The Mississippi Business Journal back issues from August 2005:
Drilling issue intensifies: thousands expected for opposition rally August 21st.(12 Mile Coalition)
Aug 01, 2005; ... The debate over offshore drilling continues to grow in South Mississippi. The 12 Mile Coalition, a group opposed to drilling, is holding a rally on August 21 at the Coast Coliseum that's expected to draw thousands. The Harrison County Tourism Commission, which oversees the ...
Growing Pontotoc County looking to diversify business.
Aug 01, 2005; ... PONTOTOC -- Pontotoc County and the City of Pontotoc are in a period of discovery, looking at what they have to offer new businesses while they proudly support their existing businesses. Life is good in the northeast county with a population of 27,206--10,284 households--and a median ...
McEnroe takes reins of Southern Farm Bureau Classic.(Ed McEnroe)(Interview)
Aug 01, 2005; ... JACKSON -- On July 25, Ed McEnroe officially took over as the new tournament director of the Southern Farm Bureau Classic, overseeing the PGA Tour event for Birmingham, Ala.-based Bruno Event Team (BET). He replaced Nathan Grube, who joined the Buick Championship, formerly the Greater ...
VT Halter Marine one of nation's largest commercial ship builders.(Company Profile)
Aug 01, 2005; ... If you think "shipyard" on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, often the first thing that comes to mind is the defense giant Northrop Grumman Ship Systems in Pascagoula. But another ship builder on the Coast has the distinction of being the largest medium and small commercial ship builder in the ...
Banking landscape continues to change around state.(As I See It)(analysis of relationship banking)(Column)
Aug 01, 2005; ... This month we'll see the passing of an age when the Union Planters merger with Regions concludes. Venerable old UP, the bulwark of Delta planters for generations, will, in name anyway, disappear from the landscape. The new organization will be better than ever, we're told, due to the ...
Solving a few neighborhood mysteries.(explanations )(Column)
Aug 01, 2005; ... A community is a collection of people with a common interest. A residential neighborhood is a community whose common interest is place. A detective is someone who solves mysteries. In this column we will discuss how you can become a neighborhood detective and solve some of the ...
London surpassingly normal in days following attacks: one writer's perspective.(London Terrorist Bombings, 2005)(Column)
Aug 01, 2005; ... On July 3 upon arriving at Heathrow Airport, the first thing my 16-year-old daughter, Brianna, and I did was purchase a London pocket map of the Underground (the tube), streets and bus routes. In minutes, we were traveling on the Piccadilly Line to Wood Green to meet a friend from London. ...
Wrapping the final chapter on WorldCom and Ebbers.(former WorldCom chief executive officer Bernie Ebbers)
Aug 01, 2005; ... Poor Bernie. In Mississippi business circles, those two words have been uttered in hushed tones more frequently than any other phrase associated with the WorldCom debacle of late concerning former CEO Bernie Ebbers. Even though most people believe he got what he deserved--a ...
Independent Insurance Agents of Mississippi.(Richard Davis appointed)(Brief Article)
Aug 01, 2005 ... The Independent Insurance Agents of Mississippi (IIAM) elected Richard Davis of the Terral Agency in Quitman as president. Davis' election as IIAM president follows an active involvement with the association that includes serving as president-elect, vice president, a member of the board ...
Stewart Sneed Hewes/BancorpSouth The Insurance Center.(Shannon M. Ryan promoted to vice president)(Brief Article)
Aug 01, 2005 ... Shannon M. Ryan has been promoted to vice president of commercial lines at Stewart Sneed Hewes/BancorpSouth The Insurance Center in Biloxi. A native of Danville, Ill., Ryan has been with the company for almost 19 years, working primarily ...
BancorpSouth.(Donna Aycock appointed BancorpSouth Bank (Tupelo, Mississippi))(Brief Article)
Aug 01, 2005 ... Donna Aycock has been promoted to vice president of mortgage loans at BancorpSouth in Tupelo. She has 25 years of banking experience. A native of West Palm Beach, Fla., Aycock graduated from the University of Colorado with a bachelor's degree in finance. She has completed banking courses ....
EarthCon.(David Lee appointed)(Brief Article)
Aug 01, 2005 ... David Lee has joined EarthCon in Madison as a Senior Engineer. He recently retired from the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality with 30 years' experience in the ...
Dr. Matthew Fairburn, DMD.(completed an advanced education in general dentistry program at the University of Alabama)(Brief Article)
Aug 01, 2005 ... Dr. Matthew Fairburn, DMD, of Madison recently completed an advanced education in general dentistry program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Fairburn is a 2004 graduate of the ...
