MEDC 2007 NEWS

Scroll down for listing of Towns and Cities
Chronological listing of news
News on Individual Members - Member News
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NEWS ARCHIVES
Click below for news articles in each year.
2010
2009
2008

List by town - linked to chronological list below:
Baldwyn - Toyota Auto Body
Batesville - GE | Toyoda Gosei
Biloxi - Margaritaville Casino
Bolton - Sterling Fitness Equipment
Brookhaven - Linbrook Business Park
Clinton - ADP
Columbia - Unity Homes
Columbus - PACCAR | EADES update
Forest - Raytheon
Greenwood - Ray-bestos, Viking
Hattiesburg - Hybrid Plastics | Sam's Dist. Center, USM National Formulation Science Laboratory
Hancock County - PSL North America
Indianola - Eagle
Itawamba County - Itawamba Confirmation | Toyota Boshoku will employ 500
Iuka - Roll Form Group
Jackson - Airport | Downtown Pinnacle | Jackson State | MS Museum of Art
Laurel - Howard Industries | Ashley Furniture
Long Beach - J Levens Builders
Lumberton - Growth
Meridian - Loblolly, Teikuro, Tower Automotive, Clutch Auto | Tower Automotive
Mississippi - Japan-USSE Assn. | One of Fastest Growing Economies in U.S. | Forbes Magazine | Automotive/Aerospace | Japan-U.S. Southeast Association | 1st Toyota Supplier | Interstates | Trent Lott OpEd
Natchez - Rentech Inc.
Noxubee County- Koch Food, Inc.
Ocean Springs - Mixed-Use Community
Oxford -Retiree Attraction Program
Pascagoula - Northrup Grumman | Rolls Royce
Perry County - USDOE Strategic Petroleum Reserve
Purvis - Lowe's
South Mississippi - Thyssen-Krupp
Starkville - MSU Flight Lab
Tunica - Paula Deen
Tupelo - Call Centers | Top Entreprenurial town | Toyota
West Point Expansion - Griffin Armament

Governor Barbour Welcomes ADP Solutions Center to Mississippi
December 10, 2007 - Governor's Press Release
Governor Haley Barbour announced today that Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP), a leading provider of business outsourcing solutions, will open a new Solutions Center in Clinton, Miss.
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BROOKHAVEN BREAKS GROUND OF THE NEW 460-ACRE LINBROOK BUSINESS PARK
December 6, 2007 - The Daily Leader
The Brookhaven-Lincoln Industrial Development Foundation announces its groundbreaking of the Linbrook Business Park, which will soon be the future of the children and families in the community. The county and city have each given $2.2 million toward the purchase of the project and to install the infrastructure.
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Lowe's to build distribution center
November 13, 2007 - Hattiesburg American
Lowe's Co. announced Monday it has completed earlier announced plans to build a $15 million dollar flatbed distribution center in Purvis.
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Plant for factory-built homes going up in Columbia
October 30, 2007 - Clarion-Ledger
Unity Homes, a nonprofit corporation, will build a $6 million modular home manufacturing facility in Columbia that will employ 89 people, Gov. Haley Barbour announced today.
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Yellow Creek Welcomes Roll Form Group
October 11, 2007 - Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, Tupelo
. . . The Iuka plant, which formally opened on Wednesday, is the Canadian division's first production facility in the United States.
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Plastics plant unveils its $2.3M expansion, plans to double its work force - Hybrid also shares blueprint for another $2.8 million project
October 9, 2007 - Clarion-Ledger
. . . His comments came at a ribbon-cutting event to unveil the $2.3 million, 15,000-square-foot expansion that will allow the company to increase its production five-fold to nearly a ton of material a year and double the 30-employee staff.
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Alternative fuels maker to buy site near Natchez
October 4, 2007 - Clarion-Ledger
Alternative fuels maker Rentech Inc. said today it will buy 450 acres near Natchez where it will likely build a $3 billion-plus production center to make synthetic jet fuel, diesel and specialty products.
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Harrah's Forms Alliance with Paula Deen - Tunica, MS
October 2, 2007 - Forbes
. . . A 560-seat Paula Deen's Buffet will be installed at the Grand Casino Resort Tunica, which is undergoing a $45 million renovation and being renamed Harrah's Casino Tunica.

