Images Columbus-Lowndes County, MS: 2009

2009 | IMAGESCOLUMBUS.COM ®

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COLUMBUS-LOWNDES COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI

What’s s e Online Video tour of Tennessee Williams’ birthplace

AT HOME WITH HISTORY DRESSING MISSISSIPPI Reed’s clothier mixes global and local apparel

A World-Class Education High school offers International Baccalaureate program

SPONSORED BY THE COLUMBUS-LOWNDES DEVELOPMENT LINK

2009 EDITION | VOLUME 6 ®

COLUMBUS-LOWNDES COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI

CO NTE NT S F E AT U R E S 16 A WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION Prestigious high school program gives students a sense of global awareness.

20 DRESSING MISSISSIPPI Reed’s has brought big-city fashion to Columbus for more than a century.

24 A LIFE TRULY GOLDEN Active retirees find an abundance of social, civic and recreational opportunities.

28 FLYING HIGH As the largest employer, Columbus AFB continues to elevate the region’s economy.

34 STILL AT THE FOREFRONT Mississippi University for Women raises the bar for higher education in the state.

38 A RIVER RISING Tenn-Tom Waterway lures tourists with recreational options – on land and water.

74 FASTEN YOUR SEATBELTS Magnolia Speedway cruises into its season with a full lineup of stock car races.

76 PROGRAM ADDRESSES THE NEED FOR MORE NURSES East Mississippi Community College launches associate nursing degree.

78 AT HOME WITH HISTORY Columbus lists several homes on the National Register of Historic Places.

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ON ON THE THE COVER COVER Photo Photo by

by J. Photographer Kyle Keener Azalea Place, circa Cover description goes 1869 here

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CO LU M B U S - LOW N D E S CO U NT Y, M I S S I S S I P P I

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COLUMBUS BUSINESS 54 Countdown To Launch Aerospace Industry propels local economy and educational opportunities into the future.

58 Biz Briefs 61 Economic Profile

D E PA R TM E NT S 12 Almanac: a colorful sampling of Columbus-Lowndes County culture

44 Local Flavor: a taste of ColumbusLowndes County cuisine

46 Portfolio: people, places and events that define Columbus-Lowndes County

64 Photo Essay: Stately Grace 73 Health & Wellness 81 Community Profile: facts, stats and important numbers to know

All or part of this magazine is printed with soy ink on recycled paper containing 10% post-consumer waste.

PLEASE RECYCLE THIS MAGAZINE

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COLU M B US - LOWN DES COU NT Y, MISSISSIPPI COPY EDITOR JOYCE CARUTHERS ASSOCIATE EDITORS LISA BATTLES, SUSAN CHAPPELL, JESSY YANCEY ONLINE CONTENT MANAGER MATT BIGELOW STAFF WRITERS CAROL COWAN, KEVIN LITWIN CONTRIBUTING WRITERS MICHAELA JACKSON, JOE MORRIS, JESSICA MOZO DATA MANAGER CHANDRA BRADSHAW INTEGRATED MEDIA MANAGER ANDREA G. JOINER SALES SUPPORT MANAGER SARA SARTIN SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER BRIAN McCORD STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS JEFF ADKINS, TODD BENNETT, ANTONY BOSHIER, IAN CURCIO, J. KYLE KEENER PHOTOGRAPHY ASSISTANT ANNE WHITLOW CREATIVE DIRECTOR KEITH HARRIS WEB DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR BRIAN SMITH ASSOCIATE PRODUCTION DIRECTOR CHRISTINA CARDEN PRODUCTION PROJECT MANAGERS MELISSA BRACEWELL, KATIE MIDDENDORF, JILL WYATT SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNERS LAURA GALLAGHER, KRIS SEXTON, CANDICE SWEET, VIKKI WILLIAMS LEAD DESIGNER JANINE MARYLAND GRAPHIC DESIGN ERICA HINES, ALISON HUNTER, JESSICA MANNER, AMY NELSON, MARCUS SNYDER WEB DESIGN DIRECTOR FRANCO SCARAMUZZA WEB PROJECT MANAGERS ANDY HARTLEY, YAMEL RUIZ WEB DESIGN CARL SCHULZ WEB PRODUCTION JENNIFER GRAVES COLOR IMAGING TECHNICIAN TWILA ALLEN AD TRAFFIC JESSICA CHILDS, MARCIA MILLAR, PATRICIA MOISAN, RAVEN PETTY

CHAIRMAN GREG THURMAN PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER BOB SCHWARTZMAN EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT RAY LANGEN

It’s what women want.

From shoes to careers to medical care.

SR. V.P./CLIENT DEVELOPMENT JEFF HEEFNER SR. V.P./SALES CARLA H. THURMAN SR. V.P./OPERATIONS CASEY E. HESTER V.P./SALES HERB HARPER V.P./SALES TODD POTTER V.P./VISUAL CONTENT MARK FORESTER

As a patient with Physicians & Surgeons Obstetrics & Gynecology, you’ll choose from five different physicians, each offering professional, personal care. Our doctors are on staff for both Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle (Columbus) and Gilmore Memorial Regional Medical Center (Amory), so you have even more options for your health care.

V.P./TRAVEL PUBLISHING SYBIL STEWART V.P./EDITORIAL DIRECTOR TEREE CARUTHERS MANAGING EDITOR/BUSINESS BILL McMEEKIN MANAGING EDITOR/COMMUNITY KIM MADLOM MANAGING EDITOR/CUSTOM KIM NEWSOM PRODUCTION DIRECTOR NATASHA LORENS PHOTOGRAPHY DIRECTOR JEFFREY S. OTTO CONTROLLER CHRIS DUDLEY ACCOUNTING MORIAH DOMBY, DIANA GUZMAN, MARIA McFARLAND, LISA OWENS RECRUITING/TRAINING DIRECTOR SUZY WALDRIP

And women know – choices are just what you need to find a perfect fit.

DISTRIBUTION DIRECTOR GARY SMITH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DIRECTOR YANCEY TURTURICE NETWORK ADMINISTRATOR JAMES SCOLLARD IT SERVICE TECHNICIAN RYAN SWEENEY HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER PEGGY BLAKE SALES SUPPORT RACHAEL GOLDSBERRY SALES/MARKETING COORDINATOR RACHEL MATHEIS EXECUTIVE SECRETARY/SALES SUPPORT KRISTY DUNCAN OFFICE MANAGER SHELLY GRISSOM RECEPTIONIST LINDA BISHOP

CU S TO M M AG A Z INE M ED I A

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Images Columbus-Lowndes County is published annually by Journal Communications Inc. and is distributed through the Columbus-Lowndes Development Link and its member businesses.

For advertising information or to direct questions or comments about the magazine, contact Journal Communications Inc. at (615) 771-0080 or by e-mail at info@jnlcom.com.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Columbus-Lowndes Development Link 1102 Main St. • Columbus, MS 39701 Phone: (662) 328-8369 • Fax: (662) 327-3417 www.cldlink.org VISIT IMAGES COLUMBUS-LOWNDES COUNTY ONLINE AT IMAGESCOLUMBUS.COM ©Copyright 2009 Journal Communications Inc., 725 Cool Springs Blvd., Suite 400, Franklin, TN 37067, (615) 771-0080. All rights reserved.

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imagescolumbus.com THE DEFINITIVE RELOCATION RESOURCE

What’s Onl Online n

PRIDE AND PERFORMANCE

COLUMBUS HIGH GOES GLOBAL Take a peek inside CHS as students gear up to enter the prestigious International Baccalaureate program. Watch this and other quick videos in the Interactive section at imagescolumbus.com.

RELOCATION Considering a move to this community? We can help. Use our Relocation Tools to discover tips, including how to make your move green, advice about moving pets and help with booking movers.

PHOTOS We’ve added even more prize-winning photography to our online gallery. To see these spectacular photos, click on Photo Gallery.

FACTS & STATS

SERVING THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE SINCE 1976.

Go online to learn even more about: • Schools • Health care

LOCAL FLAVOR

• Utilities

From authentic Italian fare to New Orleans-style cuisine, Columbus has something for every palate. Get a taste of local flavor in our food section.

• Parks • Taxes

ABOUT THIS MAGAZINE Images gives readers a taste of what makes Columbus-Lowndes County tick – from business and education to sports, health care and the arts.

“Find the good – and praise it.”

COLUMBUS

Civil & Environmental Engineering Testing ▲ Surveying ▲ Planning P.O. Drawer 1078 West Point, MS 39773 (662) 494-7101 (662) 328-5962

– Alex Haley (1921-1992), Journal Communications co-founder

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DINING HEALTH C A R E

CULTURE ULTUR LT TU

SHOPPING

BUSINESSES NEIGHBORHOODS

SENIOR LIVING RECREATION SALARY VOLUNTEERING POPULATION

INDUSTRY TRANSPORTATION

WEATHER

UTILITIES

MEDIA

MOVING SCHOOLS

Just the facts, please.

Many factors will determine your move, and now you’re just a click away from all the basic facts you’ll need. Visit imagescolumbus.com for our enhanced Facts & Stats section, now rich with quick, pertinent details about the community.

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Angel of Mine While there may be more than 15,000 graves at Friendship Cemetery, the most photographed monument is “Weeping Angel.” The story goes that when the pastor of a local Baptist church died, it was such a sad day that the angels wept.

The cemetery, located on Fourth Street South in Columbus, was founded in 1849 and contains the graves of four U.S. congressmen, two Mississippi governors, five Confederate Civil War generals and 2,194 Confederate soldiers who died in the Battle of Shiloh.

Celebrate Good Times Columbus is already gearing up for its biggest celebration of the year.

The annual Market Street Festival traditionally draws some 40,000 visitors from across the county.

The festival occurs during the first weekend of May, and activities include a 5K run, a bike tour, arts and crafts, dunking booth, Mother Goose children’s area, car show, rock climbing wall, petting zoo and a Kiwanis Club breakfast.

