The Mississippi Business Journal articles from November 2006

The Mississippi Business Journal archives from November 2006

Simulife recognized with export achievement award.
November 6, 2006... State businesses that are reaching out to the world through exporting were recognized by Gov. Haley Barbour and the Mississippi District Export Council in a recent awards ceremony. The governor presented the U.S. Commerce Department's...

Real estate fads burning out as market changes.(As I See It)
November 6, 2006... When I was a youngster, Davy Crockett was the craze in toys for youngsters. I had a coonskin cap and plastic shoulder bag and felt like a real frontiersman. Imagine my dismay when a lady at the drugstore said that Daniel Boone would replace old...

November 7: biggest test yet of the Rove system?(Karl Rove)
November 6, 2006... Shortly after the decisive Republican victory in the 2004 Presidential election, expert campaign strategist Karl Rove was quoted in a number of news stories as desiring to establish a 40-year reign for the Republican Party. This would be an...

Missing point of corporate governance.(Musings)
November 6, 2006... Within weeks of that famous drive Bernie Ebbers made to a federal prison in Louisiana, I attended a conference in Salt Lake City, where the keynote speaker was Dr. Stewart Myers, expert on corporate governance. Corporate governance is the...

Watkins, Ward and Stafford, PLLC, CPAs.(People to Watch)
November 6, 2006... Watkins, Ward and Stafford, PLLC, Certified Public Accountants (WWS), with offices in Carthage, Columbus, Eupora, Louisville, Macon, Okolona, Philadelphia, Starkville and West Point recently re-appointed James Lee Stafford as the firm's...

Eubank & Betts, PLLC.(People to Watch)(appointment of Stephanie C. Palmertree)(Brief article)
November 6, 2006... Stephanie C. Palmertree, CPA, has joined the firm of Eubank & Betts, PLLC, as a senior accountant and consultant. Palmertree is a graduate of Mississippi College where she received a B.S.B.A. with honors in accounting. She received a masters of...

Mississippi College.(People to Watch)(appointment of Tina Williamson )(Brief article)
November 6, 2006... Tina Williamson has been named director of annual giving and alumni relations at Mississippi College School of Law in Jackson. Williamson is a 2004 graduate of the law school and received her bachelor of art degree in psychology and Biblical...

Wesley Medical Center.(People to Watch)
November 6, 2006... Denise Hurst Farrington has been named director of physician practices for Wesley Medical Center in Hattiesburg. Prior to this position, Farrington served as director of Children's Hospital Medical Practice Corporation (CHMPC) in New Orleans....

Cadence Bank.(People to Watch)
November 6, 2006... Larry Cantrell has joined Cadence Bank's trust and financial management division in Columbus as senior vice president and trust officer. in his new position, he will have business development responsibilities in addition to overseeing personal...

Vector Money Management Inc.(People to Watch)(appointment of Joseph "Joey" D. Delaski )(Brief article)
November 6, 2006... Joseph "Joey" D. Delaski has joined Vector Money Management Inc. of Jackson as chief operating officer. Prior to joining Vector, he worked as a clinical research coordinator in the University of Mississippi Medical Center's Department of...

ACCO Brands breaks ground on Booneville expansion project.(Strictly Business)
November 6, 2006... BONNEVILLE -- On October 30, ACCO Brands Corporation broke ground for its 570,000-square-foot expansion at the company's facility in this North Mississippi city, an expansion that will add more than 300 new jobs and enhance efficiencies. ...

Entergy Mississippi celebrates Old Capitol Green hand-off to developer.(Strictly Business)
November 6, 2006... JACKSON -- Carlton Brown of Full Spectrum NY has been named developer of Old Capitol Green. Brown will oversee related projects that fall within the 16 blocks designated for development in downtown Jackson. Entergy Corporation and a host...

Bally shopping Rainbow to buyers.(Strictly Business)(contracts of Bally Technologies Inc. and Credit Suisse Securities (USA))(Brief article)
November 6, 2006... VICKSBURG -- Bally Technologies Inc. has engaged Credit Suisse Securities (USA), LLC, to evaluate the potential sale of Rainbow Casino. Richard Haddrill, Bally Technologies CEO, said, "With the positive acceptance of our new slot technology...

