The Mississippi Business Journal articles from April 2008

The Mississippi Business Journal archives from April 2008

After decades, King Edward coming back.
April 7, 2008... Forty years after the lights went out, the King Edward Hotel is on its way back. Developers and political leaders jabbed shovels into the dirt at a groundbreaking ceremony March 27, marking the end of the building's tenure as a home for...

Record-high prices fuel oil, gas production in state.
April 7, 2008... As might be expected with record-high energy prices, oil and gas production in Mississippi is booming. "The producers and even some private individuals especially in Mississippi and Alabama are punching as many holes in the ground right...

First, Third Congressional Districts have fall showdowns set.
April 7, 2008... Mississippi's First and Third Congressional Districts held runoffs to fill open seats April 1, and each ended with a political heavyweight being knocked out by a newcomer. In the Third District, which stretches from Meridian southwest to...

Mississippi Magazine.(People to Watch)
April 7, 2008... Melanie Mullen Ward of Jackson has been named managing editor of Mississippi Magazine. A Delta native, she is a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi. Her previous work experience includes time with a local law firm performing...

Nationwide Mutual Insurance.(People to Watch)
April 7, 2008... Company-The Doug Pyron Agency Doug Pyron, president of The Doug Pyron Agency, has been named to Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company's 2008 All Star Team. It is the fourth time he has received the honor. The award is presented annually to 12...

Mississippi Blood Services.(People to Watch)
April 7, 2008... Tony Bahou of Brandon has joined Mississippi Blood Services as communications and public relations manager. Bahou grew up in Houston, Texas, and attended the University of Arizona. He moved to Mississippi in 1999 and worked at WAPT-TV as a...

Jackson State University.(People to Watch)(Brief article)
April 7, 2008... William E. McHenry, executive director of the Mississippi e-Center @ Jackson State University, has been selected as a member of the advisory board for the Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation-funded Harvard Medical School Center for the Study of...

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc.(People to Watch)(John C. Modzelewski appointed as office manager)(Brief article)
April 7, 2008... John C. Modzelewski has joined Smith Seckman Reid Inc. as office manager for the engineering design and facility consulting firm's Hernando office. In this role, he is responsible for the development of new clients and markets, maintaining...

Colonial Life.(People to Watch)(Mike Robbins of Jackson named as Manager of the Year)(Brief article)
April 7, 2008... Mike Robbins of Jackson has been named Manager of the Year for Colonial Life's Mississippi territory. Robbins' sales team produced more than $2.6 million in sales premium in 2007, a 35% increase over the previous year. They also opened 38 new...

Crye-Leike, Realtors.(People to Watch)
April 7, 2008... Brenda Estes, a licensed sales associate for Crye-Leike, Realtors, in Tupelo, has been honored as one of the top 25 sales producers in the Memphis region for 2007. Estes and other top-producing sales associates for enjoyed a trip to Cancun in...

State Bank & Trust Company.(People to Watch)
April 7, 2008... Kenneth D. Mabus has been promoted to manager of information systems for State Bank & Trust Company. He has 20 years of experience, which includes his previous position with the company as network administrator. A graduate of Tidewater...

Triton.(People to Watch)(Shah Abbott is appointed as quality/testing manager)(Brief article)
April 7, 2008... Shah Abbott has been promoted to senior quality/testing manager for Long Beach-based ATM manufacturer Triton. In her new role, she will work with customers and employees to identify and resolve product quality issues and to proactively improve...

Medical News Inc.(People to Watch)(Pamela Harris appointed as market publisher)(Brief article)
April 7, 2008... Pamela Harris of Hernando has been named market publisher of Memphis Medical News, a publication of Brentwood, Tenn.-based Medical News Inc. A native of Little Rock, Ark., she studied business at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and...

Gulf Coast Business Council.(People to Watch)(Parker Pugh is appointed as director)(Brief article)
April 7, 2008... Parker Pugh has joined the Gulf Coast Business Council's management team as director of. operations. He will work closely with president Brian Sanderson and members of the organization to advocate sound policy decisions based on accurate,...

