Happy New Year!
12.31.2013
State
Council to vote on wastewater contract
Hattiesburg American
Hattiesburg City Council is expected to vote next week on officially
partnering with locally-based Groundworx LLC, to dispose of the city's
treated wastewater.
http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/article/20131231/NEWS01/312310008/Council-vote-wastewater-contract
Christmas Tree Recycling Brings New Uses To Old Trees
MPB
BY EVELINA BURNETT | PUBLISHED 30 DEC 2013
Millions of Americans are getting ready to take down their Christmas trees
as the holiday season winds down. MPB's Evelina Burnett reports on efforts
throughout Mississippi to put those discarded trees to good use.
http://mpbonline.org/News/article/christmas_tree_recycling_brings_new_uses_to_old_trees
New additions to Lake Lamar Bruce
The Associated Press
SALTILLO, MISS. — Mississippi wildlife officials have stocked Lake Lamar
Bruce in Lee County with an additional 200,000 Bluegill and 100,000 Redear
Sunfish, double the usual amount, to keep the Largemouth Bass population
from crowding out other fish.
http://www.sunherald.com/2013/12/31/5225635/new-additions-to-lake-lamar-bruce.html
Camp Shelby adds to buffer zone
The Associated Press
HATTIESBURG, MISS. — The Mississippi Army National Guard has purchased
1,522 acres near the southwest corner of Camp Shelby's perimeter as part of
the Army Compatible Use Buffer Program to limit the encroachment of
training activities on nearby residential and commercial sites.
http://www.sunherald.com/2013/12/31/5225665/camp-shelby-adds-to-buffer-zone.html
Union Carbide faces deadline to file for rehearing
AP
Union Carbide Corp. has until Jan. 27 to file a motion asking the
Mississippi Supreme Court to review an unfavorable ruling in an asbestos
case.
http://www.clarionledger.com/viewart/20131231/NEWS01/312310029/Union-Carbide-faces-deadline-file-rehearing
Regional
LSU to study environmental monitoring of Gulf
ASSOCIATED PRESS
BATON ROUGE -- The vast array of water-monitoring systems in the Gulf of
Mexico have some worth to federal agencies that use the data to produce
things such as weather forecasts and to businesses that use the information
gathered by those systems.
http://www.sunherald.com/2013/12/30/5225280/lsu-to-study-environmental-monitoring.html
National
Study: Majority don't understand fracking
The Hill
By Laura Barron-Lopez
Hydraulic fracturing may be a hot topic of debate, but few know what the
term "fracking" actually means, according to a recent survey.
The poll, gathered by researchers at Oregon State, George Mason and Yale
universities, found that more than half of those surveyed reported knowing
little or nothing of fracking. And nearly 60 percent of the 1,061
respondents had no opinion on the subject, the Casper Star-Tribune reports.
http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/194127-study-majority-dont-understand-fracking
Officials warn of toxic fumes near ND derailment
BY DAVE KOLPACK
Associated Press
CASSELTON, N.D. — Many residents evacuated a southeastern North Dakota town
overnight after a train carrying crude oil derailed and exploded, and
officials warned that acrid and hazardous smoke could blow into the area.
http://www.sunherald.com/2013/12/31/5225545/weather-shift-near-nd-derailment.html
Home electricity use in US falling to 2001 levels
By JONATHAN FAHEY
AP Energy Writer
NEW YORK (AP) - The average amount of electricity consumed in U.S. homes
has fallen to levels last seen more than a decade ago, back when the
smartest device in people's pockets was a Palm pilot and anyone talking
about a tablet was probably an archaeologist or a preacher.
http://www.msnewsnow.com/story/24328359/home-electricity-use-in-us-falling-to-2001-levels?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
Press Releases
Mississippi Welcomed More than 6,200 New Jobs, $1.03 Billion in Private
Sector Investment in 2013
JACKSON—Led by Gov. Phil Bryant, Mississippi's aggressive efforts to create
jobs and attract new investment produced significant results, with 2013
more than doubling the jobs and investment generated in the state in the
previous year.
Projects supported by Mississippi Development Authority over the past year
created 6,265 new jobs for the state's workers and more than $1.03 billion
in new investment. In 2012, state-assisted projects accounted for 2,664 new
jobs and $455,560,000 in new investment.
"Since taking office, I have made improving Mississippi's economy a top
priority. That includes building a pro-business environment, attracting new
investments and working to grow existing businesses. Our hard work is
paying off. This year has proven to be a strong year for economic
development in Mississippi, and it shows that our economy is gaining
strength and that Mississippi has created one of the top locations in the
country for business – something that local, national and international
companies are noticing and acting upon," Gov. Phil Bryant said.
"I am grateful to the team at MDA for helping Mississippi attract a long
list of new business in the last year, while also assisting the state's
existing businesses expand their operations," Gov. Bryant said. "This is
only the beginning for Mississippi; we are committed to making sure 2014 is
another successful year for economic development and job creation in the
state."
In 2013, the state's automotive industry saw significant growth with
several new high-profile announcements and expansions. In April, executives
from Yokohama Tire Corporation announced the company would locate a
commercial truck tire plant in West Point. This project will initially
create 500 new jobs and $300 million in new investment. Future potential
expansions are expected to increase employment at the facility to 2,000 and
increase the corporate investment to more than $1 billion. The project
progressed quickly, with a groundbreaking ceremony held at the site in
September.
In July, Nissan announced and broke ground on its first North American
Supplier Park in Canton, a $50 million investment that supports 800 new
jobs for the area's workforce. Germany-based Feuer Powertrain GmbH
announced in September it would locate a $140 million crankshaft
manufacturing facility in Tunica, a project that will create 300 new jobs.
In November, Toyota Boshoku Mississippi announced an expansion at its
Mantachie facility to increase its component production for the new Corolla
and another regional equipment manufacturer. That project included a $21
million corporate investment and created 180 new jobs.
2013's first announcement came in January from existing Mississippi
aerospace corporate partner Aurora Flight Sciences, as the company
announced it would build a 30,000-square-foot facility at the Golden
Triangle Regional Airport in Columbus. Aurora Flight Sciences is investing
$17 million and creating 250 jobs. Also in 2013, Raytheon Space and
Airborne Systems announced an expansion at its Forest location to
accommodate new contracts and anticipated future growth. The project
creates 150 new jobs and represents a $100 million corporate investment.
"Strong leadership and direction from Gov. Bryant along with a growing
economy and great teamwork at the local and state levels are largely
responsible for our strong job creation and investment throughout the state
in 2013," said MDA Executive Director Brent Christensen. "While the large
manufacturing announcements are exciting and important in building our
economy, the expansion projects announced by our existing businesses, both
large and small, are critical to the overall health and diversity of
Mississippi's business climate. Our goal is to continue down this road of
successful growth in 2014."
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