Hudson Capital achieves milestone.(Strictly Business)
November 6, 2006... RIDGELAND -- Hudson Capital Partners, LLC, a national firm specializing in retail and fixed asset dispositions, has completed more than $1 billion in asset dispositions in its first two years in business. And, the company said it expects a...

CCRE selects plant site.(Strictly Business)
November 6, 2006... CLARKSDALE -- Coahoma County Renewable Energy, LLC, (CCRE) has selected a site in this Mississippi Delta city for a 100-million-gallon-a-year fuel-grade ethanol plant. CCRE has secured approximately 100 acres located in and adjacent to the...

Citizens moving to NASDAQ.(Strictly Business)
November 6, 2006... PHILADELPHIA -- The board of directors of Citizens Holding Company has unanimously approved a resolution to withdraw the listing of the company's common stock from the American Stock Exchange and to list it on the NASDAQ Global Market. The...

Fed Reserve approves Region-AmSouth merger.(Strictly Business)
November 6, 2006... BIRMINGHAM, ALA. -- The Federal Reserve has approved the merger application of Regions Financial Corporation and AmSouth Bancorporation. "We are pleased we have received the key regulatory approvals required for this merger and expect to...

Catfish Institute wants controls on fish imports.(Strictly Business)
November 6, 2006... JACKSON -- In an October 13 letter to House Ways and Means Committee chairman Bill Thomas (R- Calif.) and the committee's ranking Democrat Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.), the Catfish Institute lobbied Congress to take steps to insure that imported...

$2-billion milestone hit.(Strictly Business )(growth of Community Bancshares of Mississippi Inc.)(Brief article)
November 6, 2006... BRANDON -- Community Bancshares Inc., the holding company for Community Banks, reached a new milestone September 30. The holding company surpassed $2 billion in assets. According to Community Bancshares, parent of Community Banks, it is now the...

Nissan launches 2007 Altima production at Canton facility.(Strictly Business)
November 6, 2006... CANTON -- Nissan North America's plant in this Central Mississippi city has begun production of the Nissan Altima. On October 30, manufacturing vice president Dave Boyer presented an oversized key to local dealers manager Harold Goertz at a...

D&PL results mixed.(Strictly Business)(earnings of Delta and Pine Land Co.)
November 6, 2006... SCOTT -- Delta and Pine Land Company (D&PL), during the fourth quarter, recorded net sales of $6.2 million, a decrease from 2005 fourth quarter net sales of $25.5 million. After charges of $0.28 per diluted share related to the write-off...

ITS planning underway.(Strictly Business)( intelligent transportation system )
November 6, 2006... MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST -- The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) recently held a stakeholder meeting to begin development of an integrated intelligent transportation system (ITS) for the Gulf Coast. ITS combines computer and...

Growth for BancorpSouth.(Strictly Business)
November 6, 2006... TUPELO -- BancorpSouth Inc. has released the financial results for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2006. Highlights of the quarter included growth in earnings per diluted share to $0.38, an increase of 31% from the...

Harrah's posts record.(Strictly Business)
November 6, 2006... TUNICA AND BILOXI -- Harrah's Entertainment Inc. saw revenues rise 11% to a third-quarter record $2.5 billion, and property EBITDA climb to a third-quarter record $685 million. The Louisiana/Mississippi Region posted a 15% gain in revenues...

Summit returning to Coast.(Strictly Business)
November 6, 2006... BILOXI -- The Southern Gaming Summit is returning to the Mississippi Gulf Coast next May, marking a significant milestone in the recovery and rebirth of the Gulf Coast gaming market after Hurricane Katrina. The 14th-annual conference and...

Monmouth named 'sexy'.(Strictly Business)(Sexiest Hotels Inc.)(Brief article)
November 6, 2006... NATCHEZ -- Sexiest Hotels Inc. has included Monmouth Plantation in its "Second Annual 100 Sexiest Hotels In the World" list. Sexiest Hotels' panel of travel experts selected Monmouth after reviewing more than 1,000 properties. "It truly is...

Cochran Center dedicated.(Strictly Business)(Thad Cochran honored)(Brief article)
November 6, 2006... HATTIESBURG -- On October 28, the University of Southern Mississippi honored U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) when it dedicated the recently completed Thad Cochran Center on the university's Hattiesburg campus. "It is both gratifying that...

