The Mississippi Business Journal articles from January 2009

The Mississippi Business Journal archives from January 2009

Budget, tobacco tax likely to be biggest sticking points starting the session for ... 2009.(SPECIAL REPORT: Legislative outlook)
January 5, 2009... The 2009 legislative session gets underway Jan. 6, and the prevailing theme is likely to be the state's budget--specifically, making ends meet when money is tight. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] If a handful of pre-session hearings are any...

MBJ declares state's best of the best: MBJ's 'Top 40 Under 40' showcases emerging leaders in Mississippi.(Top 40 Under 40)
January 5, 2009... The Top 40 Under 40 Awards are the Mississippi Business Journal's longest-running recognition program--it is entering its 16th year--and over those years they have lost none of their appeal, Designed to honor those Mississippians who have...

Expo has come a long-way.(Mississippi Business and Technology Expo)
January 5, 2009... In the early 1980s, a group of organizers put on a trade show at the Mississippi Trademart that, by their own account, was not a stellar success. It was a new concept for the Jackson area--a large event tailored exclusively for...

Rumors of our demise have been greatly exaggerated.(Perspective)
January 5, 2009... While I do have a dog in this fight, my belief there is a place for newspapers in our society has held firm for a long time. Despite past trends that have shown the newspaper business is trending further and further down, and companies like...

Cold hard facts.(Perspective)(Cartoon)
January 5, 2009... ECONOMIC FORECAST BRRRRR CHILLING! [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

A dad's annual letter to his son.(Perspective)(Viewpoint essay)
January 5, 2009... Dear Grant, The past 12 months have almost been a blur. It seems that way each December as I attempt to capture the joys and milestones of another year together, as we count the blessings deeply enjoyed since your birth now more than six...

This week.(Perspective)(legislative sessions)(Brief article)(Calendar)
January 5, 2009... A look at some significant events in Mississippi this week: * MONDAY--Haley Barbour speaks to the Stennis Institute; reservations are required by calling Phil Hardwick at (601) 354-6011. Cost to attend is $15.... More info at...

[Cartoon].(Perspective)(Cartoon)
January 5, 2009... POOR GUY--TWO WHOLE YEARS OF CAMPAIGNING AND TWO WHOLE MONTHS OF MEDIA SCRUTINY. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ERIC ALL-E CNSNEWS.COM CAGLE CARTOONS FURIOUSDIAPER.COM

Seven ways to market your community.(Perspective)
January 5, 2009... The essence of community economic development is to bring in more money from outside. Most communities spend considerable time recruiting new companies and the jobs they bring, but there are other ways to inject money into the local economy....

Top 40 Under 40. (Perspective).(Awards list)
January 5, 2009... Top 40 Under 40 One of Mississippi's most prestigious awards, Top 40 Under 40, recognizes the state's 40 up-and-coming business leaders under the age of 40. The following are the 2009 winners as announced by the Mississippi Business...

Chicken and egg effect of fast business growth.(Perspective)
January 5, 2009... "Cash is King!" This often quoted cliche has particular relevance in today's recession environment. The perfect storm of slow-paying customers and payment demanding vendors can wreak havoc on many businesses. It is particularly difficult...

A new development model for rural Mississippi.(Perspective)(workforce planning)
January 5, 2009... Economic development success once was measured solely by the number of jobs created. You know the drill: Local business leaders spent their time trying to attract a manufacturer that would bring 100, 300 or even 500 jobs to the community. Time,...

Strong ADA provisions go into effect this year.(Focus: Law & Accounting)
January 5, 2009... The landmark Americans for Disabilities Act (ADA) passed 18 years ago was intended to prevent employment discrimination against disabled people. But court rulings interpreted the law so narrowly that it ended up being difficult for disabled...

ADA should not be considered an albatross: handicapped people only need some type of accommodations in order to work.(Focus: Law & Accounting)
January 5, 2009... Mary Troupe, executive director of the Mississippi Coalition for Citizens with Disabilities, said businesses should not be concerned about the stronger Americans for Disabilities Act (ADA) that went into effect Jan. 1. "A lot of employees...