Mississippi Department of Mental Health.(Dale B. Roberts resigned and Sandy A. Rogers appointed)(Brief Article)
Aug 01, 2005 ... Following the retirement of Dale B. Roberts, the Specialized Treatment Facility (STF) in Gulfport, an agency of the Mississippi Department of Mental Health, will now be led by Sandy A. Rogers, Ph.D., of Oxford. Prior to joining STF, Rogers was the assistant director for programmatic ...
Nissan North America recently donated $3,000 to the Jackson Zoo's Educational Department to provide enhanced educational opportunities to Jackson area children.(Brief Article)
Aug 01, 2005 ... Nissan North America recently donated $3,000 to the Jackson Zoo's Educational Department to provide enhanced educational opportunities to Jackson area children. Pictured receiving the check from David A. Boyer, vice president of manufacturing at Nissan are Kate O'Connor (left), the zoo's ...
East Central Community College.(Joe Barrett appointed)(Brief Article)
Aug 01, 2005 ... Joe Barrett of Decatur was recently selected workforce development coordinator at East Central Community College in Decatur. Barrett was previously employed at Choctaw Maid ...
Hattiesburg Clinic.(Christopher L. Cooley appointed)(Brief Article)
Aug 01, 2005 ... Christopher L. Cooley, M.D., of Laurel joined Eye Physicians and Surgeons of Hattiesburg Clinic. Cooley received his medical degree from the University of ...
Greater Starkville Development Partnership.(Kristi Brown graduated from Institute for Organization Management)(Brief Article)
Aug 01, 2005 ... Kristi Brown, IOM, vice president for chamber and community development of the Greater Starkville Development Partnership, recently graduated from Institute ...
JBHM Education Group.(Dr. Loretta Goff appointed)(Brief Article)
Aug 01, 2005 ... Dr. Loretta Goff, a veteran of more than 27 years in Mississippi public schools, has joined JBHM Education Group as director of supplemental education services. Goff, who served as a classroom teacher, guidance counselor, principal, program director and assistant superintendent in Jackson ...
Northpark Mall.(Mills Corporation hired Audrie Thomas )(Brief Article)
Aug 01, 2005 ... The Mills Corporation announced the hiring of Audrie Thomas as general manager of Northpark Mall in Ridgeland. She previously served as the assistant general manager at Cincinnati Mills for three years. She was also the property manager and leasing associate at the same property for nearly ...
Delta Regional Authority.(William "Blair" Jernigan appointed)(Brief Article)
Aug 01, 2005 ... William "Blair" Jernigan has been named COO of the Delta Regional Authority (DRA). He has been serving as CEO for Panola Partnership Inc., a countywide development organization in Batesville since 2004. Jernigan's diverse civic and work background ...
Eubank & Betts, PLLC.(George W. Hammack appointed)(Brief Article)
Aug 01, 2005 ... George W. Hammack, CPA, has been named a member in the firm of Eubank & Betts, PLLC, Certified Public Accountants in Jackson. A graduate of Delta State ...
Tyson consolidating operations, making improvements in Forest.(Tyson Foods Inc.)
Aug 01, 2005; ... FOREST -- Springdale, Ark.-based Tyson Foods Inc. has initiated improvement projects at one of its plants in this Central Mississippi city and will move workers and production from its older plant on Cleveland Street to the upgraded facility. Whether this will result in layoffs is yet to ...
Terra modifying for Orica contract.(Strictly Business)
Aug 01, 2005; ... YAZOO CITY -- Terra Industries Inc. has entered into a 10-year, renewable agreement to supply industrial grade ammonium nitrate (IGAN) and ammonium nitrate solution (ANS) to Orica USA Inc. Terms were not disclosed. Orica, a business unit of the Australian explosives and chemical ...
River modeling forum held.(Mississippi River, Engineering Research and Development Center)(Brief Article)
Aug 01, 2005; ... VICKSBURG -- A forum to discuss modeling efforts on the Mississippi River and its tributaries was held July 26-27 at the Engineering Research and Development Center. Hosted by the Mississippi Valley Division of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers with support from the Louisiana Coastal Area ...
Ship Systems awarded Navy contract.(Strictly Business)
Aug 01, 2005; ... PASCAGOULA -- The U.S. Navy has awarded a contract valued at $109.6 million to Northrop Grumman Corporation for advanced planning, long-lead material and systems engineering on the LHA(R) amphibious assault ship program. The total contract value, if all options are exercised, Will be $264 ...
