Mississippi Business Journal

10/31/2024

Entergy was recognized this year as one of the top 25 workplace giving contributors for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, donating more than $230,000 through the company’s employee payroll contributions across its service areas.

10/15/2024

UM Business School to Host 23rd Annual Banking and Finance Symposium

OXFORD, Miss. – The University of Mississippi School of Business Administration is preparing for its 23rd annual Banking and Finance Symposium, set for Nov. 8 at the Oxford Conference Center. The daylong event includes discussions on financial technology advances and trends in mergers and acquisitions.

Michelle “Miki” Bowman is this year’s keynote speaker. Bowman was appointed to the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System in November 2018 and is currently serving a term that ends in 2034.

In Kansas, she previously served as the state bank commissioner and vice president of Farmers & Drovers Bank.

“We are thrilled to have such an amazing lineup of speakers at this year’s symposium,” said Ken Cyree, dean of the business school. “In our breakout sessions, we have concurrent sessions that cover open banking, regulatory impact after the election, cybersecurity and the dark web, and growing your bank in uncertain times.”

The symposium begins with the Women in Finance breakfast featuring Yolett McPhee-McCuin, head coach of the Ole Miss women’s basketball team, and Jill Castilla, president and CEO of Citizens Bank of Edmond, Oklahoma.

John Augustine, chief investment officer and economist for Huntington National Bank, and Greg Adelson, CEO of Jack Henry & Associates, will also deliver keynote speeches.

Registration is $95 and is open to banking and finance professionals, students and alumni. Scholarships are available for employed professionals ages 35 or younger. Contact Kathy Mikell at [email protected] for scholarship information.

10/13/2024

JACKSON, MS — Accelerate MS is inviting applications for the EquipMS Grant program to enhance career and technical education in Mississippi high schools. Now in its second year, the program offers $25K to $150K in funding to modernize programs focused on Advanced Manufacturing, Industrial Maintenance, and Electrical careers.

"Successful career preparation begins long before high school graduation," said Shelika Ho**er, Director of Grants Management at AccelerateMS. "The commitment of our state leadership to workforce development at all levels is opening up new pathways for students to gain skills earlier, focusing on opportunities in the local job market."

Eligible Mississippi public school districts must apply by 5:00 pm CT on December 13, 2024. Awards will be announced by January 15, 2025.

10/04/2024

Proud to announce that Mississippi’s tourism industry has broken records!

Mississippi has momentum and THIS is our time!

10/03/2024

Congrats to Milwaukee Tool for cutting the ribbon on their new manufacturing facility in Grenada County.

Their $60 million investment is creating 800 jobs in Grenada County (1,200 total across the state).

Mississippi is open for business!

10/01/2024

Tuesday marked a historic day for the Tupelo Regional Airport.

09/30/2024

Many of us view Grand Gulf construction days through hazy pictures on the wall, but Linda Davis recalls them clearly with a first-person point of view.

09/29/2024

09/21/2024

C Spire is expanding its Connect & Protect program to help families stay connected while keeping kids safe in the digital world. With new parental controls and customizable access levels for data and social media, parents can now set boundaries and promote healthy tech habits.

"At C Spire, we understand the growing digital threats posed by social media and screen time," says CEO Suzy Hays. "Our goal is to provide parents with peace of mind as they navigate the online world with their children."

Learn more about Connect & Protect starting at just $30/month by visiting your local C Spire store or visiting www.cspire.com.

09/20/2024

09/19/2024

Toyota is investing in tomorrow's workforce and community leaders--helping train teachers and provide students with hands-on learning in science, technology, engineering, and math.

09/17/2024

Members of the Lampton family recently participated in the third annual "It's All Relative" Family Business Symposium organized by the Ole Miss Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, for which Ergon was a platinum sponsor. This event allowed the Lamptons to not only share their advice for success in family businesses but also learn from numerous other accomplished family businesses.

The is truly grateful for the Lamptons' selfless leadership, dedication to giving back and commitment to carrying forward the legacy of Ergon founder Leslie Lampton Sr.

09/06/2024

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09/06/2024

Greenville Kearns Aerospace Maintenance expanding
in Washington County

Jackson, Miss. (Sept. 5, 2024) – Greenville Kearns Aerospace Maintenance is investing in its aircraft maintenance operations in Greenville. The project is a $11.75 million corporate investment and will create 31 new jobs.