CPA firms helping clients cope with downturn in economy.(Focus: Law & Accounting)
January 5, 2009... Whether in good times or bad, CPAs are needed for businesses to stay financially healthy and in compliance with tax laws. Some services CPAs provide are needed in any economy. "Our services are still needed, and maybe even more so during a...

Fraud examination growing part of forensic.(Focus: Law & Accounting)
January 5, 2009... Forensic accounting may not be a household term, but it is a growing sector as instances of fraud increase. According to the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, there are approximately 96 certified fraud examiners (CFE) in Mississippi....

Attorneys say new year bringing changes to labor and employment laws.(Focus: Law & Accounting)
January 5, 2009... As a new administration and Congress take over in Washington, some of Mississippi's prominent labor and employment attorneys predict changes in employment law that will have impacts throughout the state and country. Among those, changes in the...

UM's accounting programs climb.(Focus: Law & Accounting)(University of Mississippi)
January 5, 2009... The University of Mississippi has long touted its Patterson School of Accountancy as one of the best in the U.S. Now, it has a national survey to back up its claim. Public Accounting Report recently released a new national ranking that...

Attorneys weather economic downturn.(Focus: Law & Accounting)
January 5, 2009... Attorneys agree: there's no question that just about every type of law practice is being impacted by the economy. In fact, the American Bar Association has recognized this trend and has published at least two Journal editions dealing with the...

CPAs share financial considerations at tax time.(Focus: Law & Accounting)
January 5, 2009... Keeping good records and drilling down deep enough to get all the facts is imperative when preparing a tax return, say Mississippi CPAs. "People miss a lot because they don't do both, and wind up paying more in taxes than they should," said...

CPA firms.
January 5, 2009... CPA Firms Number of Number of CPAs Name, Telephone Number, Total Staff Year Address Fax Founded HORNE...

IHL releases forecast.(Strictly Business)(Institutions of Higher Learning)
January 5, 2009... JACKSON -- The December issue of the "Mississippi Economic Review and Outlook," published by the Center for Policy Research and Planning of the Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL), is now available online at www.mississippi.edu/URC. This...

Cal-Maine's earnings off.(Strictly Business)(Cal-Maine Foods Inc.)(Financial report)(Brief article)
January 5, 2009... JACKSON -- Cal-Maine Foods Inc. recorded net sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2009 of $238.3 million, compared with net sales of $223.7 million for the same quarter of fiscal 2008. However, the company reported net income of $27.2...

Graybar leases space.(Strictly Business)
January 5, 2009... RIDGELAND -- Graybar Electric Company has leased 105 Business Park Drive in Ridgeland, according to Monmouth Real Estate Investment Corporation. Terms were not disclosed. Freehold, N.J.-based Monmouth purchased the building in 1993....

CSSSM to use NFL stadiums.(Strictly Business)
January 5, 2009... HATTIESBURG -- National Football League (NFL) stadiums across the country will be host sites for sports event security training for more than 1,000 intercollegiate institutions next year. The Center for Spectator Sports Security Management...

SBA approves $1B in loans.(Strictly Business)
January 5, 2009... MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST -- In the aftermath of the Midwest floods and Hurricanes Gustav and Ike earlier this year, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved more than 20,100 disaster loans worth $1 billion to homeowners, renters...

Driving, highway funds drop.(Strictly Business)
January 5, 2009... WASHINGTON -- Americans drove more than 100 billion fewer miles between November 2007 and October 2008 than the same period a year earlier, according to U.S. Department of Transportation, making it the largest continuous decline in American...

Eagle offers online tool.(Strictly Business)(Eagle Capital)(Brief article)
January 5, 2009... TUPELO -- Eagle Capital, an accounts receivables factoring company, has introduced a new tool designed to help truckers manage their business by tracking expenses by month, by year and by mile. The Eagle Cost Calculator, located at...

