Some of the available stories for February 2000
Publisher's Commentary
Where do we go from here?
Mississippi as a whole and the Delta in particular
have had unprecedented success in economic development over the last decade.
Unemployment is lower than I can remember in
my lifetime, our standard of living has improved exponentially and I think
that the rest of the country has begun to change their view of the South
as sleepy and dull, to vibrant and aggressive. The existence of this paper
alone is evidence of how the area is growing economically.
More...
BellSouth's Carolyn Manning
Greenwood resident has built an
impressive career in the Telecommunications business
By Robert McFarland, Jr.
Delta Business Journal
The feverish pace of the telecommunications business
is about to get even more frenzied in the wake of the America Online -
Time Warner, merger as well as other recent mergers in this industry.
This is likely to trigger a new flurry of record setting mergers and acquisitions
raising the stakes in the telecommunications field even higher.
More...
Delta Receives High Marks in Economic
Progress Report
Exceptional growth noted
in manufacturing, aquaculture and gaming
The Delta Council's 1999 Economic Progress Report
is more than merely a financial snapshot of the 18-county area. It's a
report card, giving solid, healthy marks, that spans 18 years of economic
growth in the Mississippi Delta.
"The important thing to note is that this measures
progress over time," said Mark Manning, Director of Development at Delta
Council. "By measuring trend lines over time, we think you get a much better
picture of where we are headed."
For instance, manufacturing employment in the
Delta increased 22% in the last 18 years, even though U.S. manufacturing
employment remained flat or decreased, Manning said.
More...
The Confederate Battle Flag and
Racial Profiling: Issues With Similar Origins
By Nancy Cotten Hirst
Contributing Editor, Delta Business Journal
I've been reading with interest about the fury
with which the black community is going after the confederate battle flag
wherever it is flown or incorporated into a flag that is flown, including
private gatherings.
I've also been keeping up with the fury that
the black community feels about racial profiling, a tool of certain law
enforcement agencies for identification of possible criminal suspects.
More...
Mississippi Universities Laying
the Groundwork for Future Economic Development Opportunities
By Dr. Tom Layzell
The image of universities as "ivory towers" out
of touch with reality is one the Board of Trustees and the universities
work to combat as they attempt to meet real-world economic development
needs.
More...
Designing the Stock Market Roller
Coaster
By Allen Tye
What a ride January has been for the equity markets.
For sheer thrills, the exchanges could have sold tickets allowing investors
to experience the vertigo of market participation. Many investors, in fact,
feel as if they HAVE been charged admission fees, as both equity and fixed
income markets roiled in turbulent angst.
More...
Delta Legislators Fare Well in
Committee Representation
Capps again Appropriations Head;
House & Senate juvenile justice chairs from Delta
By Elizabeth Reid
Contributing Writer, Delta Business Journal
New century, new administration, new committees.
On Jan. 4, Ronnie Musgrove (D-Batesville) was elected as MississippiÕs
new governor by an 86-36 House vote. Days later, House Speaker Tim Ford
(D-Tupelo), passed out committee assignments that named Delta representatives
as chairmen of five committees, including Appropriations and Juvenile Justice;
four vice chairs are Deltans.
More...
DeSoto County first in pilot project
By Elizabeth Reid
Contributing Writer, Delta Business Journal
The Maddox Foundation's goal of placing a computer
in every classroom in DeSoto County has garnered statewide accolades and
interest from school districts that want to expand the program.
The grassroots program that was launched by the
foundation, Robin Costa, its managing trustee, and Tom Pittman, publisher
of DeSoto Times Today, has already gained the attention of Governor Ronnie
Musgrove. The DeSoto pilot program is the first step in a statewide effort
to reach every student within the next four years.
More...
Clarksdale Musician Creates Unusual
Guitars
By Robert McFarland, Jr.
Delta Business Journal
Blues guitar player, James "Super Chikan" Johnson, has made a name
for himself around the North Delta playing the blues with his band.
Anyone that has ever seen "Chikan" play his guitar will tell you that he
is one bad guitar player - and that means good.
More...
Check Cashing Industry Booms in
Mississippi
By Mary Ellen Powell
Contributing Writer, Delta Business Journal
The check cashing industry is growing in this state with 697 check
cashing businesses currently in existence.
As the industry booms, customers and business owners alike can take
advantage of the protection offered by law-enforced regulations.
More...
Women Business Owners Making Strong
Impact
Biggest growth in non-traditional industries
By Karen Bryant
Contributing Writer, Delta Business Journal
According to the Silver Spring, MD based National Foundation for Women
Business Owners, the number of women-owned businesses in the United States
has more than doubled during the past 12 years. Employment in women-owned
businesses has increased four-fold since 1987 and sales have grown five-fold,
demonstrating their escalating impact on the economy.
More...
Unique Challenges Face Home Health
Agencies in the Delta
Poverty, hypertension, diabetes among major concerns
By Molly Matthews
Contributing Writer, Delta Business Journal
Healthcare professionals say working in economically deprived areas
of the Delta is one of the biggest challenges faced in the home health
arena.
"There's a lot of poverty and there are a lot of environmentally challenging
situations in which to provide healthcare to the patient population in
the Delta," said Joan Hamilton, regional administrator for the Delta region
of Jackson-based Sta Home Health Agency. "We have to be extremely
resourceful sometimes to get the support we need in these environments."
More...
FSA & SBA Loan Programs Help
Farmers in Need
By Julie Speed
Contributing Writer, Delta Business Journal
Farm Services Agency (FSA) loans are often a farmer's last resort.
Small Business Administration (SBA) loans are more likely to be useful
in small, start-up operations. But with the agricultural economy in the
Delta experiencing a downturn, they are viable options to consider.
More...
Farm Policy Changes Expected for
the Better
But Delta farmers may have to wait a couple of years
By Julie Speed
Contributing Writer, Delta Business Journal
Even though Congressmen are mulling over sweeping changes in crop insurance
and agricultural programs, it may take two years before legislation is
passed.
"Many people see crop insurance and agricultural programs as one issue
instead of two, with crop insurance actually becoming the next farm program,"
said Hunt Shipman of Senator Thad Cochran's office in Washington, D.
More...
Cotton Production: The Global Arena
By Ronald Rayner
U.S. cotton producers, processors, handlers and textile manufacturers
endured a difficult year in 1999. The price of cotton fell to the
lowest level in 25 years, despite a 1999 crop that had diminished yields
and quality. There was some good news in 1999, however. The U.S. cotton
industry's tradition of working together to secure an income safety net
for growers passed the test.
More...
If the Delta is Undercounted in
Census 2000, What Could Residents Lose? Plenty.
By Elizabeth Reid
Contributing Writer, Delta Business Journal
For starters, the Delta could say goodbye to a congressional seat.
Next, funding for hospitals, education, disaster relief, veterans' benefits,
law enforcement and other services could be diminished. For example, almost
$50 million a year in programs earmarked for children and blacks alone
could dissipate.
More...
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