Distribution Center Coming
September 28, 2007 - Hattiesburg American
A Sam's Club Distribution Center with 65 jobs is coming to the Hattiesburg/Forrest County Industrial Park, officials announced Thursday. Saddle Creek Corp. said it received the contract to build the 60,000-square-foot facility that is scheduled to open in June on J.M. Tatum Industrial Drive
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Baldwyn pulls in Toyota supplier
September 26, 2007 - Clarion-Ledger, Jackson
$200 million facility is expected to open in 2010 and employ 400. Toyota Auto Body Co. Ltd., which in July became the automaker's first announced supplier, said Tuesday it would build its plant in Baldwyn.
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Mixed-use community planned
September 23, 2007 - The Mississippi Press, Ocean Springs
The owners of 612 acres on the corner of Front Beach Drive and Porter Avenue want to build what could be the first mixed-used community in Jackson County.
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Itawamba Confirmation:
August 29, 2007 - Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal
Itawamba County claimed its place in Northeast Mississippi's Toyota era on Tuesday with announcement of a 500-employee Tier 1 supplier, Toyota Boshoku, on a site near the Dorsey community off U.S. Highway 78.
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Toyota Boshoku will employ 500:
August 29, 2007 - Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal
FULTON - It's simple why Toyota Boshoku Corp., a $9 billion Japanese parts supplier, is building a plant in Mississippi, the head of its American operations said Tuesday.
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Mississippi joins networking organization to promote Japanese investment
August 20, 2007 - MDA Press Release
In an effort to foster increased Japanese investment in the state, the State of Mississippi has joined the Japan-U.S. Southeast Association.
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. . . Newark Flight a Go
August 19, 2007 - The Clarion-Ledger
. . . A direct flight to the New York metro area starts early next month. A cargo flight directly to China is under study. And airport officials hope to nab a $30 million U.S. Department of Homeland Security logistics center.
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Northrop Grumman's GlobalHawk pitched for Navy surveillance
August 19, 2007 - The Mississippi Press
PASCAGOULA -- . . . The GlobalHawk fuselage is built at Northrop Grumman's facility adjacent to Trent Lott Airport in Moss Point.
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Lumberton sees growth, change
August 15, 2007 - Hattiesburg American
The landscape of Lumberton has changed at a rapid rate in recent months, as the city welcomed in three major manufacturing plants and has continued efforts to improve the look of its Hurricane Katrina-damaged downtown.
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MDA Director: Automotive and aerospace industries key to international competition
August 14, 2007 - Commercial Dispatch
Rising salaries through better-paying jobs from aerospace and automobile-related industries is what will move this state . . . said Mississippi's leading economic developer.
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Mississippi has one of the fastest growing economies in the U.S.
August 13, 2007 - National Association of Residential Real Estate Investment Advisors (NARREIA)
After Katrina there has been considerable progress in Mississippi yet there is much rebuilding to be done.
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Waste Management Call Center: Taking care of business
August 12, 2007 - Northeast MS Daily Journal
Call center central. Waste Management's facility is among six in the area.
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Japan-U.S. Southeast Association membership provides more industrial contacts
August 11, 2007 - Northeast Msisissippi Daily Journal
Mississippi has become part of the Japan-U.S. Southeast Association, which will help shore up support for Toyota and perhaps attract other industries to the Northeast Mississippi region.
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Raytheon to mark expansion of Forest, Mississippi facility
August 2, 2007 - CNN Money.com
Raytheon Company will dedicate a 90,000 square-foot expansion of its Consolidated Manufacturing Center Aug. 2.
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Toyota supplier announces it'll locate at undetermined location in North Mississippi
July 26, 2007 - Commercial Dispatch
Toyota Auto Body Co. Ltd.will build a $180 million plant at an undetermined site in North Mississippi, becoming the first announced supplier to Toyota's new auto assembly plant in Blue Springs, Gov. Haley Barbour said today.
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Economic Development - Mississippi - We're Open for Business
July 23, 2007 - Forbes Magazine - Mississippi Feature
Mississippi is much more than the name of a river - it is also one of the best states in the U. S. to do business.
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Furniture company to open plant in Iuka
June 28, 2007 - The Clarion-Ledger
Max Home LLC will open an upholstered furniture operation in the Iuka Industrial Park. The company is scheduled to begin setting up operations in July.
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Noxubee to get 400 new jobs
June 28, 2007 - Commercial Dispatch, Columbus, MS
MACON - In the economic development arena, Noxubee County just got a big boost.
“Noxubee County is pleased to announce the largest economic development project in our history,” Brian Wilson, Noxubee County's interim economic and community development director, said today.
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Airport experiencing growth with ground breaking
June 27, 2007 - Laurel Leader-Call - A groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday morning signaled the beginning of construction of an Ashley Furniture HomeStore Distribution Center in the Hattiesburg-Laurel Regional Airport Business Park.
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Tower Automotive "Officially Here"
June 20, 2007 - Meridian Star - "Plant enjoys ribbon-cutting ceremony."
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New museum: A jewel for city and state
June 8, 2007- Clarion Ledger - "The new Mississippi Museum of Art opens to the public today. . . ."
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Fitness equipment maker moving into Bolton Industrial Park
June 8, 2007 - Clarion-Ledger - " . . . The facility will be about a $600,000 investment in a 10,000-square-foot factory and showroom. Ten people will be employed there when the building is complete."
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West Point plant wins $623M deal to assemble armored vehicles for Marines
May 31, 2007 - Clarion-Ledger - "Griffin Armament in West Point has won a $623 million contract to build 1,200 mine-resistant ambush-protected armored vehicles for the Marine Corps, members of the Mississippi congressional delegation announced today. . . . "
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Developments
May 30, 2007 - Clarion-Ledger (Jackson) - Other developments in downtown Jackson.
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Plans for $43M building expand Pinnacle of Downtown
May 30, 2007 - Clarion-Ledger (Jackson) - ". . . Construction on the Pinnacle and an adjacent garden is scheduled to start Friday. Parkway hopes to select a developer soon to build up to 80 apartments and condominiums on the block, and it will begin a $5 million renovation of a nearby parking garage this fall. . . ."
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GE selects site for special composites component facility in Mississippi
May 29, 2007 - Governor's press relese - Batesville, MS - " . . . GE Aviation, a GE division and world-leading producer of jet engines, is creating a 200,000 square-foot facility to specialize in advanced composite engine components. . . ."
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Tupelo top Entreprenurial town -
May 26, 2007 – Daily Journal – “. . . According to the Kauffman Index of Entrepreneurial Activity, an annual study that measures business start-up activity for the entire U.S. adult population at the individual owner level, Mississippi had one of the highest levels of entrepreneurial activity in the country last year. . . . “
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Hurricane Katrina changed many attitudes about Mississippi
May 21, 2007 - Clarion-Ledger - By U. S. Senator Trent Lott - "Believe it, Mississippi. . . . our dogged determination, cooperation and charity after the storm made a lot of people around the world change their perceptions about Mississippi. . . ."
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(Margaritaville Casino) $750M casino project slated
May 17, 2007 - Clarion-Ledger - "Pascagoula-born singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett, whose island-hopping image belies his apparent business savvy, is lending his Margaritaville brand to a $704 million casino resort planned in Biloxi. . . . "
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(Thyssen-Krupp) A life-changing project
May 12, 2007 – Sun Herald (Biloxi)  – “South Mississippi counties are expecting huge benefits from the $3.7 billion German-owned steel plant that will be built in neighboring South Alabama.”
Related story: May 12, 2007 – Andalusia Star News, (Alabama)
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Region joins Governor for PACCAR announcement celebration
May 12, 2007 - Commercial Dispatch (Columbus) - “. . . PACCAR, Inc. to build a $400 million facility to manufacture 12.9-liter and 9.2-liter diesel engines for Kenworth, Peterbilt and DAF vehicles . . .”

