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Mississippi Economic Council
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Be part of the MEC Insight Tour. Mississippi Continues to progress in becoming one of the most competitive states for doing business. Join us at one of the 14 Mississippi cities from January through March as we seek input from business and community leaders on ways to cultivate Mississippi's competitiveness. There is no cost to attend thanks to the generous sponsorship of Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi, but registration is required.
Click Here for Details and list of dates, locations and times
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REGISTER TODAY
First MEC Legislative Scrambler
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Speakers Sen. Joey Fillingane, Senate Finance Chair Rep. Jeff Smith, House Ways & Means Chair
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Sen. Fillingane
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Rep. Smith
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The first MEC Legislative Scrambler of the 2013 legislative session will be held on Wednesday, January 23, at the Mississippi Museum of Art. The session will focus on finance and taxes, and will feature Senator Joey Fillingane, Chair of the Senate Finance Committee and Representative Jeff Smith, Chair of the House Ways and Means Committee.
There is no cost to attend the Scrambler thanks to the generous sponsorship of Jones Walker.
Click Here to Register
All MEC Legislative Scrambler Breakfasts are held from 7:30-8:30 a.m. at the Mississippi Museum of Art in Jackson
Join the Scrambler Via Conference Call
By Dialing 800-658-7101
The MEC Scramblers are a way to you a meaningful voice at the Capitol without having to leave your desk.
Sponsored by  MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR UPCOMING SCRAMBLERS
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
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MEC Capital Day 2013
Speakers Focus on Education During Capital Day Briefings
Education initiatives were discussed by Gov. Phil Bryant, Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves and Speaker of the House Phil Gunn during MEC's Capital Day held Thursday, Jan. 10 in Jackson. Bryant, Reese and Gunn were among several statewide officials and legislative leaders that spoke to the attendees at the morning sessions at the Jackson Marriott and State Capitol. Dr. Mark Keenum, President of Mississippi State University announced a new scholarship for students select as STAR students. The STAR program (Student-Teacher Recognition Achievement) is conducted by MEC's M.B. Swayze Foundation.
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MSU Unveils Scholarship for
MEC STAR Students at Capital Day
 Mississippi State University President Mark E. Keenum announced an unprecedented new MSU scholarship program that will partner with the Mississippi Economic Council's highly successful Student-Teacher Achievement Recognition or STAR program. The announcement came during the MEC's Capital Day event Thursday, Jan. 10, in Jackson. "Today I am very pleased to announce that Mississippi State University will offer a scholarship worth $6,000 to every STAR student in Mississippi," Keenum said. "The Mississippi State STAR Student Scholarship will be awarded in addition to any other scholarship offers these outstanding students have from our university.
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Nissan Rewards Canton with Sourcing for Next-Generation Murano Crossover
 | | Gov. Bryant congratulates Dan Bednarzyk, vice president of manufacturing and plant manager at Nissan Canton. |
Nissan has announced that its Canton Vehicle Assembly Plant has earned the sourcing contract to build the next-generation Murano crossover, which comes as Nissan begins celebrating 10 years of manufacturing in Mississippi.
On Jan. 10, Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant showed support for Canton's growth plans alongside Nissan's senior leadership, hundreds of 10-year plant employees and members of the non-profit and faith-based communities.
"Nissan continues to exceed our expectations, and I greatly value the contributions the company has made in Mississippi," Governor Bryant said. "Over the last ten years, Nissan has had a tremendous economic impact on central Mississippi, has catalyzed our state's automotive industry and has continued to grow its Mississippi operations. I appreciate Nissan's trust in our workforce, and I believe it led to the company's decision to produce the new Murano in Canton, further demonstrating Mississippi's strength as a manufacturing location."
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Hartley Peavey Receives Historic
Mississippi Blues Trail Marker
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A Mississippi Blues Trail Marker was placed at Peavey Electronics in Meridian. Pictured are (from left) Hartley Peavey, Mary Peavey, MDA Tourism Director Malcom White and Meridian Mayor Cheri Barry.
