The Mississippi Business Journal articles from September 2007

The Mississippi Business Journal archives from September 2007

Itawamba County lands first supplier: Toyota Boshoku America building 341,000-square-foot plant on 40 acres.
September 3, 2007... FULTON -- The first supplier for Toyota Mississippi officially announced its new Northeast Mississippi location August 28. Toyota Boshoku America (TBA) will build a 341,000-square-foot plant on 40 acres south of U.S. 78 in western Itawamba...

Stennis blasts into the future of exploration.
September 3, 2007... For many years, it has been said that you won't be able to get to the moon without going through Hancock County. That is because of the vital role played testing rocket engines at Stennis Space Center. Now it could be said you won't be able...

Furniture market mixed bag.
September 3, 2007... Bob Loftis and his son-in-law Reggie Davis arrived in Tupelo August 21. The owner of Muskogee, Okla.-based Bob Loftis Furniture wanted to be in town for the "unofficial" opening of the Tupelo Furniture Market the next morning. They were,...

New Perspectives Inc.(Brief article)
September 3, 2007... Jeremy K. Stringer has joined New Perspectives Inc. in Ridgeland as assistant portfolio manager. In this role, he will be responsible for research, trading and business development. In May, he graduated cum laude from Mississippi State...

State Bank & Trust Company.(People to Watch)
September 3, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Laura Ruth Brown has been named branch manager of State Bank & Trust Company's Terry Road location in Jackson. She has three years of banking experience. After graduating from Chamberlain-Hunt Academy, Brown received...

Watkins Ludlam Winter & Stennis.(M. Jason Clayton joins Watkins Ludlam Winter and Stennis)(Brief article)
September 3, 2007... M. Jason Clayton has joined Watkins Ludlam Winter & Stennis as an associate in the firm's litigation practice group. A University of Southern Mississippi alum, he is a cum laude graduate of the Mississippi College School of Law. Clayton is a...

Hightower Advertising Agency Inc.(People to Watch)
September 3, 2007... Rachael Roberts of Madison has joined the Hightower Advertising Agency as a media coordinator for the inside sales department. She was previously associated with the Mississippi Business Journal and Maris, West & Baker. A Jackson native,...

Workplace Essentials.(Brief article)
September 3, 2007... Sharon Green has been named senior sales executive for Workplace Essentials in Jackson. She holds a bachelor's degree in interior design from Mississippi State University and has more than 20 years of experience in business space and design....

Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC.(Brief article)
September 3, 2007... Attorneys Brett McCall and Nathan Smith have joined Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC, in the Jackson office. McCall, who joins the firm as associate, will concentrate his practice in commercial real estate and lending. Before...

The Ramey Agency.(Anne-Lauren Fratesi has joined Ramey Agency Inc.)(Brief article)
September 3, 2007... Anne-Lauren Fratesi has joined The Ramey Agency as an associate account executive in the Ridgeland office. She comes to the firm from Nancy Price Interior Design Inc., where she served as client relations specialist. A native of Leland, Fratesi...

Three join firm.(People to Watch)
September 3, 2007... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] Andrew Luter has joined Dale and Associates Architects P.A. as a landscape designer. He graduated from Mississippi State University with a degree in landscape architecture this year. Kemper Smith has joined the firm...

New signs on the coast.(Perspective)(Cartoon)
September 3, 2007... Hard ROCK CASINO & HOTEL Luxury CONDOS Casino Hard TIME FINDING AN AFFORDABLE PLACE TO RENT [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Contact Hattiesburg-based cartoonist Ricky Nobile at nobilericky@aol.com

Promoter pushing pardon for Johnny Cash.(Viewpoint essay)
September 3, 2007... Growing up in Starkville, I knew the story about Johnny Cash and his incarceration in the local jail, but I can't recall when I first heard his song about the experience, "Starkville City Jail." I like his music, but I'd never call myself...

Have legislative elections ever been more important?
September 3, 2007... Perhaps never in any of our lifetimes have the races for legislative seats been as important as they are this year. This new era of two-party politics is causing traditionally independent minded Mississippians to focus on party as never before....

