The Mississippi Business Journal articles from March 2005

The Mississippi Business Journal back issues from March 2005:

Adding it all up, are incentives worth it? 'Corporate Welfare' vs. Recruiting Tool.

Mar 07, 2005; ... In 1936, in an effort to quell the lingering effects of the Great Depression, Mississippi lawmakers took a bold step as the nation's first state to sponsor an economic development plan by enacting Balance Agriculture With Industry (BAWI) legislation. Today, every state operates ...

Dealing with the Dresden deficit a challenge: MCICE dissolving; artwork for sale.(Mississippi Commission for International Cultural Exchange)

Mar 07, 2005; ... Jack Kyle is closing the chapter on bringing world-class international art exhibitions to the Magnolia State. The Mississippi Commission for International Cultural Exchange (MCICE), which brought to Jackson exhibitions highlighting Russia, France, Spain and Germany, is ...

What's on your mind?(Perspective)

Mar 07, 2005 ... In the coming weeks, the Mississippi Business Journal will be asking a lot of questions. Well, we won't, but the folks at Southern Research Group will be doing that for us. Why, you might ask, are we asking these questions? Quite simply, we want to know what's on your ...

In Romania, flat tax days are here again.(As I See It)(United States tax planning)

Mar 07, 2005; ... What does Romania know that we don't know? As of January 1st, Romania and the former Soviet state of Georgia joined six other European countries that have jumped aboard the flat-tax wagon. Romania? Yes indeed, Romania. In total, eight European countries ...

Overcoming those pesky misconceptions.(My Turn)

Mar 07, 2005; ... Friday, May 12, 2000, 1:59 p.m. There I was, 22 years old and ready to take the world by the horns. In less than one minute, I would be graduating from the University of Southern Mississippi with an undergraduate degree in economics/international business. I had it ...

Blackmon Chevrolet Inc.(People to Watch)(Frankie J. Blackmon got 2005 Time Magazine Quality Dealer Award)(Brief Article)

Mar 07, 2005 ... Frankie J. Blackmon, president of Blackmon Chevrolet Inc. in Tupelo, received the 2005 Time Magazine Quality Dealer Award. The award is the most prestigious and highly-coveted award for car dealers. Blackmon began his automotive career in 1958 selling parts at ...

May & Company.(People to Watch)(Van Hawthorne appointed)(Brief Article)

Mar 07, 2005 ... Van Hawthorne, CPA, of Clinton has joined the staff of May & Company, LLP. Hawthorne is a graduate of Mississippi College with a degree in business ...

RE/MAX Alliance.(People to Watch)(Bill Hetrick received e-Pro designation)(Brief Article)

Mar 07, 2005 ... Bill Hetrick, an associate broker with RE/MAX Alliance, recently received his e-Pro designation from the National Association of Realtors. The e-PRO course includes Internet learning applications to enhance Realtors' ...

Mississippi State Hospital.(People to Watch)(Jarrod Ravencraft appointed)(Brief Article)

Mar 07, 2005 ... Jarrod Ravencraft of Jackson has been named director of Mississippi State Hospital's (MSH) human resources division. Employed with MSH since September 2000, Ravencraft served as ...

Watkins Ludlam Winter & Stennis.(People to Watch)(Leonard D. Van Slyke nominated at Meritas Law Firms Worldwide)(Brief Article)

Mar 07, 2005 ... Leonard D. Van Slyke, an attorney with Watkins Ludlam Winter & Stennis, has been nominated to serve on the board of directors of ...

Synergetics.(People to Watch)(Internet and Computing Core Certification for Amy Woodward and Myesha Davis, professional certification for Chris Davidson of Synergetics Diversified Computer Services Inc.)(Brief Article)

Mar 07, 2005 ... Amy Woodward, Synergetics educational technology and training department manager, and Myesha Davis, technology trainer, are now Internet and Computing Core Certified (IC3) ....