In addition, a variety of local restaurants set up booths showcasing their menus while festivalgoers enjoy music at three stages.

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A Write Address Columbus pays homage each year to prolific playwright Tennessee Williams‚ who was born here in 1911.

The annual celebration is called the Tennessee Williams Tribute and Tour of Victorian Homes‚ which occurs each September.

It includes dramatic readings‚ scholarly presentations and visits to historic homes.

Williams won Pulitzer Prizes for A Streetcar Named Desire and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and also penned The Glass Menagerie. Today‚ his boyhood home serves as a Mississippi Welcome Center.

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Almanac

Spring at Last A sure sign that winter has thawed and spring is just around the corner is the annual Columbus Pilgrimage and Garden Tour.

The 12-day event showcases several of the historic 19th-century homes and special gardens that grace the city, with driving and walking tours among the activities.

Some of the tour sites from recent years include Amzi Love Home & Garden, Colonnade Garden, Errolton, Leighcrest Garden, Rosedale, Shadowlawn, the Stephen D. Lee Home, Temple Heights, Twelve Gables, Waverly and White Arches.

Columbus Gets You There

Fast Facts

If you are traveling to Memphis, here is a quick way to get there. Golden Triangle Regional Airport is Mississippi’s third-largest commercial airport and recently announced plans to add two daily flights from Columbus to Memphis, Tenn., through Delta Airlines. The carrier also has daily service to Atlanta through Delta. The airport has a single asphalt runway of 6,497 feet, but there are plans to lengthen it to 8,000 feet in the near future.

Golden Triangle Regional is also the nucleus of a new industrial complex, which includes companies such as American Eurocopter (helicopter production plant) and Severstal MS (steel mini-mill). PACCAR (truck engine manufacturing) is expected to open in 2010.

Q A local patriotic observance back in 1866 became the nation’s first Memorial Day and inspired the poem “The Blue and the Gray.”

One-Stop Shop The Hitching Lot Farmer’s Market in downtown Columbus isn’t your average farmers’ market – it’s also an official recycling center.

Locals can drop off their plastics, papers, glass and aluminum, and pick up fresh produce or local crafts. The market also features local musicians and hosts various events throughout the summer.

The farmer’s market runs from May to October and is open on Tuesday, Thursdays and Saturdays. Go to www.hitchinglotfarmersmarket.com for more information.

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Q Franklin Academy opened in 1821 as the state’s first public school and today is a magnet school for health and science.

Q The three cities of Mississippi’s Golden Triangle region are Columbus, Starkville and West Point, with Columbus being the largest in size and population.

Q Several thousand retirees from Columbus Air Force Base continue to make Lowndes County their home.

Q Columbus boasts some of the country’s best bass fishing along the TennesseeTombigbee Waterway.

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Almanac

World-Class Care Founded in 1969, Baptist Memorial HospitalGolden Triangle has gone through many improvements throughout the years. The facility has more than 100 medical and surgical physicians with a full range of comprehensive care. There are centers for behavioral health, cancer care, sleep disorders, cardiology, surgical services and even education and support programs like CPR and first aid classes.

Women’s services include labor-delivery-recovery suites, special C-section suites and a 24-hour baby hot line.

And in the past 15 years, BMH-Golden Triangle has added a new emergency department and outpatient pavilion. It has also established the Baptist Center for Cancer Care.

Columbus–Lowndes County At A Glance POPULATION (2007 ESTIMATE) Columbus: 24‚025 Lowndes County: 59‚284

Columbus

LOCATION Columbus is in east-central Mississippi‚ seven miles west of the Alabama border and 22 miles west of Starkville‚ home of Mississippi State University.

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West Point Po t

Columbus AFB

Columbus Stark Starkville

LOWN DES

What’s Online e Take a virtual tour of Columbus-Lowndes County at imagescolumbus.com, courtesy of our award-winning photographers.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION Columbus-Lowndes Development Link 1102 Main St., P.O. Box 1328 Columbus, MS 39701 Phone: (662) 328-8369 Fax: (662) 327-3417 www.cldlink.org

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ALABAMA

BEGINNINGS The Chickasaw Treaty of 1816 provided land to the U.S. government where Columbus now stands‚ and the town was officially established in 1821.

Aberdee Aberdeen A ee e

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World-Class

Education COLUMBUS HIGH SCHOOL OFFERS INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE PROGRAM

STORY BY MICHAELA JACKSON

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olumbus High School will become part of an elite group of schools this fall, when the first batch of students has the opportunity to add a distinguished line to their college résumé - International Baccalaureate Diploma.

After an 18-month certification process, the school has become only the third in Mississippi to receive the internationally recognized designation. The inaugural class of 20 juniors will begin taking courses in August 2009 from a standardized curriculum that is used worldwide in subjects such as history, science, arts and foreign languages.

“A Columbus High School diploma could mean a lot of things, depending on where students go

to college,” says Jill Savely, an assistant principal at CHS and coordinator of the IB program. “But an IB diploma is going to mean the same thing wherever they go. The curriculum students follow with International Baccalaureate, whether they take it in Mississippi or in Madrid, Spain, is exactly the same.”

Along with more rigorous coursework in preparation for college, the two-year IB program requires students to complete service requirements, a critical thinking class and a 4,000word essay. The program emphasizes global awareness, a characteristic that drew Columbus High administrators to seek certification in the first place.

“We want our students to be citizens of the

AP Spanish language teacher Courtney Stanback works with student Tingting Hu.

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What’s s e Online

Hear from Columbus High School students in the new IB program in a quick video at imagescolumbus.com.

J. KYLE KEENER

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“We want our students to be citizens of the world when they leave here.” world when they leave here,” Savely says. “We want them to understand other cultures, other customs – to be a part of what’s going on in the world, not just a part of what’s going on in the South or the United States.”

For rising junior Marissa Hackler, an aspiring foreign language teacher, the program represents an opportunity to leave high school more prepared for what comes next.

“It seems really challenging, and I want to prepare myself for college because that’s my number one choice after school,” she says.

Though Hackler believes the IB program will present her class with options beyond those of a standard diploma, their anticipation isn’t completely without jitters, she says.

“Some are excited, and some think it’s going to be a little bit hard,” she says. “But I think it will be good for us.”

The fact that CHS is one of only three schools in Mississippi to offer the IB diploma is a simple issue of exposure, Savely says. Of the other two IB-certified high schools, one is also preparing to offer the courses for the first time this fall. Unlike more established Advanced Placement courses, which are

offered throughout the state, administrators and teachers simply have not been aware of the opportunities that International Baccalaureate affords, she says.

Aside from a lack of visibility in Mississippi, the time and effort involved in seeking IB certification may cause some schools to look before leaping.

“It’s a very rigorous process,” Savely says. “It’s a huge commitment on the part of the school district, the school itself and the teachers and students.”

But for visual arts instructor Sarah Oswalt and other CHS teachers, the benefits of being able to offer students an IB diploma make all the preparation and extra work worthwhile – both for the students and for the school.

“I think we will really develop a reputation in the community for offering students a wider variety of classes,” Oswalt says. “It definitely is going to create more well-rounded learners and thinkers of our students, and it will give them an understanding of the need for community service and an awareness of what goes on in our world that I think students are sometimes not exposed to.”

PHOTOS BY BRIAN M C CORD

From left: Students Marissa Hackler, Okoye Davis and Quaylan Fulgham are part of Columbus High’s inaugural International Baccalaureate class. CHS is one of only three schools in Mississippi to be granted the distinction.

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J. KYLE KEENER

AP English teacher Jermaine Thompson works with students to analyze poetry by African-American authors.

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Dressing Mississippi REED’S HAS BEEN OUTFITTING FASHION-CONSCIOUS CUSTOMERS FOR MORE THAN A CENTURY

STORY BY CAROL COWAN

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eed’s of Columbus is one of four iconic Reed’s department stores serving northeast Mississippi.

Company founder R.W. Reed Sr. established the original Reed’s in Tupelo in 1905, and the family-owned business became an area leader in fashion, quality and service. Today, despite the national economic downturn, Reed’s 104-year legacy continues to thrive.

Located in the Jackson Square shopping center for the past 12 years, Reed’s of

Columbus first opened in 1973 in Leigh Mall, says Lex Jackson, president and owner of the store in partnership with the Reed’s of Tupelo.

“We always have tried to carry high-quality goods,” he continues. “And we’ve always been seen as the ‘better’ department store. In fact, we’re considered more of a specialty store – a big one.”

Four distinct departments make up the larger store: menswear, women’s wear, shoes and children’s clothing. With styles ranging from dressy to casual, Reed’s features brands familiar to discriminating buyers – think Ralph Lauren – and trendy, high-end styles such as 7 For All Mankind jeans. The store also is known for its quality sportswear.

“About 20 years ago, we started pioneering casual and outdoor clothing lines like Patagonia and The North Face. It

Reed’s offers customers a big-city shopping experience with small-town customer service. PHOTO BY BRIAN M CORD C

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“Turn off the TV and don’t listen to the radio, and you’ll feel a lot more optimistic,” Jackson says.

“We’re very fortunate in this area because we’re not experiencing the unemployment that some are. Yes, business is a bit softer, but we’re certainly not in a crisis. I still think there’s plenty of reason to be optimistic. We’re maintaining a good attitude, and we’re doing great.”

PHOTOS BY BRIAN M C CORD

turns out that was a good direction to go in, because they’ve stayed around,” Jackson says.

Men shop here for the leading brands of suits, sportswear, casual wear and outerwear. Selections for women include cosmetics, accessories and racks of designer clothes in up-tothe-minute styles. Reed’s extensive shoe department has something for everyone in the family, from Birkenstock to Johnson & Murphy.

Children and their parents enjoy the retail store’s kidfriendly and heirloom fashions.

“For kids, we carry the same designers we do for adults,” Jackson says. “We also have a lot of boutique-type dresses for special occasions. We carry Feltman Brothers and a line called Life is Good® that makes clothes for the whole family.”