Unemployment rises.(Strictly Business)
September 3, 2007... ACROSS MISSISSIPPI -- The state's unemployment rate rose to 7.2% in July, mainly due to seasonal layoffs of noncontract school employees, according to the Mississippi Department of Employment Security (MDES). The number of employed...

Belly keeping Rainbow.(Bally Technologies Inc's. management of rainbow casino)(Brief article)
September 3, 2007... VICKSBURG -- Bally Technologies Inc. will continue to own and operate Rainbow Casino in Vicksburg. The company previously announced in October 2006 that it had retained an outside firm to assist in the exploration of the sale of Rainbow Casino....

GCWDI ahead of schedule.(Strictly Business)
September 3, 2007... MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST -- Business Roundtable reports its Gulf Coast Workforce Development Initiative (GCWDI) is ahead of schedule in its effort to recruit and train up to 20,000 new construction workers in the Gulf Coast region by the end of...

State joins SEUS-Japan.(measures for increasing investments in the state)(Brief article)
September 3, 2007... JACKSON -- In an effort to foster increased Japanese investment in the state, the State of Mississippi has joined the Japan-U.S. Southeast Association. The Japan-U.S. Southeast Association, better known as SEUS-Japan, is a networking...

Kohler sees milestone.(Strictly Business)
September 3, 2007... HATTIESBURG -- Kohler Co. recently celebrated a milestone as the one-millionth Kohler Courage single-cylinder engine rolled off the assembly line in Hattiesburg. The success of the Courage engine line reflects the growth of Kohler's presence in...

CCA breaks ground.(Corrections Corporation of America's new facility)(Brief article)
September 3, 2007... ADAMS COUNTY -- Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) held a groundbreaking ceremony August 24 to mark the company's new construction of a company-owned and -operated correctional center in this Southwest Mississippi county. The Adams...

Eyevox forms partnership.(Eyevox , Sirius Thinking, Ltd and Connecticut Public Broadcasting forming partnership for production of children series)(Brief article)
September 3, 2007... RIDGELAND -- The video production company Eyevox has partnered with Sirius Thinking, Ltd., in New York and Connecticut Public Broadcasting to produce the new PBS children's series "Lomax, The Hound of Music." Production of 13 half-hour...

Nissan makes donation.(Strictly Business)
September 3, 2007... CANTON -- For the 14th consecutive year, employees at Nissan North America have contributed more than $1 million to support the United Way. Nissan employees who work in the company's plants in Tennessee and Mississippi and in its Nashville...

Lackey named exclusive Realtor for Gallagher's Pass.(Strictly Business)
September 3, 2007... Crye-Leike agent Shaft Lackey has been named exclusive Realtor for the new Ridgeland residential development, Gallagher's Pass. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The property is named for one of the five local families that owned and resided on...

XFONE buying NTS.(Strictly Business)
September 3, 2007... JACKSON -- XFONE Inc. has signed a definitive agreement to acquire NTS Communications Inc., a provider of integrated voice, data and video solutions headquartered in Lubbock, Texas, for $42 million (excluding acquisition-related costs). ...

MSU climbs ranking.(Mississippi State University)(Brief article)
September 3, 2007... STARKVILLE -- Mississippi State University (MSU) continues among the top 100 universities in a national magazine ranking based on "what colleges are doing for the country." MSU is 82nd among some 240 major public and private institutions in...

Disaster loans available.(Strictly Business)
September 3, 2007... ACROSS MISSISSIPPI -- Federal disaster loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are available to small businesses located in the State of Mississippi as a result of damages and losses to crops caused by unseasonably low,...

Businesses see benefits from growing immigrant workforce.(Reprint)
September 3, 2007... The country's immigration issues and changing demographics are also at play in Mississippi where there is no official count of immigrants but many communities are seeing an influx of Mexican immigrants. The U.S. Census Bureau says the nation's...

Hospitals' impact studied.(Strictly Business)
September 3, 2007... ACROSS MISSISSIPPI -- Mississippi's hospitals annually contribute more than $9 billion to the state's economy. This and other findings are from "Beyond Health Care: Mississippi Hospitals as Vital Economic Engines," a report researched by...

