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Blake Wilson
President 
| Dear Member: Two great things happened in Mississippi for business this week.
On Tuesday, Cisco Systems CEO John Chambers came to MEC's Hobnob and announced a multi-million gift to help schools in hurricane-impacted parts of the state recover. But it was really bigger than that -- it was a multi-year initiative aimed at helping put Mississippi on the map when it comes to
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school technology -- in a program that leads by example. The end result, it is hoped, will be that other companies will catch the enthusiasm, and join in the effort to help improve technology in Mississippi schools in the hurricane-impacted parts of our state...and beyond. It is a huge boost for our state's future that will pay dividends in the years to come.
Then in Columbus, Governor Haley Barbour joined officials of the Columbus-Lowndes Development Link and our newest state CEO, John Correnti of SeverCorr Steel, in breaking ground for a new mill that will provide a much-needed shot in the arm for the Golden Triangle.
Hard work pays off. Not only did the leadership of the Golden Triangle area work hard to make this project happen -- but they really set the stage for success several years ago with the reorganization and focus of economic development and Chamber activities in a partnership through the Columbus-Lowndes Development Link, which is already paying real dividends.
Kudos to the board and leadership of Columbus for thinking outside the box...and making the right decisions to position the organization for this kind of success. And congratulations to the volunteer business leaders, Development Link CEO Joe Max Higgins, Jr., Columbus Mayor Jeffrey Rupp, area legislators, Governor Haley Barbour and State MDA Director Leland Speed and his team of Gray Swoope, Terri Hudson, Bill Crawford and others, including Golden Triangle Airport Director Nick Ardillo, the leaders of TVA in having the foresight to market the site as a "mega-site" -- and to the Mississippi House and Senate -- for pulling together and making this project happen.
It is another step toward putting Mississippi on the map, when it comes to supplying the automotive industry.
These two events are milestones for Mississippi. And I hope you'll take a minute to read the articles below -- and mark celebrate these significant successes...that will bring real opportunities to Mississippians. |
HOBNOB 2005
Cisco donates $20 million to rebuild schools |
| 1,000 business and community leaders attending Hobnob 2005 heard Cisco Systems, Inc., President and CEO John Chambers announce a $20 million "Mississippi Education Initiative" during the 4th annual meeting dominated by Hurricane Katrina recovery and rebuilding. |
From left: House Speaker Billy McCoy; Cisco Systems, Inc., President & CEO John Chambers; and State Superintendent of Education Dr. Hank Bounds. | Chambers, who heads the world leader in Internet networking, said his company's goal is to create model schools in Mississippi and other Gulf Coast states that will become a template for incorporating technology and educational programs in schools nationwide. |
| Of the $40 million earmarked, half will go to help 32 schools in seven Mississippi school districts. The following schools and districts have been selected in Mississippi: Forrest County |
| Agriculture High School, Forrest County School District, Hattiesburg School District, Lamar County School District, Petal School District, Moss Point High School (Moss Point School District), and Harrison Central High School (Harrison County School District). Funding comes from Cisco Systems and a $10 million personal donation from Cisco Chairman John Morgridge, along with a $2 million | 
Cisco Systems, Inc., President John Chambers with Lt. Gov. Amy Tuck. |
personal donation by Chambers.
In a first for Hobnob, the announcement was carried live via the Internet. |
| State Superintendent of Education Hank Bounds praised Chambers and the Cisco vision, saying the Cisco initiative will help students and educators use technology in the teaching and learning process. Bounds was on the job less than a month when Katrina struck. Earlier in the meeting he said he wants to cut the state dropout rate in half - to 20% -- within five years and to improve test scores. Lt. Gov. Amy Tuck and Speaker of the House Billy McCoy said the | 
Jim Barksdale
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Legislature is working together to respond to Katrina's destruction and the rebuilding efforts. In a videotaped message, Gov. Haley Barbour said he was seeking $38 billion in federal relief to assist the state.
Jim Barksdale, former Netscape CEO and chair of the Governor's Commission on Recovery, Rebuilding and Renewal, said the group would report by December 31 with a plan that would rebuild the Coast stronger and better than before. He praised the planning process and community participation.
