Gov. Phil Bryant addressed the Hobnob Mississippi crowd of more than 1,200 at the Mississippi Coliseum, declaring November "Innovation Month" in Mississippi.

Speakers at MEC's Hobnob Mississippi touted Mississippi's economic promise, as more than 1,200 business and community leaders from across the state attended the event on Oct. 31 at the Mississippi Coliseum.

Governor Phil Bryant announced that November was Innovation Month in Mississippi, highlighting the state's advances in energy, health care, agriculture, manufacturing and research. Lt. Governor Tate Reeves discussed Mississippi's continued improvement economically and said the state needs to continue focusing on improving educational opportunities and creating a strong business environment. Speaker of the House Philip Gunn said steps are being taken to remove burdensome regulations to create a good business climate.  Also speaking were Attorney General Jim Hood, Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann, State Treasurer Lynn Fitch, Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney and Agriculture Commissioner Cindy Hyde-Smith. Congressman Gregg Harper and Congressman Alan Nunnelee also made special appearances at Hobnob.

Southern Company CEO Tom Fanning, left, gives opening remarks at the Kemper energy facility. Seated (left to right) are Mississippi Power President and CEO Ed Holland, U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz, Norway's Minister of Petroleum and Energy Tord Lien and Gov. Phil Bryant.

U.S. Secretary of Energy Dr. Ernest Moniz recently joined an international delegation of government and industry leaders to tour the Kemper County energy facility and see firsthand the innovative 21st century coal technology under construction in southeast Mississippi. During the visit, international energy ministry officials representing more than a half dozen countries discussed opportunities to leverage the facility's technology to cleanly and efficiently meet their nations' energy needs.

Moniz

The event followed the Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum (CSLF) Ministerial Meeting in Washington, D.C., where the Kemper project was endorsed by the CSLF and added to its portfolio of pioneering activities.

"Southern Company is, in many ways, leading all towards a 21st century generation portfolio," said Secretary Moniz.

Southern Company is the parent company of MEC member Mississippi Power.

Taking part in the announcement of Move Mississippi Forward were (from left) Jay Moon, President, Mississippi Manufacturers Association, Dr. Domenico "Mimmo" Parisi, Professor and Director of the National Strategic Planning & Analysis Research Center (nSPARC) at Mississippi State University; Maj. Gen. John Wallace, Co-Chair, Move Mississippi Forward; Rev. Dolphus Weary, Co-Chair, Move Mississippi Forward; Duane O'Neil, President & CEO, Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership; James Hull, Executive Director, Move Mississippi Forward and Blake Wilson, President & CEO, Mississippi Economic Council.

Move Mississippi Forward, a community voice for economic development, today released an independent report outlining Nissan Canton's positive impact in the state of Mississippi.

The report titled "Nissan Canton: 10 Years Later" was conducted by the National Strategic Planning & Analysis Research Center (nSPARC) at Mississippi State University as Nissan celebrates its first decade of operation in the state. The report outlines how Nissan has improved economic and community development, quality of life and the state's image as a national manufacturing leader.

Move Mississippi Forward believes arrival of companies such as Nissan helped transform Mississippi by providing thousands of well-paying jobs - through both Nissan and its suppliers -- and led to additional global companies.

Nissan North America, Inc. is an MEC member.

Former Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour (center), officially opens the Maritime Training Academy, which bears his name. Also pictured from left to right are: Mike Mangum, Jackson County Board of Supervisors; Senator Brice Wiggins; Irwin Edenzon, Ingalls Shipbuilding; former Governor Haley Barbour; Mike Petters, Huntington-Ingalls Industries; Mary Graham, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and Congressman Stephen Palazzo.

Huntington Ingalls Industries' Ingalls Shipbuilding division officially opened the company's brand-new, 70,000 square-foot Haley Reeves Barbour Maritime Training Academy today with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The building, named for the former Mississippi governor, will serve as the training epicenter for Ingalls' apprentice program and will also help bolster the number of students.

The building, a framed, two-story facility, has the feel of a college campus. It features 24 classrooms, three computer labs, a library, a bookstore, 26 offices/conference rooms, as well as several craft labs for the shipyard's various trades.

Ingalls Shipbuilding is an MEC member.

Speaker Philip Gunn (left), Gov. Phil Bryant, Rick Yuse, President of Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems and Brig. Gen. Gregory L. Kennedy of the Mississippi Army National Guard at the 30th year anniversary celebration of Raytheon's Forest facility.

Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems, an American defense contractor, announced plans to expand its Forest Consolidated Manufacturing Center during the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Mississippi facility, which was held in conjunction with Veteran's Day. 

The expansion will create 150 new jobs with the potential to increase to more than 200 in the future. Raytheon officials were joined by Gov. Phil Bryant for the announcement. An additional 20,000 square feet will be added at the facility to accommodate new contracts and in anticipation of additional growth. Raytheon's Forest location currently employs more than 700 workers.

Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems is an MEC member.  

