The Mississippi Business Journal back issues from February 2007:
Education a priority for business community
Feb 05, 2007; ... The importance of education to the Mississippi business community was probably best summed up by Gov. Haley Barbour in his recent State of the State address. "Education is the No. 1 economic development issue in Mississippi and in every other state and is our No. 1 quality of life ...
CDF hosts annual economic forecast conference, tradeshow
Feb 05, 2007; ... TUPELO - A review of key accomplishments and new initiatives on the regional level - peppered with political observations on the national scene was the focus of the Community Development Foundation's (CDF) Northeast Mississippi Economic Forecast Conference January 24 at the BancorpSouth ...
GodwinGroup names new partners
Feb 05, 2007; ... JACKSON - Jeff Russell, Donna Ritchey and John McKie have all been named partner/executive vice presidents at GodwinGroup. Philip Shirley, who was recently named president and CEO of the advertising agency, made the announcement. Russell, a stockholder since 1992, joined GodwinGroup in ...
Jobless rate edges up
Feb 05, 2007; ... ACROSS MISSISSIPPI - According to the Mississippi Department of Employment Security (MDES), the state's unemployment rate was 7% in December 2006, up from 6.9% in November 2006. Wayne Gasson, MDES' chief of labor market information, said, "Largely due to seasonal hiring in the retail ...
Isle unveils building plans
Feb 05, 2007; ... BILOXI - Isle of Capri Casinos Inc. has made public its final construction plans for the Isle of Capri Biloxi Casino Resort. The more than $180-million construction project will be largely funded by insurance proceeds associated with Hurricane Katrina. The project includes a land-based ...
Peoples earnings more than double
Feb 05, 2007; ... BILOXI - Peoples Financial Corporation, parent of The Peoples Bank, reported 2006 net Income increased 117% to $12.768 million. Net income for the fourth quarter of 2006 increased 97% to $4.993 million, compared to $2.53 million for the same period in 2005. In December 2006, the company ...
Firm adds practice group
Feb 05, 2007; ... JACKSON - Butler, Snow, O'Mara, Stevens & Cannada, PLLC, has created a practice group in the area of government investigations and white-collar crime. Attorneys in the practice include several former federal and state prosecutors. Butler Snow has for years served clients facing such ...
Huntingtons' wines win again
Feb 05, 2007; ... JACKSON - Wine Enthusiast Magazine has awarded its "Award of Distinction for the second consecutive year to Huntingtons Grille for the restaurant's wine program. Huntingtons' food and beverage operations manager Cary Spence, said, "It is simply outstanding to receive this prestigious ...
Independent contractors expenditures reviewed
Feb 05, 2007; ... JACKSON - PEER has reviewed state a entities' expenditures on independent contractors for fiscal year 2006. The review focused on to what extent state entities use bank independent contractors and which entities use independent contractors and at what cost. For purposes of this review, ...
Bama bank entering Delta
Feb 05, 2007; ... GREENVILLE - Citizens Bank and Savings Corporation is expanding its presence in Mississippi with a new office in this Mississippi Delta city. According to Greenville commercial real estate broker Mal Kretschmar, Citizens Bank and Savings, which is headquartered in Russellville, Ala., has ...
AT&T kicks off Unity
Feb 05, 2007; ... ACROSS MISSISSIPPI - On January 21, AT&T Inc. began providing a new offer that the company said gives its subscribers the nation's largest unlimited free calling community, including wireless and wireline phone numbers. The AT&T Unity plan brings together home, business and ...
Continental expanding service from Jackson
Feb 05, 2007; ... JACKSON - Continental Airlines will begin first-ever daily nonstop service between Jackson and its New York hub at Newark Liberty International Airport beginning September 2007. The new Jackson-New York/Newark service complements Continental's existing service between its hub in Houston ...
Direct General rated
Feb 05, 2007; ... JACKSON - A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength ratings (FSR) of "B (Fair)" and the issuer credit ratings (ICR) of "bb+" for members of Direct General Group's property/casualty companies. The outlook for these ratings has been revised to "stable" from "positive." These rating ...