FNC ranked again.(Strictly Business)
Aug 01, 2005; ... OXFORD -- FNC Inc. has landed a spot on Mortgage Technology magazine's Top 100 Technology Vendors list again for 2005. FNC appeared among the top 100 vendors list in 2003 and 2004, as well. FNC joined firms exhibiting the magazine's four major criteria for inclusion. These are ...
IHL appoints Meredith.(Institutions of Higher Learning, Dr. Thomas C. Meredith )(Brief Article)
Aug 01, 2005; ... JACKSON -- The Board of Trustees of Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL) has named Dr. Thomas C. Meredith as the new commissioner of higher education in Mississippi. Meredith, currently chancellor of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia, will take over the ...
Superior development applies for CDE.(Superior Development Group Inc.'s community development entity)(Brief Article)
Aug 01, 2005; ... CLARKSDALE -- Superior Development Group Inc. has filed an application with the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Community Development Financial Institutions Fund to become certified as a community development entity (CDE). A certified CDE is eligible to apply to the Department ...
Tunica Airport completes canopy.(Brief Article)
Aug 01, 2005; ... TUNICA -- The Tunica Airport has completed the construction of its new arrival and departure canopy. According to the airport, it is the largest cantilevered canopy in the Mid-South. The canopy, which is 28 feet high, 90 feet long and 90 feet wide, provides all-weather access ...
Koerber Turner building new office.(Brief Article)
Aug 01, 2005; ... HATTIESBURG -- Koerber Turner, PPLC, is getting new headquarters. Jim Koerber, CPA/ABV, CVA, CFE, and Annette Turner, CPA/ABV, CVA, CFE, the owners of Koerber Turner, unveiled plans to construct a new 5,000-square-foot office at Madison Plaza in the Hub City. Construction is ...
KCSR leases lines.(Kansas City Southern Railway Company, Watco Companies Inc.)(Brief Article)
Aug 01, 2005; ... EAST MISSISSIPPI -- The Kansas City Southern Railway Company (KCSR) has leased five of its branch lines in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana and Alabama to three railroads owned by Watco Companies Inc., a short line railroad company. Terms were not disclosed. The leased lines ...
Gray Television creates 'FOX Meridian'.(FOX Television Network)(Brief Article)
Aug 01, 2005; ... MERIDIAN -- Gray Television Group, Inc., owner of WTOK-TV, the ABC affiliated television station in this East Mississippi city, will launch a new station this fall to be affiliated with the FOX Television Network. The station, to be known as "FOX Meridian," will be available ...
AGC wants STCC to drop complaint.(Associated General Contractors of America and Southern Tier Cement Committee)(Brief Article)
Aug 01, 2005; ... WASHINGTON -- The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) has asked the Southern Tier Cement Committee (STCC) to withdraw its complaint that triggered the current anti-dumping duty on Mexican cement and allow cement supplies to arrive from Mexico free of prohibitively high duties. ...
PFS moves in new facility.(PFS Distribution)(Brief Article)
Aug 01, 2005; ... JACKSON -- The Hinds County Economic Development District and the City of Jackson held a ribbon-cutting ceremony July 21 for PFS Distribution's newest facility located on Woodrow Wilson Drive. PFS is a subsidiary of Pilgrim's Pride Foods, a poultry producer located in Pittsburg, ...
Earnings edge up.(reports of Bureau of Labor Statistics)(Brief Article)
Aug 01, 2005; ... WASHINGTON -- Real average weekly earnings rose by 0.2% from May 2005 to June 2005 after seasonal adjustment, according to preliminary data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The change resulted from a 0.2% increase in average hourly earnings. The Consumer Price Index ...
United Auction selling 'Web package'.(United Auction Brokers LLC.)(Brief Article)
Aug 01, 2005; ... GULFPORT -- United Auction Brokers, LLC, has begun the auction of the "real estate Web package" www.uabauction.com, which is expected to draw bidders from around the world. "This Web package is a collection of several premier Internet real estate Web sites and proven business ...
Airport parking garage closed.(Jackson-Evers International Airport)(Brief Article)
Aug 01, 2005; ... JACKSON -- Construction has begun on the parking garage at the Jackson-Evers International Airport. The parking garage has closed and will remain a construction site until May 2006. "Our expansion plans call for additional (parking) spaces, (and) our construction plans call for ...
BankPlus, FHLBank fund art center.(Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas)(Brief Article)
Aug 01, 2005; ... LEXINGTON -- A historic building in this Central Mississippi community will be transformed into an arts complex and community center, funded in part through an economic development grant and low-cost funding provided by BankPlus and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLBank Dallas). ...
