The Mississippi Business Journal articles from October 2007

The Mississippi Business Journal archives from October 2007

Business advocacy organizations say elections this year critical.
October 1, 2007... Business advocacy organizations in Mississippi are heavily involved with this year's campaign season because the outcome has a big impact on a large number of issues affecting the viability of businesses in the state. The NFIB (the...

Hobnob should be huge.(Mississippi Economic Council)
October 1, 2007... Now in its sixth year, the Mississippi Economic Council's (MEC's) Hobnob Mississippi has been a hit for informal networking among the state's movers and shakers drawing an estimated 1,000 participants in 2006. This year with Hobnob being held...

Fed reductions welcome news, but ...(cut in interest rates)
October 1, 2007... Recent action by the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates by a half point to 4.75% won't be a cure all for economic woes including a decline in new home construction and the record levels of home foreclosures. But the action is expected to...

Financial Planning Week features a number of events.
October 1, 2007... Something new has been added this year to celebrate Financial Planning Week in Mississippi, observed October 1-7. A special meeting featuring a renowned speaker is being hosted by the Mississippi Financial Planning Association and is open to...

Toyota's North Mississippi juggernaut rolls into Baldwyn.
October 1, 2007... The Toyota juggernaut continues remaking the Northeast Mississippi landscape, both literally and figuratively. Toyota Auto Body (TAB) announced September 25 its intention to build a plant in the northern Lee County town of Baldwyn. Before...

MAMA tournament teeing off October 9.
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Mississippi Automotive Manufacturers Association (MAMA) board of directors is planning for its annual Golf Tournament, October 9 at Annandale in Madison. Making plans are board members David Boyer, MAMA board...

Regions, AmSouth marriage on track in the Magnolia State.
October 1, 2007... Regions and AmSouth banks are about to become Mississippi's largest bank when the merger of the two financial institutions becomes complete the last weekend of this month. The final conversion will take place the last weekend of the month and...

Barnes Pettey Financial Advisors, LLC.(People to Watch)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Worth magazine has named Dudley M. Barnes, CFP, of Barnes Pettey Financial Advisors a "Top 100 Wealth Advisors." This list was compiled by the publication, which weighed numerous factors including the advisors'...

Crye-Leike, Realtors.(People to Watch)
October 1, 2007... Sheri Woodard-Bryan, GRI, has been named managing broker of Crye-Leike, Realtors's Ridgeland branch. She has been serving the real estate needs of buyers and sellers as a Realtor since 2003 in and around Madison, Rankin and Hinds counties,...

Health Management Associates Inc.(People to Watch)
October 1, 2007... J. Dale Armour has been promoted to senior vice president and chief executive officer of the Mississippi division of Health Management Associates Inc. (HMA). He has been affiliated with HMA for 13 years. In April 2006, he became vice president...

Horizon Casino Vicksburg.(People to Watch)
October 1, 2007... Johnny Daves has been named assistant general manager for Horizon Casino Vicksburg. With more than 14 years of casino experience, he will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of Horizon and all its departments. A graduate of...

Mississippi World Trade Center.(People to Watch)
October 1, 2007... Mississippi World Trade Center executive director Barbara Travis has earned the designation of Certified Economic Developer--CEcD--a national recognition of skills in economic development, professional attainment and a commitment to personal...

State Bank & Trust Company.(People to Watch)
October 1, 2007... Leigh Ann Martin has been named consumer lender at State Bank & Trust Company's downtown Brookhaven office. She has 13 years of banking experience, the last three of which have been with State Bank in Brookhaven. She has worked as a teller,...

Torguson Gaming Group.(People to Watch)
October 1, 2007... Meng Chai has joined Torguson Gaming Group Inc., developer of the $600-million Bacaran Bay Casino Resort and condominium project in Biloxi, as vice president of design and construction. He brings more than 16 years of experience as a...

Wyatt Tarrant & Combs, LLP.(People to Watch)
October 1, 2007... Rob Mink has joined Wyatt Tarrant & Combs, LLP, in the Jackson office. He concentrates his practice in the area of medical malpractice defense, general litigation and criminal defense. Mink was director of legal research and writing for the...

Conference of State Bank Supervisors.(People to Watch)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS) recently announced that John S. Allison, Mississippi Commissioner of Banking and Consumer Finance, has been elected to the board of managers of the State Regulatory...

Southeastern Commercial Finance.(People to Watch)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Melody Vollman has joined Southeastern Commercial Finance, LLC, as senior vce president/director of business development. Vollman has more than 20 years of business development and commercial banking experience.