Delta Air Lines sees strong support from Mississippi business
Feb 05, 2007; ... Editor Editor's Note: Last week as this issue of the MISSISSIPPI BUSINESS JOURNAL went to press, US Airways announced that it way withdrawing its bid for Delta, citing a lack of support. JACKSON - Delta Air Lines probably never knew how many friends it had in Mississippi until it faced a ...
West point, state agencies working to overcome plant closing
Feb 05, 2007; ... WEST POINT - The West Point area was dealt a major economic blow with the announcement of the closing of the Sara Lee Foods plant, Clay County's largest employer. Slated for March 30, the shutdown takes away 1,220 permanent jobs and shutters a plant that's been part of the community since the ...
Cellular South launches program to help student athletes
Feb 05, 2007; ... JACKSON - Although it's the largest privately held wireless provider in the U.S., Cellular South has a new plan that has nothing to do with selling cell phones. It's called Gameplan and the mission is to increase the college admission success rate for Mississippi high school student ...
MBA students at Alcorn State preparing for global marketplace
Feb 05, 2007; ... NATCHEZ - The Alcorn State University MBA program has made a name for itself in its brief 10-year history. The program is not only drawing students from the surrounding area, but also nationally and internationally. The university's interim president, Dr. Malvin Williams, was vice ...
Tuition-free training in demand
Feb 05, 2007; ... There is a silver lining in the cloud for thousands of the people who lost their homes and/or jobs in Katrina. Five of Mississippi's Community and Junior Colleges in the Gulf Opportunity (GO) Zone are providing tuition-free job training for a number of different positions ranging from commercial ...
CDF hosts annual economic forecast conference, tradeshow.
Feb 05, 2007; ... TUPELO -- A review of key accomplishments and new initiatives on the regional level--peppered with political observations on the national scene--was the focus of the Community Development Foundation's (CDF) Northeast Mississippi Economic Forecast Conference January 24 at the BancorpSouth ...
State Farm supporting-financial services lab at MC.
Feb 05, 2007 ... Special to the Mississippi Business Journal CLINTON -- State Farm Insurance Companies has given $5,000 to the School of Business at Mississippi College (MC) to support the construction of a new Financial Services Lab. The lab will be a state-of-the-art learning ...
Out with the old knees and in with the new this week.(As I See It)
Feb 05, 2007; ... Tomorrow is the big day for me. Out with the old knees, in with the new. As one might imagine it's both a time of excitement and apprehension. I've enjoyed excellent health throughout my life and have little experience with hospitals and such. All that's about to change. For a ...
Reflections on 'The Measure of Our Days'.(The Measure of Our Days: Writings of William F. Winter)(Column)
Feb 05, 2007; ... During the Christmas holidays, I had some rare time to do some reading. I found myself drawn to a recently published book of thoughts and speeches of former governor, and still vibrant public figure, William Winter. This work is entitled the "The Measure of Our Days: Writings of William F ....
Finding common ground with Haley Barbour.(Musings)(Column)
Feb 05, 2007; ... Politics is a nasty business. If I were elected to office, I'd probably be impeached within weeks. I have strong opinions and a loose tongue--a deadly combination for any public servant. Most politicians try to be all things to all people and end up being mush. Too much pandering leads to ...
Mississippi events business.
Feb 05, 2007 ... Thursday, February 8 Mississippi Valley State University will host the "Shop for Wealth" financial literacy workshop beginning at 11 a.m. in the H.G. Carpenter Auditorium on the Itta Bena campus. The mission of the workshop is to educate young adults on understanding and ...
GodwinGroup names new partners.(People to Watch)
Feb 05, 2007 ... Special to the Mississippi Business Journal JACKSON -- Jeff Russell, Donna Ritchey and John McKie have all been named partner/executive vice presidents at GodwinGroup. Philip Shirley, who was recently named president and CEO of the advertising agency, made the announcement. ...
Governor's Office of Recovery and Renewal.
Feb 05, 2007 ... Gov. Haley Barbour has named Bryan McDonald to serve as director of the Governor's Office of Recovery and Renewal, which is coordinating the state's efforts to recover from Hurricane Katrina. Prior to joining the governor' s staff, McDonald served as the state's director of recovery ...
Mississippi Development Authority.(appointment of Whit Hughes)(Brief article)
Feb 05, 2007 ... Whit Hughes is joining the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) as deputy director effective February 19, 2007. A consultant, Hughes founded PWH Strategies, LLC. He worked for two years with MDA as a project manager in the global business division. A Jackson native, Hughes received both ...