Agracel buys three buildings in North Ripley Industrial Park.(Strictly Business)
April 7, 2008... RIPLEY -- Agracel Inc., an industrial development firm based in Effingham, Ill., recently purchased three buildings in the North Ripley Industrial Park for an undisclosed sum. The facilities are the former home of BenchCraft. Todd Thoman,...

GodwinGroup promotes creative talent in Jackson office.(Strictly Business)
April 7, 2008... Special to the Mississippi Business Journal Marketing and communication firm GodwinGroup recently promoted four creative team members in the Jackson office. [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] "We have a phenomenal team of talented and skilled...

Eutaw wins Toyota contract.(Strictly Business)
April 7, 2008... BLUE SPRINGS -- Eutaw Construction Company Inc. of Aberdeen has won the initial site construction contract for the Toyota Steel Center located on the main Toyota plant site in Blue Springs. The contract scope includes clearing, grubbing,...

RTI building plant.(Strictly Business)
April 7, 2008... HAMILTON -- Tronox Inc.'s wholly owned subsidiary Tronox, LLC, has signed a definitive agreement with RTI International Metals Inc. under which RTI will purchase titanium tetrachloride (TiC14) from Tronox's titanium dioxide plant in Hamilton....

DHS immigration violation penalties up for employers.(Strictly Business)
April 7, 2008... WASHINGTON -- The Department of Homeland Security has increased penalties levied on employers for various employment-related immigration violations by approximately 25% in order to keep up with rising inflation. The new penalties became...

Public relations professionals select association officers.(Strictly Business)
April 7, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Special to the Mississippi Business Journal The Central Chapter of the Public Relations Association of Mississippi (PRAM) recently inducted officers for 2008, including (front row, left to right) past president,...

Mass layoffs surge.(Strictly Business)
April 7, 2008... WASHINGTON -- In February, employers took 1,672 mass layoff actions, seasonally adjusted, as measured by new filings for unemployment insurance benefits during the month, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Each action involved at...

Synergetics DCS opens store.(Strictly Business)
April 7, 2008... STARKVILLE -- Synergetics DCS Inc. has launched its new online store and unveiled a new Web site at www.Synergeticsdcs.com. The new site and store were designed for a streamlined display of information. "The development of the store was a...

BBB issues scam alert.(Strictly Business)
April 7, 2008... RIDGELAND -- According to the Better Business Bureau of Mississippi (BBB), a new identity theft scam is circulating on the Web involving "Verified by Visa." The BBB says the wording of the e-mails may be something like this: "Your credit...

Hotel opens in Natchez.(Strictly Business)
April 7, 2008... NATCHEZ -- A new 119-room Country Inn & Suites By Carlson has opened its doors for business at 111 Broadway in this Southwest Mississippi city. The hotel features: an outdoor swimming pool; full-service lounge; fitness center. 5,000 square...

KPMG releases study.(Strictly Business)
April 7, 2008... Little Rock, Ark., is the least-costly metropolitan area to do business among 18 U.S. locations with populations between 500,000 and 1.5 million, and Jackson ranks high, according to a study by KPMG LLP. Jackson, ranked sixth, is aided by...

Fitch rates NMHS.(Strictly Business)(North Mississippi Health Services )(Brief article)
April 7, 2008... TUPELO -- Fitch Ratings has assigned a short-term rating of "F1+" to North Mississippi Health Services (NMHS) based on its self-liquidity related to the expected conversion of its approximately $79.75 million in 2003 auction rate Series 1 and...

Best Bilt receives orders.(Strictly Business)
April 7, 2008... BYHALIA -- Best Bilt Systems, a manufacturer of floor, roof and wall systems, has received an order from Adams Homes to deliver 24 new homes in North Mississippi. Adams Homes could build as many as 25 homes per month in the next year, according...

Cottages hit milestone.(Strictly Business)
April 7, 2008... MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST -- According to the Governor's Office, 2,000 Mississippi families have moved out of their FEMA-provided travel trailers and mobile homes and into Mississippi Cottages. "By moving these families into Mississippi...

