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Memo from President Duane O'Neill

AN ACTIVE SUMMER IN PROGRESS

My column this week is not focused on one particular subject, but instead will highlight just a few of the many initiatives that are helping make this a very busy summer.  These various initiatives are not merely “busy work” but meaningful events that are changing the business environment in which we live.

Regionalism, our top priority, continues to gain strength.  The Metro Chamber’s reception for area mayors was a huge success.  Nine of the tri-county mayors as well as hundreds of business people attended the event at the Hilton Hotel.  The group included three newcomers to their positions, including Mayor Frank Melton of Jackson.  This occasion was a wonderful opportunity for the mayors to meet the public, and in some cases, their counterparts for the first time.  Having county supervisors such as Larry Swales of Rankin County and Doug Jones of Madison County attend the event and show city/county cooperation was impressive.  The event was made possible through the financial sponsorship of ENTERGY, CELLULAR SOUTH AND CHAMBERPLUS.

Other ongoing efforts at the Chamber include preparation for our City Visitation trip to Richmond, Virginia, and our Chairman’s Award Recognizing Excellence Program set for August 30^th.  Tyler Armstrong and Cynthia Buchanan are handling the City Visitation event and Lewis Slater is riding herd on the CARE program.  While these efforts are taking place, the MetroJackson Economic Development Alliance, facilitated here at the Chamber by Ross Tucker, is aggressively meeting the challenge of a record number of active prospects.  Tyler, Cynthia, Lewis and Ross all do an outstanding job for your chamber, as does every associate in this organization.

We would be remiss if we did not mention a successful special session of the Legislature with the passage of Momentum Mississippi.  We are thankful for those who worked diligently in support of the bill, and especially Governor Barbour, whose leadership and that of the legislators made Momentum Mississippi a reality.

No matter how busy we are, we are ever mindful of what is most important - our faith and our family.  Senator Trent Lott’s mother, Iona Lott, passed on to heaven this past Saturday.  While hers was a long and full life of ninety-two years and one to be celebrated, we all can understand the unique loss of a mother.  Our prayers are with the Lott family.

Cynthia Buchanan, Vice President, Community Development

How can I become more involved with our schools?

The Education Committee of the Chamber is currently recruiting businesses to serve as adopters for the Adopt-A-School program with the Jackson Public School District.

The mission of an Adopt-A-School Partnership is to provide year-round, active involvement of a community group with a community school.  The partnership is formed to meet the specific needs of the school, staff, & students to help students achieve and build a better community.

“If businesses think in turn of investments, (i.e. projects, people, real estate) one of the best investments that a business can make is in their local schools,” said Phil Hardwick, chair of the Adopt-A-School Advisory Board.

The Adopt-A-School program provides a variety of opportunities for a business to interact with a school and develop relationships that offer mutual benefits.  Such alliances have paved the way for significant community involvement in promoting academic achievement of standards and boosting teacher morale.  

Vicki Mason, Vice President of Public Affairs for Trustmark National Bank, has been involved with the program as a coordinator for fifteen + years.  She states, “Being a partner for Callaway High School, Boyd and McWillie Elementary schools has brought even more visibility to us. The youth that attend these schools are talking Trustmark.  When they are riding around town with their parents, they recognize the "Trustmark" symbol and name and clearly associate that with our partnership of their school.  We're more than just a adopter, we're their friends.”

Currently there are several schools that have no adopters and some that are in need of additional adopters.  For more information on how your business or organization can become an adopter, contact Cynthia Buchanan at 601- 948-7575  (cbuchanan@metrochamber.com) or Becky Starling at 601- 960-8905 (rstarling@jackson.k12.ms.us)