The Mississippi Business Journal articles from August 2006

The Mississippi Business Journal archives from August 2006

Saints score for Jackson.
August 7, 2006... JACKSON -- A dedicated team rallied several months ago to persuade the New Orleans Saints to hold their summer training camp in the capital city. Several cities and sites vied for the opportunity won by Millsaps College. But, before the Saints...

New businesses opening in historic Crystal Springs.
August 7, 2006... CRYSTAL SPRINGS -- The historic town of Crystal Springs is a short drive down Interstate 55 from the metro Jackson area, but in some ways, it's worlds away. It's those differences that keep residents and draw newcomers and retirees. "We...

That 'living large' lifestyle isn't going to get you far.(As I See It)
August 7, 2006... Younger folks describe big spenders as "'living large." With that definition in mind, you could say that I am the epitome of living small. I also fancy myself an expert on seeing through financial deals to the substance of what is being...

Considering 'All politics is local'.(The View from the Stennis Institute)
August 7, 2006... The former Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the late Tip O'Neil, was noted for his picturesque language. One of his most famous sayings is certainly one of the truer ones ever uttered by this or any other famous...

Industry pulled together in storm's wake.(Banking Today)
August 7, 2006... Much has been written--and no doubt, much will continue to be written--about Hurricane Katrina's impact on the Gulf Coast. The hardships of those directly impacted by the storm went beyond anything the region had experienced before. On a...

Mississippi State Hospital.(People to Watch)
August 7, 2006... Jarrod Ravencraft of Jackson, strategic planning director at Mississippi State Hospital (MSH), has graduated from the Mississippi State Personnel Board's Certified Public Manager Program (CPM). Ravencraft, a native of Liberty, earned a...

Hancock Bank.(People to Watch)
August 7, 2006... The following Hancock Bank associates were recently approved as new operations officers: Joe Hatten is a network specialist who has been with Hancock Bank almost four years and has also served as a desktop services technical services...

Mississippi Press Association.(People to Watch)
August 7, 2006... Marcus Bowers has been named president of the Mississippi Press Association (MPA) and Mississippi Press Services (MPS). Bowers has been the publisher of the Rankin County News since 1981. Before joining the newspaper staff, Bowers worked for...

U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center.(People to Watch)
August 7, 2006... John West, director of the Major Shared Resource Center at the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center in Vicksburg, was recently published on the 2006 "People to Watch" list by HPCwire magazine. HPCwire is the worldwide publication...

Humana Inc.(People to Watch)
August 7, 2006... Two Mississippi students were recipients of Humana's annual scholarship. Whitney G. King is a second-year microbiology student at Mississippi State University, and Heather A. Landry is a first-year pre-optometry student at the University of...

Chinn and Associates, PLLC.(People to Watch)(Patricia Williams is appointed)(Brief article)
August 7, 2006... Chinn and Associates announces that Patricia Williams has completed training in mediation and will be listed on the approved mediators list of the Supreme Court of the State of Mississippi. Williams is chief operating officer of Chinn and...

Miskelly Furniture.(People to Watch)
August 7, 2006... Miskelly Furniture has named Gentry Prestwnod store manager. Prestwood has 13 years' experience in the telecommunications industry with expertise in distribution, sales, retail marketing and management. He is originally from Mississippi and...

Mississippi Dental Association.(People to Watch)
August 7, 2006... Dr. A. Roddy Scarbrough was appointed president of the Mississippi Dental Association (MDA). He has been in private practice in Richton for the past 16 years. Scarbrough graduated from the University of Mississippi School of Dentistry in 1989....

AmSouth Bank.(People to Watch)
August 7, 2006... Jason Lunceford has been named branch manager in Clarksdale. Lunceford has worked for AmSouth for more than four years and previously has held the positions of senior financial services specialist and assistant branch manager. He graduated from...

Neel-Schaffer.(People to Watch)(John Pickering is appointed)(Brief article)
August 7, 2006... John Pickering, P.E., joined the firm in the Jackson office of Neel-Schaffer upon retiring as roadway design division engineer with the Mississippi Department of Transportation. (MDOT). Picketing went to work with MDOT upon graduation from...

State Personnel Board.(People to Watch)(Bill Cossar reappointed by Haley Barbour )(Brief article)
August 7, 2006... Gov. Haley Barbour has reappointed Bill Cossar to serve a second five-year term on the State Personnel Board. The board re-elected Cossar as chairman of the board to serve a third one-year term. Cossar retired after working 41 years with...

The Jones Group, LLC.(People to Watch)
August 7, 2006... Shelly Jones, president and publisher of going Coastal Mississippi and Bobby Jones, vice president and editor-in-chief of going Coastal Mississippi, celebrate the release of their third issue. going Coastal Mississippi is owned and operated by...

Unemployment in state rose in June, MDES reports.(Strictly Business)
August 7, 2006... "The seasonal influx of students into the summertime workforce was largely responsible for the increase in both employed and unemployed totals." --Wayne Gasson, chief of labor market information at the Mississippi Department of Employment...

North Mississippi law firms merge.(Strictly Business)
August 7, 2006... HERNANDO -- Two North Mississippi law firms are merging, resulting in a new regional 12-lawyer, full-service firm with offices in DeSoto and Panola counties. Smith Phillips Mitchell & Scott, with offices in Hernando and Batesville, is merging...

Harrah's sees record quarter.(Strictly Business)
August 7, 2006... BILOXI AND TUNICA -- Harrah's Entertainment Inc., during the second quarter, saw revenue reach a record $2.4 billion, up 67%. Property EBITDA rose 70% to a record $673 million. In the Louisiana/Mississippi Region, second quarter total...

Bridge project back underway.(Strictly Business)(Brief article)
August 7, 2006... MADISON COUNTY -- The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has advised the National Park Service that Dozer Inc., a Natchez-based construction firm, has been selected by the bonding company to complete the replacement of the Natchez Trace...

New cancer center underway.(Strictly Business)
August 7, 2006... TUPELO -- Work has begun on North Mississippi Hematology & Oncology Associates, Ltd.'s, (NMHOA) new, 51,000-square-foot cancer treatment facility. The center will be located at 961 South Gloster Street, the previous home of Food World...

Peavey hosts Top Dawg in Meridian.(Strictly Business)
August 7, 2006... Talking music--Robert "Doc" Foglesong (left), the new president of Mississippi State University, visited Peavey Electronics in Meridian July 26, 2006, to talk music with company founder Hartley Peavey (right), a 1965 graduate of the school. In...

NetworkStreaming record.(Strictly Business)(software industry)(Brief article)
August 7, 2006... RIDGELAND -- NetworkStreaming saw the addition of 204 new customers in the second quarter of 2006, resulting in the highest revenue to date, by more than 38%. Fueling this sales momentum was the general release of SupportDesk 9, the latest...

Renasant splits shares.(Strictly Business)
August 7, 2006... TUPELO -- The board of directors of Renasant Corporation has declared a three-for-two stock split of the company's common stock. This is Renasant's second stock split within the past three years. The stock split will be conducted in the...

FNC automates ION.(Strictly Business)(ION Capital Inc)(Brief article)
August 7, 2006... OXFORD -- FNC Inc. is now managing real estate collateral information for ION Capital Inc., which is in Dublin, Ohio, and is a wholesale Alt-A mortgage company. FNC automates ION's appraisal review process with its Generally Accepted...

Katrina mediation cases over 1,300.(Strictly Business)
August 7, 2006... JACKSON -- According to Mississippi Commissioner of Insurance George Dale, there were 1,338 mediation conferences scheduled prior to July 14, 2006, in the Mississippi Hurricane Katrina Mediation Program, and 1,112 of them have settled. ...

Monmouth makes worldwide ranking.(Strictly Business)
August 7, 2006... NATCHEZ -- Travel + Leisure magazine, in its "2006 World's Best Awards," has named Monmouth Plantation among the "Top 100 Hotels in the World." Monmouth ranked fourth in the "$250 or Less" category and 17th in all of the U.S. and Canada. ...