Delta firm honored for advertising excellence.(Strictly Business)
April 7, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Special to the Mississippi Business Journal Cleveland-based Coopwood Communications received 19 awards during the Mississippi Delta Advertising Federation's 2008 ADDY program. Of the seven Gold awards...

First State Bank celebrates Clock Tower Office opening.(Strictly Business)
April 7, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Special to the Mississippi Business Journal Johnny Brewer, president of the First State Bank Clock Tower Office, prepares to cut the ribbon marking the grand opening of Meridian's newest office. Also on hand for...

On campus sports safety priority for state's schools.(Strictly Business)(Brief article)
April 7, 2008... ACROSS MISSISSIPPI -- The University of Southern Mississippi (USM), Alcom State University, Delta State University, Jackson State University, University of Mississippi and Mississippi Valley State University recently received their Sports Event...

Building Fund for the Arts approves grant applications.(Strictly Business)
April 7, 2008... JACKSON -- Following a panel review, the Mississippi Arts Commission's (MAC's) board of directors recently approved 14 applicants to be awarded grants totaling $1 million through the Commission's Building Fund for the Arts (BFA) program. ...

United-Gibson wins.(Strictly Business)(at Real Estate Training and Awards Convention )(Brief article)
April 7, 2008... MCCOMB -- United Country-Gibson Realty was recognized at the United Country Real Estate Training and Awards Convention held in Kansas City, Mo., with the Summit Club Elite Award. Gibson Realty secured the number five national ranking among more...

Make time, invest in annual checkup for your community.(Perspective)
April 7, 2008... Does your community nave an annual checkup? A few days ago I went in and had some of my blood removed so that it can be analyzed in preparation for my annual physical. Not a delightful experience, but a necessary one that can result in a...

Teamwork used to market vacant manufacturing, industrial spaces.(Focus)
April 7, 2008... When manufacturing and industrial facilities become Vacant, local economic developers work with commercial realtors and the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) to fill the spaces as quickly as possible, using a variety of methods. It...

Manufacturers, timber industry going green with Green Globes.(Manufacturing)
April 7, 2008... As more attention is focused on going green, a bill is making its way through the Mississippi Legislature that promotes energy conservation and green building in state-owned buildings. Several organizations, including the Mississippi...

As other costs climb, manufacturers push for stable taxes.(Focus)
April 7, 2008... Manufacturing in Mississippi isn't seeing the worst of the declines being experienced elsewhere in the country. But the current economic climate with high energy prices and concerns about a recession mean manufacturers are doing everything they...

Manufacturers need wide array of workforce training programs.(Focus)
April 7, 2008... Manufacturers in Mississippi have a wide array of workforce training needs, needs that vary not only from industry to industry, but also from one area of the state to another. And, groups such as the Mississippi Manufacturers Association (MMA)...

Embracing globalization means billions for Mississippi companies.(Manufacturing)
April 7, 2008... Like every other state economy, Mississippi's is going global. The latest figures from the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) show that in 2006, Mississippi companies exported more than $4.6 billion in goods. The products ran the...

Manufacturing facilities list.(directory)(Directory)
April 7, 2008... Manufacturing Facilities List Manufacturer Product Address Telephone/Fax Northrop Grumman Naval and commercial ships Ship Systems (228) 935-1122/935-1126...

Mississippi and the automotive industry--great possibilities ahead.(Manufacturing)
April 7, 2008... If you had asked me seven years ago if I'd be living in Mississippi, supplying a major automotive manufacturer, I would have thought it unlikely. As fate would have it, I packed up my family and left Tennessee six years ago to set up operations...

Mississippi-based public companies optimistic about future.(Focus)
April 7, 2008... Like the rest of the country, Mississippi's publicly-traded companies are keeping a close watch on national market conditions. Last week, the Mississippi Business Journal spoke with Cal-Maine Foods, Callon Petroleum, Parkway Properties and...

Public companies list.(Directory)(Table)
April 7, 2008... Public Companies List Name/Stock Symbol/ Address Phone/Fax Year Founded Shares of common Stock high/low Top Officer stock outstanding last 52 wks/fiscal yr. BancorpSouth One...