After tough journey, Morrow tastes success with Del Sol.(Dowden Morrow)(Biography)
November 6, 2006... JACKSON -- It was all early Wednesday morning, and the staff at Del Sol Fine Dining and Wine Bar was busily preparing to open the restaurant for another day. Chef/owner Dowden Morrow sat in the darkened bar, sipping coffee, wearing a t-shirt,...

At last, estate planning can be as simple as 1, 2, 3.
November 6, 2006... FLOWOOD -- Should estate planning be simple and for everyone, regardless of income and assets? A metro area law firm answers a resounding "yes" and has started a program to make estate planning as easy as 1, 2, 3. In the development stage for...

Greater Belhaven Market spurs retail growth in neighborhood.
November 6, 2006... JACKSON -- A newly-painted lime green and purple cottage along the Fortification Street corridor that cuts a path through Jackson's Greater Belhaven neighborhood is drawing a lot of attention, but not for its funky colors or unusual name. ...

With opening, Bay Books has faith town will come back.(Book Business)
November 6, 2006... BAY ST. LOUIS -- Mississippi has a new bookstore added to its rich tapestry of independent bookstores. Bay Books opened a few weeks ago on Main Street in Old Town of Bay St. Louis. That's no small undertaking in this hurricane-ravaged area...

Shell Landing plans $1.27-billion, 10-year development.(Focus: Real Estate)
November 6, 2006... GAUTIER -- Azur Shell Landing Resort Inc. boasts one of the finest golf courses on the Coast. In fact, the Grand Shell Landing Golf Course designed by Davis Love was ranked by Golf Digest as one of America's Best New Courses of 2002. ...

MAR stays busy this time of year.(Focus: Real Estate)
November 6, 2006... JACKSON -- Things are busy at the Mississippi Association of Realtors (MAR). Staff and members are involved with the general election, preparing to promote issues to the 2007 Legislature, working to find housing solutions for the Gulf Coast,...

Even with all that training, Burton says listening best tool.(Focus: Real Estate)
November 6, 2006... RIDGELAND -- Susan Burton is one of those real estate professionals with an alphabet of letters after her name, indicating a high level of training and certification. She's a Realtor, ABR, CRS (Certified Residential Specialist) and GRI...

Agents: affordable coverage critical to commercial recovery.(Focus: Real Estate)
November 6, 2006... Lack of availability and affordability of insurance after Katrina is the single largest obstacle to the Coast's recovery, say commercial real estate agents on the Coast. "If we don't get George Dale to do his job, we won't have any...

Olde Towne Clinton home to mix of new development.(Focus: Real Estate)
November 6, 2006... CLINTON -- Until recent development activity started to take off, Olde Towne Clinton was limited business-wise. Property owners like Debbe Tillman have given new life to the historic area, which is a block from Mississippi College. Tillman...

Developer has 18 projects underway as part of area's rebirth.(Focus: Real Estate)(biography of Mike Boudreaux)(Biography)
November 6, 2006... BILOXI -- Ask busy developer Mike Boudreaux to describe a typical day and he laughs. That's because he is the president and chief executive officer of Gulf Coast Investment Developers (GCID) and currently involved with 18 projects. "It's...

Realtors Land Institute--Mississippi.(Directory)
November 6, 2006... Realtors Land Institute--Mississippi Name Firm/Affiliation Pete P. Alman Alman Realty & Associates Inc. Richard Noel Barrett Dean Land and Realty Mark S. Bounds ...

Sales soften, but residential market steady and growing.(Focus: Real Estate)
November 6, 2006... As residential real estate markets cool across the nation, how are real estate professionals and firms in Mississippi affected? In a state made up of diverse markets and needs, the Mississippi Association of Realtors (MAR) reports a softening...

Bubble? Slowdown? Pine Belt defies national trends.(Focus: Real Estate)
November 6, 2006... As one real estate agent put it, you would have to be on the Planet Zog to have not heard that there has been a slowdown in sales of new homes across the country. But the Pine Belt region, which is home to thousands of residents who fled...

