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Mississippi Economic Council
| MEC Snapshot
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Nissan Announces 800 New Jobs, Promotes Preschool Reading
Nissan to Locate Supplier Park Near Canton Facility
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David Aldana, Vice President, Marketing at Nissan Canton (fourth from left), Governor Phil Bryant (third from right), local officials and Nissan representatives break ground on Nissan's Supplier Park near the company's Canton vehicle assembly plant.
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Gov. Phil Bryant and officials from Nissan announced today the company will construct a Nissan Supplier Park near the company's Canton vehicle assembly plant. The expansion will support 800 jobs, including 400 newly created supplier jobs and 400 hires Nissan has made since June 1 in anticipation of the project.
The supplier park project represents a company investment of more than $50 million and is Nissan's first major supplier park located in North America.
Construction of a more than 1 million square-foot integrated logistics center off Nissan Parkway and infrastructure improvements to an existing supplier logistics center at the Canton plant will accommodate future supplier operations.
Nissan Canton is an MEC member.
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Nissan Donates $400,000 Grant to United Way for Imagination Library Program
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(From Left) Jeffrey Webster, Director of Human Resources, Nissan; Carol Burger, President and CEO, United Way of the Capital Area; Dr. Martha D'Amico, Principal, Madison Crossing Elementary School; John Moore, House of Representatives Education Committee Chair; Dwight Luckett, Superintendent, Canton Public School District.
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Through a $400,000 kick-start grant, Nissan is working with United Way of the Capital Area to provide free books every month to 35,000 eligible Mississippi preschoolers from birth to age 5 through the Dolly Parton Imagination Library program.
Nissan is awarding the grant as part of the celebration of its 10th anniversary of operations in Mississippi. The contribution enables United Way of the Capital Area to expand the Dolly Parton Imagination Library program to include each child living in Hinds, Madison and Rankin County over the next five years.
Imagination Library was created by country music legend Dolly Parton and is administered locally by United Way of the Capital Area. The grant announcement was made at the Mississippi Children's Museum in Jackson, Miss., in an event that included local parents and children, community leaders and Nissan employee volunteers.
Nissan Canton is an MEC member.
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Mississippi, Alabama Governors Call for Assessment of Oil Sands Resources
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Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant (left) and Alabama Governor Robert Bentley signed a memorandum of understanding, commissioning the assessment of oil sands, which is a sandy mixture found below the surface containing bitumen.
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Mississippi and Alabama are joining to form a partnership to further study the oil sands resources in the two states, Gov. Phil Bryant and Gov. Robert Bentley announced while speaking to the Southern States Energy Board.
Gov. Bryant and Gov. Bentley signed a memorandum of understanding, commissioning the assessment of oil sands, which is a sandy mixture found below the surface containing bitumen. After extracting the sand, the bitumen is transformed into refinery ready crude oil.
"As I have said before, for our nation to become more energy independent, we must recognize the importance of a forward-thinking approach to energy and continue to develop a comprehensive energy policy that works," Gov. Bryant said.
"By taking this action, we're exploring the potential for safe and reliable development of energy right here at home," Gov. Bentley said.
The effort is to be conducted as a joint effort between the Geological Survey of Alabama/State Oil and Gas Board, the Mississippi State Oil and Gas Board, the Mississippi Development Authority, the Mississippi Office of Geology and the Southern States Energy Board.
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Entergy Mississippi Ranks First in J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction Survey
Entergy Mississippi ranks number one in the country in proactive outage communications, according to the recently-released J.D. Power 2013 Electric Utility Residential Customer Satisfaction Study.
Despite ongoing severe weather across the United States resulting in longer outage periods per event, customer satisfaction with residential electric utilities has increased substantially from 2012. The J.D. Power study attributes the increase to improvements in billing/payment, price and outage communications.
Entergy Mississippi ranks first in the nation, followed by sister entities Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Texas and Entergy Louisiana. Entergy Mississippi is an MEC member.
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Waste Management Opens 50th Natural Gas Fueling Station
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David Gates, Division President of Atmos Energy (left) with David Myhan, Area Vice President for Waste Management in front of one of Waste Management's new natural gas fueling pumps at their 50th station celebration ceremony in Jackson.
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Waste Management today announced the opening of its 50th natural gas fueling station, a further move toward the company's sustainability goals of reducing its fleet emissions and increasing its fuel efficiency.
