Save the Date
MSED Alumni and Friends Tailgate September 5th
The Student Economic Development Association (SEDA) is planing a tailgate for the USM vs. Mississippi State game on September 5th. Mark your calendars and plan to join us for a great time of fun and networking. The game starts at 9pm. Stay tuned for more details.
|
Alumni
Would you like to be highlighted in our newsletter? Let us know what you have been doing since graduation. Email us and we will tell your story of success!
|
President and CEO, Hutto Economic Development Corporation in Hutto, TX View Posting
Executive Director in Levelland, Txas Economic Development Corporation View Posting
President and CEO Gonzales Economic Development Corporation (GEDC) Gonzales, TX View Posting
City of San Antonio Economic Development invites applications for paid internship View Posting
|
| MEDC's 2015 Summer Conference will be held July 8-10, 2015 at the Beau Rivage in Biloxi, MS. |
MSED Football Tailgate
USM vs. MS State in Hattiesburg Saturday, September 5th |
| USM True South Basic Economic Development Course accredited by IEDC September 21-24, 2015 |
| Quality of Life Conference: The Future of Quality of Life, ISQOLS 2015 in Phoenix, AZ October 15-17, 2015 More Information |
|
|
|
|
RFP for the Economic Impact of USM
The University is seeking proposals from qualified consultants independent of the University to measure the economic impact derived (direct, indirect, and inferred) from its activities within and related to higher education, through such contexts as employees, visitors, and students spending money in the region as well as economic benefits generated by students who live and work within the local economy. The study will evaluate USM's impact for the State of Mississippi. As a subset, the study will include USM's impact of the gulf coast region represented by Harrison, Hancock, and Jackson counties. Additionally, the University seeks a proposal that includes an investment analysis generated from the perspective of students, taxpayers and society as a whole. To obtain a copy of the RFP #15-20, click http://www.usm.edu/procurement-contract-services/current-bid-opportunities.
|
 Remembering USM Alum, Jody Tidwell
The economic development community is deeply saddened at the passing of USM Alumnus, Jody Tidwell, owner of Blue Clover, a consulting company for the architectural, engineering and construction industries. Tidwell graduated from USM in 1984 with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Finance. He was a member of Mississippi Economic Development Council where he served as president from 1994-1995. He also served as president of Kemper County Economic Development Authority in the late 80s. Chad Driskell, Vice President of External Affairs at The University of Southern Mississippi said, "Mississippi lost a friend this week. Our friend Jody Tidwell was a family man, statesman, and advocate for the Mississippi economy. Jody exemplified what Southern Miss is all about. In this age of technology, Jody was the person who preferred to pick up the phone and call you about the deal he was working on because relationships were everything to him. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Tidwell family during this time." Ross Tucker, President of Jones County Economic Development Authority remembers Tidwell. "Jody was one of my closest mentors when I first chose to enter the economic development arena. He was with W.G. Yates Construction at the time, but he had been an economic developer years prior and helped me immensely with the transition from the banking world. He offered guidance, understanding, and always tough love when it was needed. He was the consummate 'let's get something done' professional that is hard to come by in this day and time. He left a legacy of mentorship throughout the State of Mississippi that may never be seen again in my lifetime. We all lost a great friend and a family man that we can all hope to be a little more like some day." From his obituary:
Jody Tidwell, 54, passed away Saturday, May 30, 2015 following complications from cancer. A gathering of friends will be at Parkway Memorial Funeral Home, Monday, June 1, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. The memorial service will be Tuesday, June 2, at 11:00 a.m. at Fondren Church in Woodland Hills Baptist Church. There will be a private family burial. A native of Philadelphia, Jody had lived in Jackson for 23 years. He loved all things Neshoba County, especially The Fair where he loved entertaining politicians, economic developers, friends and people from all walks of life at The Tidwell Cabin. Jody is remembered for his charisma, charm and his ease of conversation with people of all ages. He had a way of making everyone feel like his best friend. Jody's gift for mentoring and nurturing people brought countless contacts into his circle of good friends. An Eagle Scout, Jody believed in scouting and sports and was involved in every aspect of those things with his family and the community. He loved politics and was the best at working a room of friends and strangers alike. His passion and zest for life was felt by all who knew him. Jody lived life "all in". Jody is survived by his wife of 27 years, Tonya, and his children, Maggie, 25, Caleb, 20, and Noah, 18. He leaves siblings, Carla Hobson and David Tidwell, and his mother, Sheila Tidwell. He was predeceased by his father, Joe Tidwell. Those who wish to honor Jody's memory may send contributions to Young Life, P.O. Box 79066, Jackson, MS 39236, where Jody served.
|
 The University of Southern Mississippi SBDC Update
In late January of this year, USM partnered with University of Mississippi, the SBA and the MS SBDC to create a new and much-needed USM Small Business Development Center.
Since then, our office has held 9 Business 101 Series college-level workshops with an average of 13 attendees, answered an average of 18 daily client calls and emails, given over 300 business counseling hours for over 50 clients and helped 24 aspiring South Mississippi entrepreneurs compose business plans and loan packages.
Providing these businesses with low to no cost educational and analytical services has helped sharpen and focus our clients' plans, creating 20 jobs and $740,000 in loans for businesses, just since our first client meeting on January 20th, 2015. As we move into our next several months, our goal is to educate and serve even MORE aspiring South Mississippi small business owners as we help transform our entrepreneurial footprint, one small Mississippi business at a time.
It is a privilege and a pleasure to enjoy our office, our workshop classroom and our fellow entrepreneurial faculty in the Trent Lott National Center. Our continuing success is largely due to the contagious "can do" spirit here, and throughout our USM home campus.
|
 Opportunities Abound in EcD
We are receiving requests from economic development professionals interested in employing students in economic development while the students are pursuing their Masters degree. If you know of potential students who may be interested in earning their degree while working in the field tell them to contact either [email protected] or [email protected]. Several students in this past year's cohort had full-time jobs before they finished the program. What an exciting time to be in the economic development profession! Thank you for your continuing support of our program. |
|
|
|
|
