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VISIONARY: As the head of the Mississippi Development Authority, the economic development buck stops with Leland Speed who for many years has also been one of Mississippi's leading businessmen. |
January 2005
Leland Speed
Legendary business leader brings his expertise of economic development to the Mississippi Development Authority
by SID SCOTT
DBJ Contributing Writer
One day you’re living in the Carolina mountains working on your golf handicap, the next day you’re in charge of Mississippi’s economic future. It sounds like something from a Frank Capra movie to most people, but if you’re Leland Speed, it’s your life.
Gov. Haley Barbour named Speed one year-ago to be the state’s new head of the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA). Speed, 72, took the job and immediately went to work with the kind of passion that has marked his career since 1958. It’s this kind of passion, he said, that can take Mississippi to the next level in the economic development arena, once that passion catches fire in hearts of our government and business leaders.
“I’m very big on this idea of passion,” says Speed. “Show me someone who is reasonably smart–they don’t have to be a genius, but if they have a passion for what they are doing and they are tenacious, it’s amazing how much you can accomplish.”
FULL STORY
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Mega casino merger pending
Several casinos in Mississippi may be affected
by JULIE WHITEHEAD
DBJ Contributing Writer
The future is still unclear for casino properties in Tunica, Memphis, and the Gulf Coast impacted by the proposed merger of Harrah’s Entertainment and Ceasars Entertainment, announced this past July, with spokesmen for both companies noting that no final decisions have been made on consolidating the various properties.
On July 15, 2004, Harrah’s Entertainment announced its intention to acquire Ceasars Entertainment in a stock transaction that would be the largest in gaming-industry history. The merger would create the largest gaming company in the world, with Harrah’s and Ceasars owning just under 60 casinos total in the United States and abroad.
FULL STORY
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Greenwood Utilities milestone
Celebrates 100 years of service
On December 7, 1904, when horses greatly outnumbered cars on the streets of Greenwood, Greenwood Utilities was officially established. On December 7, 2004, Greenwood Utilities commissioners, management, employees, city officials, retired employees and well wishers celebrated the Utilities’ 100th anniversary.
Also attending the event was the son, C.E. Wright, Jr., and grandson, Charles L. Wright, of one of Greenwood Utilities’ founders. In 1894, C.E. Wright and T. Staige Marye established the company that would became the modern-day Greenwood Utilities.
FULL STORY |
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Yes
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No
11%
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0%
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Yes
86%
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No
14%
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Not Sure
0%
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Yes
73%
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No
23%
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Not Sure
4%
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