Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership

Chamber Confidential

www.metrochamber.com

 January 17, 2006

Volume 3, Number 2 

Department Updates

Business Relocation Assistance Program, click here.

Commercial Real Estate Investment Information, click here.

MEDA

Upcoming events and Membership news, click here.

Hurricane Katrina Relief Information, click here.

ChamberPlus, Inc. news, click here.

Governmental Relations news, click here.

Workforce Development 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.

Did you know that the Chamber could save you money on Office Products? Click here to find out how!

Receiving bad checks?  Click here to find out how the chamber can save your business time and money on check recovery!

Click here to view the 2005 Executive Committee & Board of Directors

Special Thanks to our Diamond Level Investors

    Platinum Level Investor

Top Five Keywords Searched for the Week:

    1.  Real Estate
2.  Employment
3.  Entertainment
4.  Dining
5.  Recreation

 

Memo from President Duane O'Neill

 

 

This week I am yielding my column to Ross Tucker, Vice-President of Economic Development, to discuss the outstanding work that the MetroJackson Economic Development Alliance continues to accomplish.  MEDA has been a strong economic entity in promoting our metro region and the state of Mississippi to prospective organizations looking to invest in the area.  We are very fortunate to have such wonderful organizations on board to support our efforts and look forward to an exciting and productive new year.

Economic Development Update

Ross Tucker, Vice-President, Economic Development

THE BEGINNING-THE POWER OF ONE

In 1994 four visionary entities and the Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership helped form the MetroJackson Economic Development Alliance (MEDA).  Over the past ten years MEDA has taken strides to become "Proactive instead of Reactive" in promoting to and recruiting to the Metro Jackson Region.  Pooling the resources of all the MEDA partners in Metro Jackson means more exposure and a broader reach for each.  MEDA markets Metro Jackson locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally by producing and distributing marketing materials, advertising in trade publications, and participating in major trade shows and other recruiting events that attract site selection consultants and business leaders from abroad.  Another significant benefit of MEDA is that it gives both existing businesses and prospective companies a single source to contact for information or assistance.  MEDA representatives work in tandem with the Economic Development Department of the MetroJackson Chamber that provides the group with professional and administrative support, as well as others involved in economic development locally and around the state in both the public and private sectors.  MEDA has prided itself as being an organization that focuses on the company or client’s needs regardless of the political boundaries.  MEDA is a strong coalition committed to promoting all of Metro Jackson and working together to bring high-quality companies and industries to Mississippi's largest metropolitan area.

THE BENEFITS SINCE THE CREATION

MEDA Studies

  • Automotive SWOT Analysis- 2006& 2005
  • Perception Analysis of Metro Jackson-2006
  • Underemployment & Labor Study for Metro Jackson -2001
  • Mega Site Identification-1996-Nine identified-Nissan located on Canton, MS site

 

MEDA Advertisement

MEDA focuses mainly on advertisement in national & global magazines & newspapers as well as an editorial placement strategy taken into action because of the 2006Perception Analysis Study.

MEDA Website

Development of periodic updates to MEDA website for prospect recruitment & information dissemination.

MEDA Existing Industry

MEDA pays the annual fee for all member counties to use the Synchronist Business Software through Mississippi Development Authority.

MEDA Services Through Central Mississippi Planning & Development District

  • MEDA Area Statistical Databook by County
    • 2 Printings Per Year
  • MEDA Area Industrial Park Databook by County
    • 2 Printings Per Year
  • MEDA Area Existing Buildings Databook by County (2006)
    • 2 Printings Per Year (2006)                                                                 
  • Industrial Park Mapping/Site Specific Projects
  • Ortho-photography /Topography of all MEDA Industrial Parks
  • MEDA Networking Services
  • Demographic Profiles   
    • Site Reports by Claritas & CMPDD

     

MEDA Reimbursement Grant to Recruiting Events

During the coarse of a calendar year the Mississippi Development Authority and MEDA host business leaders and site selection consultants at various venues throughout the United States.  MEDA awards its board members with reimbursement grants for the majority of these events.  MEDA hosts four to five of these events on a yearly basis.

Entergy’s Regional Grant/Loan Program & Industrial Site Certification

One of the main goals of Entergy, MS is the recruiting of businesses and industries on a regional basis. Entergy, MS has taken steps to access economic development funds & loans that can be passed on to a new or existing company through a regional economic development organization. Certain criteria must be met first, but one of the main policies is that the county must be a member of a regional EDA.  Entergy, MS also assists all of its regional partners by aiding in an Industrial Site Certification Process for all the regional county/city members.

TODAY

MEDA has grown from the original five members including: the Jackson Municipal Airport Authority, the Madison County Economic Development Authority, Hinds County Economic Development District, the Rankin First Economic Development Authority, and the Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership .  MEDA added the City of Jackson in 2003, and in 2006, with the expansion of the Jackson MSA-Copiah County Economic Development District and Entergy, MS joined to show their support in the regional concept.  Finally, in 2005, MEDA's newest members include USDA Rural Development, Attala County Development Authority, and Leake County Industrial Development Association. The ongoing success of MEDA underscores the concept of strength in teamwork and cooperation. The favorable location of counties lying within the Jackson MSA allows all the MEDA partners to catch the wave of opportunity.

 

Additional 2006 Board of Director

Dr. Earl Watkins - Jackson Public Schools

Mississippi Business &
Technology Expo

 
ATTEND THIS WEEK!

