The Mississippi Business Journal articles from May 2003

The Mississippi Business Journal archives from May 2003

Brantley's business offers big-league protection.(Jeff Brantley, ACE Security Laminates offers safety glass)
May 5, 2003... JACKSON -- Imagine seeing a ball thrown by former Major League Baseball pitcher Jeff Brantley coming at you -- with nothing between you and the ball but a sheet of plate glass. But don't worry. If the glass is covered with one of the...

Building confidence. (Editorial).(Brief Article)(Editorial)
May 5, 2003... Many an economist has observed that the American economy has fundamentals which are sound. Solid. Primed. Indicators are that we have every reason to expect a recovery from this recent slump. The numbers are good, and the relatively quick...

Mess lingers from 'irrational exuberance'. (As I See It).
May 5, 2003... In 1996, Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan terrified investors when he used the term "irrational exuberance" to describe the frenzied rise in the stock market. Americans feared anything that might slow the economic miracle they...

Community development and the vision thing. (From the Ground Up).
May 5, 2003... Imagine that your town is dying. Only a few stores on Main Street are still open. The children leave when they graduate from high school, knowing that no future awaits them in the community. The largest employer has gone by the wayside. The...

Cleveland Board of Realtors. (People to Watch).(Libbi Logan elected president)(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... Libbi Logan has been elected president of the Cleveland Board of Realtors for the 2003-2004 term. Logan is currently a multi-million dollar sales associate with Lynn Pace Real Estate Inc. in Cleveland. She received her BBA in insurance and real...

Staple Cotton. (People to Watch).(Ben Lamensdorf has been appointed chairman-elect of the board of directors of Staple Cotton Cooperative Association and Staple Cotton Discount Corp.)(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... Ben Lamensdorf has been named chairman-elect of the board of directors of Staple Cotton Cooperative Association and Staple Cotton Discount Corporation A resident of Cary, Lamensdorf has been farming for 44 years. He operates three plantations,...

Jackson State University (JSU). (People to Watch).(adjunct professor Dr. Melvin I. Evans has been given the Presidential Award by the Southern District of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance)(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... Dr. Melvin I. Evans, adjunct professor in the department of health, physical education and recreation at JSU, was given the Presidential Award by the Southern District of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and...

FARA. (People to Watch).(Pam Hale and Caty Suthoff have been appointed supervisors of claims operations in the Pascagoula branch office)(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... Pam Hale and Caty Suthoff have been named supervisors of claims operations in the Pascagoula branch office of Mandeville, La.-based FARA. Hale joined FARA in 1990 as a claims adjuster in the Pascagoula branch office. She holds a bachelor's...

Mississippi State University. (People to Watch).(honores U.S. District Court Judge William Alsup with its Distinguished Jurist Award)(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... U.S. District Court Judge William Alsup, a Jackson native, was recently honored as the recipient of MSU's Distinguished Jurist Award. Alsup has served since 1999 on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California in San...

Horne CPA Group. (People to Watch).(shareholder Robert Alexander has received his designation as an Accredited Senior Appraiser)(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... Robert Alexander of Jackson, a shareholder in Horne CPA Group's business valuation and litigation services group, recently received his designation as an Accredited Senior Appraiser (ASA) from the American Society of Appraisers. Before joining...

Hancock Bank. (People to Watch).(7 employees promoted to assistant vice president)(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... Seven Hancock Bank employees were recently promoted to assistant vice president. Barry Brueck is an underwriter in the central underwriting department. He joined Hancock over four years ago and has over 14 years of financial services...

MMA Workers' Compensation Group sets record with $16-million mark. (Strictly Business).(Mississippi Manufacturers Association Workers' of Compensation Group)(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... JACKSON -- The Mississippi Manufacturers Association Workers' of Compensation Group (MMAWCG) set a new record for annualized billed premiums in excess of $16 million, according co to MMAWCG director Foster Welburn. on The old record -- $15.8...