Peoples repurchasing shares.(Strictly Business)
September 3, 2007... BILOXI -- The board of directors of Peoples Financial Corporation, parent of The Peoples Bank, has authorized the repurchase of 2.5%, or approximately 136,000, of the outstanding shares of the company. Shares may be purchased on the open...

MC renovating business building.(building renovation of Mississippi College's (MC's) School of Business )(Brief article)
September 3, 2007... CLINTON -- Mississippi College's (MC's) School of Business is undergoing more than $1.1 million in renovations at Self Hall, and MC leaders have scheduled two events this fall to showcase the improvements. Steps to modernize eight...

New restaurant opening.(Strictly Business)
September 3, 2007... OXFORD -- On September 5, the Waltz on the Square will hold the grand opening of Oxford's newest upscale restaurant and bar. The Waltz on the Square is definitely a family-and-friend affair. The brainchild of Memphis investor Jim Crenshaw,...

Airport receives grant.(Strictly Business)
September 3, 2007... TUNICA -- Federal funding totaling more than $6.1 million has been approved for use at Tunica Municipal Airport. Sen. Trent Lott (R-Miss.), who serves as ranking member of the Senate's Aviation Subcommittee, says the grant will be...

External funding at $100M.(University of Southern Mississippi's finance for research fundings)(Brief article)
September 3, 2007... HATTIESBURG -- The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) will begin this academic year with a two-year average of $100 million in external research funding for projects that have widespread applications from homeland security to math and...

NVision gives demo.(Strictly Business)
September 3, 2007... HANCOCK COUNTY -- NVision Solutions Inc., The Boeing Company and NAVTEQ recently demonstrated a prototype emergency management "common operating picture" at the 2007 Pacific Northwest Asymmetric Warfare Initiative. The federally-funded...

Television stations see more advertising for local races.
September 3, 2007... It's an election year and that means more political advertising revenue for television stations. Even without a hotly contested governor's race, stations from Tupelo to the Coast report a good year for sales. The difference is more political...

Tourism Division recognized.(Strictly Business)
September 3, 2007... JACKSON -- The Tourism Division of the Mississippi Development Authority was recently recognized as having the best state tourism office international marketing project. The Mercury Award was presented during the closing ceremony of the Travel...

Fitch rates bonds.(Strictly Business)
September 3, 2007... NEW YORK -- Fitch Ratings has assigned an "AA" rating to the State of Mississippi's $50-million variable rate general obligation (GO) capital improvements bonds, series 2007 (auction rate securities), expected to be offered via negotiation with...

Baptist lab accredited.(Strictly Business)(Disease/Disorder overview)
September 3, 2007... JACKSON -- The Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Nuclear Medical Laboratories has granted accreditation to Baptist Health Systems' Cardiovascular Diagnostics Nuclear Cardiology Laboratory. According to the hospital, the...

TCI launches program.(Strictly Business)
September 3, 2007... JACKSON -- The Catfish Institute (TCI) is distributing materials to restaurants so operators can let their customers know they serve only U.S. farm-raised catfish. Roger Barlow, TCI president, says, "We know that the TCI restaurant...

Negative political campaigns: ultimate love-hate relationships?
September 3, 2007... During the recent statewide primary elections, negative political ads and tactics were well represented. The Charlie Ross/Phil Bryant and Gary Anderson/George Dale campaigns, in particular, were more than just negative -they were often vicious...

Group's goal? Adding to Highway 51's retail vitality.(Focus: Real Estate Quarterly)
September 3, 2007... It's not just the road improvements that are changing the look of U.S. 51 in Ridgeland. A newly-formed company called Old Fifty One, LLC, is creating a more appealing look for the stretch of road, as well as adding to a thriving retail area....

Mississippi heat ongoing challenge for building managers.(influence of hot weather conditions on services of real estate management firms)
September 3, 2007... The calendar may say September, but there are still weeks of hot weather left in Mississippi. Battling the intense hot weather is one of many things property managers and mechanical services companies do to keep tenants comfortable. Some have...