GKAM specializes in aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul, as well as avionics/structure modifications, manufacturing, inspection and kitting for military and civilian aircraft. Since 2022, the company has leased a hangar at Mid Delta Regional Airport, where it previously committed to creating 250 jobs.

With this newest investment, GKAM plans to retrofit two existing aircraft hangars to be used for aircraft painting, paint striping, hazmat capture and hazmat storage and containment. The 31 new jobs will bring the total number of jobs committed to by GKAM to 281. Additionally, the new capabilities will make GKAM one of the largest aircraft depots in the U.S. and the largest veteran-owned small business in the U.S.

Mississippi Development Authority is providing assistance through the Mississippi Flexible Tax Incentive, or MFLEX, program. AccelerateMS and Washington County also are assisting with the project.

GKAM expects to complete the expansion by the end of the second quarter of 2025. Soon after, the company plans to fill the 31 new jobs.

09/06/2024

The September edition of the Mississippi Business Journal is out! Visit msbusinessjournal.com for subscriptions and/or to advertise.

09/03/2024

Entergy Mississippi to build first new power station in 50 years

New plant will replace Gerald Andrus Steam Electric Station in Greenville

GREENVILLE Miss. – For the first time in 50 years, Entergy Mississippi is building a new natural gas power station, which will ensure customers continue to have modern, reliable energy well into the future. The advanced facility will be the first combined-cycle combustion turbine power station the company has built from the ground up.

“As our customers’ needs and environmental factors evolve, so must our fleet. We’re investing in cleaner, more efficient power generation now, to help us keep bills lower for customers than they otherwise would be in the future,” said Haley Fisackerly, president and CEO of Entergy Mississippi.

The combined-cycle combustion turbine facility is a dual-fuel technology. While natural gas is the primary resource, the advanced facility will be designed to support blended hydrogen to produce reliable energy.

Eventually, the company will retire the Gerald Andrus Steam Electric Station, which is currently located in Greenville. By replacing older power plants with more advanced and efficient technology, Entergy Mississippi is producing more electricity from the same amount of fuel while significantly reducing carbon emissions.

Over the past two decades, the utility has bought three natural gas power stations – Attala Plant in Sallis (2006), Hinds Energy Facility in Jackson (2012) and Choctaw Energy Facility in French Camp (2019).

In addition to the current natural gas units, the Sunflower Solar Station near Ruleville (2022) and the Grand Gulf Nuclear Station in Port Gibson (1985) are generating emission-free electricity and contributing to the company’s diverse and reliable power generation mix. Entergy Mississippi purchased the solar facility and owns a portion of the nuclear plant.

The new power station is expected to be completed in 2028.

About Entergy Mississippi

Entergy Mississippi, LLC provides electricity to approximately 459,000 customers in 45 counties. Entergy Mississippi is a subsidiary of Entergy Corporation, a Fortune 500 electric company. Entergy powers life for 3 million customers through our operating companies in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. We’re investing in the reliability and resilience of the energy system while helping our region transition to cleaner, more efficient energy solutions. With roots in our communities for more than 100 years, Entergy is a nationally recognized leader in sustainability and corporate citizenship. Since 2018, we have delivered more than $100 million in economic benefits each year to local communities through philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy. Entergy is headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, and has approximately 12,000 employees. For the latest news from Entergy Mississippi, visit the Newsroom and connect with on social media.

08/30/2024

Gulf States Canners Expanding in Hinds County

Gulf States Canners is expanding at its canning facility in Clinton. The project is a $40.8 million investment and will create 19 jobs.

Gulf States Canners has been a part of the Clinton business community since 1972, serving as a local producer of canned and bottled products for Coca-Cola bottlers. This expansion and modernization project includes modifying the existing facility to increase efficiency and capacity and adding a new PET bottle production line for Coca-Cola sparkling products and Dasani water bottles.

Mississippi Development Authority is providing assistance through the Mississippi Flexible Tax Incentive, or MFLEX, program. AccelerateMS, the city of Clinton and the Hinds County Board of Supervisors also assisting with the project.