Counties declared disaster areas. (Strictly Business).(28 counties in Mississippi declared disaster areas due to severe storms)(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... ACROSS MISSISSIPPI -- Workers in 28 counties who were unable to work due to severe storms, tornadoes and flooding in April may apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA), according to the Mississippi Employment Security Commission (MESC)....

Black mayors choose STRCPA. (Strictly Business).(Small Town and Rural Communities Planning Associates Inc.)(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... JACKSON -- The National Conference of Black Mayors (NCBM) has selected Small Town and Rural Communities Planning Associates Inc. (STRCPA) as a consultant to carry out a housing survey on behalf of NCBM's membership in Mississippi. Fannie Mae...

Microtek Medical hires KPMG. (Strictly Business).(as its independent auditor)(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... COLUMBUS -- Microtek Medical Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: MTMD) has named KPMG, LLP, as its independent auditor for 2003. KPMG replaces Deloitte & Touche, LLP, which had served as the company's independent auditor since 1987. The audit committee...

Select Connect deploys switch. (Strictly Business).(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... TUPELO -- According to Taqua Inc., a provider of voice switching technologies, Select Connect has deployed, its OCX Class 5 switch. Deployment of the OCX will enable Select Connect to become a facilities-based carrier, and is also the enabling...

Unemployment dropped in February. (Strictly Business).(Mississippi)(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... ACROSS MISSISSIPPI -- Mississippi's economy improved in February, according to the Mississippi Employment Security Commission (MESC), as the unemployment rate dropped a percentage point in February from January's rate and better than the...

Women's Hospital expanding/renovating. (Strictly Business).(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... TUPELO -- North Mississippi Medical Center's (NMMC's) has begun the expansion and renovation of its Women's Hospital. The cost of the project was not disclosed. The project involves expansion on three sides, extensive renovation and the...

Carothers wins contracts. (Strictly Business).(Carothers Construction Inc.)(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... WATER VALLEY -- Carothers Construction Inc. has been awarded the contract to construct the new Cardiovascular Institute of the South-!Houma Medical Practice Facility in Houma, La. The cost of construction is $8 million. The two-story,...

Arizona Chemical signs agreement. (Strictly Business).(with Air Liquide America L.P.)(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... PICAYUNE -- Air Liquide America, L.P., and Jacksonville, Fla.-based Arizona Chemical Company, a division of International Paper, have reached an agreement under which Air Liquide will supply high-purity nitrogen to Arizona Chemical's plants in...

Camera coverage allowed in courtrooms. (Strictly Business).(according to Mississippi Supreme Court ruling)
May 5, 2003... ACROSS MISSISSIPPI -- The Mississippi Supreme Court has adopted rules that permit broadcast and still camera coverage of trial and appellate court proceedings. However, there are some restrictions. The Mississippi Rules for Electronic and...

Corporate support vital for Mississippi Museum of Art, director says: MMA celebrating centennial this year.
May 5, 2003... JACKSON -- Many people across the state are familiar with the Mississippi Museum of Art (MMA) for its permanent collection of almost 4,000 works of art, its 15 to 20 exhibitions a year and its centennial celebration during 2003. Every...

Kohler building John Deere engine. (Strictly Business).(Kohler Engines, John Deere Power Products)(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... HATTIESBURG -- John Deere Power Products has selected Kohler Engines as a supplier for its new L-100 Series riding mowers. Terms were not disclosed. The Hattiesburg plant will manufacture the Kohier Command 17.5-horsepower engine, which...

Study finds educational attainment up. (Strictly Business).(in Mississippi)(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... ACROSS MISSISSIPPI -- Mississippi is making progress on educational attainment, particularly with high school and college graduation. That is the finding of a new report published by the publication Postsecondary Education Opportunity. The...

Court approves purchase of National Steel. (Strictly Business).(by United States Steel Corp.)(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... HINDS COUNTY -- The U.S. Bankruptcy Court has approved United State Steel Corp.'s purchase of National Steel Corporation's integrated steel assets, which includes Double G Coatings, LP. Under terms of the agreement, U.S. Steel would...