Life is Good® is a fitting brand for the store, since Jackson is known for his positive, upbeat attitude. Part of that, he says, is inherent in the culture of Reed’s and the philosophy of its founder, who emphasized service not only in his stores but also in the community.

“Mr. Reed said that we need to give back a good bit, so I’ve always tried to do that – and so have a lot of our people,” Jackson says. For him, giving back includes being active in United Way and the Columbus-Lowndes Development LINK. He often speaks to area business owners, and when it comes to weathering the current economic storm, he offers them the same timely advice he follows.

Cynthia Jeona helps Richie Armstrong pick out a new North Face coat at Reed’s retail store in Columbus.

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A Life Truly

Golden ACTIVE ADULTS FIND AMPLE OPPORTUNITIES IN COLUMBUS

STORY BY MICHAELA JACKSON

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PHOTOS BY BRIAN M C CORD

hoever said retirement is the twilight of life probably didn’t spend much time in Columbus.

Seniors in the Mississippi town of 26,000 are a lively bunch, touring local attractions, taking classes on everything from bird watching to the Civil War and dancing the nights away at socials especially for them.

Columbus has been a certified Hometown Mississippi Retirement Community for nearly 20 years. Officials work to improve the quality of life for retirees living in the area and attract those newly retired looking to relocate.

Retirees are prime candidates for entrepreneurship, often starting their own businesses and hiring employees from the local workforce. They also tend to attract tourists – their children and grandchildren.

“That’s all adding to the economy of Columbus,” says Maureen Lipscomb, director of the Hometown Mississippi Retirement Program in Columbus. “It’s an economic

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Cal Stegall plays his dulcimer at the Riverwalk. Right: Retirees take advantage of a number of resources to help them stay active, including the YMCA, outdoor parks and trails and retirement communities.

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STAFF PHOTO

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2009 that will allow students to pay a flat fee and attend as many volunteer-taught classes as they want on topics as diverse as film and current events.

“This is just people of like interests and similar ages getting together and sharing a common interest,” says Barbara Moore, director of continuing education at MUW. There will be no tests and no homework, and Moore says she believes the classes will be as beneficial for the teachers as they will be for the students.

“There’s nothing really similar to it in the community, and it gives people a chance to expand what they do in their lives and to offer courses in things that they’re not necessarily noted for,” she says.

Teaching volunteer courses is a popular way for retirees to

PHOTOS BY BRIAN M C CORD

development tool, it’s a tourism tool, it’s a quality of life tool.”

Retirees are drawn to Columbus’ historic charm, progressive medical facilities and low crime rate, Lipscomb says. And once they get to town, they stay busy. Festivals, fishing tournaments and concerts create a strong sense of community for longtime residents and newcomers alike.

“I just think that Columbus has that great, hometown feel,” she says. “The people are just so friendly.”

Columbus also places a high premium on lifelong learning, providing seniors with several options to expand their minds.

Mississippi University for Women offers the Lifelong Learner Program, which allows students who are at least 65 years old to attend classes for free, if space permits. The university is also preparing to launch a new program just for seniors in fall

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stay active and give back to the community.

At Trinity Place Retirement Center, which offers activities for residents and other seniors in the community, retired professionals are encouraged to offer seminars in what they know: a former health care professional, for example, giving a lecture on how to have a good visit with your doctor.

“Retirement is a wonderful time, and it gets better if you know what to do with it,” says Gerald Scallions, program director for Trinity Place and a retired school principal. “We encourage people to share the skills they have.”

Beyond flexing the mind, retirees have abundant opportunities to flex their muscles in Columbus. Trinity Place offers exercise classes five times a week, and the Downtown YMCA offers classes in yoga and spinning.

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Scallions says retirement is about preserving all aspects of your mind and body in a balanced way. He invokes Ralph Waldo Emerson to sum up what he tells the residents of Trinity Place: “This time, like all times, is a good one if we but know what to do with it,” he says.

Or in the modern vernacular, “Don’t sit down too early – that’s my motto,” he says. “That’s what I tell them.”

Bottom left: The Harmony Grits, a singing quartet, perform at Trinity Place Retirement Community.

Bottom right: Residents enjoy a cooking class instructed by volunteer Bobbie Page.

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Flying

High COLUMBUS AFB ANCHORS REGIONAL ECONOMY AS LARGEST EMPLOYER, DEVELOPMENT MAGNET

STORY BY JOE MORRIS

Capt. David Fink adjusts his helmet strap in preparation for takeoff.

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COURTESY OF U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO BY STAFF SGT. JOE LAWS

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rban planners and economic development officials always point to a large-scale development, such as a mall or park, when discussing community growth generators. For Columbus and Lowndes County, they look to the skies.

They also look to the ground, considering the impact that Columbus Air Force Base has had on the region since it was established in February, 1941.

What began as a training facility for fighters and bombers has grown into a full-scale military installation, employing thousands and contributing hundreds

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COURTESY OF U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO BY SENIOR AIRMAN JOHN PARIE

of millions to the region’s economic bottom line.

“We have very good relationships with the city and county governments around us, and we are definitely a driver for their economies,” says Rick “Sonic” Johnson, chief of public affairs. “We’re the No. 1 employer in the area by a scale of three – you can add the next three up, and still not reach our payroll.”

In 2007, Columbus AFB contributed about $284 million, or $750,000 a day, to the regional economy, which it defines as being within a 50-mile radius of the base. That number is expected to reach almost $321 million, or $876,000 a day, when the 2008 numbers are finalized.

That breaks down to $109 million in payroll, $180 million for annual expenditures and $132 million in indirect jobs, or the trickle-down effect, Johnson says.

“We’re a driver for a lot of things in the area that affect the quality of life here,” he says. “We work with the school system, and we champion a lot of other programs, like the parks, that are good for our kids. And because of us there are five more people working at Lowe’s or Chili’s [Grill & Bar] instead of four.”

As home to the 14th Flying Training Wing, the facility trains between 300 and 350 pilots per year. The base employs a total population of 3,075, with 1,409 of those being military personnel. Those figures are likely to grow in the coming months as the base wraps up a construction program and brings new buildings online for programs it received under the U.S. Department of Defense’s Base Realignment and Closure, or BRAC, program.

“The Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals Training and the T-6 training missions were moved from Moody Air Force Base to Columbus,”

STAFF PHOTO

The 50th Flying Training Squadron “Strikin’ Snakes” Above: Major LeRoy Reynolds performs final checks before boarding his aircraft.

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“Aside from the economic dollars, we bring a lot of things that are hard to measure, things like personal experiences.”

STAFF PHOTO

Johnson says. “That meant that we needed to build a new mission support group complex, which is under construction now, and we’ve also built two new gates and made other facility improvements and have put out a new child-development center for bids.”

The base spent $23 million on construction in 2008 and received another $8 million for the support-group complex late in the budgeting process, Johnson says.

But above and beyond the installation’s obvious economic impact as an employer, it reaches out into the community in other ways, both tangible and intangible, as well. There are some 6,661 military retirees in the area, most of whom served at Columbus or nearby and remained due to the quality of life. They and other base personnel spent about $6.7 million on medical care in the area last year, Johnson says, and as a group offer more than just spending to the community.

“This is why Columbus and the communities around us embrace this installation,” he says. “Aside from the economic dollars, we bring a lot of things that are hard to measure, things like personal experiences. These are people who have lived around the world, and they bring an international view of things. We’re the people that sing in the church choirs, that volunteer in the community. We are citizens in the area and enjoy being active; it’s hard to find a dollar figure for that.”

Columbus Air Force Base

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Still at the

Forefront MISSISSIPPI UNIVERSITY FOR WOMEN CELEBRATES 125 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE

STORY BY MICHAELA JACKSON

I

n the 125 years since Mississippi University for Women opened its doors in Columbus, the relationship between women and education – and, by extension, women and society – has undergone a significant evolution.

And the W, as the school is fondly called by friends and alumni, has been at the leading edge of change every step of the way.

MUW was born under burden of necessity. Mississippi had fallen on economic hard times. There weren’t enough able-bodied men in the state to

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marry and support the women and, for the first time, self-sufficiency became a socially desirable – even requisite – trait for the fairer sex in the Magnolia state.

In 1884, the legislature voted to fund the Industrial Institute and College, the school that would later become MUW, where women received vocational training in careers such as dressmaking and stenography. Bachelor of Arts degrees were awarded as well, but at the time, their importance in society was a distant second to that of a woman’s ability to support herself.

“It was a very forward-thinking idea on the part of the Mississippi legislature, because they weren’t thinking about education for the sake of education,” says MUW alumna Bridget Smith Pieschel, director of the MUW Center for Women’s Research and Public Policy and co-author of the school’s institutional history. “They were thinking about allowing women to be independent and support themselves, which is really unusual.”

The intent of nurturing women’s abilities to not only survive but also lead in arenas dominated largely by men is

For the fifth year, MUW was ranked a top Southern public master’s university by U.S. News & World Report.

STAFF PHOTO

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one MUW characteristic that has been constant through 125 years of progress, including a 1982 Supreme Court mandate that the school admit men based on its receipt of state funding.

Today, the school is fully coeducational and encourages not only women to pursue formerly masculine fields like medicine and journalism, but also men to enter careers such as culinary arts and elementary education that in the past have been primarily relegated to women.

“We’ve managed to have the best of both worlds: We’ve kept our women’s mission, which focuses on developing leadership specifically in women, but we’ve offered that world to male students,

who need to understand how to work with women in today’s world,” Pieschel says. “So they’re getting a leg-up, and perhaps getting something that men don’t get at other colleges, which have more of a focus on traditional collegiate education, where you have a focus on football teams, for example.”

Over the decades, MUW’s story has been inextricably woven with that of Columbus, which donated the land and buildings for the university when it was first conceived.

