MJCC E-News Flash

PLAN NEARS COMPLETION

The past year spent working to identify our community’s strengths, as well as our weaknesses, has been a methodical, detailed and enlightening process. Highlighted by the “City Visitation” trip to Richmond, Virginia, the effort to produce a multi-year plan of action for our region is now in its final stages. Your Board of Directors has given approval to the philosophical approach of addressing the issues that confront this organization and the Metro Jackson community. While the number of people involved in the process has been great, we acknowledge that everyone in our community with a desire to be involved in shaping the final plan should be welcomed. To that end, a series of four meetings will be held next week to gather final input and select action steps to address the issues of the overall plan.

The focus of three of the meetings will include regional quality of life, regional infrastructure and major initiatives, and regional economic development. One final session will be focused on issues and plans strictly relating to the city of Jackson. Each of the respective focus areas is dependent on building stronger partnerships across our metro area. If you would like to be involved, or just informed, please call the Chamber office to let us know your particular area of interest.

This massive endeavor will produce a road map for our desired destination -- a prosperous and healthy regional community. This road map will not collect dust on the shelf. In fact it will be utilized/implemented as early as late this spring. We appreciate those who have been involved and welcome the rest of you to join in this very important process.

REMEMBERING BOB ANTHONY

This week we said good-bye to our dear friend Bob Anthony. Mr. Bob was an outstanding leader in our area and state. While he preferred to stay out of the limelight, Bob was widely recognized by many for his tremendous contributions to his community. He was a past recipient of the Chamber’s Outstanding Volunteer Award. Spillway Road now bears his name as Bob Anthony Parkway. These recognitions made him uneasy, for he was truly a humble man. He, along with his wife Tiny Belle, lived a life that reflected their faith and gave all of us a wonderful role model. Bob Anthony was a dear friend to many of us and we are better people for his influence in our lives.

Dear Chamber members, supporters and friends:

I am very excited to tell you about a new publishing venture that the
Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership is embarking on with fellow Chamber
member, and well-known local publisher, Jack Criss.

Reflections magazine will be published this May and will be a unique
and beneficial showcasing of all our tri-county area has to offer. Jack
approached me with the idea of doing a joint publishing project several
months ago and I was convinced: our community needs a glossy,
full-color, locally-produced and written publication; this is what
Reflections will be.

We will publish and distribute some 15,000 copies of Reflections and
initial editorial projections show the magazine to run anywhere between
150 and 200 pages. The content of Reflections will include overview
articles, profiles and features on: Business and Economic Development;
Education; Culture; Health Care; Real Estate...and much, much more. In
addition, beautiful photography—all showcasing the wonders and leaders
of the Metro area—will be featured throughout all of Reflections. We
will also publish an updated business and industry listing in
Reflections, the first time the Chamber has done so in five years.

Part business development piece, part newcomer's guide, part community
profile...and showcasing the whole Metro region
throughout...Reflections magazine will be unlike any publication you
have ever seen. I am proud to partner with Jack and Metro Mississippi
Business Publications, Inc. to launch and endorse this momentous and
historical project. I ask that you consider working with us, both
editorially and through advertising, as we set the wheels in motion for
the May debut of MetroJackson Reflections magazine.

Soon, a representative will be contacting you about Reflections to
explain how you can work with us. We look forward to receiving your
input and support as we take a major step in promoting and highlighting
this wonderful part of Mississippi we call home. In the meantime, feel
free to contact me Duane, at 601-948-7575 or Jack at 601-366-1010 with
any questions you may have.

Thank you.
Sincerely,

Duane O'Neill
President
Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership

BAILEY MEDICAL TOWERS PROJECT

The Board of Trustees of the Jackson Public School District is seeking proposals from qualified developers for the development of a certain tract of unused and/or underutilized property located at 1900 North State Street, in Jackson, Mississippi. The property is on the campus of Bailey Magnet School and consists of approximately 12 acres of land adjacent to Woodrow Wilson Drive on the North, and Peachtree Street on the East.

According to Board Attorney David Watkins, the project could mean about $1 million in annual tax revenues for Jackson and the district could earn up to $3 million a year. The district would share in any profits the development generates through leases.

To learn more about the proposed Bailey Medical Towers Development Project, the request for qualifications, and how to submit a letter of interest, visit http://www.watkinsyoung.com/bailey.htm. The Response to the Request for Qualifications is due on Thursday, April 6, 2006, at noon.

Minority and Women-Owned Business

Training Session

The Business Networking Committee will host a Dale Carnegie training session for Minority and Women-Owned Businesses on Tuesday, March 28th from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Alvis T. Hunt Conference room of the Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership . The session will focus on Interpersonal and Human Relations Development. Specifically, how to:

expand skills to handle people challenges;

develop a more assertive/take charge attitude; and,

demonstrate greater sensitivity and genuine interest in others and their ideas.

The cost of the session is $10.00 which will cover lunch. For more information or to register, please contact Kellye Smith at (601) 948-7575, ext. 280.

Small Business Conference

The Center for Business Development and Economic Research at Jackson State University is offering the FastTrac® TechVenture™ for business owners, inventors in technology and the life sciences.

The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation developed the FastTrac® TechVenture™ program to take ideas in science and technology from the desktop to the global marketplace. Through research and economic analysis the 11-week program is designed to:

§ Test your personal vision;

§ Assess the feasibility of your business concept; and,

§ Define your market

Make plans to attend the press conference announcing program details

Jackson State University

College of Business

Lecture Room

Wednesday, March 29, 2006

10:00 a.m.

For more information, please contact:

Lurlene Irvin

Director

Center for Business Development and Economic Research

The E-Center @JSU

1230 Raymond Road

Jackson, MS

601-979-2797

The program is supported by a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor.