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Memo from President Duane O'Neill

MORE AUTO INDUSTRY IN MISSISSIPPI?

Recent news reports have focused on the possibility of another new automotive assembly plant selecting Mississippi.  Governor Haley Barbour’s trip overseas added fuel to the talk.  Today, one of the questions most frequently asked by economic developers is “Can we really expect another mega facility to come to our State?”  The short answer is yes, it could definitely happen.  Will it happen?  Hard work, special incentives, political posturing and some good luck will help decide whether we can once again win the prize.  Maybe the more important question for the metro area is “Where would another auto maker locate in our state and how would it benefit the metro area?

First let’s state the obvious. Nissan’s decision to build their facility in Canton, Mississippi, was the best economic news we ever received.  Their decision put our state, and especially our area, in the heart of the automotive industry.  Due to the Nissan presence, we understand that our immediate area will not be in the mix for one of the next assembly plant announcements.  Rather, our priority, as it relates to major auto assemblers, will be to foster Nissan’s position and potential growth.  Nissan has placed us in the center of the synergy that exists in this industry sector, stretching from South Carolina/Georgia across the southern states to Texas.  Future automakers and their supplier support industries will fall within this geographic zone.  That prediction includes the Toyota, Kia and other assembly facilities.  If any of these companies chooses Mississippi, the impact would be enormous. 

A Toyota location would most likely be in Arkansas, Tennessee or Mississippi. Arkansas may be the most aggressive in their attempt to get into the automotive sweepstakes; however, the transportation impediments in accessing a Memphis workforce could dampen their appeal. Sites near Como and Tupelo will be strong contenders.  Kia, a somewhat smaller facility, would fit nicely into the Meridian area.  This could be enhanced by the agreement between Mississippi and Alabama to work collectively on mega projects.  While obviously either the North Mississippi or East Central region would be great for the State, it is the supplier industry that would boom in our area from any announcement.  These suppliers need close proximity to the assembly plants but must also be positioned to supply more than one automaker.  MetroJackson is already positioned well, but by adding another assembly facility to the mix would solidify our area as a perfect location for these suppliers. These potential suppliers constitute a large portion of our current prospect list and would grow if any new announcement favors Mississippi.

Odds are that no decisions will be made until next year.  However, the work of our influential Washington delegation, Governor Barbour, MDA and the local communities has been and will continue to be aggressive.  We sit poised to lay claim to a coveted position in one of the most dynamic industry sectors in the global economy.  Clearly, the world’s view of Mississippi is taking on a new and more positive perspective.

Debi Green, Membership Consultant

“Let the games begin!”

Each year the Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership looks to you, our investors to help us reach out to businesses in the MetroJackson area that have not been asked to partner with our chamber.  We will officially kickoff the 2005 MetroJackson Chamber Bowl Championship Series on Friday, August 26^th at the Sonic on Ridgewood Road. If you would like to “join the team” and help us recruit new members, please come to our “tailgate meeting” this Friday, August 26^th at 8:00 a.m.

We have seven corporate teams, AmSouth Bank, BancorpSouth, BankPlus, BellSouth, Entergy, Regions Bank, Trustmark National Bank, and numerous individuals who will be “scouting out new members” for our 2005 membership campaign. The success of our annual membership campaign helps us to carry out our mission, “One Community for Success.”  The MetroJackson Chamber is your business organization that enables you to network with community leaders across the Metro Jackson area.  There is strength in numbers, and together, we can effect change to make this the best community to live and work!   The amount of synergy, as well as competition that is created by our annual membership campaigns is amazing!  However, the end results are ALWAYS a win/win for the MetroJackson Chamber as well as those volunteers and corporate teams that participate each year. 

I have asked several community leaders to make comments on why it’s so important for area businesses to participate and invest in the MetroJackson Chamber.  This week, I am yielding the remaining comments to Tommy Darnell, President, Hinds County Division, BancorpSouth, and member of the MetroJackson Chamber Board of Directors.  BancorpSouth was the overall corporate team winner during our 2003 membership campaign.

“There is no better investment for BancorpSouth than to be an active member of the MetroJackson Chamber.  If you are not a member and have put off joining, or if your membership just needs to be renewed, it’s one of those things that you need to do, and do it today.  The return on your investment will be instant involvement on any committee and on any project that you can imagine, from transportation, economic development, education, flooding, crime and safety issues – you name any issue that will result in improving our quality of life and providing for continued economic development, and the MetroJackson Chamber and its professional staff will be involved.”

On Tuesday, August 2, 2005, Senator Trent Lott spoke to several of our chamber members and he said ‘that we are strong in our unity.’  He was referring to the MetroJackson Chamber membership made up of over 2,200 business and governmental members.  In that unity, we are assured of being heard by our legislative representatives, both State and Federal, and we increase our chances of being successful.

When you look at the make-up of the Chamber membership, they are just like you – men and women with the same goals and objectives – working to sustain and improve the quality of life for their families through the creation of more and better jobs.  So join your fellow citizens, business owners, civic and church leaders and get involved in the Chamber…you will meet fellow Mississippians with the same goals that you have – it will be fun and personally rewarding!”