Mississippi Technology Alliance.(People to Watch)(Tony Jeff joined )(Brief Article)

Mar 07, 2005 ... Tony Jeff has been named vice president, COO and treasurer of the Mississippi Technology Alliance. A native of Clinton, Jeff is a graduate of Mississippi State University and the ...

Renasant Bank.(People to Watch)(Kevin D. Chapman and Stacy Jones Crowley appointed)(Brief Article)

Mar 07, 2005 ... Kevin D. Chapman of Tupelo was appointed first vice president. Chapman recently joined the bank as the director of financial reporting. He is a CPA who worked with the Ernst and Young accounting firm in Birmingham, Ala., for four years until 2002 when he ...

The Peoples Holding Company.(People to Watch)(Neal A. Holland Jr. and Harold B. Jeffreys joined as board of directors)(Brief Article)

Mar 07, 2005 ... Neal A. Holland Jr. and Harold B. Jeffreys have been elected to The Peoples Holding Company's board of directors. Holland is president and CEO of Decatur, Ala.-based Holland Company Inc., a diversified general ...

One tag at a time.(People to Watch)(car tag-related funds from realtors for housing opportunity in communities)(Brief Article)

Mar 07, 2005 ... More than $18,000 has been donated to Habitat for Humanity in Mississippi as a result of more than 750 REALTORS purchasing REALTOR license plates around the state. Communities that benefited directly included Jackson, Leland, Hattiesburg and Tupelo. These Habitat affiliates ...

Pickering joins Baker Donelson.(People to Watch)(Charles W. Picketing, Baker. Donelson. Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz)(Brief Article)

Mar 07, 2005 ... JACKSON -- Judge Charles W. Picketing St. is joining the law firm of Baker. Donelson. Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz as of counsel in the firm's Jackson office. He will focus his practice on trial and appellate strategies, corporate compliance and internal investigations and alternative ...

Rivers Garden and Greenhouses.(People to Watch)(Willie Rivers honored by Mississippi Nursery and Landscape Association )(Brief Article)

Mar 07, 2005 ... Brandon resident Willie Rivers was recently recognized by the Mississippi Nursery and Landscape Association for his strong leadership over the past year when the association moved from Starkville to Brandon. Rivers, owner of Rivers Garden and Greenhouses in Brandon, served as president of ...

Sanderson Farms Inc.(People to Watch)(Steve Bonasia joined as corporate chef, Doug Creel and Kerry Eppes appointed at Moultrie Production)(Brief Article)

Mar 07, 2005 ... Steve Bonasia has been named corporate chef at the Sanderson Farms' foods division in Mississippi. Bonasia came to the company from New Jersey where he was chef/owner of a catering company. He is a graduate of Montclair State University and The French Culinary Institute in New York City ....

Big Enough Clothes.(People to Watch)(Louise Ridgeway got New Star award)(Brief Article)

Mar 07, 2005 ... Louise Ridgeway, a Big Enough children's clothes fashion consultant based in Jackson, was recently named a "New Star" in the ...

Guild Hardy Architects, PA.(People to Watch)(Wendy Barnes and Cristi Wolfe joined)(Brief Article)

Mar 07, 2005 ... Wendy Barnes, PE, has joined Guild Hardy Architects, PA, as an on-staff engineer. Barnes, an Ocean Springs native, has over 10 years' experience in the civil engineering field including the Mississippi State Department of Health Division of Water Supply as regional engineer and a local ...

University of Mississippi.(People to Watch)(Dr. Samir Husni take over as chair of the department of journalism )(Brief Article)

Mar 07, 2005 ... Dr. Samir Husni, a professor and Hederman lecturer at the University of Mississippi (UM), has accepted the ...

Jackson Prep.(People to Watch)(Crisler Moffat Boone joined as director)(Brief Article)

Mar 07, 2005 ... Jackson Prep recently welcomed back Crisler Moffat Boone (class of 1984) as the director of major gifts. After graduating from Millsaps College in December 1987, she worked in the Millsaps College office of admissions ...

