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More Than 1,200 Attend MEC Capital Day 2015
Legislative Agenda, Early Childhood Education
Hot Topics at MEC's Largest Legislative Event
More than 1,200 statewide officials, elected officials and business and community leaders attended MEC's Capital Day 2015 at the Jackson Marriott and State Capitol on Thursday, Jan. 8. Capital Day is MEC's LARGEST legislative event.
Attendees were treated to messages on the upcoming legislative session and early childhood education, and were treated to lunch at the State Officials Reception at the Jackson Marriott.
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As MEC's Regional Round-Ups Continue, Workforce Emerges as Key Issue
Greetings!
The people of Mississippi are second to none.
Don't take my word for it though - that opinion comes directly from the attendees of our MEC Regional Round-Ups. At each event, we ask the crowd to name their region's greatest strength, and the overwhelming response we receive is that the people that live in our communities are what make Mississippi a great place to live and do business.
Unfortunately, we also ask attendees, "What is your region's greatest challenge?" and just as often find that the lack of a skilled workforce is the answer.
So we've got great people, but how do we ensure they have the skills needed for the jobs of the future?
One answer lies in our schools.
The Mississippi Scholars Tech Master program is gaining tremendous traction in the business community. With a purpose of encouraging students to pursue and perform well in a tech-prep course of study, the Mississippi Scholars Tech Master program is charting new waters in preparing a skilled workforce to work in Mississippi.
In 2014, 285 students from seven pilot counties earned the distinction of Mississippi Scholars Tech Master graduate. To date, we have 47 counties that have joined the Mississippi Scholars Tech Master Network, encompassing 71 school districts throughout the state.
This is a great step toward meeting what Mississippians have told us is the greatest challenge in numerous regions, but the work is not yet complete.
, we need YOUR help to grow this program. It is through the help of business and community leaders like you that we are able to continue this great program and train Mississippi's workforce of tomorrow.
To learn about how you can get involved and make sure Mississippi has a strong workforce, visit the Mississippi Scholars Tech Master website or contact Vickie Powell at 601-969-4418.
Keep the faith,
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Mississippi Ranks #7 Nationally in National Board Certified Teachers
Figures released by The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards show Mississippi now ranks seventh nationally in both the number of newly certified teachers and the total number of certified teachers. In the 2013-2014 school year, 198 teachers in Mississippi achieved the National Board Certification.
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Millsaps College Else School Spring Forum Feb. 26
J.B. Bernstein, legendary sports agent, marketing pioneer and inspiration for the Disney movie Million Dollar Arm, will be the featured speaker during the 2015 spring forum sponsored by the Millsaps College Else School of Management. The forum is scheduled on Feb. 26, 2015 at 8:15 a.m. at the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame at 1152 Lakeland Drive in Jackson.
Reservations are recommended. Reservations may be emailed to [email protected]. Learn More
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Sanderson Farms Championship Announces $1.1M Gift to
Children's Heart Center
Officials with Century Club Charities recently presented a $1,102,700 check to the nonprofit Friends of Children's Hospital, a volunteer organization that toils year-round to raise money for Batson. Century Club Charities' generous donation comes from a portion of funds generated by the golf tournament held Nov. 3-9 at the Country Club of Jackson.
The continued support and partnership of the PGA TOUR's 2014 Sanderson Farms Championship and its host organization, the nonprofit Century Club Charities, is bringing the Heart Center closer to a much-needed expansion that could include 20-24 additional beds, new operating rooms, and an all-new specialized imaging center.
"Our goal was to get to a million dollars, and we were blessed with a great response from the sponsors and players, and good weather," said Johnny Lang, president of Century Club Charities.
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First MEC Legislative Scrambler Set for Wednesday, Jan. 21
Meeting to Focus on Appropriations
MEC will hold its first Legislative Scrambler on Wednesday, Jan. 21 from 7:30-8:30 a.m. at the Mississippi Museum of Art. This Legislative Scrambler will focus on Appropriations, and will feature Sen. "Buck" Clarke, Senate Appropriations Committee Chair and Rep. Herb Frierson, House Appropriations Committee Chair.
You can attend in person,
or dial in by calling 800-771-7943.
MEC's Legislative Scramblers are a great way to have a voice at the Capitol without ever leaving your desk.
MEC's First Legislative Scrambler is Sponsored By:
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Mississippi Press Association
Gov. William Winter Jan. 29
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The state press association will roast one of Mississippi's most respected public servants at a January benefit for the MPA Education Foundation.
Former Gov. William Winter will be the guest of honor for the Jan. 29 event at the Hilton Jackson. Proceeds from the roast are used to underwrite the scholarship and internship programs of MPAEF.
Winter served as Mississippi's 57th chief executive from 1980-1984. He is special counsel in the Jones Walker Law Firm Government Relations Practice Group.
The 25th annual Roast will be held in conjunction with MPA's annual Mid-Winter Conference. A reception will be held at 6 p.m.; dinner begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $75 each or a table of eight is $600.
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Craig H. Neilsen Foundation, Ray Neilsen Donate $2.5 Million to 2 Mississippi Museums Project
The Mississippi Department of Archives and History has received commitments for $2.5 million in gifts from the Craig H. Neilsen Foundation and philanthropist Ray Neilsen. The funds, given to the Foundation for Mississippi History, will be used for exhibits in the Museum of Mississippi History and Mississippi Civil Rights Museum now under construction in downtown Jackson. These gifts are the largest received to date.
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MEC's Regional Round-Ups
Continue in the Golden Triangle, DeSoto County
MEC's Regional Round-Ups will continue next week in the Golden Triangle and in DeSoto County.
During the Regional Round-Ups, which are sponsored by Blue Cross & Blue Shield of MS, MEC will travel to approximately 28 communities throughout the state, discussing opportunities for those regions to help grow Mississippi's economic competitiveness.
Golden Triangle
Starkville, Columbus, West Point
Thursday, January 22, 2015 - 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
East Mississippi Community College/Mayhew Campus
Southaven
Friday, January 23, 2015 - 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Landers Center
There is no cost to attend the meetings thanks to a generous sponsorship
from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Mississippi, but pre-registration is required.
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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 approximately 10,000 members from 1,100 member firms in 2,400 locations throughout Mississippi.
Greetings! 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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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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