Wellman tweaks plan.(Strictly Business)
January 5, 2009... HANCOCK COUNTY -- Wellman Inc.'s stakeholders have voted to support a modified plan of reorganization, which would allow Wellman to emerge from bankruptcy in January 2009. More than 80 percent of eligible voting creditors voted to accept the...

Shareholders approve issuance.(Strictly Business)
January 5, 2009... STARKVILLE -- Cadence Financial Corporation's shareholders approved an amendment to the company's Articles of Incorporation that authorizes the issuance of preferred stock by Cadence. Shareholder approval was required in order for Cadence...

Hood: Entergy found guilty.(Strictly Business)
January 5, 2009... JACKSON -- Attorney General Jim Hood announced that the Louisiana Public Service Commission (LPSC) has found an Entergy affiliate guilty of the same illegal conduct that is included in his lawsuit recently filed against Entergy Mississippi Inc....

Peoples raises dividend.(Strictly Business)
January 5, 2009... BILOXI -- During a time when some banks are accepting funds from a $700-billion government bailout, Peoples Financial Corporation, parent of the Peoples Bank, is bucking the trend by increasing its dividend. The board of directors of...

State settles with Mattel.(Strictly Business)
January 5, 2009... JACKSON -- According to the Attorney General's Office, the State of Mississippi along with 37 other states have reached a settlement agreement with Mattel Inc. and Fisher-Price Inc., its subsidiary, resolving a 16-month-long investigation into...

'Ground Zero' funds released.(Strictly Business)(Brief article)
January 5, 2009... HANCOCK COUNTY -- Gov. Haley Barbour said Dec. 23 more than $85 million has been awarded for Hurricane Katrina recovery projects in Hancock County. "These projects are part of our $200-million 'Ground Zero' program, which is funded through...

Mass layoffs climb.(Strictly Business)
January 5, 2009... WASHINGTON -- In November, employers took 2,328 mass layoff actions, seasonally adjusted, as measured by new filings for unemployment insurance benefits during the month, the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The number of workers involved...

Weyerhaeuser quits project.(Strictly Business)
January 5, 2009... EAST MISSISSIPPI -- Citing weaker shipping markets and tight financing conditions for potential buyers, Weyerhaeuser Company is discontinuing active marketing of its Westwood Shipping Line. Weyerhaeuser had announced in May that it was...

Entergy awards grants.(Strictly Business)
January 5, 2009... NEW ORLEANS -- The Entergy Charitable Foundation has awarded grants totaling more than $948,000 to organizations across the Entergy service territory. The grants bring to approximately $4.4 million the total amount donated to organizations in...

MASGC taking pre-proposals.(Strictly Business)
January 5, 2009... OCEAN SPRINGS -- The Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium (MASGC) is accepting pre-proposals for one- or two-year innovative research projects that address coastal issues. Proposals in the 2010-11 research funding competition must apply...

WCU improves accreditation level.(Strictly Business)(William Carey University )(Brief article)
January 5, 2009... HATTIESBURG -- William Carey University (WCU) has earned a Level 5 status, up from the previous Level 4, from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). This distinction indicates that WCU can now grant doctoral degrees. ...

Projects named winners.(Strictly Business)
January 5, 2009... ACROSS MISSISSIPPI -- Forty-five construction and design projects received Best of 2008 recognition from South Central Construction magazine during a Dec. 11 awards luncheon at The Holiday Inn Select in downtown Memphis. Tying for the...

Lumina grant awarded.(Strictly Business)(Lumina Foundation for Education)(Brief article)
January 5, 2009... JACKSON -- The Lumina Foundation for Education has selected Mississippi as one of 11 states to receive a grant to further increase productivity in higher education. State leaders will develop and implement policy changes that promote...

Chevron chooses Foster Wheeler.(Strictly Business)
January 5, 2009... PASCAGOULA -- Chevron Products Company, a division of Chevron USA Inc., has awarded a contract to Hamilton, Bermuda-based Foster Wheeler, Ltd. for the design and supply of two 20-megawatt shop-assembled steam generators to be located at its...