Entergy puts report online.(Strictly Business)
August 7, 2006... NEW ORLEANS -- Entergy has made available its 2005 sustainability report "Resilience and Renewal," highlighting evaluations of the company's environmental, social and economic initiatives for the year. Outlining Entergy's performance in...

'Blue Book' now online at SoS site.(Strictly Business)(Brief article)
August 7, 2006... Special to the Mississippi Business Journal JACKSON -- An online publication of a new interactive, searchable edition of the 2004-2008 "Mississippi Official and Statistical Register," commonly known as the "Blue Book," is now available....

Myriad project progressing.(Strictly Business)(Myriad Entertainment and Resorts Inc.)
August 7, 2006... TUNICA -- According to Myriad Entertainment & Resorts Inc., the permitting process to secure all permits and approvals necessary for construction mobilization for its proposed Myriad Botanical Resort has begun. Engineering principals John...

Damaged timber being removed.(Strictly Business)
August 7, 2006... PEARL RIVER COUNTY -- The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) has begun a $1.6-million timber debris removal contract on Interstate 59 in this South Mississippi county. Crews are engaged in the removal of timber that was damaged...

DHS launching image.(Strictly Business)(Department of Homeland Security)(Brief article)
August 7, 2006... WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has unveiled a new initiative and best business practices to help employers ensure they are building legal workforce through voluntary partnerships with the government. Called...

Humana, Baptist extend partnership.(Strictly Business)(Brief article)
August 7, 2006... MEMPHIS -- Humana-Tennessee has renewed its relationship with Baptist Memorial Health Care, cementing the companies' partnership through July 2009. The new three-year contract took effect August 1, 2006, and benefits Humana commercial and...

Moe's opens eatery.(Strictly Business)
August 7, 2006... FLOWOOD -- Moe's Southwest Grill has opened its newest location on Lakeland Drive in this Rankin County community This is the second Moe's location in the metro Jackson area. The new restaurant's owner and operator Mike Hylton said, "We...

SR 601 input sought.(Strictly Business)(Mississippi Department of Transportation)(Brief article)
August 7, 2006... SOUTH MISSISSIPPI -- The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) is continuing to collect input on the proposed State Route 601 (SR 601), a fully-controlled access route between Gulfport and Wiggins. In three public meetings held in...

CFGJ recognized.(Strictly Business)
August 7, 2006... JACKSON -- The Council on Foundations has recognized the Community Foundation of Greater Jackson (CFGJ) for having organizational and financial practices that are in accordance with the National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations. ...

Mineral/seismic meetings planned around Mississippi.(Strictly Business)(Brief article)
August 7, 2006... AROUND MISSISSIPPI -- The Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) will host three informational sessions to introduce the state's newest proposed rules and regulations regarding mineral leasing and seismic permitting for state-owned properties...

Governor's Cup winners named.(Governor's Cup Awards Alexander, Van Loon, Sloan Levens & Favre, PLLC, of Gulfport and The Yates Companies Inc. of Philadelphia)
August 7, 2006... Alexander, Van Loon, Sloan Levens & Favre, PLLC, of Gulfport and The Yates Companies Inc. of Philadelphia are this year's statewide winners of the Governor's Cup Awards. Special to the Mississippi Business Journal GULFPORT AND...

The Outfitter shoots straight, bags success for Duke.
August 7, 2006... RICHLAND -- It would be a more inspiring story. Rocky Duke, realizing a lifelong dream, takes a leap of faith and opens a hunting and fishing outfitting store that in the face of stiff competition and other challenges proves successful....

MUW establishing Women's Center for Entrepreneurship.
August 7, 2006... COLUMBUS -- Thanks to a $1-million, congressionally-directed grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Mississippi University for Women (MUW) will establish an economic development resource center designed to facilitate, support...

Drought, fuel prices drive up sod costs.
August 7, 2006... STARKVILLE -- Mississippi's sod producers are experiencing significantly higher production and transportation costs with little opportunity to pass their expenses on to consumers. Wayne Wells, turfgrass specialist with Mississippi State...

