Allan Hammons
Building the Delta one project at a time

By Charlotte Buchanan

Allan Hammons

Allan Hammons believes wholeheartedly in the Mississippi Delta. The Greenwood native proved that by his establishment of one of the most successful advertising and marketing agencies in the state, Hammons and Associates.

Hammons often uses his expertise in this area to promote economic development and to spearhead community projects.

His interest in the World War II Greenwood Airfield has been so keen since his boyhood days that he is often referred to as "The Unofficial Keeper of the Story of the Greenwood Army Airfield."

This led to his design and installation of the Greenville Air Force Base Museum. He was also instrumental in the design and execution of the Mississippi Blues Trail.

One of his greatest accomplishments is the B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center in Indianola. He served as interim executive director and continues to serve as a consultant for the museum.

In 2009, Entergy Corporation awarded Hammons with the prestigious Teamwork Mississippi Community Leadership Award for his work on the museum.

Hammons served as president of Main Street Greenwood and is a founding father and past president of the Greenwood/Leflore/Carroll Economic Development Foundation.

He serves on the board of Golden Age and is a former member of the Greenwood-Leflore Industrial Board and St. Francis School Board.

Hammons is a believer in the Mississippi Delta.

"After college, I started my life's work right here in my hometown and have never regretted it," he says. "I look upon the Delta as one big community with an economy that is more or less a three legged stool. The first leg is agriculture, that's a given because we have some of the world's most fertile soil. The second leg is industry. And, while we've lost thousands of manufacturing jobs, we are fortunate to still have industries like Baxter Healthcare in Cleveland, Dollar General Distribution in Indianola and Viking Range in Greenwood. I am focusing on the third leg of that stool and that is our heritage. We have so much here in the Delta that can bring in more tourists."

While Hammons is best known for his design and creation of museums, his company is much more than that. Hammons and his team have designed some of the most successful Websites in the Delta. He and his firm are also known for their marketing campaigns for the private business sector and political candidates.

Hammons stands at the forefront of those who believe in the Delta; work for the Delta's betterment; and is always willing to step forward with new ideas and the commitment to bring those ideas to fulfillment.

South Sunflower Plans Renovation
Hospital upgrades after more than 20 years

A sketch of the South Sunflower Hospital renovation project

South Sunflower Hospital in Indianola is planning a multimillion-dollar renovation and expansion.

The hospital is planning on a redesign to include a covered entrance, new heating and air conditioning center and renovations to patient rooms and nurses stations.

Hospital Administrator Jimmy Blessitt said the last renovation was completed in 1987 and the hospital needs to upgrade the facility to keep up with the changing needs of the patients.

"So many of the conditions we used to treat here, we no longer treat," he said. "For example, stroke patients are shipped out to places that have neurosurgeons and most heart attack patients are sent to places with heart surgeons."

Blessitt added that the hospital plans to accommodate more patients in needs of acute medical care and rehabilitation.

"We have services for patients who might go to a large facility and have procedures done but want to come back here for rehab," he said.

In the last 23 years, the hospital has also seen an increase in the need for obstetrics services.

The hospital has been working on the renovations with a Mississippi architect company and plans to present the design to the city for approval.

"Through the process, we put out a couple of different initial proposals and revised it with input from the community," he said. "Now we need to bring it before the city and get their approval."

The project is estimated at $6 million. The hospital plans to start construction sometime this year.

A Full House in Tunica
County hits the jackpot in several industries

By Greta Sharp

Photography By Matthew Wood & Courtesy of Tunica CVB

If all Tunica brings to mind is the sounds of ringing slot machines, think again. Sure, this is a gaming town. But in its efforts to diversify, Tunica is becoming a contender in the manufacturing arena, in addition to its bright tourism industry. With a proactive attitude, new marketing plans underway and growth in other related industries, this town could be on its way to hitting the jackpot.

Tunica's big news is the construction of the Schulz pipe plant, slated for completion in July. The company plans to ramp up to full production from that time forward, says Joey Deason, president and CEO of Schulz Xtruded Products.

Immediate employment needs call for approximately 60 hires by mid-second quarter. By the end of the year, Schulz plans to have two shifts employing 180 workers for Phase 1 of its operations.