[Cartoon].(Perspective)(Cartoon)
October 1, 2007... HOW 'BOUT SOME PIE IN THE SKY? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] THE PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING@ [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Whatever the level, fundraising challenges abound.(Perspective)(Lance Ringler )(Interview)
October 1, 2007... Autumn is in the air. You can feel it, can't you? The cooler evenings. The falling leaves. Friday night football. It's all good this time of year. And as an added bonus, we have a statewide campaign season underway. Political junkies are...

Longleaf Camo: David battles competitive marketplace Goliaths.(Outdoor Impact)(David Ham)
October 1, 2007... Even David had only one Goliath to contend with at a time. Just imagine taking on a half-dozen or more ginormous marketplace giants at the same time. This kind of unenviable situation is a tough proposition to withstand in many industry sectors...

Workshop studies land income options.(Outdoor Impact)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... Fee fishing, fee hunting, agritourism, trail riding and wildlife watching are examples of outdoor recreational businesses based on natural resources commonly found on Mississippi's private lands. A one-day workshop will provide farmers,...

Nest might be empty but aging parents now part of planning process.
October 1, 2007... Now that the kids are out of the house and you have finished with college funding, you find yourself in a dilemma... your aging parents! Don't feel alone as many Baby Boomers are finding their roles change and they now serve as the parent...

Oxford-based AnComm's sales see uptick.(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... Special to the Mississippi Business Journal According to Oxford-based AnComm, 102 schools in 16 states have chosen to rollout AnComm's "Talk About It" service for the 2007-2008 school year. Demand for AnComm's "Talk About It," the...

Viking going commercial.(Strictly Business)
October 1, 2007... GREENWOOD -- Viking Range Corporation is entering the commercial cooking equipment arena. The Viking Commercial Products Division, which is headquartered in southern California, has been formed, and Daniel Garvin has been appointed vice...

Skybus coming to Coast.(Strictly Business)
October 1, 2007... GULFPORT -- Skybus Airlines will offer daily nonstop service between Columbus, Ohio, and Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport beginning December 5. "Skybus' decision to service the Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport with these nonstop...

Thompson addresses staffing.(Strictly Business)(Ed Thompson )(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... JACKSON -- In his first board meeting since being appointed interim state health officer, Dr. Ed Thompson presented a plan to the Mississippi State Board of Health to redirect state resources to fund front-line field positions in county health...

Republic enters state.(Strictly Business)
October 1, 2007... DALLAS -- The Republic Group has entered the personal and commercial lines insurance markets in Mississippi. The companies will distribute homeowners, dwelling fire, commercial lines and farm and ranch products through independent agents and an...

More funding for MUW.(Strictly Business)
October 1, 2007... COLUMBUS -- Additional federal funding totaling approximately $1.82 million has been approved for use by the Mississippi University for Women (MUW) to repair the institution's Fine Arts Center, which was damaged by a tornado. The tornado...

SDT, MsET partner.(Strictly Business)(Southern Diversified Technologies Inc. )(Mississippi Enterprise for Technology )(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... BROOKHAVEN AND HANCOCK COUNTY -- Southern Diversified Technologies Inc. (SDT) of Brookhaven has formed a partnership with Mississippi Enterprise for Technology (MsET), located at Stennis Space Center in Hancock County. The purpose of the...

Suppliers' meeting slated.(Strictly Business)(Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc.)(Mississippi Development Authority)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... TUPELO -- On October 2, Toyota Motor Company and the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) will sponsor an Indirect Suppliers' Information Session at the BancorpSouth Conference Center on West Main Street in Tupelo. The event will begin at 1...

Neel-Schaffer ranked.(Strictly Business)
October 1, 2007... JACKSON -- Roads and Bridges magazine recently listed Neel-Schaffer Inc. as one of the top 50 road and highway design firms in North America, according to Hibbett Neel, president, Neel-Schaffer. Government subscribers to Roads and Bridges,...

Landmark makes acquisition.(Strictly Business)
October 1, 2007... JACKSON -- Landmark Data Systems Inc. has acquired a local Jackson training facility, Get PC Skills, owned by Cynthia LaRue, and will soon offer onsite training to its customers. Terms were not disclosed. Beginning October 1, Landmark will...

Old Capitol Green charrette.(Strictly Business)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... JACKSON -- Members of the Old Capitol Green master plan team participated in an Eco Charrette in the Capital City September 25 to identify local and regional environmental issues and opportunities to address those issues in the Old Capitol...

Magazine turns 25.(Strictly Business)
October 1, 2007... JACKSON -- Mississippi Magazine is celebrating its 25th anniversary this fall with a special commemorative issue. The magazine was founded in 1982 with a mission of highlighting the culture and heritage of the state and presenting its...