Pine Grove Behavioral Health Center.(People to Watch)(Vicki Pevsner elected to National Association of Psychiatric Health Systems )(Brief Article)

Mar 07, 2005 ... Vicki Pevsner, Pine Grove Behavioral Health Center of Excellence vice president, was recently elected to the National Association of ...

Keesler Federal Credit Union (KFCU).(People to Watch)(Larry Mayo and Chris Sliga promoted)(Brief Article)

Mar 07, 2005 ... Larry Mayo has been promoted to vice president of information technology (IT) at KFCU. Mayo has over 27 years of experience and has held positions at KFCU as a computer operator, computer operations supervisor, systems programmer and IT specialist. Chris Sliga has been promoted to systems ...

BancorpSouth.(People to Watch)(promotions and appointments)(Brief Article)

Mar 07, 2005 ... Rita F. Rushing has been promoted to vice president of mortgage loans at BancorpSouth in Columbus. She has 18 years of banking experience. Evelyn A. Edwards has been promoted to vice president of the CRA department in Jackson. She was previously a CRA officer and has 13 years of banking ...

May & Company: Nathanial J. Cummins.(People to Watch)(appointments)(Brief Article)

Mar 07, 2005 ... Nathanial J. Cummins has joined May & Company, LLP, Certified Public Accountants and Consultants. Cummins received a master's in ...

Mississippi Humanities Council.(People to Watch)(Carol Andersen joined)(Brief Article)

Mar 07, 2005 ... Carol Andersen of Jackson has been named assistant director of the Mississippi Humanities Council. Before joining the council, Andersen served as director of marketing and communication for the ...

GranthamPoole, CPAs.(People to Watch)(appointments)(Brief Article)

Mar 07, 2005 ... GranthamPoole, CPAs, is pleased to announce that Chad Miller has joined the audit team. Miller is a graduate of Mississippi College where he obtained a BBA degree. Henry Agent, CPA, has also come onboard. He is a graduate of Millsaps College with a BBA degree with a concentration in ...

Northrop expanding scope of work at Coast facility.(Strictly Business)(Northrop Grumman Corp)

Mar 07, 2005; ... MOSS POINT -- Northrop Grumman Corporation's Integrated Systems sector is expanding the scope of work at its planned unmanned systems center at Trent Lott International Airport to include manufacture of subassemblies for the U.S. Air Force's RQ-4 Global Hawk unmanned air vehicle (UAV). ...

Rolls Royce opens facility.(Strictly Business)

Mar 07, 2005 ... PASCAGOULA -- Rolls Royce has opened the doors to a new machining center at its Propeller Center of Excellence. The new facility, adjacent to the foundry, is expected to improve manufacturing capabilities and production efficiency across a wide range of marine propellers and propulsors. ...

MHC Kenworth makes debut.(Strictly Business)(new facility)(Brief Article)

Mar 07, 2005 ... TUPELO -- MHC Kenworth has opened a full-service branch in this Lee County city, its first facility in Mississippi. A member of Kenworth's dealer net work, MHC Kenworth-Tupelo is located on six acres on Cliff Gookin Boulevard and features a 24000-square-foot facility. The ...

JARMC first with MedGuard.(Strictly Business)(Jeff Anderson Regional Medical Center, Omnicell MedGuard system)(Brief Article)

Mar 07, 2005 ... MERIDIAN -- Jeff Anderson Regional Medical Center (JARMC) has nearly completed the installation of the Omnicell MedGuard system. According to Omnicell, JARMC will be the first medical center in the nation to implement MedGuard hospital-wide. MedGuard automation utilizes bar code ...

Terra prepaying loan.(Strictly Business)(Terra Industries Inc.)(Brief Article)

Mar 07, 2005 ... YAZOO CITY -- On March 21, 2005, Terra Industries Inc. plans to prepay $50 million of its $125-million term loan due 2008. Terra assumed the bank term loan with the December 21, 2004, acquisition of Mississippi Chemical Corporation. The prepayment will result in a $9.8-million ...