Currently, Schulz is recruiting skilled trades for maintenance, tool and die and mechanic positions. For those with no experience, some journeyman positions will be available. Schulz is working with North West Community College and the WIN Job Center to develop training programs.

The plant's recruiting efforts will soon expand to include operators of presses, lathes, furnaces, cranes, grinding and blasting, ultrasonic personnel, shipping and receiving personnel, quality inspectors and production control personnel.

"The State of Mississippi and Tunica County have been extremely pleasant partners and we continue to work together to create economic growth and job opportunities," says Deason.

Enthusiasm about the Schulz pipe plant is contagious and the Tunica County EDF has seen decent activity with prospects and has some pending projects. "Activity has been real good," says Lyn Arnold, president and CEO of Tunica's chamber and EDF.

In an effort to be more attractive to military and corporate aviation, the Tunica Airport is looking into the construction of an air traffic control tower, says Cliff Nash, executive director of the Tunica County Airport Commission. For potential aerospace clients, Tunica exceeds the 8,000 foot runway requirement, but isn't a controlled airfield.

Tunica is also working with a consulting firm on what industries and businesses would best compliment the city, how best to attract them and what incentives to offer, says Webster Franklin, executive director of the Tunica Convention & Visitors Bureau.

In other business news, Tunica's chamber of commerce is enjoying steady membership. The town has a new dialysis clinic under construction, the Soho Bistro restaurant opened and GreenTech Automotive opened an office at the end of 2010, with the possibility of a manufacturing facility in the future.

The gaming industry is struggling with the affects of competition, consolidation and, of course, the economy. Revenues in the last four years are down 25 percent from its high in 2007, explains Franklin. During that same period, Tunica has seen the loss of 3,300 casino-related jobs. "The competition is greater than ever before," says Webster.

But Tunica's casinos are rallying, constantly reinventing themselves with new rooms, themes, games and restaurants, seeking to attract first-time and return visitors. In the last three years, five of Tunica's eight casinos renovated rooms and suites, while seven added restaurants. The Roadhouse Casino introduced a Delta blues theme on its casino floor, while the Fitz Casino & Hotel and Harrah's Casino renovated their casino floors, the Horseshoe Casino & Hotel built the new PUSH Nightclub, and the Gold Strike Casino Resort introduced a new high limit room.

Harrah's welcomed Toby Keith's I Love This Bar and Grill in the fall of 2010 to complement its popular Paula Deen Buffet. "We are excited to help bring Toby Keith's I Love This Bar and Grill to the Mid-South adding yet another entertainment and dining option to our portfolio at Harrah's Tunica," says R. Scott Barber, regional president of Harrah's Entertainment.

And it's been a little easier for visitors to reach Tunica by way of the friendly skies. The gaming industry spurred activity at the Tunica Airport by way of an agreement between Harrah's Casino and AirTran for four flights a week between Tunica and Atlanta. While this agreement runs through May, Nash hopes it can segue into long-term service for the airport, especially as Southwest merges with AirTran.

"We hope to maintain the AirTran flights and add more flights, but that remains to be seen," says Nash.

The Tunica Airport has grown each year, though not as much as Nash hoped in 2010, thanks to the economic downturn. The 5 percent increase in 2010 over 2009 was significantly less than the hoped for 25 to 30 percent increase, but Nash still managed to add infrastructure for commercial operations and a jet bridge.

Tunica continues to offer a pleasant mix of old and new, with a small town atmosphere and big city attractions, from the authentic train depot entrance to the Gateway to the Blues Visitor Center to the Tunica Times moving to online subscriptions and an editor's blog. A map of Tunica Main Street's historic downtown walking tour, with five new stops added to the current seven this year, can be downloaded from its website.

Social media is also an effective way to stretch marketing dollars and reach people in real time, says Franklin, but proves difficult to measure. The Tunic CVB Facebook page lists close to 2,200 fans; it has in excess of 2,300 Twitter followers. By looking at comments and contest responses, Franklin can tell social media marketing is working. "People are interested," he says. "It's a more targeted method."

The CVB website also offers a blog promoting Tunica events and activities. A dedicated gaming blogger writes about new games and technologies, while staff members experience what visitors can enjoy while in Tunica: restaurants, spas and sporting events.

"We're trying to do everything that's not standard," says Claire Hick, public relations manager for the Tunica Convention & Visitors Bureau. "We want to communicate directly to people who love Tunica."