Corporate support secures high-profile game for Capital City.
August 7, 2006... JACKSON -- The Saints first training camp in the Capital City culminates in a Mississippi pre-season match-up August 26. The Saints' Deuce McAllister and Fred McAfee, both Mississippians, will battle the Colts' Peyton Manning, son of the...

Forum will bring investors, investment opportunities together.(Focus Banking and Finance)
August 7, 2006... HATTIESBURG -- August 16 will be a good day for business in Mississippi. That's the day an informational conference is being held at the University of Southern Mississippi's Thad Cochran Center to match investors with investment opportunities...

Homeowner insurance, grant checks have banks busy.(Focus Banking & Finance)
August 7, 2006... In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, there was a flurry of insurance checks made out jointly to homeowners and mortgage holders. Processing these checks and disbursements for repairs and rebuilding required extra time and care on the part of...

When opening branches, critical factors come into play.(Focus Banking & Finance)
August 7, 2006... There's a lot of movement among banks as branches follow population patterns and new markets to grow their business. Decisions of where and when to open new facilities are based on sound business principles. Sometimes even a name change is...

Marketing efforts aim to reach Hispanic population.(Focus Banking & Finance)
August 7, 2006... TUPELO -- The Hispanic population, currently estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau to be approximately 40 million, is one of the fastest-growing groups in the country, and the financial services industry is strategizing on how to best meet the...

Credit unions.
August 7, 2006... Credit Unions Name, Year Founded Address Keesler Federal Credit Union, 1947 P.O. Box 7001, Biloxi, MS 39534-7001 Navigator P.O. Box 1647, Pascagoula, Credit Union, 1939 ...

Mississippi credit unions springing back after Katrina.(Focus Banking & Finance)
August 7, 2006... Even though Hurricane Katrina affected roughly two-thirds of Mississippi credit unions, and Biloxi-based Keesler Federal Credit Union, the state's largest credit union, suffered tremendous damage during the category four storm, business is...

Bank of Okolona celebrating 75th anniversary.(Focus Banking & Finance)
August 7, 2006... OKOLONA -- On September 15, the Bank of Okolona will commemorate its 75th anniversary by offering catfish dinners to the community. And, the proceeds will be donated to the United Way. It's an appropriate gesture. According to John A....

Positive impact from Regions-AmSouth deal anticipated.(Focus Banking & Finance)
August 7, 2006... The proposed merger of Regions Financial Corp. and AmSouth Bancorporation, expected to be approved and finalized later this year, will probably result in layoffs at the some of the bank branches in Mississippi, but positive impacts are also...

Make your money work for you--start saving now!(Focus Banking & Finance)
August 7, 2006... Joe Jones' column "Personal savings rates dismal in the good ol' U.S.A." in the Mississippi Business Journal's June 19-25, 2006, issue caught our attention at Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS) of Jackson. We also saw A.G. Edwards'...

Mississippi economic forum speaker compares gaming markets in state with the industry in Louisiana.
August 7, 2006... JACKSON -- The health of the gaming industry is good in Mississippi as Coast casinos rebuild and reopen following Hurricane Katrina. However, there are threats down the road. Gaming attorney Dan McDaniel of the Phelps Dunbar law firm in...

Mississippi event business.(Calendar)
August 7, 2006... Monday, August 7 * The University of Southern Mississippi will offer an Industrial Audiometry and Hearing Conservation Workshop, which will run through August 9 and will include a recertification course August 8. The Council for...

Gulf Coast Business Council plans to hire staff and build facility to promote recovery.
August 14, 2006... A group of business and community leaders in the three coastal counties is on a mission to help the hurricane-devastated area rebuild. They've formed the Gulf Coast Business Council and intend to speak with one voice to influence public policy....

Renaissance attracts well-known professional firms.
August 14, 2006... In late July, when news broke about two prominent companies--Butler Snow and Home LLP--moving from downtown Jackson, much of the talk and media coverage focused on their exit, not the new Renaissance at Colony Park development located on...