Studio relocates.(Strictly Business)
January 5, 2009... OXFORD -- Southern Growth Studio (Studio), a marketing company and growth consultancy, celebrated its one-year anniversary with a move to a new office just off Oxford Square. Studio opened its doors in November 2007 from an office in the...

Memorial's outlook raised.(Strictly Business)
January 5, 2009... GULFPORT -- Fitch Ratings has affirmed the "A" underlying rating on approximately $89 million in revenue bonds issued by the City of Gulfport on behalf of Memorial Hospital at Gulfport. The Rating Outlook is revised to from "negative" to...

Schuff working tons of steel.(Strictly Business)
January 5, 2009... PASCAGOULA -- Schuff Steel-Gulf Coast Inc. of Schuff, Texas, is currently fabricating a total of 25,400 tons of structural steel for a refinery plant in Whiting, Ind., and a refinery complex in Pascagoula. Schuff is fabricating 11,400 tons...

Hotel taking guests.(Strictly Business)
January 5, 2009... MERIDIAN -- The new 04-room Country Inn & Suites By Carlson Meridian has opened its doors on Bonita Lakes Drive in Meridian. "This new Country Inn & Suites By Carlson is a wonderful addition to our community. We are confident that this...

Entergy donates more funds.(Strictly Business)
January 5, 2009... JACKSON -- Mississippians will have more opportunities for improved education, job training and quality housing for low-income families thanks to more than $68,000 in grants that have been awarded to area organizations through the Entergy...

Delta State University.(People to Watch)
January 5, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Dr. Thomas Nevin Sledge, chair of the Commercial Aviation Department at Delta State University, died Dec. 25, at Baptist East Hospital in Jackson following a battle with pancreatic cancer. A native of Cleveland,...

Trustmark National Bank.(People to Watch)
January 5, 2009... Henry Mounger has been named vice president at Trustmark National Bank in Jackson. Mounger is the strategic sourcing manager. He has 28 years of experience in the financial services industry. Mounger earned a bachelor of business administration...

Hancock redefines CEOs' roles.(People to Watch)
January 5, 2009... The boards of directors of the Hancock Holding Company and Hancock Bank have further defined the respective roles of chief executive officers Carl J. Charley and John M. Hairston by electing Chaney as president and CEO of Hancock Holding...

Merchants and Marine Bank.(People to Watch)
January 5, 2009... Mickey Williams, senior vice president at Merchants and Marine Bank is set to retire after 31 years in the banking and financial services industry. He received his bachelor's degree from the University of Virginia and served in the United...

Memorial Hospital at Gulfport.(People to Watch)
January 5, 2009... Memorial medical staff officers were elected in September and began their terms Oct. 1, 2008. They will serve through 2010. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Donn E. Bowers, M.D., was elected chief of staff. Bowers was appointed to the medical...

Mississippi Beach Chapter of the Public Relations Association of Mississippi.(People to Watch)
January 5, 2009... Ron Barnes, vice president of marketing and public relations for Coast Electric Power Association, and Mary Anne Caldwell, public relations and marketing director for Lynn Meadows Discovery Center, recently earned Accreditation in Public...

Wesley Medical Center.(People to Watch)
January 5, 2009... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] Madeline Bingham was recognized as Volunteer of the Year 2008, and Margaret LaFon was chosen as Nurse of the Year 2008 for Wesley Medical Center during the hospital's Christmas Party.

Hank of Yarn celebrates one year anniversary.(People to Watch)
January 5, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Hank of Yam and the Southaven Chamber of Commerce celebrated Hank of Yams' one-year anniversary on Black Friday. Hank of Yam is located on Malco Boulevard in Southaven. The yam and knitting shop, which also offers...

BNVS fashion apparel opens new fashion store.(People to Watch)
January 5, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Southaven Chamber of Commerce and BNVS Fashion Apparel held a ribbon cutting to kick off the opening of the new women's and teen girl's fashion store located at 1100 Church Road. BNVS offers high-fashion apparel,...

Forrest General hospital.(People to Watch)
January 5, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Forrest General is pleased to announce that Jerry Styron was recently selected as the hospital's Employee of the Year at tile annual employee Christmas party. Styron has worked at Forrest General for 26 years as...