At a ceremony in Jackson, state, county and local officials joined the company to dedicate the fueling station and the fleet, which will service routes in the communities in and around the city.
"This is a significant milestone for us as we convert our heavy-duty collection fleet to natural gas," said Eric Woods, vice president of fleet supply chain for Waste Management. "For each diesel truck produced in 2006 or earlier that we replace with a natural gas one, we see an average annual reduction of 8,000 gallons of diesel and 22 metric tons of greenhouse gases."
Woods added that with the company's 32,000 collection and support vehicles, the conversion makes good business sense because of the significant maintenance and diesel fuel costs savings.
Considered one of the cleanest alternative fuels available for heavy-duty trucks in the transportation industry, compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel will also be made available to Jackson municipalities, businesses and the public through the new CNG retail station.
Waste Management and Atmos Energy are both MEC members.
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Yokohama Tire Corporation Names Design Firm for West Point Facility
A little over two months ago, Yokohama Tire Corporation (YTC) announced its plan to build a new commercial tire manufacturing plant in West Point. On July 11, the company has made public its selection of Kajima Associates/Architects & Engineers, PC (KA/AEPC) of Atlanta, Georgia to design the first phase of the project - a 931,000-square-foot factory that will include production, warehousing and operations facilities.
Yokohama will make an investment of $300 million and create approximately 500 jobs as part of the initial phase. Construction is slated for summer 2013, which when completed in October 2015, will provide the factory with a manufacturing capacity of up to one million tires annually.
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Click Here to Nominate Someone for Leadership Mississippi
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MMC Materials Introduces Compressed Natural Gas Fleet and Fueling Station
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Bob Kerley, Vice President of Marketing at Atmos Energy (left); Governor Phil Bryant and Rodney Grogan, President & COO of MMC Materials, Inc., were in attendance at the announcement of MMC's new natural gas-powered fleet.
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MMC Materials, Inc. recently introduced its new fleet of 12 compressed natural gas-powered, ready mix concrete trucks and fueling station. This change to natural gas is not only revolutionary for MMC, but for the concrete industry overall.
Based in Jackson, MS, MMC is the first ready-mix operation in the Southeast to run compressed natural gas (CNG) powered vehicles, and one of only a handful of ready-mix companies across the country to invest in this clean technology. MMC Materials, Inc. is an MEC member.
"MMC is proud to announce the new CNG fleet and fueling station," said Stanley Mangum, VP/General Manager, Central MS area, MMC Materials, Inc. "This program continues MMC's tradition of industry leadership, already evidenced by our Green-Star� plants around the state of Mississippi. MMC has the only ready-mix plants certified by Green-Star� in the state."
Natural gas burns cleaner than conventional gasoline or diesel due to its lower carbon content. And because compressed natural gas fuel systems are completely sealed, CNG vehicles produce no evaporative emissions.
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Mississippi State Signs UAS Agreement
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Col. Tim Baxter (left), project manager for Unmanned Aircraft Systems, and David Shaw, MSU vice president for research and economic development, signed a memorandum of understanding to facilitate collaborative research opportunities between the Army and MSU.
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MEC member Mississippi State University is opening a new chapter in its research of unmanned aerial systems.
Officials from the land-grant institution were at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Ala., on July 23 for a memorandum of understanding signing with the U.S. Army's Project Manager for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (PM UAS).
The agreement will foster collaboration between PM UAS and MSU that complements one of the university's key research focus areas, according to a senior administrator.
"Our state is well positioned to continue to play a significant role in unmanned aerial systems research and development, as well as manufacturing, and it is one of the priorities for research that we have established at MSU," said David Shaw, vice president for research and economic development.
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Ingalls Delivers DDG 1001 Aft PVLS to U.S. Navy
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Marty Capalbo (seated, left) and John Broderick (seated, right) sign the paperwork transferring ownership of the final aft peripheral vertical launch system (PVLS) components for the DDG 1000-class destroyer Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001) from Ingalls Shipbuilding to the U.S. Navy during a ceremony on Wednesday, July 24.
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Huntington Ingalls Industries' Ingalls Shipbuilding division announced it has delivered the final aft peripheral vertical launch system (PVLS) assemblies to the U.S. Navy for the Zumwalt-class destroyer Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001). The two units for the PVLS were delivered a week early.
