Barbour Repeats Health-Care Scares
Federal health-care reform will burden Mississippi with higher Medicaid costs, Gov. Haley Barbour told business leaders at a summit yesterday. Barbour claimed that the legislation would cost the state $230 million annually in additional Medicaid expenses, a charge he has made previously, without regard to the law's benefits.
Business Training, Health Care and Fine Art
Current and aspiring business owners have a number of training opportunities in the next week. On Thursday, Aug. 5, the Small Business Development Center at Jackson State University hosts a seminar on small business grants and loans. The workshop, at the Mississippi e-Center, runs from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. For more information and to reserve a spot, call 601-979-2795.
Cathy Baker
As head server and bartender at the Fairview Inn's restaurant, Sophia's, Cathy Baker is responsible for more than just food and drink. She is an unofficial ambassador for the city.
Jackson Pushes Brownfield Grants
The city of Jackson has two months to spend the remainder of a federal grant aimed at spurring the redevelopment of underused industrial or commercial sites. At a meeting this morning, city officials encouraged property owners and developers to apply for the city's Brownfields Redevelopment Grant Program, which pays for environmental assessments on properties that may be contaminated with hazardous substances or chemicals.
JPS Board Mulling Metrocenter Move
Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. said at last week's Jackson Public Schools board meeting that he supports developer David Watkins' vision to relocate the entirety of JPS administration to the Metrocenter Mall, but said it was not his place to influence the decision.
State Faces Multiple Rate Hikes
Mississippi Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney said he will refuse to grant a 44.4 percent rate- hike requested by Allstate Property and Casualty Insurance on Mississippi homeowner insurance customers. Chaney said that the Mississippi Insurance Department's actuarial analysis found the 44.4 percent rate increase to be unsubstantiated.
Most Businesses Prepared for Water Issues
Most Jackson businesses are well-prepared for low or nonexistent water pressure, having weathered a nearly week-long crisis in January. Most restaurants are open and hospitals are maintaining regular operations with a few adjustments.
Commissioners Deny Barbour's Influence
Mississippi Sierra Club Director Louie Miller says that a letter from Gov. Haley Barbour to the Public Service Commission asking it to approve an experimental coal plant in Kemper County may have had an unseemly impact on Public Service Commissioners Leonard Bentz' and Lynn Posey's decision to increase the plant's construction-cost cap by $480 million at the request of Mississippi Power Company.
Community Input Sought For ‘Cola Plant' Redesign
Community members will gather Wednesday night to discuss whether the old Coca-Cola plant could be a new sign of hope for Highway 80.
Toyota to Restart Blue Springs
Gov. Haley Barbour announced this morning that Toyota is moving forward to complete its Blue Springs plant in north Mississippi. Current plans call for the first cars to roll off the assembly lines in fall 2011.
Bad Business or Bad Math?
In a column published June 3 ("Payday Lending: Bad Business" by Scott Colom), JFP readers met a man named Mike (an alias for a supposed payday loan customer.) I'd like for you to meet a real payday loan customer: Gracie.
Jackson Tops for Meetings; New Boutique and Events
Jackson is an attractive meeting place for cost-sensitive companies, according to ConventionSouth magazine. The magazine's June issue names Jackson one of five "Smart Cities" in the South for business meetings. The list also names Austin, Texas, Charleston, S.C., Fairfax, Va., and Tallahassee, Fla. as business-friendly and affordable meeting sites. The magazine's entry on Jackson reflects the city's new Convention Center Complex, nearby entertainment options and affordable hotel rates.
Still Some Life in Livingston Village
MPI Center Chief Executive Officer Mike Smith said he wants to move forward on plans to convert the site of the old Hood Furniture factory off Livingston Road in Jackson to mixed-use residential and commercial property.
Birdland Reopening, Economy Still Lagging
Farish Street nightclub Birdland is open again after spending eight months closed under a court order. The club renewed its privilege license and dancehall permit Friday and was open last weekend, Jackson Police Department spokesman Detective Roderick Holmes told the Jackson Free Press today.
Blogs
- Fondren's First Thursday Changes Again
- John Oliver Starts Miss. Company; Buys and Forgives $15m in Medical Debt
- Mississippi Hospitality & Restaurant Association Creates Campaign in Response to HB1523
- Corporate CEOs Call on Bryant, GOP Leaders to Repeal HB 1523
- Mississippi Manufacturers Association to Bryant: Veto the Anti-LGBT Bill
- Moe's Southwest Grill Returning to Jackson
- 540: A New 'Ultra Lounge' on Farish St. Just in Time for JSU Homecoming
- Attorney General Warns of Phishing Scam Targeted Mac Users
- C-L Delivered 13 Pink Slips?
- Women's Progress Nonexistent at the Top