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Mississippi Economic Council MEC Snapshot
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AT&T Invests $52,000 in
Teach For America - Mississippi
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AT&T Mississippi President Mayo Flynt (left) recently presented a $52,000 check to support the work of Teach For America-Mississippi. Representing TFA-MS are third-year math teacher in Byhalia Raisa D'Oyley and first-year Spanish teacher in Greenville Digna Pena Mejia. Also present at the year-end summit in Jackson was Lieutenant Governor Tate Reeves. TFA-MS currently has 350 teachers serving in 27 Mississippi school districts.
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AT&T Mississippi President Mayo Flynt announced at a recent year-end summit of 350 Teach For America-Mississippi (TFA-MS) teachers, AT&T's investment of $52,000 toward its work to ensure "all children in Mississippi have the opportunity to attain an excellent education."
Lieutenant Governor Tate Reeves also spoke at the summit held in Jackson to praise the work of Teach For America-Mississippi and to demonstrate the state's commitment to TFA-MS. The state of Mississippi has invested $6 million through an annual state appropriation for the past three years.
"AT&T is committed to public education k-12 as the foundation for a strong workforce to serve our state, grow our economy and as a means of creating greater opportunity for all citizens," Flynt said.
AT&T is an MEC member.
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USA International Ballet Competition
to Be Held June 14-29 in Jackson
 The USA International Ballet Competition (USA IBC) audience will witness an astounding mix of methods, styles and cultures on June 14 as the competition begins its 2014 festival in Jackson. The USA IBC, June 14 - 29, is designated as the official international ballet competition in the United States. The USA IBC is a two-week, "olympic-style" competition where tomorrow's stars vie for medals, cash awards, company contracts and scholarships. The event is designated as the official international ballet competition in the United States by a Joint Resolution of Congress. Presented under the auspices of the International Dance Committee, International Theatre Institute of UNESCO, the USA IBC is held every four years in Jackson, in the tradition of sister competitions in Varna, Bulgaria, and Moscow, Russia.
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C Spire to Acquire MegaGate Broadband
 C Spire announced plans recently to acquire MegaGate Broadband, a regional provider of IP voice, data, and business telecommunications solutions.
Headquartered in Hattiesburg, MegaGate serves most Mississippi business markets as a competitive local exchange telecommunications provider and as an Internet service provider. Founded in 1990, the company began operations in 1998 as a division of Cellular One, a wireless communications provider serving markets in south Mississippi.
"We're excited about becoming part of a company that shares our long tradition of passionately focusing on superior customer service," said Kevin Pack, CEO of MegaGate. "What makes this such a great combination is that we know our customers will be in good hands as C Spire brings its customer-inspired approach to their business technology and communications needs."
C Spire is an MEC member.
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Entergy Mississippi Makes $10,000 Investment in Desoto County Career Tech Center
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Attending the Entergy investment announcement were (from left) Bill Russell, Desoto County Supervisor; Robbin Jeter, VP of Operations for Entergy; Tom Pittman, President of Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi; , Barry Bouchillon, Chairman of Desoto County Economic Development Council Board of Directors; Haley Fisackerly, President and CEO of Entergy MS; Milton Kuykendall, Superintendent of Desoto County Schools; Lee Caldwell, Desoto County Supervisor; Jim Flanagan, President and CEO of Desoto County Economic Development Council and Wayne Spell, Account Service Manager for Entergy.
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Haley Fisackerly, President and CEO of Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy officials recently announced a $10,000 grant to the Foundation for Excellence in Education to go directly to the Career and Technology Center.
Fisackerly said, "I believe when we make communities grow, we (Entergy) grow!"
Fisackerly was the featured speaker at the Desoto County Economic Development Council's Quarterly Luncheon held recently at Northpoint Christian School. Fisackerly delivered a message mixed with economic outlook, and partnerships, to provide opportunity in communities.
Entergy Mississippi is an MEC member.
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Gov. Bryant Hosts Consul General of Israel
Governor Phil Bryant hosted Consul General Opher Aviran, the Consul General of Israel to the Southeastern United States, at a reception on June 9. Based in Altanta, Aviran's jurisdiction covers Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina. Pictured are, from left, Dr. Robert Pearigen, President Millsaps College, Aviran, First Lady Deborah Bryant, Gov. Bryant and Jim McIngvale, Director, Government & Community Affairs at Ingalls Shipbuilding.
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VT Halter Marine Delivers Tug
for Bouchard Transportation
VT Halter Marine, Inc., a subsidiary of Vision Technologies Systems, Inc., recently delivered the ocean-going 112 foot Articulated Tug Barge (ATB) Tug, Denise A. Bouchard, for Bouchard Transportation Co., Inc.