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Peavey Also Honored With Star on Walk of Fame
Hartley Peavey, founder and CEO of Peavey Electronics, was honored with a marker on the Historic Mississippi Blues Trail and with a Mississippi Walk of Fame Star on Jan. 17. The marker recognizes Hartley Peavey's contribution to Mississippi's blues heritage and is the only marker representing a manufacturer. The presentations were made on behalf of the Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Center, the Mississippi Blues Commission, the Mississippi Development Authority and Visit Meridian Tourism.
As the founder and CEO of Peavey Electronics Corporation, Hartley Peavey heads one of the world's largest and most diversified manufacturers of musical-instrument and professional-audio products, boasting more than 180 patents, a product line exceeding 2,000 products, and distribution in 136 countries.
Following the Blues Trail Marker unveiling, the East Mississippi Business Development, along with Peavey Electronic sponsored a reception honoring the company's impact on the music
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Walmart to Boost Sourcing,
Help Veterans Find Jobs
Walmart has announced bold commitments to increase domestic sourcing of the products it sells and help veterans find jobs when they come off active duty. Speaking at the National Retail Federation's annual BIG Show, Walmart U.S. President and CEO Bill Simon also announced the company is helping part-time associates who want to be full time, make that transition. "We want all of our associates to find the career opportunities they want with Walmart," said Simon. "We will make sure part-time associates have full visibility into full-time job openings in their stores and nearby stores, and that they always have first shot at those jobs. We will also bring more transparency to our scheduling system so part-time workers can choose more hours for themselves."
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Governor Bryant Proclaims 2013
The Year to Hire Mississippi Heroes
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Pictured from left are: Napoleon Johnson, vice president of customer operations at Entergy, Rep. Wanda Jennings, Gov. Phil Bryant, First Lady Deborah Bryant, Sen. Haskins Montgomery, Adjutant General Leon Collins, Mississippi National Guard, and Jim McIngvale, director of government & community affairs at Ingalls Shipbuilding.
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Mississippi is home to more than 28,000 veterans who have served since 9/11, and Gov. Phil Bryant is working to ensure they have access to jobs when they return from service. The unemployment rate for veterans in the U.S. returning from the Global War on Terrorism was 10.8 percent in December, substantially higher than the national average of 7.8 percent for the same time period. Gov. Bryant signed a proclamation Wednesday declaring 2013 as the year to Hire Mississippi Heroes, which will encourage employers to seek veteran candidates for positions. Bryant is working with two lawmakers to pass legislation that ensures returning veterans have jobs, a top priority for the governor. "Our many active duty, reserve and retired military members deserve to return to good paying jobs that allow these men and women to use skills learned in the military," Gov. Bryant said. |
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Aurora Flight Sciences Cuts Ribbon on New Manufacturing Facility in Columbus
 Governor Phil Bryant, Aurora Flight Sciences Chief Executive Officer John Langford, Senator Roger Wicker and Representative Alan Nunnelee cut the ribbon on the company's new 30,000-square-foot facility at the Golden Triangle Regional Airport in Columbus, Miss. The new facility, which will allow the company to increase its commercial composites manufacturing operations, represents a corporate investment of $17 million and is creating 250 new jobs.
