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Sponsored by The Trent Lott National Center for Excellence in Economic Development and Entrepreneurship
In This Issue
Upcoming Events
Register for the SEDA Alumni Baseball Tailgate Saturday, April 5th vs. Middle Tennessee @ the Roost. Game starts at 2:00 pm
I-TED 2014 - International Transportation Economic Development Conference 
April 9-11, 2014 in Dallas, TX Learn More 
College of Health Spring Forum "Hattiesburg 'Midtown' : Health-Enhancing Economic and Community Development" April 15, 2014 noon -3 p.m. Learn More 
MEDC 2014 Summer Conference July 8-10, 2014, Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Biloxi, MS Learn More 
2014 SEDC Annual Conference August 3-5, 2014 in Memphis, TN Learn More 
True South IEDC Basic Economic Development Course September 15-18, 2014. Learn More
Job Openings

Extension Educator, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE

Research and Grants Analyst, Economic Development Partnership of Alabama, Birmingham, AL...View Position

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March 31, 2014
Alumni Spotlight Brian Harger

Mr. Harger is an experienced community economic development researcher, analyst, and manager of people and projects. He has been a research associate at the Center for Governmental Studies at Northern Illinois University for 15 years. His areas of expertise include the creation and maintenance of EDO research programs, business intelligence research, economic base analysis, economic impact analysis and retail trade area analysis. He also has experience with creating, maintaining and manipulating large economic and demographic databases, cartography and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and web site development.


His current work focuses on effective practice, project feasibility, applied research and policy studies in economic development, industry cluster analyses, comprehensive planning and development strategies (CEDS), and the economic impacts of universities and community colleges. Recent or ongoing projects include assessment of regional economic development opportunities, identifying demographic and economic benchmarks, and creating and maintaining a regional economic development data portal. 


Brian holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Geography from the University of Northern Iowa, and a Master of Science degree in Economic Development from the University of Southern Mississippi. His professional associations include the Council for Community and Economic Research, International Economic Development Council, Illinois Development Council, and the Mid-America Economic Development Council. 

New Course on Management and Ethics for Economic Development

 As part of the new MSED curriculum, the course ED 721 Management and Ethics for Economic Development is now being taught by Dr. Chad R. Miller and David L. Parker, Senior Vice-President of Economic Development for the Electric Power Associations of Mississippi. The course provides the student with instruction in basic management, leadership, and ethical concepts and practices found in economic development. Strategic planning, performance measurement, and data-driven economic development are a focus. The course includes real world projects, case studies, and lectures by expert practitioners. 

 

Some of the high profile speakers include Kenny McDonald, CEO of Columbus 2020, John H. Turner,  Director of Business & Economic Development for Entergy, Chad Newell, President of the Area Development Partnership (ADP), Sean Mikula, Founder and CEO of Power 10 Fundraising, Jan Sims, Staff Development Manager at Mississippi Development Authority (MDA), and  Wayne L. Sterling, who headed state EDOs in Virginia and South Carolina.

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An Econometric Analysis of Raising the Minimum Wage in Mississippi
The University Research Center at the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning recently completed a study, Raising the Minimum Wage in Mississippi: An Econometric Analysis, that concluded that while the short term effect of a minimum wage increase might be appealing to many people including those that would receive higher wages, in the longer term, lower-wage jobs will be lost, personal income reduced, and gross state product lowered. The study used the REMI economic model with estimates for total annual wage increase for each industry sector. Specifically, the REMI model predicted that raising the minimum wage in Mississippi from $7.25 per hour to $10.10 beginning in 2015 would result in a 9,139 jobs less jobs, and generate losses in real personal income totaling $274 million, by 2028. This loss of jobs and personal income will be reflected in slower economic growth lowering the state's Gross State product $589 million by 2028.
Southern Miss Economic Development | tasha.may@usm.edu | 118 College Drive #5191
Hattiesburg, MS 39401-0001

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