The school is centrally located in the downtown area and lends the community a richness and vitality that only a college campus can.

“MUW’s architecturally significant campus, which features 23 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places, attracts tourists and prospective students, as well as business and industry,” says Anika Perkins, director of the MUW Office of Public Affairs. “Our graduates add critical thinking skills and economic strength to the life and well-being of the community.”

A spirited and growing student population, inflowing tourism dollars and related industry investment combine to make MUW an integral part of Columbus’ bottom line – and all without a football team. “And,” says Pieschel, “we don’t want one.”

Mississippi native and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Eudora Welty is one of the university’s most notable alumna. STAFF PHOTO

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BRIAN M C CORD

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A

River Rising

COLUMBUS TOURISM OFFICIALS CAPITALIZE ON TENN-TOM WATERWAY

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Winding more than 200 miles through Mississippi and Alabamaâ&#x20AC;&#x161; the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway has everything an outdoor enthusiast could ever want. STAFF PHOTO

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Everything in Janitorial, Paper & Packaging Supplies 1616 7th Ave. S. Columbus, MS (662) 327-1467 (800) 844-1467 www.newellpaper.com

WHOLESALE Tennant Scrubbers & sweepers Hillyard products Mats of all kinds Rubbermaid Gym floor finishes Lysol Butchers Johnson Diversity

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MERCHANTS Roll foam Bubble wrap Carton sealing tapes Pallet wrap Poly bags Deb soaps Gojo soaps Retail packaging supplies Swimming pool supplies

Copy paper Bay-West paper products Kimberly Clark Bakery supplies Safety supplies Hotel/motel supplies Weed killers Liners of all sizes Memphis gloves

COLUMBUS

STORY BY JOE MORRIS

W

With 10 lakes and more than 44,000 acres of water, the Tenn-Tom has plenty of space for boaters.

COLUMBUS

JEFF ADKINS

ater, water everywhere and more to do than you think.

As the only city the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway actually goes through, Columbus has been capitalizing on this man-made marvel since its completion in December, 1984. These days, the waterway’s potential as a tourism and recreation draw is limited only by event planners’ imaginations.

“Everything we do is waterway related, and we’re always trying to develop new activities,” says Agnes Zaiontz, business manager for the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway Development Authority and executive director of the Tenn-Tom Tourism Association. “We have the recreational boaters coming through, everything from small boats to large yachts and passenger ships like the Niagara Prince, which has two sold-out trips scheduled through here this year.”

The Tennessee-Tombigbee certainly lends itself to all things aquatic. Beginning at Pickwick Lake on the Tennessee River, the 234-mile waterway runs through northeast Mississippi and west Alabama and connects with the Warrior-Tombigbee navigation system at Demopolis, Ala. It has 10 locks and dams and a 29-mile, manmade canal, allowing for multiple sizes of watercraft to traverse its length.

Since its opening, the waterway has been wildly popular with anglers, with 129 tournaments going on at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ramps in 2008 alone.

And in Columbus, tourism officials are willing to give just about any event a try, given the success they’ve had with everything from historic home tours to cook-offs and more.

“The Tenn-Tom Tourism Association is again partnering with the Tishomingo

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at several cities along the Tenn-Tom Waterway,” Zaiontz says. “At each, he will sell fresh Gulf shrimp off the boat and possibly have a cooking demonstration. This is really exciting for us, and shows that we can always come up with new things to showcase that we’re the only town with the waterway running through it.”

The shrimp boat and many others dock near the Columbus Riverwalk & Trail, a 3-mile trail running along the waterway that opened in 2005. The riverwalk features pavilions, benches and lighted trails, and is popular with visitors and residents alike – so much so that future projects, including opening a bridge to pedestrian traffic as well as connecting the riverwalk trail to other area trails, are in the works.

“We’re always doing something down on the river, and incorporating the riverwalk and other areas of town as well,” Zaiontz says. “Whether it’s ‘Grilling On The River,’ a barbecue championship and food fair, or something else related to food or boating, we’ve got a lot of waterway-related tourism here, and there’s more to come.”

What’s Online e Take a virtual stroll along the Columbus Riverwalk, which parallels the TennesseeTombigbee Waterway in a quick video at imagescolumbus.com. Then read more about its recreational opportunities in the recreation section.

JEFF ADKINS

County Tourism Council for the Trash and Treasures along the Tenn-Tom, which is 234 miles of yard sales,” Zaiontz says.

This event [held the first weekend in October] drew thousands of sellers and buyers in 2007 and 2008.” The association also is promoting the area to participants in the Underground Railroad Bicycle Route, which winds along the Tenn-Tom Waterway in east Mississippi and west Alabama along its 2,100 miles from Mobile to Owen Sound, Ontario.

And those who enjoy seafood but don’t have a yen to catch their own will benefit from a visit by the Bella Mia, a shrimp boat captained by Tim Harrison that will voyage up from its Pass Christian base to promote the waterway itself as well as Gulf seafood.

“The plan is for the boat to dock

Commercial vessels often use the Tenn-Tom as a shortcut, but boaters use its many outlets for cruising.

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Buon Appetito, Columbus GREEN OLIVE BRINGS A TASTE OF THE OLD COUNTRY TO THE MAGNOLIA STATE

C

hef Sarah Labensky wanted changes made to The Green Olive restaurant when she purchased it in 2006. The first order of business: Immediately upgrade the menu to include dishes prepared with fresh ingredients.

“This is the only Italian restaurant in all of Columbus, and I don’t want my customers eating food that tastes like it just came off a delivery truck,” she says.

“For example, if you order homemade lasagna from my restaurant, you will get a generous plate of lasagna that was made fresh today. This is what The Green Olive happens to be.”

Labensky adds that besides good food, the restaurant also offers ambiance. This includes comfortable patio seating in the warm weather months, which is unusual because outdoor dining is a

rare amenity for any eatery in Columbus.

“If I may, I’d like to briefly mention a few of our menu items, including dishes such as veal piccata, chicken marsala and pesto shrimp, plus I prepare a spinach chicken artichoke pizza that you aren’t going to find anywhere else,” she says.

“And be sure to try our caprese salad, which features layers of mozzarella, tomatoes and fresh basil drizzled with

Known for its fresh ingredients and fine spirits, the Green Olive offers casual, Italian fare with a local flair.

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balsamic and olive oil. It is one of the simplest of salads, and oh so good.”

Besides pasta dishes, the restaurant also features steak and fish entrees such as New York strip and grilled salmon, as well as mixed drinks.

“Have you ever tasted a pomegranate martini? We also have an excellent upscale martini lounge that is ideal for customers looking for interesting specialty drinks,” Labensky says. “In addition, the restaurant offers homemade desserts like cannolis and crème brûlée, plus we are family friendly.

That means we have a small selection of menu items specifically for the kids.”

The Green Olive is located on Wilkins Wise Road just off Highway 45 North and is open Monday-Friday for lunch and Monday-Saturday for dinner. But besides The Green Olive, Labensky also owns the Front Door/Back Door restaurant in the historic downtown district of Columbus.

Front Door offers homemade soups, salads and pastries during the daytime, plus dishes such as meatball subs and Greek shrimp salad. Meanwhile, Back Door features fine Mediterranean dining with entrees that include seafood pasta and spaghetti alfredo.

By the way, Front Door/Back Door are actually two separate restaurants that are cordoned off from each other in the same building on Main Street, with a separate back entrance to the restaurant on Fourth Street.

“At my restaurants, I like to hire a lot of Culinary Arts Institute students from the Mississippi University for Women, in order to give them good training for their eventual careers,” Labensky says. “In short, the freshest ingredients available, fine cuisine and an excellent staff is what The Green Olive and Front Door/Back Door are all about.”

– Kevin Litwin COLUMBUS

PHOTOS BY BRIAN M C CORD

Local Flavor

Green Olive’s 2 1/4 OZ. ABSOLUT MANDARIN VODKA 1 1/4 OZ. POM PURE POMEGRANATE JUICE 1/4 OZ. SIMPLE SYRUP 1/4 OZ. TRIPLE SEC

FAMOUS POMEGRANATE MARTINI

Combine the following ingredients over ice in a cocktail shaker. Shake until frost forms on the sides of the cocktail shaker. Strain into glass and garnish with lemon wheel.

For more recipes from the Green Olive, visit the Food section at imagescolumbus.com.

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Portfolio

The World Comes to Town CHINA, KENYA, RUSSIA JUST A FEW OF THE COUNTRIES REPRESENTED AT MUW

T

he South is about to meet the East.

The Far East.

The Mississippi University for Women has many students on campus who hail from a variety of other countries, and MUW is about to add China to that list.

By as early as August 2009, the university will start enrolling students from China as part of a way to further internationalize the campus.

The diversity initiative program stems from MUW provost Dr. Sandra Jordan’s trip to China in 2008 to locate potential partner universities. Jordan’s excursion halfway around the world will culminate in future faculty teaching exchanges between MUW and Chinese universities, as well as faculty research collaborations, student exchanges and summer enrichment programs.

MUW officials say students who will be arriving from China already speak some English, plus follow world news, watch U.S. programs on television, and want to learn more about our history, culture, political structure and society.

Meanwhile, MUW has begun taking applications from its own students who might be interested in future study opportunities in China. MUW officials

MUW’s partnerships with institutions around the globe will provide opportunities for its students and faculty.

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say that all students in the program will learn lessons that will be valuable to the companies and organizations they join after graduation.

Officials add that students in China will appreciate that MUW is located in a smaller town and offers excellent educational opportunities at an affordable price. One of the specific universities that MUW will be working with in this program is China Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s University in Beijing.

The Mississippi University for Women already has students on campus from Belarus, Cameroon, Canada, Germany, India, Japan, Kenya, Nigeria, Russia, Trinidad, Venezuela, Vietnam and Zambia.

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Portfolio

Marina Awarded for Hospitality E dock equipped with gas and diesel.