"Our shipbuilders have done an outstanding job in incorporating lessons learned from the first aft PVLS products," said Ingalls DDG 1000 Program Manager Steve Sloan. "Delivering these products a week early demonstrates smart shipbuilding by using previous experiences to integrate an improved plan to do it better the second time around. With a constant focus on safety and quality, our shipbuilders have done outstanding work on these units."
Ingalls Shipbuilding is an MEC member.
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Ingalls Helps Rejuvenate Local Red Cross Office
Volunteers from Huntington Ingalls Industries' Ingalls Shipbuilding division recently helped freshen up the grounds and interior of the American Red Cross' Pascagoula office. Participants in Ingalls' Legacy Builders Executive Mentoring Program dedicated two weekends in June to the community project.
The Legacy Builders Executive Mentoring Program matches up-and-coming Ingalls leaders with vice presidents from different shipyard departments to encourage the mentees' leadership development and expand their knowledge and understanding of the shipbuilding industry. To develop leadership skills, mentees in the program are encouraged to plan and lead a community service project.
Ingalls Shipbuilding is an MEC member.
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The W's Nursing Program
Ranked State's Largest
As The W this year commemorates the 40th anniversary of its charter nursing class, numbers recently released by the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning show its nursing program has grown into the state's largest.
Among both public and private institutions teaching nursing, The W enrolls the largest number, with 635 students. The next-highest is The University of Southern Mississippi.
"We are very proud of the strength of our programs, the success of our graduates and the reputation that a W nursing education has in the Mississippi health community," said Dr. Sheila Adams, dean of the College of Nursing and Speech-Language Pathology.
"We know that we have developed rigorous programs that give our graduates the skills they need to make an immediate contribution," she said. "Our goal is to continue to meet the needs of our state and contribute to the healthcare of our citizens."
The W is an MEC member.
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Mississippi Scholars Attend GET2College Workshop
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Mississippi Scholars Brookhaven-Lincoln County Youth Advisory Board members.
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Twenty Four students from Brookhaven and Lincoln County, along with the newly formed Mississippi Scholars Youth Advisory Board, attended a GET2College workshop at the Education Service Foundation (ESF) in Jackson. At the workshop, students took the Myers Briggs test to determine their interest and personality. ESF also stressed how critical it is to participate in community service and to be well rounded. Other topics included: scholarships, college timelines, college costs, financial aid, choosing a college, admissions, interview skills and resumes.
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Tecumseh Products Company
Expanding in Verona
Governor Phil Bryant and officials from Tecumseh Products Company announced the creation of up to 150 new jobs over the next five years and the retention of 350 jobs at their Verona facility to meet the increased global demand for their products. The expansion represents a significant multi-million dollar investment for Tecumseh.
Tecumseh manufactures refrigeration and air conditioning products and, is expanding production of the energy efficient AE2 commercial refrigeration compressor to better serve the North American market. Tecumseh Products Company is an MEC member.
"The expansion of these manufacturing lines and the creation of new jobs at Tecumseh's Verona location are great news for the entire community. Tecumseh's commitment serves as a testament to Mississippi's supportive business climate and dedicated workforce," Gov. Bryant said. "I am grateful to the team at Tecumseh, and I look forward to their lasting success as a member of our growing business community."
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Pearl River Community College, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Ranked in Top 50
 A leading higher education-career website has ranked Pearl River Community College the 28th best community college in the country. TheBestSchools.org selected the 50 best community colleges in the U.S. based on a comparison of several studies and ratings of community colleges as well as the college's reputation and review of a large number of notable community colleges. "This recognition implies that Pearl River ranks among the best community colleges in America, but it also indicates that our students are really doing well when compared nationally," said PRCC President William Lewis. Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College ranked as the 45th best community college in the nation. "Ranking so highly in producing graduates is a significant accomplishment for the college," said Dr. Mary S. Graham, MGCCC president. "It is a testament to our dedication to instructional excellence and student success, and it exemplifies our commitment to making MGCCC a globally competitive learning community." PRCC and MGCCC are both MEC members.
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Peavey Electronics Hosts
Inaugural Space Camp
Program Modeled After Hol-Mac's Tinker Camp
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Hartley Peavey, founder and CEO, Peavey Electronics Corporation.