And for those who live in Tunica, the Tunica Times is their source for local news. The Times moved to a Friday paper from a Thursday one last fall. The subscription-based website began about 18 months ago and gives subscribers the option to read the printed version or the entire version online, and also offers videos.

Editor Meg Coker says the response was mostly positive. "With change, there is always growing pains," she says. Along with Coker's blog, the Tunica Times has a presence on Facebook and followers on Twitter.

Tunica Main Street hopped on the social media bandwagon with a new logo—"Tunica: Top of the Delta"—and plans to unveil a new website in the near future. Executive Director Lynn Ryals says Tunica Main Street's Facebook page is very popular with visitors, and used to share information and promote events.

She's also using traditional marketing methods such as an information postcard listing Tunica events throughout the year to mail out to interested visitors. Additionally, Ryals developed two different sets of Tunica postcards featuring local sights.

Points of interest in Tunica Main Street's downtown walking tour are each marked with a bronze plaque, and accompanied by fun facts on the tour brochure, leading visitors to believe if Tunica keeps on its current track, maybe even the streets will be paved in gold.

Mississippi Senate Led By Bob Dearing, Honored Delta State University football Team And Head Coach Ron Roberts

Pictured (left to right) are Senator Bob Dearing, Head Coach Ron Roberts, and Delta State President John M. Hilpert.

On Thursday March 10, 2011 Senator Bob Dearing presented Senate Concurrent Resolutions #552 and #575 to the Delta State University "Statesmen" football team, and head coach Ron Roberts for their Co-Championship of the Gulf South Conference and for their NCAA Super Region II Championship.

Head coach Ron Roberts was also commended for receiving the Field TurfNCAA Division II "Coach of the Year" award.

Photo Credit: Alan Henderson, Senior Page

Fields Ready For Planting Despite Snow Geese, Rains

By Bonnie Coblentz
MSU Ag Communications

Mississippi's 3.7 million acres of cropland were in good shape by late winter despite high snow geese numbers in the Delta and heavy March rains.

Darrin Dodds, cotton specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said cotton fields were generally in good condition.

"A favorable harvest season in 2010 allowed many growers to complete fall operations in a timely manner and prepare the land for the 2011 growing season," Dodds said. "Although some weed species are proving tough to control, fields are generally in good shape."

Much of the state suffered from a lack of rainfall through most of the growing season, and Dodds said this depleted the subsoil moisture.

"Timely rainfall should be beneficial for many crops as long as it does not become excessive," Dodds said.

Erick Larson, Extension grain crops agronomist, said many Delta wheat fields have been visited by a lot of snow geese.

"Wheat can generally sustain considerable grazing activity during the winter," Larson said. "These birds should not reduce yield potential as long as they eat just the top growth of wheat before it leaves winter dormancy and begins to grow in the spring.

"The geese will damage the wheat stand if they extract the entire plant. This threat is most likely if feeding is particularly intense and sustained through February," he said. "Normally, by the time it warms up enough for the wheat to begin growing rapidly, the geese migrate back north."

Jerry Singleton, area Extension agronomic crops agent in Leflore County, said snow geese numbers have increased each year because of almost no hunting pressure and limited predators.

"We had more problems with snow geese this year because their numbers were up and we had more wheat planted," Singleton said. "Most farmers were very aggressive about trying to keep the geese out of the wheat fields. The geese do a lot of grazing, and I've seen fields where they've thinned the wheat population quite a bit."

Larson said most corn fields are wet, but saturated conditions are not unusual in the spring. Dry weather allowed fall corn field preparations to go well, and with herbicide burndown applications mostly complete, the fields are looking good for spring planting if producers can get a few breaks from spring rains. Late March to early April is the optimum corn planting time.

Nathan Buehring, Extension rice specialist, said waterfowl in flooded fields has not been a problem for rice producers. Good fall weather meant rice fields are mostly ready for the spring, but recent windy weather has hampered the aerial application of burndown chemicals needed to kill weeds before rice is planted.

"There's been so much ground ready that pilots have not been able to keep up with burndown treatments," Buehring said.
He said rice farmers are waiting for a dry spell so fields will be ready for spring planting.

"We like to start the last week of March in the southern part of the Delta, and as we move farther north, the first week of April is a good target date for the rest of the state," Buehring said.