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Mississippi Economic Council MEC Snapshot
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Aid Needed After Storms Ravage
Mississippi Communities
Earlier this week our state keenly felt the wrath of Mother Nature as tornadoes and foul weather damaged and destroyed communities, businesses and homes in numerous areas of Mississippi. According to reports from the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), thirteen Mississippians lost their lives, with damage being reported in 23 counties. At least 945 homes were destroyed or sustained major damage, with a total of more than 1,750 homes affected. In addition, preliminary assessments show 65 businesses were destroyed or sustained major damage.
Seven counties were declared federal disaster areas - Itawamba, Lee, Lowndes, Madison, Rankin, Wayne and Winston. This tragedy can be felt across our state, and there has never been a better time to come together to support your neighbor and help friends get back on their feet. In the current situation, financial aid is the best and fastest way to assist victims with disaster relief.
In Winston County, a Winston County Relief Fund has been established for victims of the tornadoes. If you would like to give, a tax-exempt disaster relief fund has been set up. Checks can be sent to - Renasant Bank, 301 N. Church Ave., Louisville, MS 39339. Contributions to the Winston County Disaster Relief Fund will be tax deductible. For those wishing to donate in-kind, please contact Mayor Will Hill's office at (662) 773-9201.
MEC member the CREATE Foundation is currently accepting donations to assist with tornado relief. Donations can be made online by Clicking Here, by phone (662) 844-8989 or mail - P.O. Box 1053, Tupelo, MS 38802. The CREATE Foundation will match donations up to a total of $25,000.
Please visit our website for more information on how you can reach out a helping hand to those in need.
Keep the Faith,
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Castilla Elected 2014-2015 MEC Chair; New Leadership Positions Announced
Alveno N. Castilla, a member of the Business Services Group and a partner with Butler Snow LLP, has been elected as the 2014-2015 Mississippi Economic Council Chair.
David Gates, President of the Mississippi Division at Atmos Energy, was elected to serve as the 2015-2016 Chair. Robin Robinson, Director of Organization Development and Corporate Communications at Sanderson Farms, Inc., was elected as 2016-2017 Chair. William Yates III, President of W.G. Yates & Sons Construction Company, will serve as Treasurer for 2014-2015.
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Entergy Mississippi Donates $1 Million
to Mississippi Museums
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From Left: Haley Fisackerly, President & CEO Entergy Mississippi, Brandon Presley, Public Service Commissioner, Northern District, Myrlie Evers-Williams, former Governor William Winter, Leo Denault, Chairman & CEO, Entergy Corporation, Governor Phil Bryant, former Supreme Court Justice Reuben Anderson, former Supreme Court Justice Fred Banks, and Lynn Posey, Public Service Commissioner Central District.
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Over the past 12 months, Entergy Mississippi, Inc. has celebrated its 90th birthday with a variety of activities and events. That celebration culminated Thursday, May 1, with a $1 million gift from Entergy stockholders to the State of Mississippi, the utility's customers and the communities it serves. The money will be used for the 2 Mississippi Museums project currently under construction. The Museum of Mississippi History and the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum will be two state-of-the-art, interactive facilities located on the Mississippi Department of Archives and History campus in downtown Jackson.
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Buffington Named Partner in Charge of
Adams and Reese Jackson Office
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Adams and Reese attorney Phil Buffington has been elected Partner in Charge of the firm's Jackson office, which has 34 attorneys and more than 50 employees on staff. The firm has 16 Partners in Charge, one for each of its offices across the southern United States and Washington DC.
Buffington also serves as the Co-Leader of the Adams and Reese Banking and Finance Team. The Banking and Finance Team represents financial institutions and their holding companies, subsidiaries and affiliates, throughout the southern United States.
"I am looking forward to the opportunity of serving as Partner in Charge of our Jackson office in continuing to make a positive impact on our community as a better place to work and live," Buffington said.
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Gov. Bryant Announces April as Financial Literacy Month in Mississippi
Gov. Phil Bryant recently declared April as Financial Literacy Month in Mississippi. State Treasurer Lynn Fitch (center), leaders from the State Treasurer's office, the Mississippi Council on Economic Education and MEC were on hand to celebrate the occasion.
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Seafood R'evolution Announced in Ridgeland
World-renowned Chefs John Folse and Rick Tramonto recently unveiled plans for Seafood R'evolution, an upscale restaurant offering a cultural fusion of foods and flavors that have shaped the Gulf Coast culinary landscape for generations.
Seafood R'evolution, with a select menu of items paying homage to Mississippi's rich culinary heritage, will be located in Renaissance at Colony Park and scheduled to open mid-September.
The Ridgeland restaurant will be the second for the chefs' developmental company, Home on the Range: Folse Tramonto Restaurant Development Company.
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Tort Reform: After Ten Years
Conference Set for May 14
The "Tort Reform: After Ten Years" Conference will begin at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, May 14 at the Jackson Convention Center.
In 2004 former Governor Barbour signed into law a comprehensive law regarding tort reform in Mississippi. The "Tort Reform: After Ten Years" Conference will celebrate the success of the tort reform law, review its positive results and discuss risks that could reduce or reverse those benefits.
At the conference former Governor Haley Barbour will review the successful grassroots effort to pass the bill, then there will be a panel of state, professional and industry leaders who will spell out the beneficial effects of the 2004 reforms.
A second panel will discuss the future of tort reform in Mississippi; both in preserving the progress already made plus improving on those results. A reception will follow the seminar at 5 p.m., also at the Jackson Convention Center.
The public, as well as our own leaders and members, must not become complacent about lawsuit abuse. The threats against tort reform are real. We must remain active and vigilant. Governor Phil Bryant, Lt. Governor Tate Reeves and Speaker Philip Gunn have been invited to be part of this important event.
There is no cost to attend, but registration is required.
Click Here to Register
Click Here for More Information
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Mississippi Children's Mental Health Summit
Set for May 8
Mississippi Children's Home Services, University of Mississippi Medical Center and Mississippi Department of Mental Health will host the Mississippi Children's Mental Health Summit on Thursday, May 8 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Hilton Jackson.
The Summit will focus on transforming children's mental health and connecting healthcare, education and economic development to children's mental health. Featured speakers include Gov. Phil Bryant, Andy Taggart of Taggart, Rimes & Graham, PLLC, Dr. Susan Buttross and Dr. David Elkin of the UMMC CAY Center, Dr. Hank Bounds of the Institute of Higher Learning and Blake Wilson of the Mississippi Economic Council.
Click Here for More Information
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CREATE Foundation to Host State of the Region Meeting May 22
On Thursday, May 22, the CREATE Foundation will host their "State of the Region Meeting" at the BancorpSouth Conference Center in Tupelo from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Bill Johnson, TVA President and CEO, will explain TVA's vision and outlook; Dr. Carey Wright, Mississippi State Superintendent of Education will discuss the Vision for Education in Mississippi; and Philip Walker of the Walker Collaborative will present the Value of Cultural Heritage Tourism.
This event is free of charge. Please register by county. Every county with at least 25 people in attendance will receive $250 for its development organization. The county with the most in attendance will receive $1000 for its development organization.
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You are receiving this newsletter because of your past involvement with the Mississippi Economic Council. For more information about MEC, please visit our website at www.msmec.com.
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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
Click Here for MEC Web Site
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