Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership
Chamber Confidential
Volume 2, Number 1
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Updates To ask about information on job bank postings and web site logo placement, click here. Upcoming events and Membership news, click here. ChamberPlus, Inc. news, click here. Governmental Relations news, click here. Economic Development news, click here. Community Development news, click here. Leadership Jackson news, click here. Updated list of new members, click here. New Photo Gallery Pictures, click here. |
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Memo from President Duane O'Neill OPTIMISTIC OUTLOOK FOR 2005During the holidays most all of us have occasions to gather with friends, family and colleagues to enjoy the season. Invariably, the discussions at each of these gatherings gravitate to local issues and the opportunities facing our metro community. While this year's gatherings were no exception, the direction and tone of the conversations were noteworthy. The optimism was present in every corner of our geographic area. Everyone seems genuinely upbeat about 2005. We as community leaders are somewhat similar to our favorite athletic teams that begin each season with aspirations of a championship season. While that championship season is probably a long shot, the outlook for a good 2005 business environment is excellent. The stars seem to be aligned in such a fashion that 2005 promises healthy economic growth for the entire metro area. Our holiday enthusiasm remains and expectations are high everywhere. In Madison County projects like Harbor Walk and Lost Rabbit inch closer to reality and will complement the excitement generated by the commercial growth around Highway 463 and Highland Colony. New residential subdivisions are popping up everywhere and the economic development activity around Nissan continues to grow. Rankin County has also seen unprecedented commercial growth, especially along Lakeland Drive. The investment near the corner of Fannin Road and Lakeland has exploded into a destination attraction for shoppers. Meanwhile the Mississippi Braves’ new stadium in Pearl promises to cause a major stir as the team begins play in April of this year. Add the exciting improvements at the Jackson International Airport to many other ongoing projects and it is easy to see why enthusiasm is high in Rankin. Hinds County is also poised for success. The long-awaited interchange on I-220 leading into Hawkins Field will be a major asset to the economic livelihood of present and future businesses located in that area. Clinton continues to do well and experience growth based on its excellent quality of life. And yes, Downtown Jackson is now ready to join the list of success stories. With public and private investments of approximately $450 million currently planned or already in the works, Downtown is coming alive. The Telecommunication Conferencing Center, the Capital City Convention Center and the new Federal Courthouse are important; however, the best news is the private developers moving on commercial and residential housing projects in the Downtown area. So the activity seems to be real. However one vital ingredient is necessary to make the most of all this activity---TOGETHERNESS! Regional cooperation and communication can turn this “good” activity into “fantastic” synergy for positive economic growth. You as members of the Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership are the business leaders who understand that what is good for one area of our tri-county community is good for all in the area. Please get involved in promoting regional cooperation. The stars may be aligned, but we will only have one shot at making the most of our opportunity. Let’s make sure that, as a business community, we do everything we can to make our optimism for 2005 become a reality. |
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Governmental
Relations Update 2005 Legislative Session Begins on January 4 The 2005 session of the Mississippi Legislature begins at noon on Tuesday, January 4. With the Medicaid program currently running a $268 million deficit and with 2005-2006 budget requests exceeding anticipated revenues by $600 million, the 2005 session will largely be devoted to developing a survival budget to meet the state’s needs and obligations. It will not be easy and we may expect many varied revenue proposals and program evaluations to be considered. 2005 Metro Legislative Agenda For the past five years, the MetroJackson Chamber has coordinated an effort with other metro area chambers to develop a Metro Legislative Agenda supported by all chambers in the three county metro area. The following is the agenda developed for 2005. · Tort reform: Work with Mississippians for Economic Progress and other business organizations to maintain the progressive tort reform legislation passed during the 2006special session. · Toll Roads: Support the efforts of the Mississippi Department of Transportation for authority to construct toll roads. The metro area’s high demand for road improvements and lack of funding to service these needs makes tolls roads a viable alternative in a few situations. · MOST: Mississippi Optional Sales Tax. We support the concept of giving cities and counties the right to call an election on levying a sales tax to fund critical infrastructure needs. However, metro area legislators have suggested we keep this issue on our agenda but not push in 2005, due to the state’s financial situation. · Economic Development Incentives: Though not yet finalized, the Mississippi Development Authority is in the process of revising the state’s array of economic development incentives. The proposals are based on three guiding principles. o Balancing the old economy, based on manufacturing and distribution, with new economy, based on call centers, back-office operations, corporate headquarters (national and regional), high technology enterprises and research and development sectors. o Being flexible to meet the needs of different targeted industries and geographic regions of the state. o Providing specific incentives to existing manufacturing firms to invest in new technology and equipment. · Incentives for development of Downtown Business Districts: Incentives to enhance residential and commercial growth in central business districts are in the process of being developed for consideration by the legislature in 2005 or 2006. These incentives are expected to be tax exemptions on new and improved properties. Another expected incentive is the recommendation that Mississippi create a state historic preservation tax credit program similar to the present Federal Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program. · Funding mechanism for storm water drainage districts: During the 2000 session of the legislature, the Mississippi Storm Water Management Act was passed to authorize cities and counties to address problems from storm water runoff. However, no funding mechanism was included in the bill to provide the funds to implement the act. Municipalities and counties need a funding mechanism to implement this act to protect life and property. · More tourism promotion. Support the efforts of the MDA Department of Tourism to increase tourism in Mississippi. To follow the progress of the legislature on-line, you may access the Mississippi Legislature at http://www.ls.state.ms.us/ and get information on legislators and the status of any bill. Links to this and other related sites are listed at the bottom of the Local and State Government Committee page in the Governmental Relations section of the Chamber website. |
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Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership Lobby Display Advertising - Only Seven Available Ad Spaces Remaining!! Join the Chamber in welcoming visitors and new residents to the metro Jackson area by purchasing the following benefits for $595 a year on our Lobby Display Advertising.1. 11 x 8 ˝” Advertising Space 2. Business Card Display Space 3. 8 ˝ x 11” Brochure Space Contact Debi Green at (601) 948-7575, ext. 233 or e-mail djackson@metrochamber.com in order to receive more information and an advertising contract. |
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