MISSISSIPPI ECONOMIC COUNCIL




 35 Days  11 Hours  44 Minutes
Remaining Until MEC's 61st Annual Meeting


For Sponsorship and Registration Information

 
 
Wednesday, March 10, 2010

 
 

 

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Blake Wilson On Twitter

(Click on the icon below)

Follow MEC Lobbyist
Scott Waller on Twitter


Davis, Buck,
Swoope Discuss
Economic
Development
at March 3
Scrambler

The final MEC Scrambler was held on March 3 and focused on economic development. It featured Sen. Doug Davis, Rep. Kevin Buck and Gray Swoope, executive director, Mississippi Development Authority.
The Economic Development Scrambler was sponsored by TVA.

 


Rep. Buck


Sen. Davis

Gray Swoope
 
Workforce Training: Putting Mississippi in the Place of  Greatest Opportunity for Economic Development

Sponsored by

 

MEC's Legislative Scramblers are a way to give members a meaningful voice at the Capitol without having to leave their desks.


Listen to the January 29, 2010 Scrambler on Finance
Sponsored by Watkins Ludlam Winter & Stennis P.A.


Listen to the February 10, 2010 Scrambler on Transportation
Sponsored by Mississippi Road Builder's Association


Listen to the February 17, 2010 Scrambler on Education
Sponsored by JBHM Education Group


Listen to the March 3, 2010 Scrambler on Economic Development
Sponsored by TVA


Leadership Mississippi
Graduation March 5
 
2010-11 Class To Meet in Oxford March 11-12

Leadership Mississippi 's graduation for the 2009-2010 Class was held March 5, at the Old Capitol Inn in Jackson. The meeting featured former Governor William Winter and Past MEC Chair Jack Reed Sr.

The 2010-11 Leadership Mississippi Class got under way on Wednesday, January 20 in Jackson. The opening session focused on government. On Friday, the class took part in a mini-conference on Early Childhood Education. Class members will be working on projects dealing with early childhood education and with promoting the Mississippi Scholars program.

The class will meet in Oxford March 11-12, the meetings will focus on education.

For More Information about the Program
To see where the 2010-11 class will travel


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



2010 Annual Meeting
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Jackson Convention Complex


For Complete Recap
of MEC's 60th
Annual Meeting

 
 


 

Mark Your Calendar

2010 Annual Meeting
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Jackson Convention Complex

Also featuring:
S.T.A.R. Student
Education Celebration

A Salute to
Mississippi Scholars

Join Business Leaders, Community Leaders and Education Leaders from across Mississippi at MEC's 61st Annual Meeting on April 15.

For Annual Meeting Sponsorship and Registration
 For a List of Current Sponsors

 To Register for Salute to Mississippi Scholars


Your Participation
Needed in Moving
Mississippi Forward

Statewide Tour to focus on importance
 of early learning in state
A series of statewide meetings focusing on ways to expand early childhood education in Mississippi is planned for the week of March 22.. The Tour, organized and sponsored by MEC's Leadership Mississippi and the Committee for Economic Development will travel to 10 cities. The events, which will feature key national, regional and state early childhood policy leaders, are generously funded by a grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. 

There is no cost to attend, but registration is requested.
To Register for the Tour

The Tour Stops include:

Monday, March 22 Meridian 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Tuesday, March 23 Brookhaven 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Tuesday, March 23 Natchez 3:30-5 p.m.
Wednesday, March 24 Biloxi/Gulfport 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Wednesday, March 24 Hattiesburg 3:30-5 p.m.
Thursday, March 25 Jackson 7:30-9 a.m.
Thursday, March 25 Greenville 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Thursday, March 25 Greenwood 3:30-5 p.m.
Friday, March 26 Columbus 7:30-9 a.m.
Friday, March 26 Tupelo 11:30-1 p.m.
To Register for the Tour

Generously Funded by a Grant From


Dr. Marvin Hogan (center) of Friends of Children of Mississippi, discusses early childhood initiatives as Annjo Lemons (left) of Excel by 5 and Robin Robinson of Sanderson Farms listen.


Michael Petro, Vice President and Director of Business and Government Policy & Chief of Staff, Committee for Economic Development, Washington, DC. was the keynote speaker.

Forum brings leaders together

MEC’s Leadership Mississippi's 2010-11 Class, along with about 200 other community and educational leaders gathered Jan. 22 to look at the next steps in creating a successful early childhood education in Mississippi. The event looked at the progress of Mississippi Building Blocks and other leading early childhood education initiatives and programs.

