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Williams Receives Joe Johnson Scholarship

Master of Science in Economic Development (MSED) student Serena Williams from Hattiesburg was awarded the Joe Johnson Memorial Endowment in Economic Development for 2015. Throughout her time in the master's program, Williams will be focusing her various projects on Wayne County, where Joseph Earl "Joe" Johnson once lead economic development efforts. The Joe Johnson Memorial Endowment in Economic Development was established in 2003 by the Mississippi Economic Development Council and The University of Southern Mississippi Alumni Association to honor Johnson, who was inducted into Southern Miss Alumni Hall of Fame and served in many roles including president of the Southeast Mississippi Economic Development Network (1997-1999), founding member of the Jones County Junior College Local Workforce Council founded in 1994, state chairman for March of Dimes for two years, president of the international board of directors of the Southern Miss Alumni Association (1989-1990), and chairman of the International Alumni Past Presidents Council. The MSED program has three specific scholarships established by the economic development community designed to assist worthy, full-time students enrolled in the master's degree program in economic development. These include the Rhodes and Ingram Economic Development Scholarship Endowment, the Munro Petroleum Scholarship Endowment, and the Joe Johnson Memorial Endowment in Economic Development. To make a contribution to a MSED scholarship endowment contact the USM Foundation. 

Mistletoe Marketplace has long been one of the primary sources of revenue for the Junior League of Jackson, and, this year, featuring more than 160 merchants, the League celebrated the 34th Annual Mistletoe Marketplace at the Mississippi Trade Mart. The Junior League requested assistance from The University of Southern Mississippi's Department of Economic Development and Tourism to conduct an economic impact study for their annual event. Faculty and students collected primary and secondary data, in order to determine the impact of the event. Participant feedback was gathered using a survey instrument designed to gain a better understanding of spending patterns. Over 300 attendee and vendor travel parties were surveyed and 291 usable surveys were analyzed. The data was compiled and analyzed using Economic Modeling Specialists International (EMSI) economic impact model tools. The study found that the event attracted over 30,000 shoppers who spent almost $7 million during the three-day holiday shopping experience. From November 6 to 8, 2014, out-of-town visitors spent roughly $5 million at the seasonal market, which had an additional $6 million "ripple effect" on the City of Jackson economy through the impact of purchases outside of the marketplace. The study also identified that there is a direct impact from the Mistletoe Marketplace on the lodging industry, within the 5 miles radius from the Trade Mart, including about 2% increase in the occupancy percentage and about $1.14 increase of Average Daily Rate (ADR). After 34 years, this event continues to be a major tourism draw for the City of Jackson.