Researchers working on anti-terrorism. (Strictly Business).(Mississippi State University and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... STARKVILLE -- Researchers at Mississippi State University (MSU) are working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to develop a computer-friendly guide aimed at protecting U.S. military installations around the world from threats of terrorism....

County's retail sales grew. (Strictly Business).(Harrison County, Mississippi)(Brief Article)
May 5, 2003... HARRISON COUNTY -- According to the Harrison County Development Commission (HCDC), Harrison County's retail sales for the first quarter of 2003 were above 2002 levels. HCDC said the county posted better sales receipts despite an anemic national...

Dogwood Festival Market turns one year old: big plans in store for state's first 'lifestyle shopping center'.
May 5, 2003... FLOWOOD -- With 33 retailers at the 304,000-square-foot Dogwood Festival Market, the lifestyle shopping center is by no means the largest shopping center in Mississippi. Northpark Mall, with approximately 958,000 square feet has 120 retailers,...

Parkway one of top performing REITs in the country.(Parkway Properties Inc.)(Company Profile)
May 5, 2003... JACKSON -- The origins of the real estate investment trust, or REIT, date back to the 1880s, and since that time the popularity of REITs among investors has increased tremendously. Today, there are more than 300 publicly traded REITs...

Small business myths often entice the unwary.
May 5, 2003... "I want to be my own boss. I am tired of making money for other people." "I want to set my own hours and work when I want." "After opening my business, I will hire employees to do all the work." LONG BEACH -- Those optimistic...

Cars, trucks, SUVs: so many vehicles, so little time. (Focus Auto).
May 5, 2003... Actor, environmental activist and California native Ed Begley Jr., best known for his role as Dr. Victor Ehrlich on "St. Elsewhere," may drive an electric car, ride a bicycle or take mass transit to get around, but for many Mississippians, the...

Tupelo museum a big draw for auto enthusiasts. (Focus Auto).(Tupelo Automobile Museum )
May 5, 2003... TUPELO -- Automobiles are more than just a way to get around. The American love affair with cars has been going on for more than a century now, and the new Tupelo Automobile Museum showcases some of the most popular models that have found a...

Expert suggests oil and gas prices to drop over spring, summer: having Iraqi, Venezuelan oil on market at full capacity will determine price, expert says. (Focus Auto).
May 5, 2003... Watching gas prices rise certainly hasn't been much fun for consumers, but now that prices seem to be falling again people have become a little less fearful of the upcoming summer driving months. But even with the war in Iraq now in the...

Into the great wide open with a fridge, couch and TV. (Focus Auto).
May 5, 2003... There are 1,570 campsites for recreational vehicles throughout Mississippi's 28 state parks, and with the growing number of Mississippians who now own RVs that's a good thing. In fact, according to Hans Billger, public relations manager for...

Incentives high, interest rates low, war over, spring here: business is starting to pick up for many dealers. (Focus Auto).(car dealers)
May 5, 2003... The incentives are high. Interest rates are low. The war is over. And the springtime is here, which is always good. That's how Stan Crawford, general sales manager of Champion Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge in Gulfport, sums up the current car-selling...

DVD, satellite radio hot trends in auto accessories. (Focus Auto).
May 5, 2003... One of the biggest trends in automobile accessories is installing DVDs for mobile entertainment. DVDs are particularly popular with owners of SUVs and minivans, says Bob Labarre, owner of Sound Circuit in Vicksburg. "In car electronics,...

Leading automobile dealerships.(Mississippi)(Directory)(Illustration)
May 5, 2003... Leading Automobile Dealerships Name, Year Founded Top Local Officer Address E-mail Phone/Fax Number No. of MS Makes Sold Web Site Employees...

Southern Tire Sales among top 25 Goodyear dealers in Southeast: Goodyear execs to visit Pearl-based tire dealership. (Focus Auto).
May 5, 2003... PEARL -- Southern Tire Sales (STS) has come a long way in its five-year history. STS is an independent Goodyear commercial tire dealer with locations in Pearl, Meridian, Columbia, Tupelo and a point-of-sale in Monroe, La. The business was...