Orman

Yokohama Tire Manufacturing Mississippi (YTMM), a manufacturing subsidiary of Yokohama Tire Corporation (YTC), has announced the hiring of its first employee, Human Resources Manager Melissa Orman.

Orman will be responsible for hiring personnel at YTMM's new commercial tire plant in West Point, according to Rob Harrelson, YTC vice president, human resources and administration. Groundbreaking for the $300 million facility, which is set to open in October 2015, took place in September.

Approximately 500 jobs will be created during the first phase of operations. The one million-square-foot factory will include production, warehousing and operations facilities, and will produce up to one million tires annually.

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Brown

The U.S. Senate recently confirmed the appointment of attorney Debra Brown as Mississippi's first African-American female U.S. District Judge.  Brown is a member of the Leadership Mississippi Class of 2008. She was nominated by President Barack Obama after the post came open upon U.S. District Judge W. Allen Pepper Jr.'s death in 2012.  She will preside over court in Greenville.

"I am confident Debra Brown will serve with distinction as a United States district court judge in Mississippi," Sen. Thad Cochran told the Senate before the vote. "Her personal background, educational accomplishments, and legal experience should serve her well as she assumes this important position. The Senate vote is recognition of her qualifications to serve as a member of the federal judiciary."

Gov. Phil Bryant and officials from Toyota Boshoku America announced recently the company is increasing operations at its plant in Mantachie, resulting in a corporate investment of $21 million and the creation of 180 new jobs.

Toyota Boshoku Mississippi or TBMS manufactures seat components and door panels for the Toyota Corolla, which is manufactured in Blue Springs. This announcement will increase their component production and for the new Corolla as well as another regional original equipment manufacturer.

Gov. Phil Bryant, local government officials and Siemens Energy, Inc. in Richland, a manufacturing facility for high voltage transmission equipment, are celebrating the completion of a new assembly line for the production of transformers. This recent expansion created a third shift and 40 new jobs at the Richland facility, which employs around 400 people.

"Siemens has known for a very long time what many other companies are just discovering, that Mississippi is a place where industries can put down roots and thrive," Gov. Bryant said. "I congratulate them for their recent expansion and for 40 years of providing jobs for the men and women of Mississippi."

The expansion comes as Siemens celebrates 40 years of operations at its Richland site. The facility first opened its doors in 1973 and manufactures Siemens power circuit breakers, voltage regulators and transformers, while also distributing surge arresters and insulators.

Siemens Energy is an MEC member.

VT Halter Marine Inc., a subsidiary of VT Systems, Inc., recently announced its newest facility, a 12,000 MT Floating Drydock, is now open for business and already has its first customers.

The dock, measuring 546 FT in length, 105 FT in breadth and with a depth of 46 FT, is part of an overall expansion plan at the south yard in Pascagoula. This is where VT Halter Marine is adding a repair facility for semi-submersible drilling rigs and Panamax-size ships.

VT Halter Marine expects to create as many as 400 new jobs with the development of this new facility. 

VT Halter Marine is an MEC member.

Moon (photo by Patty Stewart - www.pattystewartphotography.com)

The Nominating Committee of the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) has elected Mary Ann Moon, CEcD, to its Board of Directors for a two-year term. The election took place during IEDC's 2013 Annual Conference, which was held October 6 - 9 in Philadelphia, PA.

"As the world's leading organization for professionals in the field of economic development, IEDC's work has become even more vital due to the economic crisis that has permeated communities across the globe," Chair-elect Bill Sproull said. "It is a genuine honor to serve on the Board and I look forward to working with Ms. Moon and our other Board members as IEDC continues to fulfill its mission of providing quality information, education, and outstanding development opportunities to our steadfast members and partners."

Mary Ann has extensive experience working with the public and private sectors, Moon provides businesses, elected officials and other state and local entities strategies and development plans to promote economic growth and existing-business expansions.

Mississippi Forge (PVF), Inc. has announced it is making a $9 million corporate investment and creating 60 new jobs over three years by locating manufacturing operations in Ackerman.

Mississippi Forge, manufacturer of steel forged flanges and fittings for use in piping systems, is locating in the facility formerly occupied by Ackerman Forge. The same facility once housed Taylor Forge, which operated in 1960's before becoming Trinity Industries in 1980's. Trinity Industries manufactured Ladish flanges for the global marketplace.

"I am proud to welcome Mississippi Forge as the newest member of the state's business community, and I am grateful to the company for investing in Mississippi and providing these job opportunities for the residents of Choctaw County," Gov. Phil Bryant said. 

On December 5th at the Jackson Convention Complex, the Mississippi Energy Institute will host the Governor's Energy Summit. This year's program includes the Honorable Newt Gingrich as the keynote speaker along with thoughts from the Presidents of Mississippi's 4 research universities on university roles in energy-based development. Additionally, the program will focus on energy's role in manufacturing with a presentation on specific opportunities for Mississippi to leverage its energy assets for industrial development.

The program will begin at 9 a.m. and conclude at 1 p.m. with lunch provided. Registration is free but required, and spots are limited.