Measuring 112 feet by 35 feet by 17 feet, the 4,000hp tug is classed by ABS as A1 Towing Vessel, Dual Mode, and is equipped with an Intercon Coupler System. Construction of the vessel began in March 2013 and the tug was launched in February 2014, at VT Halter Marine's Moss Point Marine facility in Escatawpa, Mississippi. The Denise A. Bouchard is the sister vessel to the Evening Star which was delivered in October 2012, and is part of a major Bouchard fleet expansion currently underway at VT Halter Marine. The ATB Tug will be paired with an existing Bouchard ATB 80,000 bbl and enter into Bouchard's fleet service.
VT Halter Marine, Inc. is an MEC member.
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Pre-K Tax Credit Available Through
Early Childhood Development Act
A new tax credit is available for businesses and individuals through donations to collaboratives created by The Early Learning Collaborative Act of 2013. The Act is designed to expand Pre-K education for low income children throughout Mississippi. Individuals or businesses that make a donation are eligible for a state tax credit up to $1 million.
To learn more about the new MS state Pre-K tax credit, Click Here. To read through frequently asked questions and answers, Click Here.
The Mississippi Department of Education has selected 11 community collaboratives to offer Pre-K, but these organizations are required to provide one-to-one matching funds. Businesses can donate to a specific collaborative or to a specific program in the service delivery area of a collaborative. Each collaborative's "wish list" may vary depending upon community needs. Any unused portion of the tax credit can be carried over for 3 years. The overall level of contributions is capped at the amount appropriated by the Legislature. Currently, $3 million is appropriated for Pre-K and therefore, contributions cannot exceed that level.
Business support for Pre-K expansion is critical to ensure that low income children throughout Mississippi have access to early learning. Studies show quality Pre-K improves a child's school readiness and ultimate school performance.
Click Here for More Information on the MS State Pre-K Tax Credit
Click Here for Frequently Asked Questions
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Tower International Expanding
in Meridian, Adding 83 Jobs
Gov. Phil Bryant and officials from Tower International, Inc. announced recently the company is expanding operations at its facility in Meridian. The project represents a corporate investment of more than $15 million and will create 83 jobs.
Tower International is a leading global manufacturer of engineered automotive structural metal components and assemblies for small and large cars, crossovers, pick-ups and SUVs. Tower's expansion involves the addition of new stamping and assembly processes in its existing 410,000- square-foot Meridian location. The expansion will accommodate existing and new contracts.
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Nauticstar, LLC Expanding,
Adding 30 New Jobs in Amory
Governor Phil Bryant and officials from recreational boat manufacturer NauticStar, LLC announced the company is expanding its facility in Amory to accommodate the production of boats larger than 28 feet. The project represents a company investment of $460,259 and will create 30 new jobs.
The expansion will involve the addition of 20,000 square feet to NauticStar's existing 160,000 square feet of manufacturing space, and it will connect the company's two existing facilities.
"I appreciate the team at NauticStar for further investing in its Amory operations and for creating these new job opportunities for the residents of Monroe County. In Mississippi, our economic development professionals strive to maintain a strong, supportive business climate and well-trained workforce so companies can achieve and maintain success," Gov. Phil Bryant said.
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International Ballet Competition
Brings History, Heritage to Mississippi
The first International Ballet Competition was held in Varna, Bulgaria in 1964 and evolved into a rotating competition between the cities of Varna, Moscow and Tokyo. It eventually garnered so much attention that in 1975, the Jackson Ballet Guild invited a renowned ballet teacher and educator to develop a professional ballet company and school for the state of Mississippi. We know her as Thalia Mara, the namesake of Thalia Mara Hall in downtown Jackson.
Her development plan introduced city leaders to ballet competitions, convincing them to secure the USA IBC for the city of Jackson. Thanks to her determination, and with the help of local, national and international endorsements and the commitment of Jacksonians, the first USA International Ballet Competition was held in June 1979, featuring 70 dancers from 15 countries. The competition was so successful that Jackson was added to the prestigious list of hosts, joining Varna, Moscow and Tokyo as hosts of International Theater Institute competitions. In 1982, Congress passed a resolution designating Jackson as the official home of the IBC. It has been held in Jackson every four years since 1982.
This year, the 10th USA International Ballet Competition will descend on Jackson from June 14-29, providing a major economic boost to the state. An independent economic study concluded that the ninth USA IBC, held in 2010, generated $10.2 million for Mississippi, a 35% increase from 2006 and 61% increase from 2002. Thanks to the leadership of former MEC Chair Haley Fisackerly, who is Chair of the Board of Directors of the USA International Ballet Competition, this year is poised to continue the upward growth.
For information on how you can attend and help boost this great event and great boon for our state, visit the USA International Ballet Competition website -
We hope you can come and celebrate this great event with us!
Keep the faith
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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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