Urban Radio buys WACR-FM.(Urban Radio Communications LLC recieves financing, makes acquisitions)(Brief Article)
Aug 01, 2005; ... COLUMBUS and STARKVILLE -- Urban Radio Communications, LLC, has received $17 million in equity and mezzanine debt financing from The Goldman Sachs Urban Investment Group and 21st Century Group, bringing the total capital raised to date to $21 million. The new capital will be used to ...
Governor's Cup winners unveiled.(Hancock Fabrics Inc., Guild Hardy Architects, recognized for outstanding business, Mississippi)(Brief Article)
Aug 01, 2005; ... BALDWYN and GULFPORT -- Hancock Fabrics Inc. of Baldwyn and Guild Hardy Architects, P.A., of Gulfport are the statewide winners of the 2004 Governor's Cup Awards. Each year, the Mississippi Development Authority along with the Mississippi Economic Development Council recognizes ...
Understanding benefits, can reduce employee turnover rate.(Professional Benefits Communications Inc.)
Aug 01, 2005; ... RIDGELAND -- Work site marketing is one of the insurance industry's latest buzzwords, and that's what Professional Benefits Communications Inc. does. Better known as PBCI, the firm has also affiliated with the Omni Group to further diversify its services. The official name is PBCI/Omni ...
Concourse Office Park offering latest in high-tech amenities": excitement building for projects executive suites.
Aug 01, 2005; ... MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST -- Although there are a lot of homes being built and new retail businesses opening on the Coast, the inventory of office space has changed little in the last 12 months. For the most part, business and professional people looking for office space must build their own ...
Soybean rust in state, Mississippi crop still OK.
Aug 01, 2005; ... STARKVILLE -- Despite the arrival of rust in the state, Mississippi's soybean crop needs only a couple of well-timed rains to finish off what could be one of the best crops. On July 18, rust was confirmed in a sentinel plot of soybeans in George County. Mississippi State ...
Inroads looking to create pool of talented minority youth.
Aug 01, 2005; ... JACKSON--INROADS Inc. prides itself on being an internship program that offers a lot of extras. Its mission statement is straightforward--to develop and place talented minority youth in business and industry and prepare them for corporate and community leadership. To accomplish this, ...
Nine proposed casino projects could mean growth for economy.
Aug 01, 2005; ... The state should get a shot in the arm from activity taking place in the gaming industry as one new casino gets ready to open, nine proposed projects are in various stages of approval and others are making upgrades. The mammoth Hard Rock Casino & Hotel is set to open in Biloxi ...
Former governors returning to classrooms this fall.(Ray Mabus and Ronnie Musgrove, University of Mississippi )(Brief Article)
Aug 01, 2005; ... OXFORD -- The fall semester marks the return of former Mississippi governors Ray Mabus and Ronnie Musgrove to the University of Mississippi (UM), where they will offer students real-world glimpses into government and politics. "It's a wonderful opportunity for our students to ...
Union Planters and Regions officially merge Aug. 12.(Union Planters (Memphis, Tennessee) and Regions Financial Corp.)(Interview)
Aug 01, 2005; ... On August 12, the long-anticipated closing of the merger between Memphis-based Union Planters Banks and Birmingham-based Regions Financial Corporation (NYSE: RF) will take place. The merger integration process has been ongoing since January 2004. In June, the company collapsed the Union ...
Banks emerging from a sea of paper thanks to technology.
Aug 01, 2005; ... Although we haven't yet achieved a paperless business world, banks are no longer drowning in a sea of paper. Electronic banking, debit card use, the Check 21 legislation and other technology are decreasing those mountains of paper formerly required to make and process transactions. ...
Estate planning consultants.(Directory)
Aug 01, 2005 ... <Pre> Estate Planning Consultants Name, Year Founded Top Officer Address Phone/Fax Number AmSouth, 1879 Jim Purdie 210 E. Capitol St., Sr. Vice President Jackson, MS 39201...
Darnell sees major changes since management trainee days: banker began career in 1972.(Tommy Darnell)
Aug 01, 2005; ... JACKSON -- There are three things to sell in banking--confidence, integrity and service, according to Tommy Darnell. After 33 years in the industry, he boils it down to that. "Banks have a lot of competition and must produce the products and services that people expect and ...
Credit unions-banks battle continues on Capitol Hill.(Mississippi Credit Union Association)
Aug 01, 2005; ... For years, banking professionals have been up in arms about the unfair business advantages they say credit unions have over banks. Credit unions have been on the defensive in the debate over an equitable playing field. Both sides continue to address the controversial issue on ...