For More


MEC Priority Legislation
Teacher Retention, Inventory Tax Reduction
Bills Continue Through Legislative Process;
Performance Based Budget Bill Dies in House

There has been recent action on several MEC Priorities h.

  • The House of Representative passed Senate Bill 3078 on March 3. The Bill, which passed the Senate earlier in the session raises the years of service retirement for new state employees to retire from 25 years to 30 years. It has been a long-standing position of MEC to increase the years of service, especially in an effort to retain the state’s most qualified teachers. MEC believes this change needs to be made, with the goal of future pay increases for teachers. The bill, was originally introduced for new teachers only, but was changed in committee to include all new state employees. MEC, working with officials with PERS offered a compromise for the change not to go into effect until July 1, 2011. Two years ago, MEC supported legislation that increased the number of years that teachers are given annual pay increases based on experience. Previously, the annual increases stopped at 25 years, but now annual pay for teaches increases each year until 30 years.
     
  • While the Senate passed the “Mississippi Strategic Planning and Performance Budget Act of 2010” last month, the bill failed to gain committee approved in the House by the March 2 deadline. This legislation, Senate Bill 2816, was crafted based on recommendations made by the Commission for a New Mississippi in a report issued in December 2009. The bill would have instituted Smart Budget, a performance-based budgeting system where resources are allocated based on results. This legislation would have required the creation of a statewide and agency-level strategic plans for services and the costs of those services. The plan focused on the key roles of government, necessary services, and the outcomes that are expected.
     
  • On Feb. 24, the Senate passed Senate Bill 3027, MEC-priority legislation designed to phase out the state’s inventory tax through a tax credit or refundable tax credit. This method would allow the counties, cities and schools to continue collected the tax, but allow business to begin getting the credit beginning in 2013. The legislation calls for a 20 percent tax credit the first year it is implemented and an additional 20 percent each year for the next four years. The key component to this legislation is counties, cities and schools will not see a reduction in their tax revenues.

For More Details on MEC's 2010 Priorities
For Daily Updates from The Capitol


Lott Center Dedicated at USM


Former U.S. Senator Trent Lott, Bill and Jane Crump of MEC member Viking Range and Anthony Topazi, CEO of MEC member Mississippi Power, during the dedication of the Trent Lott Center.


Dr. Martha Saunders, President of the University of Southern Mississippi and Gene Carlisle CEO of the Carlisle Corporation during the dedication of the Trent Lott Center for Excellence.

The Trent Lott National Center for Excellence in Economic Development and Entrepreneurship was dedicated March 5 at the University of Southern Mississippi. The center will serve as the hub of academic and outreach efforts for the institution’s ongoing focus on economic advancement.

The event included comments from Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant, Dr. Martha Saunders, President of USM and the building's namesake, former U.S. Senator Trent Lott. The building was designed by MEC member Albert and Associates Architects, PA and built by MEC member Finlo Construction Co. Inc. Both companies are based in Hattiesburg.


The Trent Lott National Center for Excellence in Economic Development and Entrepreneurship at Southern Miss.

For More


 MTD
announces expansion
of operations in Tupelo

Governor Haley Barbour, officials from MTD and the Lee County Board of Supervisors announced on March 2 the expansion of the company’s Tupelo operations into a 525,000-square-foot, county-owned building adjacent to its current facility in the Tupelo-Lee Industrial Park South. The expansion represents a $6.25 million investment by MTD, a lawnmower manufacturing company, and will create 107 new jobs.
 
 For More

Report: Funding needed to improve
roads and bridges in state

Mississippi's road and bridges faces a $6 billion shortfall, according to a report by TRIP, a national transportation research group.

TRIP, joined Mississippi Legislative offices to on Wednesday to announce results of the report, which outlines what the group says will be a $6 billion transportation funding shortfall over the next 10 years.

For news release
For Future of Mobility in Mississippi Report


MEC's A Capital Day
A Capital Day draws more than 1,000
business leaders, legislators, officials

Business and community leaders from across Mississippi converged on the State Capitol Thursday, Jan. 7, for MEC's A Capital Day.The day included a morning session at the Jackson Marriott, briefings at the State Capitol and a state officials luncheon.

For A Capital Day Sponsors


 

 

 

New Site
MSDigitalDaily
Focuses on
Statewide News

MSDigitalDaily launched Jan. 18 and is dedicated to online coverage of Mississippi news, sports and features. The site will also focus on Mississippi government, political and business news.

Readers — including individuals, schools, civic and charitable groups and non-profits —can create a user name and post free content including press releases, business promotions, educational honors and recognitions, obituaries, engagements and weddings along with photos and video.