Slay expanding, making move. (Focus Auto).(Horace Slay Auto Sales)(Company Profile)
May 5, 2003... JACKSON -- When you've been in one place doing business for as long a time as Horace Slay Auto Sales has, any kind of move is disconcerting -- even if it's just across the street, according to Horace Scott "Scotty" Slay. "We've been on...

Key person insurance a critical issue for many companies. (Portfolio).
May 5, 2003... Every business has at least one employee who is key to the success of the business. Maybe one person built your business or it is run by a team of highly-skilled executives. Whether it's the owner, a partner, a majority stockholder or an...

Corn endures spring challenges.
May 5, 2003... MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Spring storms have dampened corn growers' fields, but not their hopes for the 2003 crop. While heavy rains are not unusual during planting season, some growers had to evaluate replanting decisions to make sure whatever...

Disability rate tied to poverty, low educational achievement.(employment disability leader)
May 12, 2003... Bad health, lack of education and poverty go hand in hand. Low education levels and poverty are two of the primary reasons why Mississippi leads the country in employment disability, tying with Nevada with a rate of 14.4% employment disability...

Attendance doubles at tech forum.(annual technology forum)
May 12, 2003... CHOCTAW -- More than twice the number of people attended the second annual technology forum held April 28-29 at the Pearl River Resort in Choctaw, co-sponsored by the Mississippi Technology Alliance. "We didn't expect so many, but we were...

Time again for honoring Mississippi's Fast 40.(top privately-held companies in Mississippi)
May 12, 2003... Every two years the Mississippi Business Journal and our corporate partners seek out 40 successful privately held companies in Mississippi for recognition. Last held in 2001, the Fast 40 program recognizes the achievements of 40 fast growing...

Construction Image Printing, LLC going strong: company looking for repeat business -- not one-time deals.(printing services firm)
May 12, 2003... JACKSON -- For a business that's just four and a half weeks old, business at Construction Image Printing, LLC (CIP) in Jackson is good. CIP provides such printing services as digital bond reproduction, AUTO-CAD processing, reductions and...

Inappropriate offenses. (Editorial).(University of Alabama head coach Mike Price fired)(Brief Article)
May 12, 2003... Man must cease attributing his problems to his environment, and learn again to exercise his will -- his personal responsibility. Albert Schweitzer (1875-1965) Last week's rather swift termination of University of Alabama head...

Time to think about working out those lobes. (As I See It).(University of California at Los Angeles' memory-training course)
May 12, 2003... A recent article in The Wall Street Journal ("Lobes of Steel: Giving Your Memory a Workout," April 29, 2003) captured my attention. The gist of the story: we can improve our mental acuity by doing exercises, similar to doing pushups to...

Don't miss out on springtime driving fun. (Great Expectations).(modern day stock car racing)
May 12, 2003... I've been thinking about cars. It's spring, and that means the weather is perfect for rolling down the windows or putting the top down on whatever you drive. Automobiles changed society when they became mass produced and affordable to the...

Michael Baker Jr. Inc. (People to Watch).(James H. Kopf, new operations manager )(Brief Article)
May 12, 2003... James H. Kopf, P.E., P.L.S., has been named operations manager of Michael Baker Jr. Inc.'s Jackson office. Kopf recently joined Baker after spending more than 34 years with the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT). A registered...

Duncan M. Gray Episcopal Camp and Conference Center. (People to Watch).(William E. "Bill" Horne Jr., new executive director)(Brief Article)
May 12, 2003... The search committee for the Duncan M. Gray Episcopal Camp and Conference Center, located near Canton, has announced the acceptance of William E. "Bill" Horne Jr. as the executive director, effective May 1. Home, a native of Birmingham, Ala.,...

