independent Business, and
Mississippi Hospitality & Restaurant Association.
Day named
President
of Mississippi Power
Topazi becomes Southern Company
COO
Mississippi Power’s Board of Directors has named
Edward Day VI as president and CEO, replacing Anthony Topazi. Topazi,
a past MEC Chair, will become executive vice president and chief
operating officer of Southern Company, responsible for Southern
Company Generation, Southern Power and Southern Company Transmission
in Birmingham. Both moves are effective August 13, 2010.
Day will become Mississippi
Power’s 11th president in its 85-year history.
Day joined Southern Company in 1983 as an engineer in
the company's nuclear operations division and progressed
through positions of increasing responsibility across a
number of functional areas, including engineering and
business development, before becoming executive vice
president, engineering and construction services for
Southern Company Services in 2003. Day holds a bachelor's
degree in mechanical engineering from the University of
Alabama and a master of business administration from Samford
University. He also completed the Advanced Management
Program at Harvard Business School.
Ed Day
Anthony Topazi
Topazi, named president and
chief executive officer of Mississippi Power in 2004, began
his career with Southern Company at Alabama Power in 1969.
Progressing through roles of increasing responsibility, he
has held executive positions in Alabama Power's customer
service organization, including vice president for the
divisions serving Birmingham and the state's western region.
He also has served as senior vice president of Southern
Power – the company subsidiary that acquires, builds,
manages and owns wholesale generation assets – and as
executive vice president for Southern Company Generation and
Energy Marketing. Topazi earned a bachelor's degree in
electrical engineering from Auburn University and completed
the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School.
For
Release on Management Changes at Southern Company
DuPont DeLisle,
Thomasson Company
Receive Governor's Cup Award
Company officials from DuPont DeLisle were
presented the Governor's Cup Award for big business at the MEDC
summer conference in Biloxi July 22.
Pat Thomasson (second from left) was honored at
the MEDC summer meeting, as Thomasson Company won the small
business Governor's Cup Award.
DuPont DeLisle and Thomasson
Company were chosen as the Governor's Cup Award winners. The
award honors private-sector businesses that have made a
significant impact within their communities. Both Dupont, which
won the in the big business Category, and Thomasson, which won
in the small business catetory, are MEC members.
The awards
were presented at the Governor's Cup Award Banquet during the
Mississippi Economic Development Council Annual Conference in
Biloxi on July 22. District winners recognized a were MEC members Cooper Tire
and Rubber Company and Structural Steel Services win the big business category. Tupelo
Recycling and Shaggy's Habor Bar and Grill, were district
winners in
the small business category.
For More Information and Photos
Marty Stuart
Honored at Opening
of Sparkle & Twang Exhibit
The premiere of the Sparkle & Twang exhibit was held July
8 at the MSU Riley Center. Pictured from left are: Tommy Dulaney, of
Structural Steel and the 2011-12 MEC Chair, Lt. Governor Phil Bryant,
country music legend Marty Stuart, and Manny Mitchell of Mitchell
Distributing - the sponsor of the premiere reception.
Collection of Music Memorabilia on
Display at MSU Riley Center
Marty Stuart received a star on the Mississippi Arts and
Entertainment Center's walk of fame on the sidewalk in front of the
Mississippi State University Riley Center for Educational and Performing
Arts in Meridian. The unveiling on July 8 was followed by a preview
reception for Sparkle & Tawng: Marty Stuart’s American Musical Odyssey.
The exhibit, which chronicles 40 years of American Music, is on display
at the MSU Riley Center from July 10-Sept. 18. The exhibit is being held
in conjunction with the Jimmie Rodgers Foundation.
For More and Photos from Premiere For Sparkle & Twang Web Site
Grand Gulf Celebrates
25th Anniversary
Company officials, state and local leaders were all part of
Entergy's celebration of the Grand Gulf Nuclear Station's 25th
anniversary.
On July 1, Entergy celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the
opening of Grand Gulf Nuclear Station. Since 1985, the plant has
provided safe, reliable, affordable and virtually emission-free
electricity production for the people of Mississippi.
Grand
Gulf provides approximately 700 jobs in the community, has a
payroll of about $70 million and pays $29 million in taxes each
year. The plant is known worldwide for its commitment to safe
operations, industry-leading performance records and a legacy of
community leadership.
For More
Video Series Highlights Importance of Nuclear
Plant
To celebrate Grand Gulf’s 25th anniversary, Entergy
Mississippi has developed a four-part video series that covers the
plant’s history, future potential, safety and economic benefits.
CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO Helping Mississippi’s
Communities and Economy
First in a four-part series
Toyota Moving
Forward
with Mississippi Plant Production set to begin in fall
of 2011
Toyota will begin building the Corolla at its
Mississippi Plant in the Fall of 2011
Toyota is resuming construction of its Mississippi plant, which will
soon hire 2,000 team members and build the Corolla compact sedan
beginning in the fall of 2011, the company announced.
Governor Haley Barbour joined Toyota Motor Manufacturing Mississippi
officials and Northeast Mississippi community leaders to celebrate the
announcement Thursday, June 17.
This decision to begin production with Corolla enables TMMMS to open
as quickly as possible. Also, by beginning production with Corolla,
nearly all Corolla for this market will be built in North America.The TMMMS building is essentially complete. Most of the remaining
work involves the installation of equipment. The administration office
is already occupied by about 60 team members. Details about the hiring
process will be divulged later this summer.
For more on the Toyota Plant
Over 1,850 Attended MEC Fall Tour
Education, workforce development top priorities among Mississippi business leaders, according to survey taken during
For More and Photos From Tour
To Learn More about The Mississippi Economic Council's and its M.B. Swayze Educational Foundation's Student-Teacher Achievement Recognition (STAR) Program.
The Jackson Convention Complex Exhibition Hall was
filled for the MEC Annual Meeting Luncheon.
State's Musical Heritage Celebrated;
Touted as Avenue for Economic Growth
Music legends Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives and Dorothy Moore of
Farish Street Records of Mississippi headlined MEC's 61st Annual Meeting
performing and speaking about the importance of musical heritage in promoting
the state’s future. Stuart is a native of Philadelphia and Ms. Moore is a native
of Jackson. They were joined by Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour, who will
focus on how music trails and cultural heritage play into both tourism and
economic development in Mississippi.
For Videos, Photos and More For a
List of Annual Meeting Sponsors
Statewide Tour Focuses on Importance of Early Childhood Education
The vital connection between early childhood education and a quality workforce was brought to the forefront during the 10-city Next Steps Tour that was held March 22-26. More than 1,175 leaders throughout the state took part in the meetings.
20,000 Alcorn State University has awarded more than 20,000 degrees since it
opened, and alumni include author Alex Haley and actor Michael Clarke Duncan.
685 There are 685 miles of interstate highway in Mississippi.
$4.8 Billion
The amount spent by out of state visitors annually in Mississippi.
Did you know?
Mississippi was the first state in the nation to
have a planned system of junior colleges.
Click here for a map to MEC. We are located on the 9th floor of the
Trustmark Building. All visitors may park on the first floor of the parking
garage.
InLine Announces $20M Grant to Build 635-Mile Fiber Network
Project will connect 202 schools, hospitals, and first responders in central and southern Mississippi.
For More
Watkins Ludlam Winter & Stennis announces new shareholders
Watkins Ludlam Winter & Stennis is pleased to announce the election of four Shareholders to the firm: J. Andrew (Andy) Gipson, April D. Reeves, Christopher R. Shaw and S. Trent Favre.
For more
Two of Southeast's oldest law firms combine On July 1, Phelps Dunbar LLP will expand into Alabama through a combination with the firm of Lyons, Pipes & Cook, PC.
For More
JBHM Education Group hosts Best Practices Conference in July The Jackson-based school improvement company is hosting its first annual Best Practices Conference July 20-21 at the Natchez Convention Center. For More
Northrop Grumman facilities recognized by OSHA Avondale, Waggaman shipyards in Louisiana earn Voluntary Protection Program status. For More
Northrop Grumman announces $184M advance procurement contract for LPD 26 Contract to provide long lead materials for the tenth amphibious transport dock ship of the USS San Antonio.
For More
Robert Hudson joins Cellular South as regional manager Hudson will be in charge of all sales channels in Southwest Tennessee, including the Memphis Metro Area, and Northeast Mississippi. For More
ConocoPhillips, Penn State launch 2010 Energy Prize Up to $300,000 will be awarded for the best concepts that promote advances in energy diversity, improve energy efficiency or combat climate change.
For More
Rush Health Systems breaks ground on new hospital in Kemper County The future John C. Stennis Memorial Hospital in Dekalb will create 88 new jobs and be the first hospital built in Kemper County. For More
Stay up-to-date on important business issues being discussed at the Capitol. MEC's Scott Waller provides
daily reports of the key events during the session.
MEC Legislative Scrambler Wednesdays During Legislative Session
Click the logo above to hear past web calls
Statewide Events Calendar
For Latest Legislative News
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P.O. Box 23276 Jackson, MS 39225-3276 (601) 969-0022 1-800-748-7626 Fax: (601) 353-0247 or 1-888-717-2809