There is also a shipâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s convenience store that is stocked with food, toiletries and boating supplies, plus there are restrooms, a laundry and private shower facilities on site.

Travelers coming ashore also have access to a courtesy car that will transport them four miles into the city of Columbus. There is even free wireless Internet connection as part of the marinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s services.

The Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway depth at Columbus Marina is eight feet, and there is covered dry storage at any time of the year for trailered boats that measure up to 30 feet long. There is also

a boat ramp with launching capabilities as well as a service and parts department for boat repairs.

A yacht management program is also available for routine engine, generator and bilge checks, and the crew will also keep boats washed and waxed as part of the services offered.

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Online e For more stories on the people, places and events that define Columbus-Lowndes County, visit imagescolumbus.com.

STAFF PHOTO

verything is shipshape these days at Columbus Marina. The popular spot that opened in April 2000 at the 335-mile marker has won several awards over the years for its cleanliness and hospitality. The marina is conveniently situated on the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway, just north and east of the John Stennis Lock and Dam in Columbus.

The marina offers boaters an ideal stopping point on the waterway and allows docking by the night, a season or for a lifetime. An experienced staff is on site throughout the entire year to provide boating assistance.

Amenities include docks for boats up to 70 feet long, along with a fuel

The Columbus Marina is the perfect rest stop for boaters traveling the Tenn-Tom Waterway.

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Portfolio

Fun and Fitness With Baby on Board O the Stroller Strides franchise in the Columbus area.

The program is taught by nationally certified instructors who are also moms, and it’s a workout that can be adapted for any level of exerciser. There are currently 800 Stroller Strides franchises in the United States.

“I purchased the first franchise in Mississippi because, as a mom, it offered me a fun way to stay active, share my

love for fitness with other moms, and learn how to run my own business,” she says. “There was also a definite niche in Columbus for this type of franchise.

There’s no expected shortage of babies or moms looking to get back into their pre-baby jeans anytime soon.”

Classes kicked off in August 2008 every Monday-Friday at Columbus Air Force Base and along the Columbus Riverwalk. There are currently 25 members, with class attendance ranging anywhere from five to 15 moms on average.

“Moms can purchase memberships depending on the level of commitment they wish to make, working out anywhere from one to five times each week,” Stimets says. “The program is primarily an outdoor activity and, thanks to the mild Columbus climate, we are able to stay outdoors the majority of the year.”

For more program information, visit strollerstrides.net/goldentriangle.

“Stroller Strides also partners with Luna, a maker of whole health bars for women, to sponsor a free weekly playgroup and one mom’s night out each month,” Stimets says. “Stroller Strides has many benefits, the greatest of which is getting moms back in shape.”

BRIAN M C CORD

h, baby. Stroller Strides is now one of the top providers of fitness programs in the nation for pre- and postnatal women.

“This is a total fitness program that moms can do with their babies in the stroller and includes power walking and intervals of body toning using exercise tubing, the environment and the stroller itself,” says Lindsey Stimets. Stimets, a personal fitness trainer, is the owner of

Columbus’ stroller mommies get together once a week and challenge each other to stay in shape.

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Speaking of Young Professionals f you are between the ages of 21 and 40, there is a good club to join.

LINK’d Young Professionals, backed by the Columbus-Lowndes Development LINK, provides working people ages 21-40 with opportunities to network with fellow professionals. The program began in May 2008 and has already met with success.

“We schedule a social gathering every other month at a local restaurant or bar and average about 50 people at every event,” says Scott Ferguson, a financial planner in Columbus and chairman of LINK’d Young Professionals.

“We also have a charity that will sponsor each event, and the food and beverages are supplied by the restaurant or bar.

We do charge a $5 admission, with all the money going to that night’s sponsoring charity.”

Ferguson says the mission of LINK’d Young Professionals is to not only get people networking with one another but also helping them get involved in their community at a young age.

“For example, we have participated in community-help events such as a Habitat for Humanity work day as well as a Clean Sweep Columbus citywide cleanup day that attracted 400 people,” he says.

The organization also schedules a bimonthly Lunch-and-Learn session that lasts for 90 minutes and always features a guest speaker.

“One of the past luncheons had a speaker who talked about just getting started in the business world, while another speaker was a commercial developer who talked about the future vision for Columbus,” Ferguson says.

“Then in April 2009, we had a speaker inform the young professionals about saving money at tax time.”

Ferguson adds that anyone from Lowndes County is invited to attend one of the get-togethers, and more information about the group can be found at www.cldlink.org.

“We have fun, we network and we help our community,” he says.

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J. KYLE KEENER

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Scott Ferguson, president of the LINK’d Young Professionals group

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CreekView Office Park O k

A Natural Choice for Your Business Designed with the small-business professional in mind, CreekView OďŹ&#x192;ce Park is located oďŹ&#x20AC; Hwy. 50/12 on the eastern edge of Columbus, MS. Inspired in design by the look and feel of a hunting lodge, each oďŹ&#x192;ce is exclusively planned to maximize creek views with natural, wooded landscape and abundant wildlife.

Large front and back porches will beckon you to move your business meetings outdoors into the comfort of rocking chairs while enjoying the sounds of birds and other wildlife just beyond the wooded decks.

Hicks and Smith, pllc Attorneys at Law

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COLUMBUS

Portfolio

Musik Makes the Mind Grow Stronger K

indermusik has become a globally trusted name in music and movement classes for children up to age 7.

A total of 150 children are currently enrolled in nine different Kindermusik classes in Columbus day care facilities.

The music program has been available in the city since 2006.

“Research shows that music helps children become better learners, and that even newborns respond to music,” says Cathy Portele, a spokeswoman for the Kindermusik program in Columbus.

“It is truly amazing to watch the joy in a child’s face as they sing and dance in a class, then can bring their music to their home and learn there, too.”

Children enrolled in Kindermusik usually attend a one-hour class once a week to learn new songs and dances,

make new friends, play instruments and have a good time with the help of a trained educator.

“Every student receives at-home materials as part of the class, including CDs, an instrument and a family guide book,” Portele says. “Each song, dance and instrument we use in class is chosen for a very specific reason. We work on social, cognitive, language, emotional, listening and physical development through our activities.”

Child experts say Kindermusik helps children develop by preparing them for the skills they will use later in life. It helps young kids play with others, learn

self-control, develop self-confidence and lengthen attention spans.

Experts add that most children participating in Kindermusik improved 25-35 more percentile points in their standard intelligence tests compared with children without Kindermusik.

“For parents, we explain to them that the lessons we teach are all tied into foundations of learning,” Portele says. “We also point out to parents how they can further work on these developmental activities at home.”

Visit kindermusik.com to find a local class.

– Stories by Kevin Litwin

Exceeding Expectations in Staffing & Human Resource Management

BRIAN M C CORD

CLERICAL U INDUSTRIAL U PROFESSIONAL U MEDICAL

Kindermusik, a unique musiccentered education philosophy, caters to preschoolers.

COLUMBUS

U

Contract & permanent staffing

U

Payrolling services

U

HR consulting & specialized training

U

Management & executive recruiting

(888) 566-8303 U (662) 328-1042 Columbus U MS Gulf Coast

www.cpi-group.com I M AG E S C O L U M B U S . C O M

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Business

Countdown to

Launch AEROSPACE INDUSTRY PROPELS LOCAL ECONOMY AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES INTO THE FUTURE

STORY BY MICHAELA JACKSON

O

PHOTO COURTESY OF MIKE ZINSKI COPYRIGHT © AEROSPACE INDUSTRIES ASSOCIATION

n a brisk day in early March, Columbus’ rapidly growing aerospace industry got a glimpse of its future when a determined team of high school students gathered at Mississippi State University’s North Farm to launch model rockets.

With a goal of 750 feet and 45 seconds in the air, the home schooled students from the Starkville Christian Home Educators shot rockets into the sky using the same propellant that lifts the U.S. Space Shuttle. The exercise was in preparation for the Team America Rocketry Challenge, a national rocket flying competition designed to pique students’ interests in science and engineering. In 2008, the Columbus team, which is sponsored by local aerospace heavyweight Aurora Flight Sciences, placed sixth nationally, and two other Mississippi

Team America Rocketry Challenge Left: American Eurocopter manufactures helicopters for civilian and military organizations.

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Business

“This program has really put Columbus on the map as a global helicopter center of excellence”

teams advanced to the national finals in Washington, D.C. The flight-minded students represent the next generation of a mainstay industry for the Golden Triangle region.

Aerospace is a driving force behind Columbus’ economy and educational institutions, providing an ever-growing pool of jobs and investment dollars in the community that boasts a U.S. Air Force Base. In October of 2004, for example, Columbus became home to one of aerospace’s biggest names, the American Eurocopter facility operated

by EADS North America. Since opening its doors at the Golden Triangle Regional Airport, American Eurocopter has tripled in size and continues to grow as the aircraft manufacturer works to fulfill an order for 345 light utility helicopters placed by the U.S. Army in June 2006.

Production for the UH-72 Lakota is ramping up to three to four aircraft per month. When the 220,000-square-foot facility is fully operational, nearly 200 people will be employed by the program, roughly half the workforce of American Eurocopter in Columbus.

“This program has really put Columbus on the map as a global helicopter center of excellence,” says Guy

Hicks, vice president of corporate communications for EADS North America.

“The army looks at this program as the example acquisition program in aviation. We look at the facility as an important element in our global helicopter capability, and it certainly is one of the world’s most state-of-the-art, technologically sophisticated production centers for rotary wing aircraft in the world,” Hicks says.

As the area’s aerospace companies grow, educational partners such as the Aerospace and Engineering Department at Mississippi State University provide a steady flow of trained workers to staff the facilities. Additionally, the university’s Raspet Laboratory serves as an incubator space for companies as they get on their feet. Established companies such as Aurora and the new jet fabrication plant General Electric is building north of Tupelo, Miss., spent their early days at the Raspet Lab. “I think aerospace is somewhat of the future of the area,” says Gregory Stewart, director of development for Aurora. “In addition to there being a good industry base growing up, there’s also a good incubator, with the school providing a place for people to learn the

industry and become trained to be engineers and fabricators.”