New South Economic Development course upcoming.(Focus: Real Estate Quarterly)
September 3, 2007... The New South Economic Development course, "Innovating Tomorrow Today," will be held September 23-28 at the Imperial Palace in Biloxi. The program is offered by the Trent Lott Center for Excellence in Economic Development and...

Builders: enforce certification.(law for certification of home inspectors)
September 3, 2007... In July 2001, a law was enacted that required home inspectors to be licensed in order to work in the state. To inspect existing homes, applicants are required to complete 60 classroom hours at an accredited school, pass the home inspector...

Property management firms.(Focus: Real Estate Quarterly)
September 3, 2007... Property Management Firms Company Name/ Year Founded Web site Phone/Fax Address E-mail Parkway Realty www.pky.com (601) 948-4091/949-4077 Services, LLC/1983 ...

Management firms see trends emerge market by market.(Focus: Real Estate Quarterly)
September 3, 2007... Property management firms are seeing new emerging trends in real estate around the state. In Tupelo, it's an increased willingness by tenants to sign triple net leases. Jackson is experiencing an increase of multi-use developments. Commercial...

Realtor overcomes adversity to win national award.(Focus: Real Estate Quarterly)
September 3, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Real estate blood runs through the veins of Herbert Dubuisson Jr. What else could he do? As the only child of Herbert Sr. and the late Patsy Dubuisson, both Realtors in Bay St. Louis, he grew up in the business. For...

Builders busy despite mortgage industry woes.
September 3, 2007... The housing market and the mortgage industry have been in national headlines a lot lately, and none of the news is good. Primarily due to the proliferation of subprime loans and adjustable mortgages, foreclosures are soaring, mortgage companies...

Banking Department adopts new licensing guidelines: subprime, non-traditional lending issues prompt changes.(Focus: Real Estate Quarterly)
September 3, 2007... The recent crash and burn of the subprime and non-traditional mortgage loan industry continues to have a ripple effect throughout the state and U.S. economy. And on a personal level, it has left many homeowners holding foreclosure notices and...

Workforce rental housing development program OK'd.(Focus: Real Estate Quarterly)
September 3, 2007... The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has approved a new program to spur development of workforce rental housing along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Details of the $260-million Small Rental Assistance Program are on the...

At issue: subprime mortgage failure or Wall Street meltdown?(Focus: Real Estate Quaterly)
September 3, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] With the national media frenzy accompanying the concerns about weakness in the subprime mortgage market, it has been difficult to discern what is actually happening. In this article, I attempt to point out a few...

IRS warns of new e-mail scam offering cash for participation in 'Member Satisfaction Survey'.(Focus: Real Estate Quarterly)
September 3, 2007... The Internal Revenue Service issued a consumer alert August 28 regarding a new, two-step e-mail seam that falsely promises recipients they will receive $80 for participating in an online customer satisfaction survey. In the scam, an...

Realtors across country funding Coast rental property repairs.(Focus: Real Estate Quarterly)
September 3, 2007... Of course housing and Realtors go together, so it's fitting this group of professionals joined forces to provide affordable housing along the hurricane-stricken Mississippi Gulf Coast. In the hours before Katrina hit the area, the Mississippi...

For the record.
September 3, 2007... This issue's new incorporations with the Mississippi Secretary of State are from August 20 through August 28 and include name, date formed and city. The list is organized alphabetically by city. Name Date Formed ...

SBA taking nominations.
September 3, 2007... The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Mississippi District Office is currently accepting nominations for its 2008 Small Business Week Awards. The awards are an effort to recognize and acknowledge the outstanding contributions of...

Late-summer sod sales plummet.
September 3, 2007... Special to the Mississippi Business Journal Sod producers could not grow grass fast enough last spring to keep up with demand, but late-summer sales have plummeted because of enormous water demands during the hot, dry conditions. Wayne...

Corporate sponsors key to Viking Classic tourney.
September 10, 2007... All PGA Tour events depend on corporate sponsorships for success, but this is especially true for the 2007 Viking Classic, which will tee up September 24 at Annandale Golf Course in Madison. Played in a market that is small by PGA standards,...