Baker, Donelson, Bearman & Caldwell. (People to Watch).(Frederick N. Salvo III and C. Stephen Stack Jr. hired as associates)(Brief Article)
May 12, 2003... Frederick N. Salvo III and C. Stephen Stack Jr. have joined the Jackson office of Baker, Donelson, Bearman & Caldwell as associates. Salvo clerked under Chief United States Magistrate Judge John M. Roper Sr. from 2001 to 2002. He received his...

ExamOne. (People to Watch).(Sales Representative of the Year)(Brief Article)
May 12, 2003... Deanna Palin with the Mississippi ExamOne office is the Sales Representative of the Year for 2002. The award is the most prestigious award given annually to one sales representative in each region.

AmSouth. (People to Watch).(Candi Johnson, new vice president)(Brief Article)
May 12, 2003... Candi Johnson has been named vice president, group sales manager, at AmSouth Bank in Jackson. Johnson has been with AmSouth for more than seven years and most recently served as branch manager for the bank's Northpark Mall branch. She received...

Stewart Sneed Hewes/BancorpSouth Insurance. (People to Watch).(Jeff Carter, new president )(Brief Article)
May 12, 2003... Vice president Jeff Carter has been elected as president of the Sentry Agents Council, the advisory board of the transportation division of Sentry Insurance Co. Headquartered in Stevens Point, Wisc., Sentry Insurance is one of the nation's...

Hattiesburg Clinic. (People to Watch).(certification in advanced diabetes management)(Brief Article)
May 12, 2003... Donna G. Cobb, certified family nurse practitioner in Hattiesburg Clinic's. endocrinology department, has obtained certification in advanced diabetes management. Cobb is the third nurse practitioner in the State of Mississippi to receive this...

BancorpSouth buying La.'s oldest independent insurer. (Strictly Business).(Louisiana's largest independent insurance agency sold)(Brief Article)
May 12, 2003... TUPELO -- BancorpSouth Inc. (NYSE: BXS) has reached an agreement in principle to acquire certain assets of Baton Rouge, La.-based WMS, LLC, which operates under the name Wright & Percy Insurance. Terms were not disclosed. According to...

National Trust names Natchez to top 12. (Strictly Business).(America's "Dozen Distinct Destinations")(Brief Article)
May 12, 2003... NATCHEZ -- The National Trust for Historic Preservation has named the City of Natchez to its 2003 list of America's "Dozen Distinct Destinations." The list is produced annually of "unique and lovingly preserved communities in the United...

Raytheon lands F-15 work. (Strictly Business).($14.91 mn F-15 fighter aircraft-related materials contract)(Brief Article)
May 12, 2003... FOREST -- The U.S. Air Force has awarded a contract to McDonnell Douglas Corporation, a Boeing company, for approximately $14.91 million in F-15 fighter aircraft-related materials. And Raytheon Systems Company will carry out a third of that...

Dana to supply Nissan. (Strictly Business).(front axle assemblies and driveshafts contract)(Brief Article)
May 12, 2003... CANTON -- Dana Corporation of Toledo, Ohio, will provide front axle assemblies and driveshafts for Nissan's new 2004 Pathfinder Armada SUV, which debuted recently at the 2003 New York Auto Show. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. As on...

Isle of Capri acquires Colorado casinos. (Strictly Business).($84 mn casino merger)(Brief Article)
May 12, 2003... BILOXI -- Isle of Capri Black Hawk, LLC, a joint venture between Isle of Capri Casinos Inc. (NASDAQ: ISLE) and Nevada Gold & Casinos Inc. (AMEX: UWN), has completed the acquisition of Colorado Central Station Casino and Colorado Grande Casino...

Yorozu in operation. (Strictly Business).(Yorozu Automotive Mississippi Inc. opens facility)(Brief Article)
May 12, 2003... VICKSBURG -- Yorozu Automotive Mississippi Inc., a tier one supplier to the Nissan North America Inc. plant under construction in Canton, is officially open for production. A grand opening and dinner was held May 1 to commemorate the plant's...