And that concern for the future of the industry is what brings Stewart out of the office and into the field, watching high school students launch rockets much as he used to.

Matthew Berk, a junior on the rocket team Stewart advises, is already a veteran flier of rockets and gliders. He interned in fall 2008 at Aurora, and believes Columbus is a great spot to launch his career in aerospace.

“I hope to get a position in the industry, and right here in Columbus is really great,” Berk says. “There are several companies, and I think it’s brought more technical jobs into the area. I think it’s great.”

Aurora sponsors all manner of educational events, from rocket f lying contests like TARC to robotics competitions. In fact, Stewart and John Langford, Aurora’s founder and president, met at a rocket flying competition in Middle School.

“It’s important to Aurora to help promote engineering and science disciplines among our youth,” Stewart says.

“Plus I have a good time playing with the kids.”

Educators and business leaders have begun training the next generation of aerospace professionals.

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PHOTO COURTESY OF GLENN FEVERYEAR COPYRIGHT © AEROSPACE INDUSTRIES ASSOCIATION

Business

Biz Briefs A SAMPLING OF BUSINESSES – LARGE AND SMALL – THAT HELP DEFINE COLUMBUS’S STRONG AND WELL-BALANCED ECONOMIC CLIMATE

Scorecard BUSINESS AT A GLANCE

$1,046,033,456 Retail sales, 2008 ($1,000)

$17,764 Retail sales per capita

$165,343,426 Food service sales ($1,000)

1,875 Total number of firms Source: MS State Tax Commission

J. BROUSSARD’S Biz: Locally owned restaurant Buzz: Now a second-generation restaurant, J. Broussard’s serves up New Orleans-style cuisine, such as crab cakes with Saffron corn cream sauce in the heart of Mississippi and has been featured in Southern Living magazine. www.jbroussards.com 58

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BRUNINI, GRANTHAM, GROWER & HEWES PLLC Biz: Columbus attorneys Buzz: Founded by John B. Brunini more than a century ago as a small, collegial group of attorneys, this firm now serves a number of Fortune 500 companies. www.brunini.com COLUMBUS

PRYOR & MORROW ARCHITECTS Biz: Architecture firm Buzz: Founded in 1985, Pryor & Morrow Architects has grown from two employees to nearly 30, and their projects include multiple renovations at the Mississippi University for Women. www.pryor-morrow.com

COLUMBUS

NEEL-SCHAFFER INC. Biz: Engineering firm Buzz: Based in Jackson, this privately held engineering firm worked with Main Street Columbus to create the 3-milelong Columbus Riverwalk along the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway, which has been a boon to local tourism. www.neel-schaffer.com

SHADOWLAWN BED & BREAKFAST Biz: Bed and breakfast Buzz: An antebellum mansion located in downtown Columbus, this B&B combines historic Southern charm with modern amenities such as wireless high-speed Internet access. www.shadowlawncolumbus.com

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Now Showing in Our Video Gallery

Sit back and enjoy a preview of Columbus-Lowndes County amenities.

Explore its landscapes, cultural offerings, food and fun.

See its downtown, neighborhoods, parks and attractions.

Experience the history, hot spots and local happenings.

Columbus-Lowndes County is rated L for Livability

imagescolumbus.com

Business | Economic Profile

COLUMBUSâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;LOWNDES COUNTY BUSINESS CLIMATE Columbus-Lowndes County is in the midst of an economic boom, with a variety of industrial projects under construction in the area.

INDUSTRIAL SITES

GOVERNMENT OFFICES

The Crossroads Megasite City of Columbus 523 Main St. Columbus, MS 39701 (662) 328-7021 www.thecityofcolumbus.org Lowndes County 505 2nd Ave., N. Columbus, MS 39701 (662) 329-5884

South Frontage Road Columbus, MS 39701 Golden Triangle Industrial Park Industrial Park Road Columbus, MS 39701 Riverside Industrial Park 1864 Port Access Columbus, MS 39701

MAJOR MANUFACTURING EMPLOYERS Employer

Product/Service

Weyerhaeuser Corp

Printing paper

600

Severstal

Rolled steel

450

Omnova Solutions

Vinyl wall coverings

380

Microtek Medical

Ear tubes, implants, etc.

265

JohnstonTombigbee Furniture

Bedroom furniture

263

Baldor Electric

Large industrial electrical motors

244

State Sales Tax

Domtar

Paper mill

220

7%

Metso Paper

Paper mill roll covering and reconditioning

220

APAC

Concrete products

206

Eka Chemical

Sodium chlorate

American Eurocopter

Aircraft manufacturer

TAXES

7% Total Sales Tax

TRANSPORTATION

No. of Employees

111 100

Golden Triangle Regional Airport 2080 Airport Road Columbus, MS 39701 (662) 327-4422 www.gtra.com

ECONOMIC RESOURCES Columbus-Lowndes Development LINK 1102 Main St. Columbus, MS 39701 (662) 328-8369 www.cldlink.org

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Business | Economic Profile MAJOR EMPLOYERS Employer

Product/Service

No. of Employees

Columbus Air Force Base

Pilot training

Baptist Memorial Hospital-GT

Health care

Columbus Municipal Schools

Education

750

Lowndes County Schools

Education

690

Weyerhaeuser Company

Printing paper

600

Severstal

Rolled steel

450

Mississippi University For Women

Education

420

Baldor Electric Company

Industrial electric motors

350

Omnova Solutions

Vinyl wall coverings

350

Johnston Tombigbee

Furniture

263

Metso Paper

Paper mill roll covering and reconditioning

220

Microtek Medical

Ear tubes, implants, etc.

220

3,035 1,100

EMPLOYMENT BY OCCUPATION (2008) Architecture/Engineering

322

1.33%

Arts/Design/Entertainment/Sports/Media

301

1.24%

Building/Grounds cleaning/Maintenance

761

3.15%

Business operations specialists

278

1.15%

Community/Social services

361

1.49%

Computer and mathematical

229

0.95%

Construction/Extraction

1,474

6.10%

Education/Training/Library

1,731

7.16%

Farming/Fishing/Forestry

104

0.43%

Financial specialists

440

1.82%

Food preparation/Serving related

1,113

4.60%

Health-care practitioner/Technician

1,022

4.23%

Health-care support

316

1.31%

Installation/Maintenance/Repair

1,477

6.11%

Legal

133

0.55%

Life/Physical/Social science

138

0.57%

Management, including farmers/Farm managers

1,582

6.54%

Office/Administrative support

3,526

14.58%

Personal care/Service

539

Production

3,396

Protective service

495

2.05%

Sales/Related

2,684

11.10%

Transportation/Material moving

1,756

Total

24,178

2.23% 14.05%

7.26% 100.00%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Claritas

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LABOR FORCE

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(2008) Civilian Labor Force â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Male 13,727 (67.98%) Civilian Labor Force â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Female 13,095 (53.51%) Civilian Non-Institutional Population, 16 and Over â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Male 20,194 (45.21%) Civilian Non-Institutional Population, 16 and Over â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Female 24,474 (54.79%)

t 3Ä&#x2013;Ä&#x2019;Ä? Ä&#x2013;ĤļÄ&#x2019;ÄĽÄ&#x2013; Ä?Ä&#x161;ĤļÄ&#x161;Ä&#x;Ä&#x2DC;Ĥ â&#x20AC;&#x201C; With online details of all listings, previewing is very easy and saves your valuable time. Go to our Web site and preview all the available properties that are for sale in our area. It is that easy, so take a look today.

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MORE EO ONLINE imagescolumbus.com More facts, stats and community information, including relocation tools and links to resources.

enormous to-do list! Find phone numbers and Web addresses fast for local utilities, schools, events and even organizations.

t 1Ä?ČĤ Ä&#x17E;ÄŚÄ&#x201D;Ä&#x2122; Ä&#x17E;Ä ÄŁÄ&#x2013;ĂĽ +VTU MPPL BU XIBU XXX XFTUSFBMUZDPNQBOZ DPN DBO EP GPS ZPV (662) 328-7500 Fax: (662) 328-2528 2500 Military Rd., Ste. 1 Columbus, MS 39705

T.E. Lott, Jr., CPA Charles M. Hawkins, CPA, CBA John F. Prince, CPA Nellah F. Taylor, CPA â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Starkville Jeffry H. Read, CPA â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Starkville Thomas J. Buckley, CPA Vivian L. Yeatman, CPA Bobby G. Shaw, CPA, CBA â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Tuscaloosa Debby H. Gray, CPA, CPC Clayton H. Richardson, III, CPA, CVA â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Starkville J. Michael Prince, CPA

COLUMBUS OFFICE 221 North 7th St. (662) 328-5387 STARKVILLE OFFICE 106 B South Washington St. (662) 323-1234 TUSCALOOSA OFFICE 2422 12th St. (205) 759-4195 Mark A. Vickers, CPA, CVA Stewart R. Greene, CPA â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Tuscaloosa J.H. Kennedy, Jr., CPA Samuel A. Bray, CPA Frank F. Gray, CPA â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Tuscaloosa Leslie W. Wood, CPA â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Starkville Lawrence E. Wilson, CPA Louise L. Chappell, CPA Kristy A. Tunnell, CPA â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Starkville Louisa L. Russell, CPA Cheryl G. Nelson, CPA â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Starkville Julie M. Melvin, CPA Matthew S. Sasser, CPA

COLUMBUS

Audits, Reviews & Compilations Tax Planning & Preparation Payroll Services Estate & Trust Tax Preparation Management Advisory Services Pension & Profit Sharing Services Quickbooks Advisors Accounting & Bookkeeping Services Business Valuation Technology Counseling Online Tax Preparation

American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Mississippi Society of Certified Public Accountants Alabama Society of Certified Public Accountants Registered with Public Company Accounting Oversight Board Member of Center for Public Company Audit Firms Member of Employee Benefit Plan Audit Quality Center Member of Governmental Audit Quality Center

QUALITY â&#x20AC;˘ INTEGRITY â&#x20AC;˘ SERVICE PROFESSIONALISM â&#x20AC;˘ SINCE 1926

www.telott.com

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Photo Essay

Stately

Grace TAKE A STROLL THROUGH HISTORY ON COLUMBUS’ HISTORIC HOMES TOUR

STORY BY MATT BIGELOW

T

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PHOTOS BY BRIAN M CCORD

o stroll through the antebellum homes of Columbus during Spring Pilgrimage is to be taken back to the 19th century – a time of carriages‚ candlelight and fortunes being made.