In other Hobnob news, a $500 check to the Animal Rescue League will be sent on behalf of BellSouth which won the Pumpkin Carving contest. |
| SeverCorr breaks ground on $700 million facility |
SeverCorr has broken ground at the future site of its new mini-mill located in the Golden Triangle Industrial Park in Lowndes County with Gov. Haley Barbour along with SeverCorr CEO John Correnti and many local and county officials on hand.
Company officials expect construction of the 1.2 million-square-foot mill to be completed by early 2007 and the facility should be operational by the third quarter of 2007. |
From left: Gov. Haley Barbour, SeverCorr CEO John Correnti, and John Bradley, senior vice president for economic development, TVA. | "I am pleased to welcome SeverCorr to Mississippi's business community," Gov. Barbour said. "I hope this prime location along with the skilled workers and supportive business climate that Mississippi has to offer will serve both SeverCorr and Lowndes County well for many years to come."
"This project has proven that Lowndes County is poised and |
ready to secure and create the progressive business climate needed to attract a project of this magnitude. SeverCorr is a great addition to our industrial landscape and we look forward to the area's future growth," said Joe Max Higgins, Jr., CEO, Columbus-Lowndes Development Link.
In March 2005, SeverCorr announced plans to build a $700 million mill on nearly 1,400 acres in Lowndes County. The facility will produce high quality steel products for the automotive industry and is expected to create 450 high-paying jobs and generate another 2,000 jobs through suppliers and other related industries. |
| Katrina won't stop Salute to the Military |
| The 27th annual Salute to the Military will be Tuesday, Nov. 15, at the U.S. Navy Construction Battalion Center in Gulfport, according to the Mississippi Coast Chamber of Commerce, sponsors of the annual event. |
 | Admiral Michael G. Mullen, Chief of Naval Operations, is the invited speaker. Mullen will join U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran, U.S. Congressman Gene Taylor, Gov. Haley Barbour, Chamber chairman Duncan McKenzie and the commanders of |
| each Coast military installation. Special emphasis will be recognizing all the support provided by the military during and after Hurricane Katrina and the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II. A reception will begin at 6 p.m. and a ceremonial program at 7 p.m. |
As Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Mullen is a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and continues a tradition of the nation's senior military leaders coming to the annual event. Last year's speaker, Gen. Peter Pace, USMC, became chairman of the Joint Chiefs in September. Pace replaced Air Force Gen. Richard Myers, who was the Salute's featured speaker in 2003.
Tickets, which will include dinner, the Salute ceremonies and after-dinner program are $50 for civilians and retired military and $40 for | 
Admiral Michael G. Mullen
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| uniformed military. Checks should be made payable to the Coast Chamber with a notation they are for the Salute. Tickets are available by contacting the Coast Chamber's temporary office at (228) 547-9668 or by mail at P.O. Box 8267, Biloxi, MS 39535. |
Coast Back to Business Web up and running |
| Chambers of Commerce in Hancock, Harrison and Jackson counties and MEC have partnered to provide a business registry Coast businesses can use to announce that they are back in business -- and provide any necessary temporary location, relocation or changed telephone and e-mail information that may be necessary so that loyal customers can contact their favorite businesses at http://www.mscoastbiz.com. |
| The generous underwriting support of MEC member BellSouth covered the cost for site development. |
"We are pleased to have the opportunity to work with our Chambers in helping businesses across the coast promote the fact that they are back in business," said John M. McCullouch, president of BellSouth-Mississippi Operations, and past-MEC Chair. "We hope this will be a useful tool for those Chambers that are providing a real service to their communities as we all work to rebuild the Coast and restart the economy."
Even if a location or phone number hasn't changed, the website is still a great tool for just sending out a message that a business is up and running! Hundreds of businesses have registered at no charge at the Mississippi Coast Back to Business website. |
| Procurement workshops to aid small businesses |
| A series of five statewide workshops for small, disadvantaged and minority businesses to discuss procedures and strategies for Katrina recovery procurement opportunities have been scheduled in Biloxi, Meridian, Jackson, Greenville and Columbus. |
 | The first session will be in Biloxi on Thursday, Nov. 3, according to the Mississippi Development Authority and the Mississippi Procurement Technical |
Assistance Network who are co-hosts. All meetings are open to the public and begin at 8 a.m., with pre-registration of company name and address required. The Small & Disadvantage Business Utilization specialist representing the Dept. of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency will attend, as well as representatives from prime contractors already performing disaster recovery work.