"I am grateful to Aurora Flight Sciences for expanding its presence in Columbus," said Gov. Bryant at the ribbon-cutting on Jan. 7. "Aurora's decision to further invest in its Mississippi operations and create 250 new advanced manufacturing jobs in the state is a testament to the quality of our workforce and our ever-growing aerospace industry. Aurora is just one shining example of a company that has enjoyed the benefits of a Mississippi location and is further proof that 'Mississippi Works." |
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Viking Expands Reach through its Acquisition by The Middleby Corporation
The Middleby Corporation announced on Dec. 31, 2012, the acquisition of Viking Range Corporation for $380 million. Viking is a leading manufacturer of premium residential cooking ranges, ovens and kitchen appliances. Headquartered in Greenwood, Miss., Viking has approximately $200 million in annual revenues. Fred Carl Jr., Viking's founder and chief executive officer, and Selim A. Bassoul, chairman and CEO of the Middleby Corporation, told the Greenwood Commonwealth said the company would stay in Greenwood and hopes to expand its presence in Mississippi. "I am truly happy about this," Carl told the Commonwealth. "It's going to be good for Viking, good for Viking employees, and good for Greenwood. That was very important for me." |
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American Cancer Society Plans to
Build Hope Lodge in Jackson
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Pictured are Jerry Host, MEC Chair and President and CEO of Trustmark, First Lady Deborah Bryant, Carol Pigott, CEO of Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi.
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The American Cancer Society recently announced plans for a Hope Lodge facility in Jackson, Miss. The Hope Lodge program plays a vital role in cancer treatment for patients who must travel to receive that treatment. There are currently 31 Hope Lodge facilities in the United States.
The announcement was made during a special reception held in conjunction with the Mid-South Division's Board of Director's meeting in Jackson. More than 100 people were in attendance, including Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant and his wife, Deborah, who pledged their support to the project.
Jerry Host, president and CEO of Trustmark Bank will serve as capital campaign chairman, and Carol Pigott, CEO Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mississippi will serve as co-chair. Groundbreaking for the project is expected during 2013, once 85 percent of the capital campaign goal is met.
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Entergy Awarded for Emergency
Storm Recovery and Assistance
The Edison Electric Institute today honored Entergy Corporation with the association's 2012 Emergency Recovery Award and Emergency Assistance Award for its work restoring power to its own customers following Hurricane Isaac and to customers of other utilities after Hurricane Sandy and last June's derecho weather event. This is the 15th consecutive year Entergy has received an EEI national storm restoration award.
"Entergy was faced with a major restoration effort following Hurricane Isaac," said EEI President Tom Kuhn. "Getting the lights back on quickly and safely is never easy following these natural disasters. It takes strong commitment, advanced planning and great execution. Entergy responded with all three, and their assistance shows their compassion in helping others in their time of need. They're a great example for the nation's electric power industry. I congratulate them." |
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Severstal Partners with MSU on Steel Research Center
Severstal North America, one of the largest U.S.-based steel producers specializing in the full range of the high quality, flat-rolled carbon steel products, has partnered with Mississippi State University to create a Steel Research Center (SRC). Located in the center of the MSU campus, this newly established 5,000 sq. ft. laboratory will be equipped with labscale alloy melting, casting and rolling facilities. "We plan to deploy enhanced capabilities in multi-scale modeling and characterization developed at Mississippi State, and utilize steelmaking expertise from industrial partners, like Severstal, to guide current and future research and development activities at the new lab," said Roger King, CAVS ("Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems") director and Giles Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering. |
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UMC Breaks Ground on School of Medicine
Governor Phil Bryant has marked significant progress toward his goals of bringing more physicians to Mississippi and growing the state's health care economy as he helped break ground on a $63 million expansion to permit larger class sizes at the University of Mississippi School of Medicine.
In October 2012, Bryant directed $10 million in grant funding to the School of Medicine to launch the effort.
The new 151,000 square-foot facility will provide new classrooms and laboratory space, allowing the School of Medicine to increase the number of students it admits to each incoming class from 135 to more than 160.
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Signet Maritime to Expand
Operations in Pascagoula
Signet Maritime, a marine transportation and logistics services company, has announced the expansion of its Signet Shipbuilding & Repair operations at the Port of Pascagoula in Pascagoula, Miss. The expansion represents a corporate investment of $3.6 million and is creating 50 additional jobs.
Signet is constructing additional facilities and infrastructure at its Pascagoula location to accommodate an increase in shipbuilding and fleet repair.
