In April, the Mississippi Legislature approved a total of $130 million in incentives to assist with the project, $70 million of which was allotted for the initial phase of the project. Part of the funding was used toward the purchase of the 500-acre site for the facility, and the remainder is being used for site preparation, infrastructure needs and workforce training. 

Gov. Phil Bryant (sixth from left), officials from Feuer Powertrain GmbH and state and local officials broke ground on Feuer's first U.S. manufacturing operations facility in Tunica.

Gov. Phil Bryant and officials from Feuer Powertrain GmbH held an announcement and groundbreaking ceremony on Sept. 24 in Tunica at the future site of the company's first U.S. manufacturing operations. The project represents a $140 million corporate investment and will create 300 new jobs. 

Feuer, manufacturer of crankshafts for the automotive and transportation industry, will begin production in Tunica in late 2014.

"I am grateful to the Feuer team for choosing the Mississippi Delta as the home of its first U.S. manufacturing facility and for creating so many job opportunities for the area's residents," Gov. Phil Bryant said. "Feuer's decision to invest in Mississippi strengthens our state's growing automotive industry, and it serves as a testament to the world that our state is a great place to do business. Global companies continue to choose Mississippi, and I am proud to welcome Feuer as our newest partner. I wish them many years of success in Tunica."

The Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic (MGRC), which has generated over $55 million for the regional economy and over $750,000 in assistance for local non-profit community charities since it began in 2010, will be staying on the Gulf Coast for the foreseeable future.

C Spire, the company that got its start in the wireless communications business on the Mississippi Gulf Coast 25 years ago, has signed a three-year deal to be the presenting sponsor for the annual Champions Tour event, which will be held from March 17-23 next year at Fallen Oak in Biloxi.

The multi-million dollar sponsorship includes provisions for continued administration of the tournament through the MGRC Foundation along with additional funding from 14 other consortium partners comprised of prominent companies with operations along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. C Spire also will continue as sponsor of the Thursday Pro-Am golf event held annually in conjunction with the tournament.

C SPIRE is an MEC member.

Doug Formby, Vice President - Administration for Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Mississippi, Inc. (right) with his wife Celeste and Bill Fay, Group Vice President and General Manager - Toyota Division, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. at the debut of the 2014 Toyota Corolla in Tupelo.

In front of an estimated crowd of nearly 9,000 people at the BancorpSouth Arena the all-new, next generation 2014 Corolla officially made its Mississippi debut at its line off ceremony earlier this month, featuring an illusionist, aerialists, fire artists and other performers. Attendees included Toyota Mississippi team members and their families, suppliers and invited guests including Miss. Lt. Governor Tate Reeves and Congressman Alan Nunnelee.

The line off celebration was combined with the plant's Team Mississippi Appreciation Day. 

The all-new 2014 Corolla is assembled by 2,000 team members at Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Mississippi, Inc., located near Tupelo. Five "near-site" suppliers employ an additional 1,300 people. 

Toyota is an MEC member.  

Huntington Ingalls Industries has announced that its Ingalls Shipbuilding division has delivered the composite hangar that will be used on the U.S. Navy's second Zumwalt-class guided missile destroyer, Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001).  Ingalls Shipbuilding is an MEC member.

"Our shipbuilders' performance on this hangar composite construction has allowed us to deliver it nine days ahead of the commitment made last year," said Ingalls' DDG 1000 Program Manager Steve Sloan. "This construction time is a significant improvement from the first set of class products to the second set. It is a testament to the hard work and excellent logistics and manufacturing processes put in place on this program. A considerable amount of outfitting transpired earlier in the process allowing for the early delivery time."  

The U. S. News and World Report rankings released recently placed William Carey University #1 in "Best Value in the South among Regional Universities." Carey is also ranked #36 among regional universities in the South. WCU's ranking among regional universities increased significantly from #63 last year.  

According to U.S. News, the calculation used takes into account a school's academic quality, as indicated by its 2014 U.S. News Best Colleges ranking, and the 2012-2013 net cost of attendance for a student who receives the average level of need-based financial aid. The higher the quality of the program and the lower the cost, the better value a college has.

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From left to right: (Front) Megan DeSantis, GE Aviation human resource manager; Antroine Townes, GE Aviation operations leader. (Back): Roy A. Balentine, Batesville High School Principal; Christy Broom, 12th grade counselor; Rene' Smith, 9th grade vocational counselor; Daniel Robertson, 11th grade counselor.

GE Aviation has partnered with South Panola School District to implement Mississippi Scholars.  

"We are very excited to be working with South Panola School District," said Megan DeSantis, human resources manager at GE Aviation. "We have some events planned and look forward to working with the students." 

GE Aviation is an MEC member.

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GodwinGroup on Sept. 26-28 will host in Jackson an estimated 50 top advertising executives hailing from 20 states as well as France, Spain and Denmark.

The attendees are members of MAGNET, the Marketing & Advertising Global Network, an affiliation of successful, independent advertising and marketing agencies that represent a combined $4 billion annually in billings. The group met earlier this year in Milwaukee and next year meets in Newport Beach, Cal.

The group will start the conference Thursday evening with a reception at the Mississippi Museum of Art and Friday morning will be greeted by Gov. Phil Bryant.  

GodwinGroup is an MEC member.  

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