Ready for some football? Electronics retailers are.
August 14, 2006... As football season grows closer, electronics stores get busier as fans snap up new TVs. But exactly what they're favoring is an entirely different matter. "It's such a sticky, crazy market right now for TVs," said Cayce Wilkinson,...

2 Brothers BBQ sauce revving up NASCAR fans.
August 14, 2006... WEST POINT -- The powers-that-be at Dyno Marketing were brainstorming one day when someone marveled about how successful the transition had been introducing world-renowned, award-winning, red-headed Italian chef "Molto Mario" Batali to NASCAR....

Jury out on the overall impact of offshoring jobs.(As I See It)
August 14, 2006... Offshoring American jobs continues to be a hot topic, particularly here in Mississippi where so many manufacturing jobs have been shipped out of the country. Is it a good thing or a bad thing? There are ardent arguments going both ways....

Time again to think about prayers for our schools.(Perspective)
August 14, 2006... As early as it seems, August is back-to-school time for thousands of Mississippians ranging from wide-eyed elementary pupils to world-weary grad students. Back they go to public, private and parochial classrooms, lecture halls and libraries....

What message is your city sending?(From the Ground Up)
August 14, 2006... "The bottom line is that we don't want people moving into this county," said the man who stood before a group of 75 residents at a recent public hearing in South Mississippi. The meeting was about a proposed regional utility district, but...

BancorpSouth Investment Services.(People to Watch)
August 14, 2006... Carrie Wood has joined BancorpSouth Investment Services Inc. in Tupelo as a vice president and senior investment representative. She brings 15 years of banking and investment experience. She has a bachelor's degree from the University of...

Dean and Dean/Associates Architects.(People to Watch)
August 14, 2006... Kathy Middleton of Dean and Dean/Associates Architects of Jackson has attained the designation of Certified Construction Contract Administrator by the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI). She successfully completed a nine-week course of...

Watkins Ludlam Winter & Stennis.(People to Watch)(Tiffany S. Mikkelson is appointed)(Brief article)
August 14, 2006... Tiffany S. Mikkelson has joined Watkins Ludlam Winter and Stennis, P.A., as an associate in the firm's Jackson office. She is a magna cum laude graduate of Mississippi College and a cum laude graduate of the Mississippi College School of Law,...

Trustmark.(People to Watch)(David Martin is promoted)(Brief article)
August 14, 2006... David Martin has been promoted to senior vice president at Trustmark in Jackson. He is the director of Wealth Management Consulting and responsible for managing a group that helps clients accumulate, preserve and transfer assets. A native of...

Mandal's Inc.(People to Watch)
August 14, 2006... Chris L. Cooper of Mandal's Inc. in Gulfport has earned the registered roof consultant (RRC) title from the Roof Consultants Institute. He qualified for this designation by meeting the requirements of a two-part program based on verifiable...

New computer store comes to Barton.(People to Watch)
August 14, 2006... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: New computer store comes to Barton--A Byhalia Area Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting ceremony was held for new member Lazy Creek Systems in early July. On hand for the official opening were Byhalia Area...

Ferguson and Associates Architects.(People to Watch)
August 14, 2006... Upon graduating from the Mississippi State University School of Architecture in 2003, Casey Montague held the position of physical security specialist with the Mississippi Military Department's facilities management office. During that time he...

Mid-Delta Home Health & Hospice.(People to Watch)
August 14, 2006... Wendy T. Travis, RN, BSN, has joined Mid-Delta Home Health and Hospice as branch manager of the Indianola office. Her duties include coordination and facilitation of services, ensuring that reports are current and that daily activities are...

Mississippi Department of Employment Security.(People to Watch)
August 14, 2006... The Mississippi Department of Employment Security (MDES) has been selected to receive the National Association of State Workforce Agencies' (NASWA) 2006 William J. Harris Equal Opportunity Award. In addition, Jim Nelson Jr., the equal...