SBA chief takes hands-on approach on Coast.
September 10, 2007... When SBA Administrator Steven Preston took over as head of the agency in July 2006, there was a huge backlog in processing applications for SBA disaster recovery loans and the reputation of the SBA had taken a beating. Preston immediately...

Year of hard work, details pay off for organizers.(Conference news)
September 10, 2007... It took a year of hard work and myriad details but the recent Southern Governors' Conference held in Biloxi was a smashing success with eight governors and more than 500 guests attending. The conference was held at the Beau Rivage Casino Resort...

'The Egg Bowl' tops list of season's must-reads.(Perspective)(The Egg Bowl: Mississippi State vs. Ole Miss)(Book review)
September 10, 2007... University Press of Mississippi is known for its notable new releases, and its latest lineup is yet another example of the fine work that UP produces. Topping my list of must-reads for the fall is "The Egg Bowl: Mississippi State vs. Ole Miss."...

Jimmy Fowler leaves lasting legacy in business, life.(In memoriam)
September 10, 2007... All of us who knew Jimmy Fowler are saddened by his recent passing. In fact, his spirit was so generous I can't imagine anyone who isn't saddened at his death. In thinking about what I might say about Mr. Fowler in this column I was reminded of...

Jimmy Fowler's commitment to JA 'as strong as ever'.(From the MBJ Archives)(Junior Achievement)(In memoriam)
September 10, 2007... If a man's office says something about the person behind the desk, Jimmy Fowler's office speaks volumes about him. It is neat and tasteful, far from ostentatious, and is devoid of all traces of ego. He has garnered a plethora of awards over his...

Hancock Bank dedicates tech center: special to the Mississippi Business Journal.(Strictly Business)
September 10, 2007... GULFPORT -- Hancock Bank dedicated its new technology center in western Harrison County August 29. "Our customers' resilience, our shareholders' confidence, our community leaders' commitment, the selflessness of hundreds of volunteers, our...

Harrell wins Toyota contract.(Strictly Business)
September 10, 2007... BLUE SPRINGS -- Toyota has awarded two construction contracts for its new Highlander vehicle assembly plant in Northeast Mississippi. Harrell Contracting Group of Ridgeland has formed a partnership with Homewood, Ill.-based Graycor...

SeverCorr facilities producing.(Strictly Business)
September 10, 2007... LOWNDES COUNTY -- SeverCorr has begun producing hot rolled steel coils at its melt shop, caster and hot mill in East Mississippi. John Correnti, CEO of SeverCorr, says, "This is the announcement we've been eagerly waiting to make since the...

Insurance merger.(Strictly Business)(BancorpSouth Insurance Services Inc. agreement with Insurance Network of Jonesboro)(Brief article)
September 10, 2007... TUPELO -- BancorpSouth Insurance Services Inc., a subsidiary of BancorpSouth Bank, has reached an agreement to acquire Insurance Network of Jonesboro, Ark.. Terms were not disclosed. Insurance Network will become part of BancorpSouth's...

Sanderson's numbers up.(Strictly Business)
September 10, 2007... LAUREL -- Sanderson Farms Inc. reported net sales for the third quarter of fiscal 2007 were $394.8 million, compared with $281 million for the same period a year ago. For the quarter, the company reported net income of $30.7 million, or...

Eurocopter gains approval.(Strictly Business)
September 10, 2007... LOWNDES COUNTY -- The American Eurocopter business unit of EADS North America has been granted production authorization for UH-72A and EC 145 helicopters, enabling these rotary-wing aircraft to be U.S.-made for military and civilian customers....

Loan program established.(Strictly Business)(Brief article)
September 10, 2007... NOXUBEE COUNTY -- USDA Rural Development state director John Rounsaville has presented this East Mississippi county with a ceremonial check in the amount of $100,000 for the creation of a small business revolving loan program. William Oliver,...