Fox-Everett Inc.(appointment of Diane L. Moore)(Brief article)
Feb 05, 2007 ... Diane L. Moore has been named managing director of Gulf Coast operations for Fox-Everett Inc. She holds the office of vice president, is a stockholder, on the ...
Boomtown Biloxi.
Feb 05, 2007 ... Penn National Gaming Inc. has named Chett Harrison as general manager of its Boomtown Biloxi property. Harrison, who had ...
Jobless rate edges up.(Strictly Business)
Feb 05, 2007 ... ACROSS MISSISSIPPI -- According to the Mississippi Department of Employment Security (MDES), the state's unemployment rate was 7% in December 2006, up from 6.9% in November 2006. Wayne Gasson, MDES' chief of labor market information, said, "Largely due to seasonal hiring in the ...
Isle unveils building plans.(Strictly Business)
Feb 05, 2007 ... BILOXI -- Isle of Capri Casinos Inc. has made public its final construction plans for the Isle of Capri Biloxi Casino Resort. The more than $180-million construction project will be largely funded by insurance proceeds associated with Hurricane Katrina. The project includes a ...
Cal-Maine buys.(Strictly Business)(acquisitions of Cal-Maine Foods Inc. and Green Forest Foods LLC)(Brief article)
Feb 05, 2007 ... JACKSON -- Cal-Maine Foods Inc. has bought the 50% interest in Green Forest Foods, LLC, owned by Pier 44 Properties, LLC. Terms were not disclosed. Pier 44 Properties and Cal-Maine Foods have jointly owned and operated Green Forest Foods, located in Green Forest, Ark., since ...
Peoples earnings more than double.(Strictly Business)(earnings of Peoples Financial Corp. )(Financial report)(Brief article)
Feb 05, 2007 ... BILOXI -- Peoples Financial Corporation, parent of The Peoples Bank, reported 2006 net income increased 117% to $12.768 million. Net income for the fourth quarter of 2006 increased 97% to $4.993 million, compared to $2.53 million lot the same period in 2005. In December 2006, ...
Firm adds practice group.(Strictly Business)(Brief article)
Feb 05, 2007 ... JACKSON -- Butler, Snow, O'Mara, Stevens & Cannada, PLLC, has created a practice group in the area of government investigations and white-collar crime. Attorneys in the practice include several former federal and state prosecutors. Butler Snow has for years served clients facing ...
Huntingtons' wines win again.(Strictly Business)
Feb 05, 2007 ... JACKSON -- Wine Enthusiast Magazine has awarded its "Award of Distinction for the second consecutive year to Huntingtons Grille for the restaurant's wine program. Huntingtons' food and beverage operations manager Cary Spence, said, "It is simply outstanding to receive this ...
Independent contractors expenditures reviewed.(Strictly Business)
Feb 05, 2007 ... JACKSON -- PEER has reviewed state entities' expenditures on independent contractors for fiscal year 2006. The review focused on to what extent state entities use independent contractors and which entities use independent contractors and at what cost. For purposes of this ...
Bama bank entering Delta.(Strictly Business)
Feb 05, 2007 ... GREENVILLE -- Citizens Bank and Savings Corporation is expanding its presence in Mississippi with a new office in this Mississippi Delta city. According to Greenville commercial real estate broker Mal Kretschmar, Citizens Bank and Savings, which is headquartered in ...
AT&T kicks off Unity.(Strictly Business)
Feb 05, 2007 ... ACROSS MISSISSIPPI -- On January 21, AT&T Inc. began providing a new offer that the company said gives its subscribers the nation's largest unlimited free calling community, including wireless and wire-line phone numbers. The AT&T Unity plan brings together home, business and ...
Continental expanding service from Jackson.(Strictly Business)
Feb 05, 2007 ... JACKSON -- Continental Airlines will begin first-ever daily nonstop service between Jackson and its New York hub at Newark Liberty International Airport beginning September 2007. The new Jackson-New York/Newark service complements Continental's existing service between its hub ...