Collins & Corbin, CPAs.(People to Watch)
August 14, 2006... Dari Jones has joined Collins & Corbin, CPAs as a staff accountant. She is a 2006 magna cum laude graduate of Mississippi College and resides in Clinton.

Independent Insurance Agents of Mississippi.(People to Watch)
August 14, 2006... The Independent Insurance Agents of Mississippi announces the installation of the following officers at the association's 108h-annual convention in Destin this summer: Debbie Shempert, CIC, AAI of Renasant Insurance Agency in Tupelo as...

Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality.(People to Watch)
August 14, 2006... Gov. Haley Barbour has appointed Michael B. E. Bograd as director of the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality's Office of Geology. In that capacity, he will also serve as the state geologist. He has been serving as the acting...

American Council of Engineering Companies-Mississippi.(People to Watch)(William L. "Bill" Burle Jr. is appointed)(Brief article)
August 14, 2006... William L. "Bill" Burle Jr. has been installed as president of the American Council of Engineering Companies-Mississippi (ACEC/MS). He is president of W.L. Burle Engineers, P.A., in Greenville, and holds a bachelor's degree in civil engineering...

GranthamPoole, CPA.(People to Watch)
August 14, 2006... Stacey Walley has joined GranthamPoole, CPA, as a staff accountant and a member of the Jackson firm's audit team. Her responsibilities include handling the day-to-day activities of audit engagements for various clients, including developing...

Canizaro Cawthon Davis.(People to Watch)(Andrew Liles is appointed)(Brief article)
August 14, 2006... Andrew Liles has joined Canizaro Cawthon Davis as a project architect. He has nine years of experience and is an accredited professional with the U.S. Green Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. Liles received a bachelor's...

State Bank & Trust Company.(People to Watch)
August 14, 2006... State Bank & Trust Company has announced the retirement of James W. "Jim" Robbins as city president of its Columbia location. With Robbins' retirement, J. Todd Watts has been promoted to city president. Robbins has served as city president...

Hinds Community College.(People to Watch)
August 14, 2006... Dr. John Woods, former director of economic development and training at the Hinds Community College Eagle Ridge Conference Center, has been named the college's vice president of economic development and training. A native of Missouri, he...

ACCO Brands expanding operations in North Mississippi.(Strictly Business)
August 14, 2006... BOONEVILLE -- ACCO Brands Corporation is expanding its manufacturing and distribution facility in this North Mississippi city. creating an additional 330 jobs and enabling the company to more efficiently manufacture certain products and serve...

SOPREMA breaks ground.(Strictly Business)
August 14, 2006... GULFPORT -- SOPREMA Inc. hosted a groundbreaking ceremony August 10 for its new manufacturing facility in this Mississippi Gulf Coast city. The plant will be located on Seaway Road at Corporate Drive. SOPREMA, a French roofing and...

L-3 Vertex wins contract.(Strictly Business)
August 14, 2006... MADISON -- L-3 Communications's subsidiary Vertex Aerospace (L-3 Vertex) subsidiary has been awarded a two-year, indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (ID/IQ) contract to provide depot-level maintenance (DLM) work at the Naval Air Systems...

Isle sells properties.(Strictly Business)
August 14, 2006... VICKSBURG -- Isle of Capri Casinos Inc. has completed the previously announced sale of its Vicksburg and Bossier City, La., properties to Legends Gaming, LLC. Legends paid $240 million cash subject to closing adjustments. Biloxi-based Isle...

Jackson Rotary Club hears from new city council president.(Strictly Business)
August 14, 2006... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: Economic development on the agenda -- Ben Allen (right), president of the Jackson City Council, spoke to Jackson Rotary Club members August 7, 2006. Allen, a member of the club, gave an update on the Capital...

Management buys Columbus Lumber.(Strictly Business)
August 14, 2006... BROOKHAVEN -- The existing management team has purchased Columbus Lumber Company, a supplier of lumber and wood products once owned by former WorldCom CEO Bernie Ebbers. Terms were not disclosed. Columbus Lumber president and general...