Court grant D&PL petitions.(Strictly Business)(Delta and Pine Land Co.'s damage claim)

Mar 07, 2005 ... SCOTT -- The Mississippi Supreme Court has granted Delta and Pine Land Company (D&PL) two petitions to appeal two trial court rulings in its litigation against Monsanto Company and Pharmacia. As a result, the Mississippi Supreme Court will hear D&PL's appeals immediately instead of after ...

Hancock Fabrics year 'disappointing'.(Strictly Business)(sales and profits)

Mar 07, 2005 ... BALDWYN -- Hancock Fabrics Inc. has released its unaudited results of the fourth quarter and full year of 2004. For the quarter ended January 30, 2005 sales were $121.9 million, a 4.1% decrease from $127.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2003. Net earnings were $2.6 mil lion, ...

Howell promoted to president.(Strictly Business)(Paul Howell, Private Client Group)(Brief Article)

Mar 07, 2005 ... RIDGELAND -- Paul Howell has been promoted to president of BankPlus' Private Client Group. He had been vice president of the bank's new Highland Bluff office on Old Canton Road. Howell has more than 15 years' experience in the banking industry. He is a native of Jackson and an ...

Litter campaign takes first.(Strictly Business)(Department of Transportation won First Place National Litter Prevention Award)(Brief Article)

Mar 07, 2005 ... JACKSON -- The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) led the nation by winning the First Place National Litter Prevention Award at the Keep America Beautiful (KAB) Awards Ceremony, recently held in Washington, D.C. MDOT was recognized for its outstanding litter prevention efforts ...

Doe's moving to hotel.(Strictly Business)(Doe's Eat Place, Downtown Oxford Inn & Suites)(Brief Article)

Mar 07, 2005 ... OXFORD -- Doe's Eat Place, located on University Avenue since it first came to this Lafayette County city in 2001, is relocating to Downtown Oxford Inn & Suites. The restaurant plans to move into the hotel in mid-March. The downstairs of Downtown Oxford Inn & Suites is ...

DSU graduation rate best.(Strictly Business)(Delta State University)(Brief Article)

Mar 07, 2005 ... CLEVELAND -- When compared to 15 similar institutions across the country, Delta State University (DSU) ranks first in graduation rates with its 49.3%, according to The Education Trust's recently released Web tool, College Results Online. Found at www.collegeresults.org, College ...

Hanavas, Marion Thomas partner.(Strictly Business)(Hanavas Haircare Inc., Marion Thomas Salons Inc. )(Brief Article)

Mar 07, 2005 ... CORINTH -- Hanavas Haircare Inc. has formed a partnership with educator and hairstylist Tommy Pruitt, founder and CEO of Marion Thomas Salons Inc. Under the agreement, Hanavas products will be wholesaled to salons nationwide exclusively by Marion Thomas Salons' own distributorship. Hanavas ...

People seal the deal for Wisconsin businessman.(acquisition of Kimberly-Clark paper mill by Greg Santaga)

Mar 07, 2005; ... A Southern location, reduced freight costs and equipment acquisition were all important, but the main reason why GreenBay, Wisc.-based Greg Santaga bought the former Kimberly-Clark paper mill in Hattiesburg was the people who work there. The deal, finalized this past New Year's ...

Workforce board drafts plan in record time.

Mar 07, 2005; ... At the first business meeting held February 18 for the new State Workforce Investment Board, egos and agendas were tossed aside as board members expressed opinions anonymously. No one grabbed center stage," nobody fell pressured, and everyone's .voice was heard via high technology. ...

Denbury enjoys flush year.(Strictly Business)

Mar 07, 2005 ... DALLAS -- Denbury Resources Inc., the Dallas-based independent oil and gas company that is the largest of its type operating in Mississippi, posted earnings for the full year 2004 of $82.4 million or $1.50 per share, a 46% increase over 2003 net income, primarily due to higher commodity ...