Insurance hearing held.(Strictly Business)
Feb 05, 2007 ... JACKSON -- A public hearing for the Mississippi Insurance Department's (MID's) new proposed regulation regarding a homeowner insurance policyholder bill of rights was held January 26 in the Public Service Commission's Hearing Room on the first floor of the Woolfolk State Office Building in ...
Ameristar offering online registration for vendors.(Strictly Business)
Feb 05, 2007 ... VICKSBURG -- Ameristar Casinos Inc. has launched a new automated supplier registration process through the company's Web site at http://www.ameristar.com/. The new online procedure is designed to streamline bidding and contracting with vendors and service-providers for a wide variety of ...
Cadence sees record loans.(Strictly Business)(earnings of Cadence Financial Corporation)(Financial report)(Brief article)
Feb 05, 2007 ... STARKVILLE -- Cadence Financial Corporation reported a 2.9% increase in net income to $14.2 million, or $1.37 per diluted share, for 2006. The company also reported fourth quarter net income of $4.3 million, or $0.36 per diluted share. Fourth quarter net income was up 31.4% from the fourth ...
Cameron opens downtown.(Strictly Business)(Cameron's Fine Finishes)(Brief article)
Feb 05, 2007 ... BAY ST. LOUIS -- This Mississippi Gulf Coast city has a new downtown business. Cameron's Fine Finishes recently opened, specializing in applying authentic Italian plaster imported from Verona, Italy. Owner Suzanne Cameron said, "I have always enjoyed doing creative things like ...
WKDH upgrades.(Strictly Business)(Brief article)
Feb 05, 2007 ... TUPELO -- On January 26, WKDH TV began broadcasting in digital/high definition when it signed on at 5 a.m. According to co-owner Walter Spain, WKDH flash-cut from analog Channel 45 to Digital Channel 45. This means all ABC programming is now ...
Direct general rated.(Strictly Business)
Feb 05, 2007 ... JACKSON -- A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength ratings (FSR) of "B (Fair)" and the issuer credit ratings (ICR) of "bb+" for members of Direct General Group's property/casualty companies. The outlook for these ratings has been revised to "stable" from "positive." ...
Baptist earns approval.(Strictly Business)(Disease-Specific Care Certification for Baptist Medical Center)(Brief article)
Feb 05, 2007 ... JACKSON -- The Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons has granted another three-year approval with commendation to Baptist Cancer Services, a division of Baptist Medical Center. The Commission on Cancer is a multi-disciplinary body that sets standards for ...
TVA impacted by weather.(Strictly Business)(Tennessee Valley Authority)(Brief article)
Feb 05, 2007 ... NORTH MISSISSIPPI -- Mild winter weather in the Tennessee Valley during the first quarter of the 2007 fiscal year adversely impacted the Tennessee Valley Authority's (TVA's) preliminary financial results for the quarter, according to TVA president and CEO Tom Kilgore. In the ...
Delta Air Lines sees strong support from Mississippi business.
Feb 05, 2007; ... Editor's Note: Last week as this issue of the MISSISSIPPI BUSINESS JOURNAL went to press, US Airways announced that it was withdrawing its bid for Delta, citing a lack of support. JACKSON -- Delta Air Lines probably never knew how many friends it had in Mississippi until it ...
West Point, state agencies working to overcome plant closing.
Feb 05, 2007; ... WEST POINT -- The West Point area was dealt a major economic blow with the announcement of the closing of the Sara Lee Foods plant, Clay County's largest employer. Slated for March 30, the shutdown takes away 1,220 permanent jobs and shutters a plant that's been part of the community since ...
Cellular South launches program to help student athletes.(Focus)
Feb 05, 2007; ... JACKSON -- Although it's the largest privately held wireless provider in the U.S., Cellular South has a new plan that has nothing to do with selling cell phones. It's called Gameplan and the mission is to increase the college admission success rate for Mississippi high school student ...
MBA students at Alcorn State preparing for global marketplace.(Education)
Feb 05, 2007; ... NATCHEZ -- The Alcorn State University MBA program has made a name for itself in its brief 10-year history. The program is not only drawing students from the surrounding area, but also nationally and internationally. The university's interim president, Dr. Malvin Williams, was ...
Tuition-free training in demand.(Education)
Feb 05, 2007; ... There is a silver lining in the cloud for thousands of the people who lost their homes and/or jobs in Katrina. Five of Mississippi's Community and Junior Colleges in the Gulf Opportunity (GO) Zone are providing tuition-free job training for a number of different positions ranging from ...