ARC eyeing speedway.(Strictly Business)(American Racing Capital)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... COLUMBUS -- American Racing Capital (ARC) has signed an option to purchase agreement on the Magnolia Motor Speedway in this East Mississippi city. ARC says negotiations are complete and the sale will move forward subject to the company...

Loan program continued.(Strictly Business)
October 1, 2007... WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will extend its Export Express pilot program through fiscal 2008. The Export Express Pilot Program was established in 1998 to assist small exporters with their financial needs,...

It's Christmastime! Well, it is if you're in the decorating biz.
October 1, 2007... It's Christmastime! Well, it's time for Christmas if you're in the business of selling things to decorate for the season. Come October 6 and 7, several hundred people looking for novel Christmas products and decorating ideas will descend...

Memorial accredited.(Memorial Hospital)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... Special to the Mississippi Business Journal The Joint Commission has accredited Memorial Hospital in Gulfport. The Joint Commission conducted an on-site evaluation of Memorial in July, and the accreditation was effective as of July 19. ...

Home-based biz growth: convenience, low start-up costs cited.(Small Business)
October 1, 2007... It's been called "the new American workplace." That's because businesses based at home are booming. In fact, some studies suggest that if current trends continue, most Americans will work at home in the 21st Century. Advantages of...

Patriot Express initiative helping veterans' business dreams.(Small Business)
October 1, 2007... Navy veteran Donnie Tinsley worked at Fast Eddie's oil change business at 908 Bechtel Boulevard in Ocean Springs for 15 years in every position at the business when recently the owner, Eddie Norris, decided to retire and sell out. Tinsley was...

Don't forget this question: why are you going into business?(Small Business)
October 1, 2007... There are plenty of questions to ask yourself before you make the final decision about going into business for yourself. Please allow me to throw one more in the mix: Why are you going into business? This question is prompted by what seems...

Small businesses encouraged to explore GO Zone incentives, too.(Small Business)
October 1, 2007... Businesses of all sizes can benefit from incentives of the Gulf Opportunity Zone Act that was passed by the federal government to help Gulf Coast states recover from the devastating storms of 2005. The zone includes 49 counties in Mississippi....

Play It Again Sports meets 'Gold Standard'.(Small Business)
October 1, 2007... Special to the Mississippi Business Journal Play It Again Sports in Jackson has earned the "Gold Standard" designation. The Gold Standard is reached when a store achieves a set of criteria set forth by the franchisor during the evaluation...

Temporary employment services.(Directory)(Statistical table)
October 1, 2007... Temporary Employment Services Name/Year Founded Specialties No. of Top Officer E-mail/Web site Local W-2s Address Phone/Fax Issued...

Beth Clay turns childhood fascination into career as lobbyist.(Campaign Countdown)
October 1, 2007... In her youth, Beth Clay used to listen to her grandfather speak of his love for politics, and tagged along with him to political rallies and speeches. Intrigued by the political process, that little girl has grown up to become one of...

Beef Plant boondoggle the hot-button issue for Spell, Cole.(Commissioner of Agriculture & Commerce)
October 1, 2007... The contest to become the state's next commissioner of agriculture & commerce doesn't get much publicity, but it's an office that affects the lives of Mississippians through regulatory and marketing activities. The Democratic nominee for this...

Franks, Bryant tackle insurance reform, taxes, biz environment.(Lieutenant Governor)
October 1, 2007... The lieutenant governor's race is growing more intense as it begins the home stretch toward November 6. Both the Democratic and Republican candidates say their campaigns are going well. Jamie Franks, the Democratic nominee, represents the...

Chaney and Anderson face off with plans to solve insurance crisis.(Insurance Commissioner)
October 1, 2007... There is agreement that the solutions to improving the affordability and availability of home and commercial insurance in Mississippi are extremely complex. But the two candidates facing off to become the state's top insurance regulator agree...

Candidates pledge 16th Section land reform, improved elections.(Secretary of State)
October 1, 2007... It might not be the most controversial race in state elections, but there is little doubt that the outcome of the election for secretary of state has big implications for the business community in Mississippi. The Secretary of State's (SoS)...

Lott says Senate missed bipartisan opportunity.(Campaign Countdown)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... Special to the MBJ U.S. Sen. Trent Lott (R-Miss.) said September 21 that the U.S. Senate missed a key opportunity two weeks ago to begin working on a compromise regarding the war in Iraq. On the University of Mississippi campus with...