The historic home tour takes place every year from late March to early April, and includes storytelling and period costumes.

Beautiful Greek Revival, Gothic, Italianate – the historically diverse architecture on this stunning historic homes tour attracts visitors from far and near.

“We literally host people from around the world – 19 countries – so it’s very familiar and very popular with visitors,” says Nancy Carpenter, director of the Columbus Spring Pilgrimage and manager of the Columbus Cultural Heritage Foundation.

This year marked the 69th anniversary of the tour, when Columbus opens its homes for visitors to explore. Now that’s Southern hospitality.

COLUMBUS

COLUMBUS

I M AG E S C O L U M B U S . C O M

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PHOTOS BY BRIAN M CCORD

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J. KYLE KEENER

Photo Essay

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Photo Essay

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J. KYLE KEENER

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I M AG E S C O L U M B U S . C O M

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BRIAN M CCORD

Photo Essay

J. KYLE KEENER

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Health & Wellness

:fii\Zk`m\ Ki\Xkd\ekj Pore Size Reduction Spider Vein Reduction Scar Removal Acne/Acne Scars Ageless Hand Treatments Skin Tightening Hair Reduction Tattoo Removal Treatments for Age Spots/Sun Spots SmartLipo

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Manicures & Pedicures Facials Massages Microdermabrasion Chemical Peels Spray Tan Juvederm/Radiesse Dermal Fillers Body Treatments Botox Doctor & Aesthetician On-site FREE Consultations Interest-Free Financing Available

www.edenmedispa.net 300 Hospital Dr., Ste. 1 Columbus, MS 39705 662.243.7795 Fax: 662.243.7797

COLUMBUS

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BENNETT OPHTHALMOLOGYY GROUP Advanced Eye Care

J. DAN BENNETT, M.D. $IPLOMATE OF THE !MERICAN "OARD OF /PHTHALMOLOGY "OARD #ERTIFIED /PHTHALMOLOGIST -EDICARE !SSIGNMENT !CCEPTED s $ISEASES 3URGERY OF THE %YE

Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Health Center of Columbus Inc.

#ATARACTS s )MPLANTS s .O 3TITCH 3URGERY s 'LAUCOMA $IABETES s 2ETINAL $ISEASES s -ACULAR $ISEASES ,ASER 3URGERY s %YELID 3URGERY

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114 N. Lehmberg Rd. Columbus, MS 39702 (662) 329-2955 www.drskiskids.us

Willowbrook Dental Center For the smile you always dreamed of!

Mark A. Nobles, DMD Ben W. Harrelson, DMD Members of: American Dental Association Mississippi Dental Association

Cosmetic s Laser s Implant Laser Whitening s Invisalign s Veneers Family Dentistry !PPOINTMENTS /NLY s -OST )NSURANCES &ILED (OURS -ON 4HU A M P M AND &RI A M P M

(662) 327-4523 540 Willowbrook Rd. Columbus, MS 39705

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Listing of this previously mentioned area of practice does not indicate certification of expertise therein.

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Health & Wellness

Caring for the Community FACILITIES AND OUTREACH MEET WIDE RANGE OF AREA HEALTH CARE NEEDS

COLUMBUS

Mississippi University for Women in 2008, carrying on its long-standing partnership with the school.

Other community initiatives implemented last year are ongoing and will continue to be available throughout 2009, such as free prostate cancer screenings, childbirth classes, first aid and CPR classes, and support groups for diabetes and cancer patients.

“From health fairs and free health screenings to sponsorships and seminars, Baptist’s Mississippi hospitals continue to serve their communities outside the walls of the hospital,” Cade affirms.

– Carol Cowan

What’s Online e For more insight on Columbus-Lowndes County’s health and wellness offerings, head to the health care section at imagescolumbus.com.

STAFF PHOTO

T

he largest regional hospital in the Baptist Memorial Health Care system, Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle has an on-going tradition of serving the health-care needs of the community – both within and outside its walls.

The 328-bed acute care, Level II trauma facility staffs more than 100 physicians and surgeons practicing across a full range of specialties and provides comprehensive medical care to patients of all ages. Advanced technology and leading-edge procedures, as well as health education classes, health screenings and various support groups, demonstrate Baptist Golden Triangle’s broad patient focus and commitment to everincreasing quality of care.

In January 2009, the hospital acquired a $1.8 million Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) unit that features breakthrough advancements in diagnostic capabilities. “The addition of the new MRI complements and extends the quality diagnostic services that Baptist Golden Triangle offers,” says Paul Cade, hospital administrator and CEO. “It provides us with a vastly improved imaging quality and speed while enhancing the excellent diagnostic services we were already providing to the community.”

A sophisticated new digital mammography system also came online in January, expanding women’s health and wellness services at the hospital.

And in February 2009, doctors at Baptist Centers for Cancer Care, located within Baptist Golden Triangle, began treating cancer patients using the Varian Trilogy System, a new linear accelerator that performs radiation treatment much faster and with greater precision than standard machines. The system is part of a more than $5 million improvement project at Baptist Centers for Cancer Care.

Furthermore, in the midst of these challenging times, Baptist Golden Triangle remains committed to its mission of community support beyond the acute-care environment, as evidenced by charitable contributions and community services that continued strong throughout 2008 and amounted to nearly $57 million.

For instance, in conjunction with a public awareness and early evaluation effort spearheaded by the National Kidney Foundation last year, Baptist Golden Triangle offered free kidney screenings to 78 people in the community deemed at risk for kidney disease. It also contributed $190,000 to

Baptist Memorial Hospital – Golden Triangle

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Sports & Recreation

Fasten Your Seatbelts MAGNOLIA SPEEDWAY LINES UP LONG LIST OF INTERESTING RACES

T

he Cotton Pickin’ 100?

That is one of several races scheduled for the 2009 season at Magnolia Motor Speedway. The 3/8-mile dirt track hosts stock car action on 15 Saturday nights – usually two a month – starting in late March and lasting through mid-October.

“There is always excitement at this

track, with plenty of get-down type of racing that includes cars beatin’ and bangin’ against one another,” says Johnny Stokes, general manager of Magnolia Motor Speedway. “A small, hard clay track like ours brings out plenty of thrills, and there are lots of them at Magnolia.”

The facility, nicknamed The South’s Premier Dirt Track, features racing for

stock car divisions such as super late models, open-wheel modifieds, late-model stocks, street stocks and stingers. The super late models are the top division at Magnolia, and there are four major marquee races each season for drivers in that class.

“Those races are the Boll Weevil Rumble in April, the Governor’s Cup in

Featuring a 3/8-mile oval dirt track, the Magnolia Motor Speedway hosts races from March through October.

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June, the Firecracker 4 Crown Series in July, and the Cotton Pickin’ 100 in October,” Stokes says. “We also host a Lucas Oil Dirt Late Model Series event in July, with the 2009 race televised on the Speed Channel.”

Magnolia Motor Speedway is at the intersection of Highway 82 West and Highway 45 South. General admission to the Saturday night action is $10. Drivers and anyone else who want to be in the pits pay a $25 admission charge.

As for Stokes himself, he not only runs Magnolia but also owns nearby Columbus Speedway. That particular track is a 3/10-mile, high-banked clay oval that is nicknamed The Baddest Bullring in the South.

“I’ve been a promoter at Columbus Speedway for eight years, and it just makes good sense that both tracks in this city should come together if racing is going to really prosper here,” he says.

“So when the newest owners of Magnolia (Magnolia Motorsports Associates LLC) asked me to join their operation as general manager, it was a good business move for me and everyone involved to combine the efforts of both tracks.”

Stokes says the Saturday night scheduling will not conflict at the two tracks and should allow drivers to compete at both places, if they so desire.

“The tracks are actually somewhat different racing surfaces, so drivers will need to adjust their cars and racing strategies at each venue,” he says. “As for myself, I want to ultimately promote the city of Columbus as the place to be when it comes to dirt track racing. Both Magnolia Motor Speedway and Columbus Speedway are excellent, heart-pumping facilities, and I am proud to be associated with both of them.”

– Kevin Litwin COLUMBUS

Everyone’s looking for an encouraging sign in today’s economy. The fact is, they’ll see one in over 17,500 locations across North America. Because for over 86 years, State Farm® agents have been there helping people protect the things that matter most. That’s why more people trust State Farm. And we consider that a very good sign.

Denise Good, Agent 105 A Alabama St. Columbus, MS 39702 (662) 328-5701 www.denisegood.net P087082 11/08

PROVIDING INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES State Farm, Bloomington, IL

I M AG E S C O L U M B U S . C O M

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Education

Program Addresses the Need for More Nurses EMCC LAUNCHES ASSOCIATE DEGREE NURSING PROGRAM

W

BRIAN M C CORD

ith scores of people living in rural areas and an aging population of baby boomers, Mississippi is facing a critical shortage of nurses. Fortunately, East Mississippi Community College is doing its part to address the issue.

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The college’s Golden Triangle Campus was approved for an Associate Degree Nursing Program in October 2008, and EMCC will enroll its first Associate Degree Nursing students in January 2010.