PACCAR Locating New Manufacturing and Assembly Plant in Lowndes County Mississippi
May 16, 2007 – All American Patriots
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Window to the World - Jackson State’s e-Center:
May 12, 2007 - Clarion-Ledger - “. . . There's the three-dimensional simulator that lets users walk through a virtual neighborhood in a program for urban development. There's global mapping, ocean-vessel engineering and even a national defense area where research is secret and the sealed lips of employees spur you onward. And there's the tech-business incubator where more than a dozen startups are finding their sea legs.”
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USM’s National Formulation Science Laboratory -
Senator to attend ground-breaking at USM innovation park
May 12, 2007 – Hattiesburg American - “. . . Once completed, the NFSL will provide space for high-tech companies relocating to south Mississippi, particularly those seeking access to university projects involving polymers and high-performance materials. . . .”
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J. Levens Builders - Builder Celebrates Business Growth in Long Beach
May 7, 2007 - WLOXTV - There was a celebration Monday for the first, new commercial building to open in Long Beach since Hurricane Katrina. J. Levens Builders hosted a ribbon cutting and open house for its facility at the Long Beach Industrial Park. . .
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PSL-North America locating new pipe manufacturing facility in Hancock County
May 3, 2007 - Governor's Press Release
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Howard Industries holds open house for new facilities
April 12, 2007 - Laurel, MS - Press release
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Rolls-Royce opens new machining center in Mississippi
September, 2006 - JCEDF news - ". . . Rolls-Royce has invested over $8 million in the local industrial base developing the facility. . . . "
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Mississippi has momentum (Booneville, Meridian and Greenwood featured)
December, 2006 - Business Facilities
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DOE chooses Perry County salt domes for strategic petroleum reserve
December 11, 2006 - The ADP Press Release
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OXFORD, MS Press Release -  The Oxford-Lafayette County Economic Development Foundation’s Retiree Attraction Program has once again garnered national attention for the city of Oxford and its quality of life with a live appearance on CNBC’s “Power Lunch” with Sue Herera.  Photo

Mississippi exemplifies EADES strategy
June 2006 - Seattle pi.com

Site Selection Magazine Ranks Tupelo/Lee County 2nd in Nation's Top Ten Micropolitans - March, 2006

Mississippi Yearning – The Gulf Coast Recovery -
Site Selection Magazine- January, 2006

The State of Mississippi – Letter from Governor Haley Barbour
Site Selection Magazine – January, 2006

Mississippi State University Flight Lab Aids "High-Tech revolution"
Site Selection Magazine – January, 2006

Steel Magnolia - New Interstate infrastructure and a unified economic development message are proving to be a winning combination in Mississippi.
Site Selection Magazine – January, 2006