Mississippi Department of Transportation.(People to Watch)
January 5, 2009... The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) recently awarded Charlie Robinson, conference and event services manager in the agency's Outreach Division, with the Silver Ant Award, according to MDOT Northern Commissioner Bill Minor. ...

Public employees' retirement system.(People to Watch)
January 5, 2009... Shelley Powers of Jackson joined the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) of Mississippi in November as director of the agency's newly created Communications Department. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] As communications director, Powers...

Pinnacle building open house.(Brief article)
January 5, 2009... At the corner of Capitol and Lama in Jackson, a crowd gathered to help celebrate the 190,000-square-foot Pinnacle building's opening. It was a $50-million project, but it's surrounded by billions of dollars worth of other developments that...

Waiting on Obama: Mississippi may have to wait to make some decisions based on what President-Elect Obama does with his stimulus plan.(Mississippi legislature)
January 12, 2009... There are a lot of moving targets lawmakers have to hit when it comes time to set the state's budget, and this year there is a rather large addition. President-elect Barack Obama will take the oath of office next week, and his...

State's sales tax revenues plummeted in December.
January 12, 2009... The national economy has been nose-diving the past year, with the effects manifesting themselves in Mississippi in the form of lost jobs and declining revenue. But the drop in tax collections for December was the most telling sign yet that...

'Scare' may have helped some.(Brief article)
January 12, 2009... For months leading up to the holiday-buying season, the national media spit out story after story of how bad retailers were going to have it. Unfortunately, they were right when it came to big-box retailers and consumers' shrinking budgets. ...

[Cartoon].(Perspective)(Cartoon)
January 12, 2009... THE 2009 MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE MET IN THE OLD CAPITOL FOR THE FIRST TIME IN OVER A HUNDRED YEARS. TWO GHOSTS FLOATING IN THE DOME WERE SHOCKED. THEY'RE BACK! THEY'RE BACK! AFTER A HUNDRED YEARS! THE LEGISLATURE? REPUBLICANS!!...

There are lots of tough choices ahead for legislators.(Perspective)
January 12, 2009... This past week marked the beginning of the Mississippi legislative session, and the big fight will certainly be about this year's budget, the $360-million rainy day fund and how to manage both. The Mississippi House of Representatives sent...

[Cartoon].(Perspective)(Cartoon)
January 12, 2009... WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO TRACK THE LINEAGE OF THOSE WHO STILL THINK FAVORABLY OF BLAGOJEVICH. * BELIEVE EARTHS FLAT * THINK THEY'RE NAPOLEON * THINK THEY'RE NAPOLEON & BRITNEY'S LOVE CHILD * CLAIMS BIGFOOT KILLED JFK * SAYS...

An open invitation to EXPO.(Perspective)
January 12, 2009... The invitation is delivered on newsprint in today's edition of the Mississippi Business Journal, not fancy stationery that will arrive in your mailbox. But the message is just as genuine, just as sincere. Please join us. With Comcast...

Chief list.(Brief article)(List)
January 12, 2009... Chief list * Bill Waller Jr. was sworn in last week as the 32nd chief justice in the history of the Mississippi Supreme Court. Waller takes over for Jim Smith of Brandon, who was defeated in November. The chief's position is held...

It's time for a change?(Perspective)(Viewpoint essay)
January 12, 2009... It's all about jobs. That's the mantra that makes acceptable virtually any effort at recruiting industry to this state or whichever state in which you might happen to reside. As mere voters and taxpayers, we apparently don't know enough...

Tips for a healthy financial new year.(Perspective)(Brief article)
January 12, 2009... * Resolve to get all promises in writing. Make sure the contract provisions match what the salesperson told you. Read and understand the contract and guarantee before you sign. * Guard your personal information. Give out credit card, bank...

Achieving a healthy workforce.(Perspective)
January 12, 2009... When one mentions the term "public health," economic development isn't usually the first thing that comes to mind. You probably think instead of children being vaccinated, senior citizens being urged to get their flu shots or scientists working...