For More Go To:
www.msdigitaldaily.com


To Learn More about The Mississippi Economic Council's and its M.B. Swayze Educational Foundation's Student-Teacher Achievement Recognition (STAR) Program.

 

 
 

Wilh. Schulz GMBH breaks ground on pipe manufacturing facility in Delta

Governor Haley Barbour, officials from Wilh. Schulz GMBH and local officials gathered March 10 for a groundbreaking ceremony at the site of Schulz’s new pipe manufacturing facility in Tunica County, Miss. The company announced it had selected Tunica County as the site for its first North American pipe manufacturing facility in January of this year.

“We could not be more pleased that this premier global company chose to locate its first North American production facility in the Mississippi Delta, and I am proud that Schulz officials have placed their confidence in the state’s workforce and in our business climate," Governor Barbour said. 
 For More



Mississippi unveils
Country Music Trail
 

The State of Mississippi recently unveiled its newest tourist attraction, the Mississippi Country Music Trail, which will celebrate Mississippi's rich heritage of country music legends and chart toppers and will feature a variety of country music artists. The first 30 markers across the state will honor Jimmie Rodgers (known as the "Father of Country Music"), Charley Pride, Conway Twitty, Jerry Clower, Faith Hill and Paul Overstreet, among others.

The Country Music Trail has garnered significant support since before its inception. In early 2009, Mississippi country music legend Marty Stuart, an artist who will be featured on the trail, lobbied the State Senate to pass legislation to create the landmark-based attraction. The Country Music Trail will build on the success of the Mississippi Blues Trail, which now boasts over 100 markers across Mississippi and in Muscle Shoals, Ala., Helena, Ark., Chicago and Memphis.

For more information about the Mississippi Country Music Trail, visit Mississippi's official tourism Web site, www.VisitMississippi.org, or call 1-866-SEE-MISS.


 
 

MCM to Sponsor Golf Tourney on March 27

The Mississippi Children's Museum Youth Ambassadors are sponsoring an adult-youth golf tournament on March 27 at LeFleur's Bluff State Park in Jackson. Proceeds will help with final phases of the Museum's fundraising efforts. 

For More



 for the latest edition of Snapshot.

 


For more about the On The Bus dropout prevention campaign, which is funded by a $1.5 million grant from State Farm Insurance.

 
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A NUMERICAL LOOK AT MISSISSIPPI

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.
 


LOCAL CHAMBERS

For a complete list

 Archives

Click on the archives file to access past stories


Got a story?

Click here to submit it to MEC for the
weekly News Update

Visiting MEC?

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.


 

 
   
   
   



 


Patterson named to
board of Financial
Services Roundtable

Aubrey Patterson, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of BancorpSouth, joins ten other banking executives from throughout the nation named to the board.

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

 
 

Northrop Grumman awarded $41.3M Navy contract
Company to provide life cycle engineering and support services on amphibious transport dock ships.
 For More


  
Jackson State receives $50K grant from State Farm
Grant will be used to develop programs to lure more students into high-tech careers.
 For More
 

  
Peavey named 'Best in Show' at NAMM convention
Company honored for long-standing commitment to advancing the state of the art while providing dealers with highly saleable products.
 For More


  
Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Biloxi takes top award
Casino receives 2009 Property of the Year Award at leadership conference.
 For More



GodwinGroup selected to handle Sandestin digital marketing
After nationwide search, Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort selects GodwinGroup from 5 finalists.  
 For More


  
NASA announces leadership changes for Stennis Space Center
Patrick Scheuermann, currently deputy director at Stennis, will take over as Stennis director. 
 For More
 

  
Angela Cain named CEO of CoreNet Global
Cain is currently CEO of Mississippi Association of Realtors and begins her new post in April.
 
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.

Click Here

 
 
 

MEC Hobnob
Oct. 21, 2009
 


Transformation Tour
Fall 2009
Begins Nov. 9, 2009

 
MEC Capital Day
January 7, 2010



MEC Annual Meeting
April 15, 2010


MEC Legislative Scrambler
Wednesdays During Legislative Session



Click the logo above to hear past web calls


 

 
 


Statewide Events Calendar

 

  For Latest Legislative News

 

 
New Page 1

   
 
 

 

Home
Mississippi Economic Council - The State Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 23276
Jackson, MS 39225-3276
(601) 969-0022 1-800-748-7626
Fax: (601) 353-0247 or 1-888-717-2809

© 2010 Mississippi Economic Council. All rights reserved.
 
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