Publicly-traded banks holding steady despite national downturn.(Focus)
April 7, 2008... National scrutiny of financial institutions generates in-state interest since quite a few of Mississippi's publicly-traded companies are financial services providers. However, so goes the nation is not necessarily how the Magnolia State goes,...

After nearly 40 years, I've seen my share of Wall Street storms.(Focus)
April 7, 2008... Few would disagree that I picked a lousy year to retire since I am, in part, depending on my investment portfolio for my daily bread. After selling my business last year, I carefully developed and implemented an investment strategy that...

Public companies: we need them as much as they need us.(Public Companies)
April 7, 2008... I remember the bell sounding to open up the New York Stock Exchange at 9:30 a.m. EST, which is 8:30 a.m. at my office in Tupelo. My records say that it was December 10th, 1987. I was watching the television in my office and, unlike...

Wealth gaps between couples can create planning challenges.(Focus)
April 7, 2008... If it's true that opposites attract, it should come as no surprise that spouses often have vastly different attitudes and habits around money and investing. Life experiences shape who we are, including how we manage our finances. When it's...

HUD money catalyst for personal income growth numbers: call it the Katrina effect.
April 7, 2008... In March, the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) released figures that seemed to be great news for the Magnolia State. Using preliminary estimates, it found that in 2007, Mississippi ranked near the top in the nation in personal income growth....

Business events (and more).(Calendar)
April 7, 2008... Monday, April 7 * Forrest General Hospital and the Mississippi Brain Injury Association will present this year's Brain Injury "Art of Recovery Expo" April 7-11. The artwork will be on display in Forrester's Dining Room at Forrest General....

Miskelly family has high hopes for Ashley Homestore project.
April 7, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Miskelly family hopes to make a significant impact on a new market when it opens an Ashley Homestore in Madison later this year. Harrell Contracting Group is building the 41,000-square-foot, single-story showroom...

Fashion savvy executives staying in style through changing seasons.
April 7, 2008... With the changing of the seasons, fashion savvy executives are sprucing up their wardrobes so they'll be in style for spring. A survey of a couple of the area's leading clothiers for men and women revealed what trends are hot for spring and...

Clearing the cobwebs: how clean is your office? Really clean?
April 7, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Spring cleaning is not just for homes. Plenty of offices in the Magnolia State take advantage of the warmer weather and change of season to do much more than routine cleaning. "My phone has certainly been ringing...

Former Senate Majority Leader Dole headlines scholarship banquet at MC.
April 7, 2008... Special to the Mississippi Business Journal White House politics, virtues like sacrifice and courage, plus an assortment of funny one-liners were all part of former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole's speech at Mississippi College (MC)...

Enthusiasm for wheat among growers continues this spring.(Mississippi Agribusiness)
April 7, 2008... Mississippi winter wheat growers should be feeling pretty smart about their planting decisions last fall. Market prices near $6 per bushel encouraged growers to increase acreage from 370,000 in 2006-2007 to a record 400,000 for this year....

April 4th storm system deals quick destruction in Central Miss.
April 14, 2008... Sharon Wood went to her Brandon office the morning of April 4 knowing forecasters were predicting some dicey weather in Central Mississippi. But when she tuned in her television at lunchtime, she was shocked at what she saw. "I just...

Harris selected ECCC personnel services director/athletic director.(People to Watch)
April 14, 2008... Chris Harris of Decatur was recently named to the new position of director of personnel services and athletic director at East Central Community. College in Decatur, announced ECCC president Dr. Phil A. Sutphin. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Marketing Alliance Inc.(People to Watch)
April 14, 2008... Melissa Lott has joined Jackson-based Marketing Alliance Inc. as art director. A graduate of Mississippi state University with a bachelor of fine arts degree with an emphasis in graphic design, she previously served for more than three years as...