January 18th 9:30am - 7:30pm January 19th 10:00am-3:00pm

 

DOWNLOAD TICKETS:

www.msbusiness.com/events

MISSISSIPPI TRADE MART 

JACKSON, MS

601-364-1017

 

 

200 EXHIBITS – FREE SEMINARS – CYBER CAFE

2006 Business Expo Training Seminars:  ROOM 1 – Front Foyer of Trade Mart

ALL SEMINARS ARE PRESENTED BY PROFESSIONAL TRAINERS FROM EAGLE RIDGE CONFERENCE CENTER AT HINDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Free Seminars are Sponsored by Eagle Ridge Conference Center and Cingular Wireless

                        

All seminar attendees are eligible for two tickets from Southwest Airlines.  Register each time you attend one of the hour-long seminars to increase your chances.

These professionally presented seminars offer you and your employees excellent training, motivation and tools for increased effectiveness.  Seating is first come, first served.  However, you can reserve seats for your company by sending the time and name of seminar, plus a contact name and the number of people to:  expo@msbusiness.com

Wednesday, January 18

10:00   I’m Not Difficult, I’m Just Not You! (Presenter: Gay Saxon) – Examine why the things that cause conflict within working relationships actually work to make you and your team complete. This fun filled workshop uses DISC work preference profiles to illustrate how our differences can produce improved productivity.

11:00   Ok, I AM Difficult – Here’s How to Deal with Me! (Presenter: Gay Saxon) - We’ve all encountered them. We know who they are. But, what do you do with them? How do you work through difference effectively without allowing emotions to control your behavior? Come and see how working with difficult people may be easier than you think.

12:00 Thinking Inside the Box! Creative Problem Zapping (Presenter: Gay Saxon) – Ever wonder why we put men on the moon before we put wheels on suitcases and coolers? Creativity is not always a simple process, but there are things one can do to facilitate the process. This workshop will start you down the road to becoming a more creative person.

1:00 PREVENTURE: What Comes First When Starting a Business (Presenter: Jim Harper) – There are some questions you should ask yourself before you start your own business. And your answers to these questions will determine whether your business is successful or just a statistical casualty. Join this workshop to find out what you need to know BEFORE you start your own business.

2:00 NEXT STEP: Getting a New Business on the Success Track (Presenter: Jim Harper) – You have the idea and the passion, but where do you begin? This workshop will provide insight and resources to start your business from scratch.

3:00 Genius Marketing Strategies (Presenter:  Karen Robbins) – Whether you do inside planning and execution or outside sales, this workshop will be an interactive tip-sharing session with additional strategizing and organizational ideas from the facilitator.

Thursday, January 19

10:30   Great Teams Don’t Just Happen – How to Bring it On! (Presenter: Gay Saxon) – We know that professional athletes get paid millions.  Well, did you know they still have to show up for practice? Great teams do not happen by accident. Great teams are the results of conscious effort. Come see what it takes to make your team great!

11:30            Maximize Your Communication:  Get them from “Hello”! (Presenter: Lisa Morgan) – “Can you hear me now?” is a popular catch phrase. Hearing is important, but understanding is the goal of effective communication. The spoken word can be one of three things: 1) What you say, 2) What you meant to say, and 3) What you understood me to say. This workshop will help you make all three of these things the same.

12:30 First Aid for Your Meetings (Presenter: Lisa Morgan) – Sometimes the last thing we need is another meeting to attend. Meetings are meant to be productive, not time wasters. Why, then, do so many meetings seem to drag on or be one more thing on the “to do” list? Come see if your meetings are working for you or the other way around.

1:30 Ergonomics: Healthy Work Habits for Everyone! (Presenter: Lisa Morgan) – Ever feel tired at the end of the day? Well, this workshop may help. No, we aren’t giving free massage therapy at 5 pm, but we are offering guidelines that will help relieve the stress that often comes from work. Every day we add to the physical strain of the day by not implementing good work habits. Seems our moms were right.
 


Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership , AmSouth Bank, WLBT-TV 3

Present

Business After Hours at EXPO 2006

Wednesday, January 18th   5:00 - 7:30 pm

$5.00 Admission per person

Great music by Debbie Buie and the Yes Men!

Food samplings from 20 top restaurants & Cash Bar

BIGGEST AFTER HOURS EVENT OF THE YEAR!!!!!!

LAST YEAR 2000 PEOPLE CAME TO THIS PARTY.


EXPO 2006 SPECIAL FEATURES

Time Warner Cable Business Class Cyber Cafe

Mississippi Braves Dugout and Center Activity Aisle

ABC Construction Aisle             MDA Meetings, Conventions & Tourism Mall

Mississippi Technology Alliance, Butler Snow, & Nissan present:  Technology Clusters

SPECIAL EVENT TICKETS

Trustmark National Bank, Mississippi Development Authority, Supertalk MS FM 97.3

present

BEST PLACES TO WORK IN MISSISSIPPI  BREAKFAST

Wednesday, January 18th   7:30- 9:00 am

$33.00 per person – table of 8:  $225.00

Featuring Renee Grisham:  Why John and I want to help Rebuild the Coast

Adams and Reese LLP, HMA – Mississippi Division

present

TOP 40  UNDER 40 LUNCHEON

Wednesday, January 18th 

Featuring Rick Looser:  Mississippi, Believe It! Campaign

12:00-2:00 pm       $45.00 per person – table of 8:  $325.00

Mississippi Economic Council, Regions Bank, St. Dominic Hospital, BellSouth

present

BUSINESS WOMAN OF THE YEAR LUNCHEON

Thursday, January 19th - 

11:30 – 1:30           $45.00 per person – table of 8:  $325.00

Featuring Dale Smith Thomas:  Winners by Choice

Eupora native, Nashville based Motivational speaker & author,

Recent appearance on Dr. Phil

MORE INFORMATION:  www.msbusiness.com
 

To send any comments regarding this e-memo, click here.