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Partnering with the Mississippi Development Authority and Meridian Community College's Workforce Development Center, Peavey Electronics Corporation is currently hosting the company's first Peavey Space Camp. The five-day camp, which began on Monday, offered to Meridian area students a hands-on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) curriculum to showcase how Peavey technicians use math and science to manufacture professional audio equipment and musical instruments.
Retired Peavey audio system designer and senior clinician Marty McCann will lead the day camp classes from 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Participating students will learn about magnetism, electron flow, sound and basic electricity principles, the scale of the universe and the overall importance of math and science.
Peavey Space Camp is modeled after Bay Springs-based manufacturer Hol-Mac Corporation's annual Tinker Camp, where students are given the opportunity to "tinker" with various workplace items such as 4-cycle engines, hydraulics, and ropes and pulleys.
Peavey Electronics Corporation is an MEC member.
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Talon Ordnance to Open Tactical Firearms Facility in Ridgeland
At a press conference held on Friday, July 26, Governor Phil Bryant announced that TALON Ordnance, a tactical firearms manufacturing facility, is coming to Mississippi. TALON Ordnance's premium, service-grade weapons will be manufactured in Ridgeland, with 100% made in the USA parts. TALON is the first production-scale weapons manufacturing facility to originate in the state of Mississippi.
"Weapons manufacturing is a highly researched, highly recruited industry and we are proud to be a homegrown effort that will remain based in Mississippi," said Clay Baldwin, one of TALON's founders and CEO.
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Mississippi's Economy Steadily Improving
Numbers released show Mississippi's fiscal year 2013 revenue collections exceeded the legislative budget estimate by more than $295 million - strong evidence that the state's economy continues to improve. The Sine Die estimate is the final revenue figure agreed upon by the Legislature each year as they wrap up the state's budgeting process. Mississippi's revenue growth comes on the heels of several national accolades naming the state among the top for job creation, entrepreneurship and economic development.
"I am very pleased to see Mississippi's economy showing such strong evidence of improvement. We are working hard to build a business-friendly climate that attracts new jobs and new business investment, and we are seeing the results," Gov. Phil Bryant said.
The state collected more than $5 billion in revenue during fiscal year 2013, which ended on June 30. Budget experts had projected Mississippi would collect about $4.8 billion in revenue. Collections were higher than anticipated in many categories, including:
- Corporate income tax: $61 million above projections.
- Sales tax: $24 million above projections.
- Individual income tax: $170 million above projections.
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Making a Difference in Showing the Value of Education
Greetings!
In business there is wholesale and retail.
In politics there is wholesale and retail.
And even in education there is wholesale and retail.
We count on our education system to provide the wholesale learning environment - but we as business leaders can really help in the retail end of the delivery process.
There are many ways of connecting into classrooms - through many business partnership programs that exist - not the least of which is MEC's Mississippi Scholars program, which is a part of our Public Education Forum of Mississippi program of work. This program encourages students to take a more rigorous course of study - and builds a strong workforce base at all levels...and business leaders help tell the story. But there are many other ways, through service clubs, business-school partnerships, the Mississippi Council on Economic Education, Mississippi Association of Partners in Education, Jobs for Mississippi Graduates and many, many more. Thanks to scores and scores of volunteers, these programs help make a difference.
But there is a story in this week's Snapshot on Hartley Peavey's new Space Camp at Peavey Electronics in Meridian, partnering with the Mississippi Development Authority and Meridian Community College, which is modeled after the long-established Tinkers Camp at Charles Holder's Hol-Mac Corporation in Bay Springs.
These two programs take making a difference to a whole new level.
Meet Hartley or Charles and you know from the beginning that these guys say what they mean...and mean what they say. They have a passion for what they do...and for their companies...and for those that help them in their success...and students who will comprise the workforce of the future. They also get it because they have built their companies from the ground up.
These are two leaders who have taken it up a notch and helped promote programs that reach out directly to students and encourage them to consider the road less traveled and opportunities they may never have considered. Students also learn the importance of math and science...but not from a theoretical approach. They actually see the application of the theories, which makes all the difference.
The programs enabled by entrepreneurs Hartley Peavey and Charles Holder - who have opened their companies to open the eyes of the workforce of the future - are examples of how we as business leaders can make a difference when we are willing to go the extra mile.
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. |
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
Click Here for MEC Web Site
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