Register Today & Join Governor Haley Barbour for 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 CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO Focused on Safety Second in a four-part series CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO Helping Power Mississippi’s Future Third in a four-part series CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO A Proud History Fourth 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