AJFC honored by Mississippi Housing Corp.(Strictly Business)(AJFC Community Action Agency Inc. won Exceptional Housing Partners award)(Brief Article)

Mar 07, 2005 ... NATCHEZ -- The AJFC Community Action Agency Inc. has earned Mississippi Housing Corporation's (MHC's) Exceptional Housing Partners award. Throughout the year, MHC staff nominate affordable housing partners in the areas of developers, lenders and nonprofits that "have made a significant ...

Lush, natural setting backdrop for Beau Rivage course.(Fallen Oak Golf Course, Beau Rivage Hotel and Casino )

Mar 07, 2005; ... An oak tree that leans but is still standing will be visible from the back veranda of the clubhouse of the $30-million Fallen Oak Golf Course that will become part of Biloxi's Beau Rivage Hotel and Casino when it opens in February 2006. The 18-hole, par-72 course, being built on ...

Bundled telecom services pave way for lower prices.

Mar 07, 2005; ... You can't say it about most things in business, but the fact is that prices for telecommunications services--including local phone service, long distance and online access--have continued to decline, while there has been a corresponding increase in speed for connecting to the Internet. ...

Save-A-Lot opens new store.(Strictly Business)(Save-A-Lot Food Store )(Brief Article)

Mar 07, 2005 ... JACKSON -- A new Save-A-Lot Food Store is preparing to hold a grand opening ceremony in the Capital City. Located at Nakoma Drive and Hanging Moss Road, the grocery store, which opened January 26, 2005, will hold the ceremony March 30. "Jackson shoppers will be pleasantly ...

Conference/trade fair coming to Coast.(Strictly Business)

Mar 07, 2005 ... BILOXI -- The Mississippi Governor's Business/Procurement Conference and Trade Fair 2005 will be held March 22-24, 2005, at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum and Convention Center. Hosted by the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) and the Mississippi Contract Procurement Center Network, ...

Shell Landing named best.(Strictly Business)(Shell Landing Golf Club, Golf Course of the Year)(Brief Article)

Mar 07, 2005 ... BILOXI -- The National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA) has named Shell Landing Golf Club Chapter Golf Course of the Year. The award, given at the 2005 Golf Industry Show held in Orlando, Fla., recognizes golf courses for exceptional quality, exceptional quality of ownership, ...

Bruce first in Take Pride.(Strictly Business)(city to sponsor volunteer events as part of Take Pride in America City)(Brief Article)

Mar 07, 2005 ... BRUCE -- According to Take Pride in America and Take Pride in Mississippi the City of Bruce has been declared the first Take Pride in America City in Mississippi. As a Take Pride in America City, the City of Bruce agrees to sponsor two volunteer events per year, encourage the ...

Attention to detail: Grenada firm focuses on client.(Architects & Engineers)(ones-Zander Ltd.)(Company Profile)

Mar 07, 2005; ... GRENADA -- The architectural firm of Jones-Zander, Ltd., is housed in 4,200 square feet of office space that uses solar heat and passive cooling techniques, and natural light throughout to enhance the work environment. "We built it in 1983, when solar heat was coming on ...

Array of projects keeps Johnson McAdams firm busy.(Architects & Engineers)(Company Profile)

Mar 07, 2005; ... GREENWOOD -- In 1977, Ed Johnson, an Ole Miss engineering grad, came to Greenwood from Memphis looking for opportunity. He found it and stayed. At first it was just him, but he acquired McAdams Architectural Associates, and today, the Johnson McAdams firm has 42 employees made ...

MSU's new engineering dean sets quantifiable goals.(Architects & Engineers)(Mississippi State University)

Mar 07, 2005; ... STARKVILLE -- At Mississippi State University (MSU), things are going well, though very busily, for the new dean of the James Worth Bagley College of Engineering. It's sort of like drinking water from a fire hydrant, says Kirk Schulz, who took the engineering reins on January 1. ...