Also attending with be representatives of the Army Corps of Engineers, the Small Business Administration, and the General Services Administration.
Co-sponsors of the workshops include the Mississippi Economic Council, Mississippi Minority Contractors Association, Mississippi Department of Finance & Administration, the Mississippi Manufacturers Association, and the Mississippi Minority Business Alliance. Dates and locations of future workshops:
 Nov. 7 -- Meridian, Meridian Community College, Delany Hall.
Nov. 9 - Jackson, Jackson State University, Mississippi E-Center, 1230 Raymond Road.
Nov. 15 - Greenville, Washington County Convention Center, 1040 Raceway Road.
Nov. 17 - Columbus, Trotter Convention Center (lower level), 2nd Avenue North.
To register call 601-359-3448, ask for Deidre Floyd and give company name and address.
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| Enterprise Forum to feature health care & economy |
| Dr. Bob Arnot, NBC's former chief medical editor and now the network's special foreign correspondent, will be the featured speaker at the 2nd annual U.S. Senator Thad Cochran Forum on American Enterprise luncheon presented by MEC member the Mississippi Council on Economic Education in Jackson on Nov. 3 at the Jackson Marriott. |
 | Cochran, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Gov. Haley Barbour, State Superintendent of Education Dr. Hank Bounds and MCEE Chairman Dr. Ted Alexander will also speak. |
Arnot, to be introduced by MEC President Blake Wilson, will address the American economy and healthcare issues. The Boston native joined NBC nearly a decade ago and is frequently seen on NBC News network broadcast including MSNBC and CNBC. He is a former health correspondent with CBS News and a 1974 graduate of McGill University's medical school in Montreal in 1974.
For additional details, contact MCEE offices in Jackson at 601-961-4408 or go to the MCEE website. |
OTHER STORIES
  Northrop Grumman Gulf Coast facilities back to work
Northrop Grumman Corporation -- boosted by steps the company made to help employees -- reports that 13,400 employees from its MEC member Ship Systems sector workforce of nearly 19,800 have returned to work full time since its Gulf Coast facilities were impacted by Hurricane Katrina. Production work has resumed on the 11 ships under construction at facilities in Pascagoula, Gulfport and New Orleans.
Chevron restarts Pascagoula refinery
Chevron Global Refining has successfully and safely restarted its Pascagoula refinery, which was shut down prior to Hurricane Katrina. The refinery produces 325,000 barrels per day of refined products.
Secretary of State extends corporate filing deadline
MEC member Mississippi Secretary of State Eric Clark has issued an administrative rule to allow corporations harmed by Hurricane Katrina extra time to file required documents with his office.
Navy awards contract to Raytheon
The U.S. Navy has awarded MEC member Raytheon Company a $93-million contract option for performance-based logistics support of its ALR-67(V)3 radar warning receiver system.
Watkins Ludlam Coast office reopened
MEC member Watkins Ludlam Winter & Stennis, P.A. has reopened its Mississippi Gulf Coast law office in the heart of downtown Gulfport at 1310 27th Avenue, on the Second Floor of The Cadillac Building. Nine attorneys and 11 staff members will be based in this temporary location while repairs are being made to their permanent offices in the Hancock Bank Building.
First M&F takes steps to buy two banks
MEC member First M&F Corporation has signed definitive agreements to acquire Columbiana Bancshares Inc. and its subsidiary, First National Bank of Shelby County, and Crockett County Bancshares Inc. and its subsidiary, Bells Banking Company.
Staplcotn makes top 100 for 2004
MEC member Staplcotn now ranks 20th in the National Cooperative Bank (NCB) Co-op 100 with $1.3 billion in revenue during fiscal year 2004.
EastGroup buys two Houston facilities
MEC member EastGroup Properties has acquired two Houston, Texas, properties in separate transactions, for a total of $6.15 million.
  
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