"Signet Maritime's decision to expand its shipbuilding and ship repair operations is wonderful news for Pascagoula, Jackson County and the entire Mississippi Gulf Coast region," Governor Phil Bryant said. "I thank the company for its continued confidence in Mississippi, and I am pleased the State of Mississippi was able to assist with this project." |
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Comfort Revolution Begins Operations in Belmont
Governor Phil Bryant welcomes a new business to Mississippi as Comfort Revolution gets ready to open shop in Tishomingo County. Comfort Revolution is a developer of high-end sleep products and is projected to create 200 new jobs over the next three years.
Comfort Revolution announced in September 2012 it would locate operations in the 432,650-square-foot facility formerly occupied by Schnadig Furniture Corporation.
"Today is an exciting day for Belmont and Tishomingo County as Comfort Revolution opens its doors for business and becomes the newest member of Mississippi's business community," Governor Bryant said on Jan. 14. "I am grateful to company officials for choosing to locate in Mississippi, and I look forward to a long partnership." |
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Kami Wert Named Partner,
Shareholder at GodwinGroup
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Kami Wert, senior vice president and executive management team member, has become a partner and shareholder of GodwinGroup, a branding and integrated marketing firm with offices in Gulfport and Jackson.
"Kami has been an integral part of Godwin's success in recent years, especially on the Gulf Coast," said Philip Shirley, Godwin chairman and CEO. "She is energetic and passionate about partnering with clients to further enhance their brands and grow their business. Kami is also actively engaged as a volunteer in the Gulf Coast community."
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MEC Takes to the Road
-- Coming Near You!
Greetings!
MEC takes to the road again this month as we travel throughout the state over the next six weeks to focus on issues of importance to the future of Mississippi in economic development, health care, education...and more.
Thanks to the generous sponsorship of Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi, MEC gets out to our membership in every part of the state every year -- from Pascagoula to Corinth - and many stops in between.
We hope you'll take a moment to sign up for participation in one of the tour stops. All events are completely free and include either breakfast or lunch - and are timed to last just 90 minutes - including some networking time at the front end. All luncheons begin at 11:30 a.m. for networking and lunch, with the program getting underway around Noon and adjourning by 1 p.m. sharp. All breakfasts begin at 7:30 a.m. for networking and breakfast, with the program getting underway at 8 and adjourning by 9 a.m. sharp.
It is a great way of getting up to date on the progress that is being made with the Blueprint Mississippi initiative - and to offering your input as well through electronic voting and other interaction.
Scramblers begin on Wednesday, Jan. 23
Plus, mark your calendars for Wednesday, January 23 for the first MEC Legislative Scrambler, featuring Sen. Joey Fillingane, Chair of the Senate Finance Committee and Rep. Jeff Smith, Chair of the House Ways and Means Committee. You can come in person at the Mississippi Museum of Art to hear updates on the legislature - or dial in for a briefing via your telephone - so you can be involved without ever leaving your desk. Breakfast is at 7:30 a.m. and the program lasts from 8-8:30 a.m. The first Legislative Scrambler event is sponsored by Jones Walker law firm - and offers a great opportunity for meeting with legislators if you are in Jackson - or dialing in to keep informed. This is part of MEC's efforts to afford our members a meaningful voice, without leaving your desks.
We hope to see you on the road - or hear you on the phone..
Keep the faith. 
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ABOUT US
The Mississippi Economic Council has been the voice of Mississippi business since 1949. MEC deals with broad issues that relate to businesses through advocacy, research, resources and leadership. MEC has 8,600 members from 1,100 member firms in 2,400 locations throughout Mississippi. |
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Mississippi Economic Council - The State Chamber of Commerce
248 E. Capitol Street, Suite 940 - Jackson, Mississippi 39201
P.O. Box 23276 - Jackson, Mississippi 39225-3276
Phone: 601-969-0022 - 1-800-748-7626
Fax: 601-353-0247 - 1-888-717-2809
www.mec.ms |
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