Commercial realty opportunities abound in markets around state: the buzz: out-of state investors, GO Zone incentives, downtown Jackson.(Focus: Real Estate)
November 6, 2006... Two of the hottest trends in commercial real estate right now are investment property and. use of the Gulf Opportunity Zone to build new projects. Out-of-state investors are also coming into some of the state's key markets to invest. And,...

By all means, be willing to reinvent the wheel.(Adworks)
November 6, 2006... "Let's not reinvent the wheel" must be one of the most overused cliches in the business world. Probably followed closely by "We need to think outside of the box," which, interestingly enough is the opposite of not reinventing the wheel. I'm...

Despite drought, state's cotton produces near-average crop.
November 6, 2006... STARKVILLE -- There are always exceptions from one field to another, but Mississippi's cotton should produce near the five-year average despite the summer's drought, mostly because irrigated land boosted yields. Mississippi farmers will...

Mississippi Business events.(Calendar)
November 6, 2006... Tuesday, November 7 * The Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Mississippi will celebrate its: 70th anniversary at the home of Kelly and Brian Fenelon of Jackson. This year's event will also mark the first induction into the Boys & Girls Clubs of...

Tort reform: insurance rates fall, recruitment up.
November 6, 2006... Although it's only been around two years, tort reform legislation is making a difference in the medical and insurance communities. Medical insurance liability rates are falling and physician recruitment and retention are much easier. ...

If HSAs are a great idea, why aren't more people using them?
November 6, 2006... Health savings accounts (HSAs), which combine a tax-free savings account for medical expenses with a high-deductible health insurance plan, have significant tax advantages in addition to their potential to help reduce healthcare costs because...

AirCare at UMC still expanding service after a decade.(University of Mississippi Medical Center)
November 6, 2006... JACKSON--Donna Norris leaned into the speaker and listened as the AirCare helicopter radioed in its status. It was approximately 10 minutes outside of Cleveland in the middle-Delta, carrying one patient southbound for the University of...

Orgs turn attention to solving nursing faculty shortage.
November 6, 2006... Even with the crucial shortage of nurses, a staggering 2,300 students were turned away for the state's nursing schools for the last academic year. The primary reason is the lack of nursing faculty, a problem that could lead to a critical lack...

We spend the most money, but do we see the best results?
November 6, 2006... The news is enough to give you heartburn. Americans spend more on healthcare than any other country. But the U.S. lags behind when it comes to results. America's healthcare system is critically ill, says Dr. Helen R. Turner, associate vice...

State still ranks last in supply of physicians per capita.
November 6, 2006... There aren't enough doctors to go around. It has been that way for at least the past 50 years. And there are concerns the problem could get worse in the future. "We have the lowest per capita supply of physicians in the country," said Dr....

Physician shortage especially acute in rural areas of state.
November 6, 2006... It can be difficult enough to have an adequate supply of physicians in urban areas of the state where doctors have access to the latest technology at large hospitals. In rural areas, there simply aren't enough doctors to go around. "In...

Coast working to replace docs who left after Katrina.
November 6, 2006... A shortage of physicians isn't a problem limited to Mississippi. Physician availability is an issue across the country. But Mississippi remains last in the country when it comes to the number of doctors per capita. Generally urban areas...

Rural Medical Scholars: prescription for success.
November 6, 2006... STARKVILLE--There is a program in Mississippi helping high school students answer the question, "Do I want to be a doctor?" Rural Medical Scholars is a five-week summer program at Mississippi State University offered through the Mississippi...

Paint Southern Miss Pink.(baked goods sale to aid Cancer Society)(Brief article)
November 6, 2006... Paint Southern Miss Pink--In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October, nursing students at the University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast campus purchase baked goods at the Gulf Coast Student Service Center in Gulfport....

Cosmetic surgery helping many look as young as they feel.
November 6, 2006... Cosmetic or plastic surgery was once primarily the domain of movie stars. But today millions of Americans are undergoing cosmetic procedures that can range from face lifts to liposuction. "Twenty years ago cosmetic surgery was not...

Cosmetic/corrective surgery centers.
November 6, 2006... Cosmetic/Corrective Surgery Centers Name, Year Founded Number of Total Staff Address Phone/Fax Accent Plastic and Reconstructive 6 Surgery, 2005 ...