Southern Miss moves forward with Gulf Park repairs, new site search.(University of Southern Mississippi)
Feb 05, 2007; ... LONG BEACH -- One of the biggest charms of the live oak-laden campus of the Southern Miss Gulf Park campus was its location on the beach. But that also meant that when Hurricane Katrina's storm surge came onshore, the campus was devastated. For residents and political leaders ...
MSU chooses Aramark.(Education)
Feb 05, 2007 ... Special to the Mississippi Business Journal STARKVILLE -- In March, Mississippi State University (MSU) will begin offering on-campus dining provided by national foodservice contractor Aramark, pending approval by the Board of Trustees, State Institutions of Higher Learning ....
Private Colleges.(Directory)
Feb 05, 2007 ... <Pre> Institution, Year FoundedPhone Website Address Fax NumberE-mail Financial Aid Belhaven College, 1894 (601) 960-5940www.belhaven.edu 1500 Peachtree St., (601) 968-8946 admission@ ...
Public Universities.(Directory)
Feb 05, 2007 ... <Pre> Public PhoneWebsite Address Fax number E-mail Financial Aid Alcom State University, 1871 (601) 877-6100 www.alcom.edu 1000 ASU Dr., Lorman, MS 39096 (601) 877-6347ebames@lorman ....
Thousands brave chilly winter weather for EXPO 2007.
Feb 05, 2007; ... JACKSON -- The 24th-annual Mississippi Business & Technology EXPO again proved itself worthy of being called the state's premier marketing opportunity. The event has enjoyed steady growth, and this year was no exception in spite of freezing rain falling during the first day January 17th ....
Best places to work in Mississippi building momentum.
Feb 05, 2007; ... JACKSON -- More than 300 people gathered January 17 at the Trademark all to find out which companies in Mississippi are the best employers. The second-annual Best Places to Work in Mississippi program built on the success of the 2006 program, according to Robbie L. Bell, vice president of ...
Dennis named Business Woman of the Year at EXPO special event.(Jane Dennis)
Feb 05, 2007; ... JACKSON -- A luncheon honoring the current class of 50 Leading Business Women culminated with the announcement of Jane Dennis of Pass Christian as the Business Woman of the Year. A packed house celebrated the accomplishments of the 50 honorees on the second day of the 24th Mississippi ...
Training programs increasingly important for Mississippi workforce.(Focus)
Feb 05, 2007; ... Workforce training continues to grow in importance for Mississippi and leaders say programs are in good shape. A funding mechanism that diverts a percentage of unemployment monies into a trust fund for workforce training ended funding woes for these programs. Tommye Dale Favre, ...
Off to work? HR pros want you to keep this info in mind.(HR & Training)
Feb 05, 2007; ... In a perfect world for human resource professionals, employees would come to work already knowing certain things. This knowledge would contribute to a smoother work environment and go a long way toward preventing problems later. What would this inherent knowledge include? Danny ...
Mississippi Community Colleges.
Feb 05, 2007 ... <Pre> Institution, Year Founded Phone Address Fax Number Financial Aid Coahoma Community College, 1949(662) 627-2571 3240 Friars Point Rd., (662) 624-9516 Clarksdale, MS 38614 Pell Grants, ...
Disruptive workplace behavior can be tough to tackle.(HR & Training)
Feb 05, 2007; ... HATTIESBURG -- Have you ever seen any of this kind of behavior from a colleague or co-worker? * Inappropriate expressions of anger or resentment towards others. * Recurrent conflict with others. * Difficulty with authority. * Sexual ...
Employers ignore immigration trends, law at their own peril.(Focus)
Feb 05, 2007; ... As evidenced by recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids of businesses in Mississippi and elsewhere in the country, knowledge of immigration law is increasingly important for Mississippi businesses. "Since the 1990s. the U.S. has seen a dramatic increase in the ...
Looooooong time
Feb 12, 2007; ... Homebuyers now have more mortgage options, including longer amortizations. In some markets, 30- and 40-year home loan amortizations have been around for a long time. Lenders and real estate professionals say 40-year mortgages are now becoming more widespread and even 50-year mortgages are ...