State
JACKSON WORKING WITH EPA TO RENEGOTIATE SEWER CONSENT DECREE DOWN
Northside Sun
Jackson has reached what Chief Administrative Officer Robert Blaine calls the “starting point” in efforts to renegotiate its sewer consent decree.
Bid approved by Warren Co. for jail site demolition
WLBT
VICKSBURG, MS (WLBT) - The Warren County Board of Supervisors is done taking bids for the demolition of an old property, where they are hoping to build a new jail.
...The board will now wait for the proper permits from the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality.
CITY WORKING ON BELHAVEN CREEK IMPROVEMENTS
Northside Sun
Jackson is moving forward with the Belhaven Creek Improvement Project.
The city has attained about half of the 16 easements needed for the first phase of the project, and could have all of them by the spring, Engineering Manager Charles Williams said.
TRAIL UPDATE
Northside Sun
An anticipated trail on the Northside could be bid out for construction in January.
The city of Jackson has obtained all the easements needed for the Museum to Market Trail and is now finalizing documents to submit to the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) for final review.
Developer denied construction of dirt pit in Saucier
WLOX
HARRISON COUNTY, MS (WLOX) - The five-month debate over a request to build a dirt pit in Saucier is over, at least for now.
Sidon 29th Annual Christmas Bird Count
DeltaNewsTV
Sidon is holding its Annual Christmas Bird Count.
State Government
Carson’s visit viewed as major event in potential economic development
Vicksburg Post
Local officials see Thursday’s visit of Vicksburg Forest Products LLC by Housing and Urban Development Secretary Dr. Ben Carson and Gov. Phil Bryant as a major event for the city with the potential to lure more local investment.
Regional
Backfill oil and gas canals to restore wetlands, LSU researcher proposes in new scientific paper
Times-Picayune
Louisiana State University wetlands scientist Eugene Turner believes he has a simple solution for a key cause of coastal wetland loss in Louisiana: rake the dirt piled on the banks of canals leading to plugged and abandoned oil and gas wells back into the canals and allow nature to restore their wetlands.
Crack in Mosaic gypsum stack not leaking, company and state officials say
Tampa Bay Times
Mosaic, the phosphate mining giant, reported to state and federal officials last week that a crack has opened up along the wall of one of its gypsum stacks in Bartow.
National
East Coast states sue to challenge Trump’s offshore oil move
The Hill
Nine states along the East Coast have joined a lawsuit challenging a key move by the Trump administration that could allow offshore oil and natural gas drilling in the Atlantic Ocean.
Press Releases
EPA Announces $40 Million in Funding to Reduce Emissions from Diesel Engines
Grant funding prioritized for areas facing air quality challenges
12/20/2018
WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the availability of grant funding to implement projects aimed at reducing emissions from the nation’s existing fleet of older diesel engines. EPA anticipates awarding approximately $40 million in Diesel Emission Reduction Program (DERA) grant funding to eligible applicants, subject to the availability of funds.
EPA Recognizes Electronics Industry Leaders for Innovative Efforts and Recycling Achievements
12/20/2018
WASHINGTON — Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the 2018 winners of the Sustainable Materials Management Electronics Challenge Awards. EPA recognized these leaders in the electronics industry for sustainably designing products and processes, while also diverting electronics from landfills.
Amazon Locating Consumer Goods Fulfillment Center in
Marshall County, Miss., Creating 850 Jobs
JACKSON– Amazon is locating a consumer goods fulfillment center in Marshall County. The project will create 850 jobs over three years.
“I am proud to welcome Amazon as the newest member of the Mississippi business community. Amazon’s presence demonstrates to industry leaders around the globe that Mississippi has what it takes for companies like Amazon to remain competitive and efficiently reach their consumers from our attractive location in the Southeast U.S.,” Gov. Phil Bryant said.
Amazon is currently making improvements to an existing 554,000-square-foot building in the Chickasaw Trails Industrial Park.
“We are excited to bring our first fulfillment center to Mississippi, creating 850 full-time jobs with a $15 minimum hourly wage,” said John Felton, Amazon’s Vice President of Global Customer Fulfillment. “We appreciate the state and local elected leaders who have supported Amazon’s entrance into Mississippi and we look forward to providing great job opportunities and an exceptional customer experience.”
The Mississippi Development Authority is providing assistance for building construction and road improvements. Marshall County is providing assistance for road improvements, as well as ad valorem tax exemptions. The Tennessee Valley Authority is also assisting with the project.
“Mississippi’s teamwork at the federal, state and local levels, Marshall County’s proximity to a distribution hub and the region’s skilled workforce, were instrumental in Amazon’s decision to locate its new fulfillment center in our state,” said MDA Executive Director Glenn McCullough, Jr. “The Mississippi Development Authority, working with Marshall County, Marshall County Industrial Development Authority and TVA, is proud to support Amazon as the company creates 850 career opportunities for the people of North Mississippi.”
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