Mississippi Development Authority.(People to Watch)(National Motorist Information and Services Association board.)(Brief article)
April 14, 2008... Tonya Neely has been selected to serve on the national Motorist Information and Services Association board. (MISA). As a member of the board, the bureau manager for the Mississippi Development Authority's Welcome Center Bureau will assist the...

Trustmark National Bank.(People to Watch)
April 14, 2008... Charles R. Russell has been promoted to president for Tupelo Fulton at Trustmark National Bank. He has more than 29 years of experience in the financial industry including serving as president of Russell Trustmark in McComb and Magee. He earned...

Burns Cooley Dennis Inc.(People to Watch)
April 14, 2008... Robert Yarner, P.E., has joined Burns Cooley Dennis Inc. as senior concrete materials engineer. He is working in the Construction Materials Engineering and Testing facility and is responsible for man aging concrete material services and...

Young Business Men tacky for great cause.(People to Watch)
April 14, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Young Business Men of Jackson presented a check to Magnolia Speech School after hosting its annual "Tacky Christmas Party." The group has always supported charitable organizations in metro Jackson with the...

A.G. Edwards/Wachovia Securities.(People to Watch)
April 14, 2008... Kendall Turnage has been named vice president-investments for A.G. Edwards/Wachovia Securities. He is a financial advisor in the firm's Gulfport office. A graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi, Turnage has been a financial advisor...

Choctaw Resort Development Enterprise.(People to Watch)
April 14, 2008... Susan O'Connell has been named general manager of the Choctaw Resort Development Enterprise, a business enterprise of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, Golden Moon Hotel & Casino. She will oversee all gaming, hospitality, food and...

University of Southern Mississippi.(People to Watch)
April 14, 2008... John J. Harmon, assistant professor in the School of Construction at the University of Southern Mississippi has passed the Certified Estimating Professional (CEP) exam. Certification is granted under authority of the Association for the...

McGlinchey Stafford PLLC.(People to Watch)(Brief article)
April 14, 2008... Candy Burnette has returned to McGlinchey Stafford, PLLC, joining the firm's commercial litigation team in Jackson. As a senior associate, she has experience in the areas of consumer litigation, business litigation and labor and employment law....

Jackson Convention and Visitors Bureau.(People to Watch)
April 14, 2008... Jackson Convention and Visitors Bureau (JCVB) president and CEO Wanda Collier Wilson has been honored with Black Meetings & Tourism Magazine's eighth-annual Apex Distinguished Service Award. The award is presented to individuals who have made...

JBHM.(People to Watch)(JBHM Education Group, LLC.)(Brief article)
April 14, 2008... Christi Paige has joined JBHM Architects, P.A., and JBHM Education Group, LLC, as an IT specialist for both companies. She will provide IT support to JBHM Architects' Jackson and Biloxi offices, as well as JBHM Education Group, also located in...

Nissan-Canton to build LCVs.(Strictly Business)
April 14, 2008... CANTON -- Nissan North America Inc. (NNA) is entering the light commercial vehicle (LCV) business in North America, and the LCVs will be built here in Mississippi. NNA will introduce to the North American market three light commercial...

SkyTel selling for $8 million.(Strictly Business)
April 14, 2008... CLINTON -- Velocita Wireless, a Woodridge, N.J.-based supplier of network data services for machine-to-machine (M2M) solutions, has entered into a definitive agreement to purchase SkyTel from Bell Industries for a total consideration of $8...

ASI to open complex.(Strictly Business)
April 14, 2008... SOUTHAVEN -- Fremont, Calif.-based ASI Computer Technologies, a distributor of computer components and peripheral products, plans to open a 230,000-square-foot inventory logistic center in Southaven. The cost of the project was not disclosed....

Malaco marker going up.(Strictly Business)
April 14, 2008... JACKSON -- Malaco Records will be honored with a marker on the Mississippi Blues Trail. The ceremony will take place April 18 at 3 p.m. at 3023 West Northside Drive in Jackson. The roots of Malaco begin with Tommy Couch Sr., who, as a...