Hilcorp selling Tallahala Creek field. (Strictly Business).(Hilcorp Energy to sell non-core producing properties )(Brief Article)
May 12, 2003... SMITH COUNTY -- Hilcorp Energy Company of Houston, Texas, acting through its partnership entity, Hilcorp Energy I, L.P., plans to sell certain non-core producing properties in, Central Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas. The Tallahala Creek...

Musgrove asks for more assistance. (Strictly Business).(Gov. Ronnie Musgrove seeks federal disaster assistance)(Brief Article)
May 12, 2003... JACKSON -- Gov. Ronnie Musgrove has requested federal assistance for recovery from damages suffered as a result of storms that hit Central Mississippi April 24, 2003. Federal disaster assistance had already been asked for and granted for damage...

Credit union opens first high-tech branch. (Strictly Business).(Jackson VA Federal Credit Union opens high tech branch )(Brief Article)
May 12, 2003... BRANDON -- The Jackson VA Federal Credit Union recently opened a new branch that it says is one-of-a-kind in Mississippi. According to the credit union, its new. 2,500-square-foot office in Brandon is the first to offer remote teller stations...

May & Company unveils new site. (Strictly Business).(celebration of 50th anniversary)(Brief Article)
May 12, 2003... JACKSON -- May & Company Inc., a supplier of appliance parts and repair services, recently unveiled its new Web site at www.mayxco.com. The company's move to market their products and services on the Internet coincides with the celebration of...

Yates Companies awards scholarships. (Strictly Business).(Yates Companies' scholarship committee chooses 16)(Brief Article)
May 12, 2003... PHILADELPHIA -- The Yates Companies Inc. has awarded $4,000 Yates Companies Scholarships to 16 graduating seniors to be used in their first two years of college. The 16 students were selected by a scholarship committee at Yates with selection...

Entergy, MEAM continue partnership. (Strictly Business).(Entergy Mississippi, Municipal Energy Agency of Mississippi sign agreement )(Brief Article)
May 12, 2003... JACKSON -- Entergy Mississippi and the Municipal Energy Agency of Mississippi (MEAM) have signed an agreement that extends and enhances their partnership through 2008. MEAM members include Greenwood, Leland, Kosciusko, Canton, Durant and Itta...

USAg Recycling, Nichols Propeller get facilities. (Strictly Business).(USAg Recycling Inc.'s new 3,750-square-foot warehouse)
May 12, 2003... GREENVILLE -- According to commercial real estate broker Mal Kretschmar, USAg Recycling Inc. has leased a 3,750-square-foot warehouse on U.S. 1 North. The Waller, Texas-based firm is expected to begin operations there "shortly." Kretschmar said...

Facilities top $1.3B. (Strictly Business).(estimated capital investment)(Brief Article)
May 12, 2003... ACROSS MISSISSIPPI -- The estimated capital investment in new and expanded facilities so far in 2003 is approximately $1.368 billion, according to the Mississippi Development Authority's "Summary of New and Expanded Facilities Announced in...

Phillips Edison buys shopping complex. (Strictly Business).(Phillips Edison, Aegis Realty Inc. merger)(Brief Article)
May 12, 2003... SOUTHAVEN -- Phillips Edison & Company of Baltimore has completed its merger with Aegis Realty Inc. and the acquisition of the Aegis portfolio. The portfolio contains 27 grocery-anchored shopping centers totaling 3.1 million square feet. Terms...

Pharmacists: mail-order drug plans bad for patients -- and the state's economy.(Mississippi Medicaid offers prescriptions by mail order)
May 12, 2003... The Mississippi Medicaid office recently began offering a program where patients can opt to receive their prescriptions by mail order. Medicaid estimates that the move could save a significant amount of money depending on how many people opt...

Foundation unveils Lifesaver Campaign for Law Enforcement. (Health Care).(diabetics thought under the influence of alcohol)
May 12, 2003... Imagine getting into your car, driving a 10-mile stretch and not remembering eight of those 10 miles or even the route you took to get to your destination. That's what happened to Regina Meadors, a Byram resident and victim assistance...