Hearing it all from customers, bank teller feels like a psychiatrist: bank of New Albany employee is the "face" of her bank.(Shelly Merritt)
Aug 01, 2005; ... NEW ALBANY -- Bank of New Albany employee Shelly Merritt has a cheerful disposition and laughs a lot. Those are good traits in her occupation--bank teller--because she and all tellers are often the face of their banks. They have plenty of face time with customers and are the first to hear ...
Consider increased life expectancy when planning for retirement.(Column)
Aug 01, 2005; ... Countless words have been written about the effects the aging Baby Boomer population will have on the U.S. economy, society and healthcare as they reach retirement age. While politicians debate Social Security and the medical profession debates healthcare concerns, some economists are ...
Biloxi native wants bank to serve small business.(commercial bank)
Aug 01, 2005; ... BILOXI -- Small business owners on the Mississippi Gulf Coast are about to experience courier-banking service. To lend entrepreneurs a helping hand, First Bank and Trust of Mississippi (FBTM), the first new commercial bank in Harrison County to receive a state charter in more ...
Realtors still fighting banks entering real estate business.(Mississippi Association of Realtors, National Association of Realtors)
Aug 01, 2005; ... Realtors and bankers in Mississippi are continuing to duke it out over the fight for banks to enter the real estate business. "It's been a yearly battle," sighed Pam Beard, broker/owner of BrokerSouth GMAC Real Estate in Vicksburg and president-elect of the 5,500-member ...
Exceptional or average? What ape the factors at play?(banking company's marketing strategy)(Column)
Aug 01, 2005; ... Did you ever wonder--given comparable competitive circumstances in various markets and regions--what differentiates an exceptional banking company from an average one? Over the years, I've had the opportunity to interview top executives at banks all over the country, from the ...
BancorpSouth Plaza getting new--and greener--look.
Aug 01, 2005; ... TUPELO -- Beyond the dirt and construction, a highly visible presence in downtown Tupelo will be getting a new look--specifically, one that is greener. The BancorpSouth building, with its glass and steel facade, will feature a new plaza courtyard, providing a more open air, ...
More employees are hiring older employees to meet needs.(Portfolio)
Aug 01, 2005; ... By 2040, there will be an estimated 65.8 million workers in the United States over the age of 45, representing 40% of the labor force, according to a recent report in the San Francisco Chronicle. This is partially because many older Americans are choosing to re-enter the workforce after ...
Drilling issue intensifies
Aug 01, 2005; ... The debate over offshore drilling continues to grow in South Mississippi. The 12 Mile Coalition, a group opposed to drilling, is holding a rally on August 21 at the Coast Coliseum that's expected to draw thousands. The Harr Harrison County Tourism Commission, which oversees the ...
Growing Pontotoc County looking to diversify business
Aug 01, 2005; ... PONTOTOC - Pontotoc County and the City of Pontotoc are in a period of discovery, looking at what they have to offer new businesses while they proudly support their existing businesses. Life is good in the northeast county with a population of 27,206 - 10,284 households - and a median household ...
McEnroe takes reins of Southern Farm Bureau Classic
Aug 01, 2005; ... JACKSON - On July 25, Ed McEnroe officially took over as the new tournament director of the Southern Farm Bureau Classic, overseeing the PGA Tour event for Birmingham, Ala.-based Bruno Event Team (BET). He replaced Nathan Grube, who joined the Buick Championship, formerly the Greater Hartford ...
VT Halter Marine one of nation's largest commercial ship builders
Aug 01, 2005; ... If you think "shipyard" on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, often the first thing that comes to mind is the defense giant Northrop Grumman Ship Systems in Pascagoula. But another ship builder on the Coast has the distinction of being the largest medium and small commercial ship builder in the ...
Tyson consolidating operations, making improvements in Forest
Aug 01, 2005; ... FOREST - Springdale, Ark.-based Tyson Foods Inc. has initiated improvement projects at one of its plants in this Central Mississippi city and will move workers and production from its older plant on Cleveland Street to the upgraded facility. Whether this will result in layoffs is yet to be ...
Tunica Airport completes canopy
Aug 01, 2005; ... TUNICA - The Tunica Airport has completed the construction of its new arrival and departure canopy. According to the airport, it is the largest cantilevered canopy in the Mid-South. The canopy, which is 28 feet high, 90 feet long and 90 feet wide, provides allweather access for ...