CMI indicates contraction.(Strictly Business)(Credit Manager's Index)(Report)(Brief article)
April 14, 2008... COLUMBIA, MD. -- For the first time since the seasonally adjusted Credit Manager's Index (CMI) was calculated in February 2002, the March 2008 combined index fell below the crucial 50 level, indicating an economic contraction. It was the...

ACCO showcases facility.(Strictly Business)(ACCO Brands Corp.)(Brief article)
April 14, 2008... BOONEVILLE -- ACCO Brands Corporation celebrated the expansion of its North Mississippi facility April 10. A tour of the facility was offered at noon, and the opening ceremony began at 2 p.m. at the facility on Quartet Avenue in Booneville. ...

EGP checks in mail.(Strictly Business)(Elevation Grant Program)(Brief article)
April 14, 2008... MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST -- Almost 3,000 Mississippi Coast homeowners whose primary residences suffered damage from Hurricane Katrina's storm surge will soon begin receiving grants to elevate their homes above new federal flood requirements,...

Unemployment falls.(Strictly Business)
April 14, 2008... ACROSS MISSISSIPPI -- Mississippi's unemployment rate was 5.9% in February, down from January's unadjusted unemployment rate of 6.5%, according to the Mississippi Department of Employment Security (MDES). The February 2007 unemployment...

PSC wants more info.(Strictly Business)
April 14, 2008... JACKSON -- The Public Service Commission (PSC) says it wants to know a little more about utility companies' future capacity needs so that it can make more informed decisions. On a motion seconded by Commissioner Lynn Posey and approved...

ZAPZYT spreading.(Strictly Business)
April 14, 2008... FLOWOOD -- ZAPZYT Skin Care Products, distributed by Waltman Pharmaceuticals Inc., is now entering the adult acne category with the launch of Adult Acne Clearing Gel by ZAPZYT. Adult Ache Clearing Gel was created for adults 25 and older who...

App exceeding expectations.(Strictly Business)(pic sender)(Financial report)(Brief article)
April 14, 2008... JACKSON -- According to Cellular South, its "pic sender" service, powered by Ontela, has exceeded all expectations with higher than projected sales in its first six months of availability. The service automatically saves customers' photos...

More guns ordered.(Strictly Business)(BAE Systems receiving a new order from the U.S. Department of Defense)(Brief article)
April 14, 2008... HATTIESBURG -- BAE Systems has received a new order from the U.S. Department of Defense for 87 additional M777A2 155mm towed howitzers, valued at $176 million. The order adds to the 589 M777A2 howitzers already on order for the U.S. armed...

Friedman's liquidating.(Strictly Business)
April 14, 2008... RIDGELAND -- Friedman's Inc., which operated 455 retail jewelry stores under the Friedman's and Crescent brands, will conduct a court-ordered bankruptcy liquidation sale beginning April 5, 2008. The Friedman's sale is being managed by a...

DRS awarded more contracts.(Strictly Business)
April 14, 2008... WEST POINT -- DRS Technologies Inc. has received two contract awards valued at $34 million to manufacture 2,500 armored roof assemblies for the International Military and Government, LLC, (IMG) MaxxPro 4 x 4 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected...

Workers' comp conference targeting record participation level.
April 14, 2008... Organizers of the 21st Annual Mississippi Workers' Compensation Educational Conference--the Mississippi Workers' Compensation Commission (MWCC) and its non-profit arm, the Mississippi Workers' Compensation Educational Association Inc....

NFIB honors Harold Neal.(Strictly Business)(The National Federation of Independent Business awarding Harold Neal the Solveras/NFIB Small Business Champion for Mississippi)(Brief article)
April 14, 2008... PEARL -- The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) has named Harold Neal, who co-founded Upton-Neal Interiors Inc. 40 years ago, the Solveras/NFIB Small Business Champion for Mississippi. "Harold is a good man and a good...

Energy Concern turns 25.(Strictly Business)
April 14, 2008... JACKSON -- Twenty-five years ago, Entergy Mississippi Inc. partnered with The Salvation Army to form Energy Concern, designed to assist the utility's low-income elderly and disabled customers in paying their electric bill. Today, the program,...