Body donations important to future doctors, other medical staff: 110-130 bodies donated to program each year. (Health Care).(cadavers needed for medical school students )
May 12, 2003... JACKSON -- No one would want to go to a mechanic who'd never worked on a car, so why would anyone want to go to a doctor who'd never worked on a human being? That's the analogy Dr. Norman 'Tony" Moore uses to help people understand why...

Hospitals building with patients' convenience in mind: Earl Swensson behind many hospital designs. (Health Care).(consolidating health care services)
May 12, 2003... If we build it, will they come? For hospitals, that may depend on how patient-friendly the facility is compared to what the competition has to offer. "Now you have to keep the needs of patients in mind when you build," said Jim Ainsworth...

Mississippi Health Partners grows fast in first decade. (Health Care).(managed care organization finds niche)
May 12, 2003... JACKSON -- The past decade has seen dramatic changes in the health care market, particularly in the area of managed care. Mississippi Health Partners (MHP), a managed care organization, has found a niche in the marketplace, growing from...

Amy discusses budget, bioterrorism preparedness, trauma system. (Q&A).(Mississippi's state health officer)
May 12, 2003... Last Halloween, Gov. Ronnie Musgrove formally appointed Louisiana native Brian Amy, M.D., MHA, MPH, as Mississippi's full-time state health officer. Before moving to Mississippi, Amy (pronounced "Ah-mee") was the associate medical director...

Forrest General Hospital facing many changes: new technology, new services, new construction at Hattiesburg facility. (Health Care).(Forrest General Hospital, Level 2 trauma center)
May 12, 2003... HATTIESBURG -- It was big news last year when Forrest General Hospital (FGH) became a Level 2 trauma center -- the only Level 2 trauma center in that part of the state. But that hasn't been the only big news for FGH in the past couple of...

Leflore Rehabilitation receives accreditation. (Health Care).(Leflore County has high rate of diabetes, heart disease in Mississippi)
May 12, 2003... GREENWOOD -- Leflore County has one of the highest rates of diabetes, heart disease and hypertension in the State of Mississippi, which results in amputations, strokes and other disabling conditions for many patients. Many of these people...

Mississippi reacts: SARS not resulting in decline in trade. (Health Care).(Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome hurts business travel)
May 12, 2003... Since the events of Sept. 11, 2001, the continued downturn of the economy, the recent war in Iraq, and now Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, or SARS, there has been a decline in a number of Mississippi companies willing to travel overseas. ...

Hospitals.(Brief Article)
May 12, 2003... Hospitals Hospital, Year Address Established Phone/Fax Mississippi State P.O. Box 157-A, Hospital, 1855 Whitfield, MS 39193 ...

New museum, parks, gardens to enhance Vicksburg waterfront.(redeveloping downtown )
May 12, 2003... VICKSBURG -- A few years ago one of the biggest barriers to redeveloping downtown here was a lack of faith. Today, upper level apartments are becoming very popular, a new $12-million river museum is being constructed; and the city is investing...

Micro-Enterprise to help rural development by boosting business.(Mississippi provides assistance to industrial developments)
May 12, 2003... Economic development, quite simply, is more difficult in the rural areas of Mississippi. "The State of Mississippi provides assistance to attract large industrial developments like Nissan to urban areas," said Robert L. Jackson, CEO,...

Newest MGC member bringing fresh ideas to the table.(Mississippi Gaming Commission's Howard Sanders )
May 12, 2003... The newest member of the Mississippi Gaming Commission (MGC), retired school superintendent Howard Sanders of Hollandale, has two issues on the top of his agenda. One is providing more protection from storms for state casinos --particularly...

Sell-out crowd anticipated for MEC's annual meeting.(Mississippi Economic Council)
May 19, 2003... A fourth consecutive sell-out crowd is anticipated for the Mississippi Economic Council's 54th-annual meeting luncheon at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in downtown Jackson on May 21, where Amory native and world renowned talent scout Sam Haskell III...