Engineering tech program grads getting on the job; director touts community colleges as 'best bang for the buck.'.(Architects & Engineers)(Holmes Community College )

Mar 07, 2005; ... The engineering technology program at Holmes Community College has a goal of placing 85% of its graduates who aren't continuing on to a four-year college into jobs. But, in fact, that placement rate is usually 100% for graduates who want to immediately enter the workforce. "We ...

Architectural firms.(Directory)(Illustration)

Mar 07, 2005 ... <Pre> Name Top Support Licensed Address Officer/ Staff/ Archi- E-mailPosition Interns tects Notable Phone/Fax Year Projects Number WebFounded site ...

Guild Hardy believes in designing buildings for human spirit.(Architects & Engineers)

Mar 07, 2005; ... GULFPORT -- The award-winning architectural firm Guild Hardy is 52 years old, but not content to rest on its laurels. Growth and innovation continue. Of 30 personnel, eight are licensed architects, and the firm just added a second interior designer and a professional engineer. The firm is ...

Tree ordinances must be considered before construction begins; Forestry Commission and city arborists available to help.(Architects & Engineers)

Mar 07, 2005; ... As more growth and development come to Mississippi, more cities are adopting tree ordinances to protect the state's natural beauty. Rick Olson with the State Forestry Commission says over 30 cities now have ordinances but most only protect trees on public property. However, cities along ...

Most important mission in Iraq? Teaching, say Seabees.(Architects & Engineers)

Mar 07, 2005; ... GULFPORT -- Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish. and you feed him for a lifetime. That old Chinese proverb can be likened to the experience of the Navy Seabees in Iraq. The Seabees have conducted a number of projects in Iraq: building bridges, ...

Tight budget aside, MARL is building new complex.(Architects & Engineers)(Mississippi Animal Rescue League)

Mar 07, 2005; ... JACKSON -- After years of planning and fundraising, the Mississippi Animal Rescue League (MARL) is set to begin moving dirt on a new, state-of-the-art facility in South Jackson this spring. Located on 53 acres on Greenway Drive, the approximately $2-million complex has broken ground and is ...

Nearsightedness likely to cost you big time in long run.(Ticker Talk)(Column)

Mar 07, 2005; ... It happens all the time. A client will come in to meet with me on their retirement plan. They're anxious to meet and they show up early. I know what we're meeting about before I even walk through the conference room door. We're not meeting about their retirement plan; we're ...

Building a brand for your business worth every penny.(Ad Works)

Mar 07, 2005; ... If you ask Coca-Cola, Nike and IBM what their most valuable corporate asset is, you're likely to get the same answer--their brand. Coke could sell off it's real property, industrial machinery, bottling plants and layoff 99.9% of it's workforce, and still command $1 billion for ...

Diabetes program slated March 24.(Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi)(Brief Article)

Mar 07, 2005 ... JACKSON -- The Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi (DFM), Central Mississippi, is presenting "With Diabetes You Get It All--A Multi-Disciplinary Approach to Diabetes Management." The program, which will be held March 24 at the Country Club of Jackson from 7:30 a.m. until 3:30 part., is ...

Locally-owned lumber stores stay competitive with service; State still has plenty of mom-and-pop operations.

Mar 07, 2005; ... It is no secret that large building supply stores like Lowe's and Home Depot can have an advantage over small, locally-owned independent lumber stores when it comes to purchasing power. The big chains can often get lower purchasing prices because of the volume they order. But ...

Building the world's largest dome poses unique challenges; engineering guru shares secrets of Tunica's proposed Myriad Project.(Myriad Golf Resorts)(Myriad Botanical Resort)

Mar 07, 2005; ... Engineers are working through the design challenges of building the world's largest dome structure planned for the $1.2-billion Myriad Botanical Resort in Tunica County. "The whole thing is a challenge because nobody has ever done anything like this," said Robert Ross, Ph.D., of ...

Reality-based training helps construction managers prepare.

Mar 07, 2005; ... BOONEVILLE -- To find out if the reality-based technology training provided through partnerships between contractors and the Northeast Mississippi Community College (NEMCC) really works, talk to a student. "Not every situation that can occur in the construction industry can be ...