Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership
Chamber Confidential
Volume 1, Number 6
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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 AIRPORT NAME COMPROMISE OFFERED Jackson International Airport. Medgar Evers International Airport. Jackson-Evers International Airport. Jackson-Evers-International Airport at Thompson Field. The possibilities are numerous. The Jackson Municipal Airport Authority (JMMA), which operates the airport, has offered a compromise to the emotionally charged issue surrounding the possible name change of our airport. The final decision on such a name change rests with the Jackson City Council, which is expected to vote on the matter next week. The intent of my column today is to present a quick snapshot of the facts so you the business community are aware of this issue. The story begins with our airport officially known as Jackson International Airport at Allen C. Thompson Field. Some months back a movement was begun to change the name to Medgar Evers International Airport to honor the great Civil Rights leader who lived in Jackson and was assassinated here in 1963. While no one has anything against honoring Medgar Evers, the appropriate means of accomplishing that goal without any economic repercussions is at the apex of the discussion. Most all airports, and especially the second tier markets such as Jackson, use the city’s name to help identify their airports. Name identification is even more important in air cargo circumstances. Therefore, with Jackson’s energized effort to realize more cargo business, and with 550,000 people passing through the current facility for air service, name identity seems important. However, it is difficult to ascertain exactly what the economic impact of a name change would produce. Would a new title for our airport without “Jackson” designation impact passengers and freight? Would confusion exist if the name were expanded to Jackson-Evers International? Some believe the expanded name doesn’t serve any of the viewpoints well. This is where the JMMA has stepped forward in their leadership role to offer a compromise. Key to the compromise is the understanding that we actually have three entities to name: the airport itself, the airfield and the terminal building. Presently we have the Jackson International Airport, Allen C. Thompson Field and the Main Terminal Building. JMMA’s proposal is to leave the airport and the field names unchanged, then to officially name the terminal and all other buildings as the “Medgar Evers Terminal Complex.” Included in the complex would be a permanent exhibit to honor Medgar Evers and to document the important role he played in the Civil Rights Movement. In case this compromise is viewed with any doubts as to the sensitivity involving the focus on Medgar Evers, it should be noted that JMMA’s composition is majority African American. Furthermore, this compromise was accepted by the Jackson Planning and Zoning Board, which also has an African-American majority. As I stated in the beginning, the final decision is now with the six members of the Jackson City Council. It will take four votes to pass any change to the existing name status of the Airport. If you have an opinion on this matter we hope you voice it to the Jackson City Council or contact me for additional information. Regardless of your position, it is essential for elected officials to hear from the business leaders of this community. |
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Economic
Development Update The Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership ’s Economic Development Division is currently participating with the Mississippi Development Authority on fourteen ongoing projects and facilitating, through MEDA, five ongoing projects. These projects are either in the negotiating stage, engineering stage, or final negotiations. In addition, through MEDA, the Economic Development Division is involved in the following efforts and activities.
· Ten counties contiguous to Metro Jackson have been sent letters of invitation to join MEDA. Copiah County has accepted the invitation and has become the newest member of MEDA. There is a possibility that MEDA will acquire other new members in 2005. · A presentation by a New York-based marketing firm has announced the results of a six-month study that measures external perceptions of Jackson, Mississippi. Development Counselors International (DCI) surveyed C-level executives, corporate real estate professionals, and members of the press to gauge their views towards Jackson's business and cultural climate. The Economic Development Division also routinely helps local manufacturers and distributors with expansion questions and due diligence; assists out-of-state commercial developers with demographic and marketing information that can be used to attract new retailers to the metro area; and provides demographics, marketing material, and support to other economic development entities in the metro area. SUMMARY OF NEW AND EXPANDED FACILITIES ANNOUNCED IN MISSISSIPPI December 2003 thru October 2006 Counties: Hinds, Madison, Rankin, & Copiah Number of Est. No. Estimated Facilities New Jobs Capital Investment Manufacturing Facilities: New8 332 $20,471,000.00Expanded 61 983 $44,675,775.00 Totals69 1,315 $65,146,775.00Non-Manufacturing Facilities: New75 1,039 $322,774,992.00Expanded 62 253 $121,828,765.00 Totals137 1,292 $444,603,757.00Combined Totals: 206 2,607 $509,750,532.00 |
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