“MDA is proud to support Gulf States Canners as the company modernizes, expands and creates new job opportunities at its Clinton location,” said – Bill Cork, Executive Director of the Mississippi Development Authority. "This project and significant corporate investment are indicative of the supportive business environment a Mississippi location offers – one that enables companies to achieve long-term growth and success in our state.”

Gulf States Canners expects to complete the expansion within a year and plans to fill the new jobs within two years. The company currently employs 88 workers at its Clinton facility.

“This expansion marks a significant milestone in Gulf States Canners’ history and underlines our long-term commitment to the Clinton community and our employees,” said Mark Shorter, General Manager of Gulf States Canners, Inc. "By modernizing our facility and adding a new production line, we are not only increasing our operational efficiency but also creating new job opportunities that will greatly benefit the local economy. We are proud to continue our partnership with the city of Clinton, Hinds County and the state of Mississippi as we invest in the future of our company and our community.”

“We are excited to welcome this $40 million expansion to Hinds County, a testament to the collaborative efforts between local government, the Mississippi Development Authority, Entergy, and our local businesses,” said Jason Owens, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Hinds County Economic Development Authority. "This project highlights the strength of our teamwork and our shared commitment to fostering a business-friendly environment. The new jobs and investment underscore our progress and potential, and we look forward to the positive impact on our local economy.”

08/27/2024

Hosemann Launches State Fiscal Policy Study Group

Mississippi Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann has named a third select study group in the Senate on state fiscal policy. The study group will be co-chaired by Senate Appropriations Chairman Briggs Hopson and Senate Finance Chairman Josh Harkins.

“Our ultimate goal is always to lower the tax burden and ensure taxpayer dollars stay in taxpayer pockets,” said Hosemann. “This requires Appropriations and Finance leadership to be at the table looking at all income and expenses to ensure we are being as efficient as possible while fully funding necessary services.”

The State Fiscal Policy Study Group will hold public hearings and hear testimony on current taxes, tax credits, bonds and bond capacity, diversions, and other budget and economic issues relating to revenues and expenditures by the State. All hearings will be webcasted and archived on the Legislature’s website.

In 2022, under Hosemann’s leadership, the Legislature enacted the largest tax cut in Mississippi history. The cut eliminated the 4% income tax bracket and, in 2026 when fully phased in, will reduce the top rate from 5% to 4%. Once fully implemented, the total cut will eliminate an estimated $524 million in recurring revenue and place Mississippi among the lowest income tax states in the nation.

Other members of the study group include Senators Andy Berry, Bradford Blackmon, Rod Hickman, Chris Johnson, Dean Kirby, John Polk, Derrick Simmons, and Daniel Sparks.

Elected in 2008, Hopson is an attorney from Vicksburg, Mississippi. Harkins, elected in 2012, owns and operates a real estate brokerage firm and is from Flowood, Mississippi.

For more information, visit www.ltgovhosemann.ms.gov.

08/26/2024

New Broadband Expansion Projects Approved Totaling $21.6 Million

Governor Tate Reeves today announced that the Office of Broadband Expansion and Accessibility of Mississippi (BEAM) recently approved nine broadband expansion projects to be funded by the Capital Projects Fund (CPF). These nine projects will provide $21.6 million of grant funding to expand internet service to approximately 12,300 households in communities across the state.

“Mississippi continues to make incredible progress in expanding broadband access all across our state,” said Governor Tate Reeves. “It’s a critical piece of infrastructure, and we’re working hard to ensure that every Mississippian has access to it. We’ll continue doing everything in our power to ensure everyone has connectivity, regardless of their zip code.”

This announcement is in addition to $70.1 million awarded for 24 other CPF projects approved in June of this year to serve approximately 27,000 households. In total, Mississippi was allocated $162 million through CPF.

The $162 million in CPF funding is only one of the investments in Mississippi broadband that is to be administered by the BEAM office. BEAM is currently overseeing the $32 million Broadband Infrastructure Program (BIP) projects (12 projects in 10 counties) that will be completed this calendar year. BEAM is also preparing to administer the $1.2 billion in funding provided by the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) grant, and overseeing the $10.7 million State Digital Skills and Accessibility grant.

Citizens are encouraged to visit the Mississippi broadband map available at www.broadbandms.com. The map shows available service at each household, as well as locations that already have federal funding for service expansion. BEAM can be reached by phone at 601-359-5029 or by email at [email protected] for any questions.