We have to expect more in order to get more.(Perspective)
January 12, 2009... Why do we keep score? Isn't it just enough to enjoy the experience of the activity and not worry about keeping a tally of the score? In a word--no. Whether watching college sports, playing a round of golf or enjoying your favorite board game,...

Judge rules out class action.(Strictly Business)
January 12, 2009... GULF COAST -- A judge has refused to grant class action status to lawsuits claiming that thousands of hurricane victims were exposed to potentially toxic fumes while living in government-issued trailers, AP reports. U.S. District Judge...

Golden Moon in trouble.(Strictly Business)
January 12, 2009... CHOCTAW -- Due to the faltering economy and other factors, on Jan. 5 officials with Pearl River Resort announced today that it is cutting 570 jobs and cutting the days of operations of its Golden Moon Hotel and Casino. The Golden Moon will...

BKD, LLP reaches one of the largest CPA and advisory firms in the state.(Strictly Business)(Johnson, Bruce & Host, PLLC and Shearer, Taylor & Co., P.A. )(Brief article)
January 12, 2009... Three Jackson based accounting firms combined last year with Springfield, Mo. based BKD, one of the 10 largest CPA and advisory firms in the United States. BKD managing partner Neal D. Spencer Smith, Turner & Reeves, P.A. (ST&R); Johnson,...

Toyota to make payments.(Strictly Business)
January 12, 2009... BLUE SPRINGS--The news that Toyota would delay the opening of its automobile assembly plant under construction at Blue Springs jolted North Mississippi and the entire state. One point of concern is the millions the state and local governments...

ProVia buys idled facilities.(Strictly Business)(ProVia Door)(Heartland Building Products Inc.)(Brief article)
January 12, 2009... AROUND MISSISSIPPI -- ProVia Door has purchased the assets of Heartland Building Products (HBP) in Booneville as well as two separate manufacturing facilities, Infinite Building Products in Olive Branch and Outdoor Technologies in Macon. Terms...

Jackson Convention Complex, to open with fanfare.(Strictly Business)(Jackson Convention Complex )(Brief article)
January 12, 2009... The highly anticipated opening of the new Jackson Convention Complex is finally at hand. After years of planning and construction, the Capital City is getting a large, state-of-the-art meeting facility that supporters say the city desperately...

State Tax Commission.(People to Watch)(Brief article)
January 12, 2009... Gov. Haley Barbour announced the appointment of former State Sen. J. Ed Morgan as Commissioner of Revenue and Chairman of the State Tax Commission, effective Jan. 1, 2009. Morgan was appointed to fill the unexpired term of chairman Joe Blount,...

Watkins Ludlam Winter & Stennis.(People to Watch)(Keith W. Turner appointed as shareholder)(Brief article)
January 12, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Watkins Ludlam Winter & Stennis is pleased to announce that Keith W. Turner has been named shareholder. Turner is a graduate of Boston University (B.A., 1981) and Mississippi College School of Law (J.D., 1998). Prior...

Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership.(People to Watch)(Jason Lezak)(Brief article)
January 12, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Jason Lezak, who anchored the historic gold-winning 4x100m U.S. men's medley relay team in a come-from-behind victory over the French, will be the speaker for the Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership's Annual Meeting...

NASA John C. Stennis Space Center.(People to Watch)
January 12, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] NASA has named Patrick Scheuermann as the deputy director of NASA's John C. Stennis Space Center. Stennis, located in Southwest Mississippi, is NASA's primary testing ground for rocket engines and propulsion systems....

Congress.(People to Watch)(Brief article)
January 12, 2009... Mississippi's Third Congressional District Representative Gregg Harper took the oath of office on his first day as a member of the 111th Congress. "Today, I signed a verbal contract to serve the interests and concerns of each individual in...

BancorpSouth.(People to Watch)
January 12, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Bailey Chandler has joined BancorpSouth as vice president of business banking of the new Colony Park Office. He brings 18 years of experience in banking and finance. Chandler is a native of Jackson and is...