Attorney General candidates discuss law enforcement, lawsuits.(Attorney General)
October 1, 2007... As Election Day draws near, both candidates for state attorney general say their campaigns are going well and their support is growing. Jim Hood is the Democratic nominee and the incumbent. The Republican nominee is Gulfport attorney Al...

MEPC reviews state budget, spending.(Decision 2007)
October 1, 2007... Special to the Mississippi Business Journal A newly released report from the Mississippi Economic Policy Center (MEPC) notes that nearly half (48%) of the $17.4 billion in appropriations for fiscal year 2008 come from federal sources....

Highest-paid registered lobbyists.(Directory)(Statistical table)
October 1, 2007... Highest-Paid Registered Lobbyists Name Occupation 2006 Reported Address Phone /Fax Number Compensation Clients Beth C. Clay Attorney $1,380,593...

The importance of business succession planning in the overall financial plan.(The Heart of Financial Planning)
October 1, 2007... Every business owner will eventually reach the point that he or she is ready to leave the business marketplace. Whether due to age, health, death, or financial independence, the time will come where the owner must decide to either hand over the...

Financial planners help clarify today's complex investment choices.(The Heart of Financial Planning)
October 1, 2007... The complex economic environment in which we live, the frequent changes in income and estate taxes and the new and varied ways to invest money cause many people today to seek professional financial advice. Often the adviser they choose is a...

Planning perspectives: saving for a college education.(The Heart of Financial Planning)
October 1, 2007... The U.S. Department of Education has been quoted as saying "'Education is becoming the fault line between those who will prosper in the new economy, and those who will be left behind." Few of us would argue with this statement or at a minimum...

Making your retirement plan disability-proof.(The Heart of Financial Planning)
October 1, 2007... Preparing for retirement, whatever your vision of it, is perhaps the most critical financial challenge you will face during your working life --especially so as employers have shifted much of the burden of retirement funding to their employees....

Women and finance: a likely pairing.(The Heart of Financial Planning)
October 1, 2007... Despite the fact that the great majority of women will be, at one point in their lives, in control of their household finances, some women may feel that they lack the confidence or knowledge to make wise financial decisions alone. Although...

Reversible trusts and how to select a good estate planning attorney.(The Heart of Financial Planning)
October 1, 2007... Q: My aunt's will was written by a lawyer, but it was vague and much was subject to interpretation. Even though we have a fairly simple estate, my husband and I prefer to avoid probate so that our children don't have to go through the ordeal we...

The Financial Planning Association.
October 1, 2007... COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL PLANNING John D. Acker, CFP[R] State Farm Insurance Company 662-329-5232 Donna P. Adams, CFP[R] Guaranty Investment. Inc. 662-344-4496 David B. Allen, CLU. CHFC Allen Financial Group....

Primer on planned giving.(The Heart of Financial Planning)
October 1, 2007... Planned giving refers to charitable giving that seeks to minimize the cost and maximize the benefit of the gift to the donor and the charity, taking into consideration the complex legal, tax and other financial considerations involved. Donors...

Individual retirement plans: tax-advantaged savings.(The Heart of Financial Planning)
October 1, 2007... As CPAs, clients often ask us: "What is the best tax deduction going these days?" or, "What can I do at the end of the year to save money on taxes?" In many cases, the answer to these questions can be a retirement plan. This article is...

Estate and incapacity planning.(The Heart of Financial Planning)
October 1, 2007... This article addresses estate and incapacity planning without considering estate and gift tax issues that may arise during estate planning. Estate and incapacity planning, absent estate and gift tax issues, consists of answering tour key...

Disciplined investing helps keep emotions in check.(The Heart of Financial Planning)
October 1, 2007... Knowing that financial markets are constantly changing, it's often hard to gauge when the best time would be to jump in. Trying to time your investments in this way can cause you undue stress and cost you financially when you try to invest by...

Retirement plan investing.(The Heart of Financial Planning)
October 1, 2007... I come in contact with many people who give little time or attention to their 401(k) plan. Many are making regular contributions to their plan, which is a good thing, because they don't have to do anything to make it happen. In the day-to-day...

Don't forget to include charitable gifts in your estate plans.(The Heart of Financial Planning)
October 1, 2007... People in Mississippi care about charity. We prove it every year when our state ranks at the top of the national "generosity index" based on IRS statistics from income tax returns that report itemized deductions. But where does charity fit into...

Retirement planning asset protection and growth.(The Heart of Financial Planning)
October 1, 2007... Most future retirees read and hear the media give pros and cons of annuities, the myriad complexity of choices in Medicare, and the potential failure or changes coming to Social Security. While all of these are important, there are three less...