Making time for fitness can improve health, productivity.
November 6, 2006... Too busy to exercise? That excuse won't cut it with Joey Hans Edmonson, health and fitness coordinator at the Ocean Springs YMCA. "No time to exercise?" Edmonson asks. "That isn't an excuse. That is a cop out. "You don't have time not...

SeverCorr: on target for steel mill by third quarter 2007.
November 13, 2006... COLUMBUS -- It's a big plan: building an $880-million steel mill that, when complete in the third-quarter of 2007, will have the capacity to produce 1.5 million tons of steel a year for use in the automotive, building, agricultural, appliance...

Saddling up for a Texas Hill Country trail drive.(As I See It)
November 13, 2006... I probably write too much about the importance of getting away from the daily grind, but I believe it's very important and I don't think enough people do it. Many, if not most, of the happiest, most balanced people I know take time periodically...

Mortgage fraud cases on the rise in U.S.(From the Ground Up)
November 13, 2006... It was 30 years ago and I was a rookie investigator with the Mississippi Real Estate Commission when I received a call from a federal law enforcement officer who wanted to remain nameless and who wanted to talk about his real estate...

Thoughts scattershot post-election.(Across the Desk)(Editorial)
November 13, 2006... Running through my mind on the morning after one of the most interesting elections I've observed are three thoughts that are tied together by their controversial tendencies and a fairly simple--or is it?--question. Obviously, the Red vs....

BancorpSouth.(People to Watch)
November 13, 2006... Patricia Phillips has been promoted to assistant vice president of human resources for BancorpSouth in Laurel. Phillips has been with the company for 21 years where she has served as teller, loan secretary, branch officer and branch manager. A...

American Eurocopter.(People to Watch)(appointments)(Brief article)
November 13, 2006... American Eurocopter has named two new senior managers at the company's facility in Columbus. Bruce Riekels has been named senior director, facilities. He holds a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from Michigan Technological...

State Board for Community and Junior Colleges.(People to Watch)
November 13, 2006... The State Board for Community and Junior Colleges (SBCJC) has recently appointed two staff members within its division of workforce, career and technical education. Jason Carter of Clinton was selected as the director of grant activities, and...

Nicholson & Company, P.A.(People to Watch)(Brief article)
November 13, 2006... Joe C. Travis, CPA, of Nicholson & Company of Hattiesburg has achieved the Certified Forensic Accountant designation from the American College of Forensic Examiners International (ACFEI). The ACFEI recognizes experience and continuing education...

DAC.(People to Watch)
November 13, 2006... Southaven-based DAC, a regional fitness management company committed to community health and wellness, has added a new fitness coach and membership director to its staff. Charmaine Johnson was hired as a fitness coach, where she is responsible...

MDEQ director Charles Chisholm retiring.(People to Watch )(Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality)(retirement of Charles Chisolm )(Brief article)
November 13, 2006... Special to the Mississippi Business Journal JACKSON -- Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) executive director Charles Chisolm announced his retirement November 7. He has worked in Mississippi environmental protection...

Jackson State University.(People to Watch)(appointment of Tommiea P. Jackson)(Brief article)
November 13, 2006... Tommiea P. Jackson was recently promoted to manager of Jackson State University's Office of Public Relations. She has experience in both public relations and journalism. Jackson has a bachelor's degree in English from Rust College in Holly...

BankPlus.(People to Watch)(appointment of Doug McKinnon as senior vice president)(Brief article)
November 13, 2006... Doug McKinnon has joined BankPlus as senior vice president and chief appraiser. He has 30 years of banking and commercial real estate experience and is a 1976 graduate of the University of Mississippi. Prior to joining BankPlus, he was...

Butler Snow IT director tech leader.(People to Watch)(Stevens and Cannada PLLC)(Brief article)
November 13, 2006... Special to the Mississippi Business Journal JACKSON -- A London-based technology newsletter has named Ken Jones, director of IT at Buffer, Snow, O'Mara, Stevens & Cannada, PLLC, one of the Top 100 Global Tech Leaders. Citytech's Top 100...