Hub city recognized.(Strictly Business)(Hattiesburg)(Brief article)
September 10, 2007... HATTIESBURG -- America's 100 Best Places to Retire recently named Hattiesburg as one of the top 10 best budget towns based on the low cost of living, low housing prices and state tax exemptions on social security benefits, pensions, IRAs and...

City receives grant.(Strictly Business)(City of Gautier)(Brief article)
September 10, 2007... GAUTIER -- The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) has approved a grant totaling $225,003 for planning and engineering costs for two projects in the City of Gautier. The grant is anticipated to be increased after the...

DSU breaks ground.(Strictly Business)
September 10, 2007... CLEVELAND -- Delta State University (DSU) has broken ground for the Delta Music Institute Recording Studios. The studios, which will be the centerpiece of the Delta Music Institute (DMI) program, will be constructed inside of the old Whitfield...

BRC gives recommendations.(Strictly Business)(Brief article)
September 10, 2007... JACKSON -- Members of the Mississippi State Board of Education joined the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL) during its regular monthly meeting to hear preliminary recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Committee for...

Signature Offset upgrading.(Strictly Business)(Brief article)
September 10, 2007... HATTIESBURG -- Signature Offset is implementing concentric screening, a new technology from Artwork Systems. According to Signature Offset, concentric screening has demonstrated superior print and visual appearance over conventional and...

Transportation numbers rise.(Strictly Business)
September 10, 2007... WASHINGTON -- Trade using surface transportation between the U.S. and its North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) partners Canada and Mexico was 3.9% higher in June 2007 than in June 2006, reaching $69.5 billion, according to the Bureau of...

South Miss. Electric honors Thompson.(South Mississippi Electric Power Association)(Jack Thompson)(Brief article)
September 10, 2007... South Mississippi Electric Power Association has named its new office facility, which provides additional office space and training facilities for the employees, at Plant Dudley in Moselle in honor of retired plant superintendent Jack Thompson...

Chamber introduces program.(Strictly Business)
September 10, 2007... JACKSON -- The Metro Jackson Chamber of Commerce and ChamberPlus Inc. have formed a partnership with D2 Tech Solutions, Internet Content Management (ICM) and Venture Technologies in order to provide computer and network services at a...

Allstate nets returning.(Strictly Business)
September 10, 2007... HATTIESBURG -- Kickers at more than 350 college football games this season will be kicking for a win, and a good cause, thanks to the continued growth of Allstate's "Good Hands" Field Goal Net program. The University of Southern Mississippi is...

New procedure offered.(usage of lumber in care and treatment of chronic lower back pain in hospital)(Brief article)
September 10, 2007... HATTIESBURG -- Forrest General Hospital (FGH) is now offering a new lumbar fusion procedure to chronic low back pain sufferers. This minimally-invasive approach, called Trans1 AxiaLIF, allows most patients to be discharged from the hospital the...

PPCM releases data.(Strictly Business)
September 10, 2007... JACKSON -- Data released by the U.S. Census Bureau shows that Mississippi's poverty rate and the percentage of Mississippians without health insurance both increased last year, according to the Public Policy Center of Mississippi (PPCM). ...

Eatery opens in library.(Strictly Business)
September 10, 2007... STARKVILLE -- Einstein Bros. Bagels has opened on the lower level of Mississippi State University's Mitchell Memorial Library. It is the 12th Einstein Bros. license location to open this year. Einstein Bros. offers bagels as well as...

Authority accepts bids.(Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality)(Brief article)
September 10, 2007... POPLARVILLE -- According to the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ), bids for three projects, which comprise the Poplarville Area Water Improvements, have been accepted by the Pearl River County Utility Authority. The bid...

Finance VP search underway.(Strictly Business)
September 10, 2007... STARKVILLE -- Mississippi State University is launching a national search for the vice president of finance and administration. The position was previously held by Ray Hayes, who became vice chancellor for financial affairs at the University of...

AnComm launches new site.(Strictly Business)
September 10, 2007... OXFORD -- AnComm has launched www.AnComm.Com, the company's flagship Web site. AnComm's new Web site is designed as an online resource for school administrators, teachers, parents and students to learn more about school violence and the role of...