MDA asking for increase after several years of level funding.(STICKING TO THE BUDGET)(Mississippi Development Authority)
October 8, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Mississippi Development Authority MDA) is doing more with less. That's the message the state agency communicated at its recent Legislative Budget Office hearing while requesting funding for fiscal year 2009,...

State Port's proposed $600-million upgrade would double capacity.
October 8, 2007... A $600-million project proposal for reconstruction and expansion of the Mississippi State Port Authority (MSPA) at Gulfport would double the capacity of what is already the third-largest container port on the Gulf of Mexico and the 17th-largest...

Tishomingo county draws bead on welder shortage.(HELP WANTED)
October 8, 2007... IUKA -- It's a good time to be a welder in the northeastern corner of Mississippi. And it's likely to get even better. Gary Matthews, executive director of Tishomingo County Development Foundation and Tishomingo County Economic Development...

Management? Labor? Globalization shapes classic confrontation.
October 8, 2007... The United Auto Workers (UAW) strike against General Motors (GM) in late September was the first nationwide strike by the union in more than 30 years, and it only lasted a couple of days. In the end, the strike may have actually helped GM by...

GranthamPoole, CPAs.(People to Watch)
October 8, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Charley P. Rafferty, CPA, CFE, CVA, ABV, has been elected vice president of the Mississippi Chapter of the National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts for 2007-2008 and 2008-2009. A partner with...

Samarion Inc.(People to Watch)(appointment of Tonya R. Estes )(Brief article)
October 8, 2007... Tonya R. Estes has joined Samarion Inc. in Jackson as the company's director of client services. A marketing graduate of McNeese State University, Estes was licensed as a nursing facility administrator in 1992. Most recently, she was...

BancorpSouth.(People to Watch)(appointment of Michael Lindsey)(Brief article)
October 8, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Michael Lindsey, senior vice president and manager of electronic delivery services for BancorpSouth, has been named one of banking's "Most Innovative CIOs of 2007" by Bank Systems & Technology for leading the...

Columbus-Lowndes Development Link.(People to Watch)(Brief article)
October 8, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The International Economic Development Council has honored Charleigh Ford Jr. for his 38-year commitment to the field of economic development with an honorary life member designation. He also received the honorary...

Brown Bottling Group.(People to Watch)
October 8, 2007... Moe LeBlane has been named general sales manager for Brown Bottling Group where he will be responsible for sales and marketing in the Natchez region. He has more than 25 years of experience in the bottling business. Brown Bottling Group is a...

[Cartoon].(Perspective)(Cartoon)
October 8, 2007... THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT! WHY DIDN'T YOU STOP ME?! [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Who's picking up the tab for political promises?(Perspective)
October 8, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Election Day in Mississippi is a month away. It's the season of campaign promises, spirited speeches and attack ads. Incumbent politicians say, "Elect me because I'm experienced and I've done a good job." Challengers...

Business events (and more).(Calendar)
October 8, 2007... Monday, October 8 * Cat Cora, a University of Southern Mississippi (USM) graduate and Jackson native, will host the fundraising dinner "Chefs for Humanity" beginning at 6 p.m. at the Purple Parrot Cafe in Hattiesburg. On October 9, she...

Lawrence taking leave of Downtown Jackson Partners on roll.(Economic Development)
October 8, 2007... When John Lawrence came to Mississippi to head up Downtown Jackson Partners (DJP) earlier this decade, the organization was in the midst of a change in course. Focused more in the past on office/commercial development, Lawrence came on board to...

Road to economic developer can take many different routes.(Economic Development)
October 8, 2007... Ever wonder how someone breaks into the business of economic development? There doesn't seem to be one route or one background that leads to becoming an economic developer. Brent Hales, professor of economic and workforce development at the...

Griffith leaving Tenn-Tom.(Economic Development)(Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway Development Authority)
October 8, 2007... Special to the Mississippi Business Journal Thomas Griffith, administrator of the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway Development Authority and president of the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway Development Council is stepping down from these...

New, expanded facilities fuel record employment in state.(Economic Development)
October 8, 2007... Please note:Information on new and expanded facilities comes from the Mississippi Development Authority's "New and Expanded Facilities Report," which is compiled from a variety of sources. While it is believed to be accurate, the Mississippi...

Wilson using background to bring county together for development.(Economic Development)
October 8, 2007... Cynthia Wilson hasn't been an economic developer long but she brings a wealth of experiences and a strong commitment to her position as executive director of the Webster County Development Council. The Yazoo City native graduated from...