HORNE makes milestone purchase of Arizona-based firm.(Strictly Business)
November 13, 2006... JACKSON -- HORNE LLP is acquiring Moran, Quick & Associates of Tucson, Ariz., marking the firm's first growth outside the Southeast. Terms were not disclosed. Effective November 1, Moran, Quick & Associates began operating as HORNE LLP,...

NYSE grants extension.(Strictly Business)
November 13, 2006... BALDWYN -- Hancock Fabrics Inc. has received a two-month extension for continued listing and trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). The extension, which is subject to review by the NYSE on an ongoing basis, provides the company...

NetworkStreaming visits Google with success story.(Strictly Business)(NetworkStreaming financial report)(Financial report)(Brief article)
November 13, 2006... RIDGELAND -- NetworkStreaming has posted a quarter during which it closed approximately 200 new customers and achieved a 97% increase in revenue over the same quarter last year. As a result of its sales success, NetworkStreaming was invited...

Baptist-DeSoto opens tower.(Strictly Business)(Baptist Memorial Hospital DeSoto)(Brief article)
November 13, 2006... SOUTHAVEN -- Baptist Memorial Hospital-DeSoto officially opened its recently completed 447,000-square-foot tower November 5 during a grand opening ceremony. The ceremony was the culmination of the project that began in July 2003....

Unemployment falls.(Strictly Business)
November 13, 2006... ACROSS MISSISSIPPI -- The state's unemployment rate in September was 6.8%, according to the Mississippi Department of Employment Security (MDES). That was down from the 7.2% figure in August 2006 and 2.6 percentage points lower than the rate of...

AmSouth sells branches.(Strictly Business)
November 13, 2006... BIRMINGHAM, ALA. -- According to AmSouth Bancorporation, three purchasers have agreed to buy 52 branches in Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee that the U.S. Department of Justice and the board of governors of the Federal Reserve System require...

Chilmark merging.(Chilmark Entertainment Group Inc. acquired Integrated Bio-Energy Resources)(Brief article)
November 13, 2006... SOUTHAVEN -- According to Steve Strauss, president and CEO of Chilmark Entertainment Group Inc., Chilmark has acquired Integrated Bio-Energy Resources. Terms were not disclosed. Integrated Bio-Energy Resources is a consortium of palm oil...

Community Eldercare financing.(Strictly Business)
November 13, 2006... TUPELO -- Community Eldercare Services Inc., a privately held skilled nursing facility headquartered in this North Mississippi city, has completed a $19.7-million credit facility by Bridge Finance Group out of Chicago. The financing was...

Barksdale launches new financial literacy program.(People to Watch)(James L. Barksdale)(Brief article)
November 13, 2006... JACKSON -- On November 8, Mississippi philanthropist and businessman James L. Barksdale unveiled a new financial literacy program for the state's public schools. The James L. Barksdale Financial Literacy Program will permit the...

Federal funds for MPC.(People to Watch)
November 13, 2006... GULFPORT -- Mississippi Power has received the federal assistance to mitigate most of the cost impact of Hurricane Katrina. The federal funds were delivered to utilities October 30 via wire transfer. Approximately $360 million was secured...

TEPPCO buys terminal.(People to Watch)
November 13, 2006... ABERDEEN -- TEPPCO Partners, L.P., of Houston, Texas, has purchased a refined products terminal in this North Mississippi community from Mississippi Terminal and Marketing Inc. (MTMI). Terms were not disclosed. Located along the...

GA building motors for Navy.(General Atomics)(Brief article)
November 13, 2006... TUPELO -- The Electromagnetic Systems (EMS) Division of General Atomics (GA) has received U.S. Navy approval to begin production of the electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS) launch motor system in this North Mississippi city. This...

CDBG for Entergy Miss.(Strictly Business)
November 13, 2006... JACKSON -- Entergy Mississippi is receiving a special Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) of $81.4 million to offset the costs of restoring power in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. The storm spurred the largest mobilization of resources...

Citizens splitting stock.(Strictly Business)
November 13, 2006... PHILADELPHIA -- The board of directors of The Citizens Bank of Philadelphia has unanimously approved the declaration of a one-for-l,000 reverse stock split. After the reverse stock split, the bank will be a wholly-owned subsidiary of Citizens...