“Men and women graduates from our program will be eligible to become

licensed registered nurses, and these graduates will be prepared for entry level into the nursing field,” says Patricia Clowers, nursing director at East Mississippi Community College. “They will help alleviate the nursing shortage in the state.

Our goal is to have the best RN program in the state, and based on the success of our LPN program and the reputation of our graduates, we believe we will accomplish that goal.”

EMCC has been working to implement an Associate Degree Nursing Program for several years. Since 2004, it has been the only public community college in the state to not have a nursing degree program.

“Although we documented the need for the program, there was opposition to overcome,” Clowers says.

Two such obstacles included a shortage of qualified nursing instructors and a lack of clinical space for more nursing students.

“We addressed the first concern by growing our own instructors. Through a grant from the Department of Labor, we provided scholarships for six bachelor’s prepared nurses to return to get their master’s degrees,” Clowers explains.

“We addressed the lack of clinical space by starting our program in January as opposed to August, which will put our students in the clinical areas at

Instructor Kelly Gibbons works with nursing student Tiffine Prisock.

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COLUMBUS

IMMANUEL CENTER FOR CHRISTIAN EDUCATION different times than other schools to prevent overcrowding.â&#x20AC;?

EMCC previously only had a program for those who wanted to become licensed practical nurses. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Although LPNs are capable of providing a wide range of patient care, there are acute care situations and treatment needs that must be handled by a registered nurse,â&#x20AC;? says Dr. Paul Miller, vice president of EMCCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Golden Triangle Campus. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The registered nurse category has the greatest workforce need in Mississippi and across the nation.â&#x20AC;?

Plans are in the works for EMCC to build a new Allied Health and Wellness facility near the Golden Triangle Industrial Park. The property was donated to the college for the purpose of housing educational programs related to health care. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In the meantime,â&#x20AC;? Miller explains, â&#x20AC;&#x153;the first cohort of Associate Degree Nursing students will attend classes on the Golden Triangle Campus, where we are making room by shifting some existing classrooms and labs around for the short term.â&#x20AC;?

The curriculum will include all areas and specialties of nursing, including geriatrics, pediatrics, prenatal and postnatal care, medical, surgical and psychiatric nursing. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Students will be able to work with state-of-the-art patient simulators in the lab setting before entering actual healthcare facilities,â&#x20AC;? Clowers says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have 53 LPN students enrolled, and the new program will attract many more students.

Nursing schools across the state turn away many qualified applicants for RN programs due to lack of space.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Jessica Mozo

Call (662) 328-7888 to request an information packet or schedule a tour

Offering quality education with strong Christian emphasis

Mississippiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only Pre-K4 through 12th grade school with all three accreditations: SACS (Southern Association of Colleges & Schools) MPSA (Mississippi Private School Association) ACSI (Association of Christian Schools International)

6405 Military Rd. (Intersection of Military Road and Highway 12 East)

www.immanuelschool.net

Specialty Gift Shop Monogram & Personalization Specialists %MBROIDERY s %NGRAVING s 0RINTING Gold Vera Bradley Dealer

Highway 45 North, Next to Belk Columbus, Mississippi s FAX WWW MONOGRAMSPLUSGIFTS COM

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Online e Read more articles about ColumbusLowndes Countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s diverse learning environments by going online to imagescolumbus.com and clicking on â&#x20AC;&#x153;education.â&#x20AC;?

COLUMBUS

Make an initial impression that lasts

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J. KYLE KEENER

Arts & Culture

At Home With History COLUMBUS BOASTS A LION’S SHARE OF CIVIL WAR-ERA HOMES AND MANSIONS

S

ome cities have one or two homes listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Columbus has more than 100.

Because it never hosted a Civil War battle, Columbus has numerous preCivil War homes that still stand today.

Many of those antebellum homes date back to the 1820s and 1830s. And the city is graced with several mansions

from the Victorian era as well.

“Many of our homes were constructed during the 19th century, when the cotton industry made quite a few people rich,” says Nancy Carpenter, program manager for the Columbus Cultural Heritage Foundation. “Virtually all architectural styles are represented in town, and all contribute to the historic value of Columbus. By the way, two of our

old homes – Riverview and Waverley Mansion – have also been named to the prestigious list of National Historic Landmarks.”

Carpenter says Columbus has three distinct historic districts – Southside, Downtown and Burns Bottom.

“The Southside historic district features homes and historic structures stretching from the Tombigbee River to

Built around 1852, Waverley Plantation Mansion is one of the most photographed antebellum homes in the South.

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COLUMBUS

Aubrey E. Nichols 662-243-7312 anichols@nicholscrowell.com

John W. Crowell * 662-243-7308 jcrowell@nicholscrowell.com

14th Street and all the way down to 8th Avenue South,” she says. “Meanwhile, the Downtown Historic District encompasses a lot of homes along Main Street, while the Burns Bottom Historic District has nice houses as well as the city’s very popular farmers market.”

Two of the more visited attractions in Columbus are the birthplace of playwright Tennessee Williams and the home of Confederate Gen. Stephen D. Lee. “The Tennessee Williams home now serves as the Columbus Welcome Center on Main Street,” Carpenter says. “Meanwhile, Stephen D. Lee was a Confederate general who carried out the order for the first shots to be fired at Fort Sumter, thereby starting the Civil War. He eventually married a girl from Columbus, Regina Harrison, and moved into the mansion.”

Lee also became the first president of Mississippi State University, and his home now includes the only public museum in Columbus. Meanwhile, other well-visited historic sites include Main Street Presbyterian Church, First Baptist Church and the Mississippi University for Women, which is the oldest statesupported college for women in the nation, founded in 1884.

“We have great fun promoting our many sites here in town,” Carpenter says. “For example, each April we host a 12-day Columbus Spring Pilgrimage to homes, gardens and churches; and that event will turn 70 years old in 2010.

During the 2008 Spring Pilgrimage, we had people from 48 states and 19 countries in attendance.”

Carpenter adds that a Historic Columbus Fall Tour of Homes will also be added to the tourism lineup beginning in 2009, with those dates set for Oct. 1-4.

“The bottom line is that Columbus is a beautiful city with beautiful homes,” she says. “We like to show them off, and people from all over the world certainly like to tour them.”

– Kevin Litwin COLUMBUS

William F. Gillis 662-243-7329 wgillis@nicholscrowell.com

William T. Cooper 662-243-7334 wcooper@nicholscrowell.com

Marc D. Amos Regions Bank Building Third Floor 710 Main St. P.O. Box 1827 Columbus, MS 39703-1827 www.nicholscrowell.com *Also admitted in Arkansas

662-243-7332 mamos@nicholscrowell.com

M. Jay Nichols 662-243-7330 jnichols@nicholscrowell.com

Kristen W. Williams 662-243-7318 kwilliams@nicholscrowell.com

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Residential Architecture & Interior Design

Penny Bowen Designs

Bella Interiors

Professional Service

Highway, Street and Bridge Construction Heavy Construction Municipal and Public Works Construction

Mon.-Fri. 8-5 515 College St. Columbus, MS 39701 (662) 241-5055 www.bellapbd.com

Ellis Construction Company, Inc. www.ellis-construction.com {£ Ê > Ê-ÌÀiiÌÊUÊ*°"°Ê ÝÊnÇ£ÊUÊ Õ LÕÃ]Ê -ÊÎ ÇäÎ änÇ£ ­ÈÈÓ®ÊÎÓÇ Ón{{ÊUÊ >Ý\Ê­ÈÈÓ®ÊÎÓÇ ÎÇ£ä

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Community Profile

COLUMBUSâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;LOWNDES COUNTY SNAPSHOT The Columbus-Lowndes County area is one of the Southâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s richest architectural communities, known for its graceful antebellum homes, Southern hospitality, a top-notch U.S. Air Force base and plenty of opportunities to play outdoors.

REAL ESTATE

$165,500 Average Home Price

CLIMATE OVERVIEW

14.32% Home Turnover Percentage

A moderate climate and miles of rivers, lakes and trails make the county a prime place for outdoor recreation.

32 F January Low Temperature

53 F January High Temperature

71 F July Low Temperature

92 F July High Temperature

EDUCATION Columbus-Lowndes County offers great public school systems, several private school options, the Mississippi University for Women and East Miss. Community College.

The university campus houses the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science for gifted high school students.

ARTS AND CULTURE Tennessee Williams Home 300 Main St. Columbus, MS 39701 (662) 328-0222 Columbus Arts Council P.O. Box 869 Columbus, MS 39703 (662) 328-2787 www.columbus-arts.com Waverley Plantation Mansion (national historic landmark) 1852 Waverley Mansion Road Columbus, MS 39701 (662) 494-1399 (800) 920-3533 Pilgrimage Antebellum Home & Garden Tour Columbus Historic Foundation Columbus, MS (800) 920-3533 www.historic-columbus.org

Historic Downtown District Columbus, MS (662) 328-6305 www.historic-columbus.org

RECREATION ACTIVITIES Columbus/Lowndes Recreation Authority 2535 Main St. Columbus, MS 39704 (662) 327-4935 www.clra.net/ Lake Lowndes State Park 3319 Lake Lowndes Road Columbus, MS 39702 (662) 328-2110 Columbus Country Club 2331 Military Road Columbus, MS 39705 (662) 328-5584 Columbus Marina Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway, Mile 335 Columbus, MS 39705 (662) 327-8450 Magnolia Motor Speedway Columbus, MS (662) 328-0376

HEALTH CARE Columbus-Lowndes County residents enjoy excellent health care, with numerous physicians and specialists, and the presence of a regional hospital, Baptist Memorial Hospital.

COLUMBUS

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2ESPECTING 0EOPLE Impacting Businesses.

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129 Brickerton St. Directions: Hwy. 82 to Military Rd. Exit, then one block West.

Reservations (800) 228-1000 | (662) 327-9999 | www.wingateinn.com

COLUMBUS

Community Profile Columbus Speedway 2616 Tabernacle Road Columbus, MS 39701 (662) 241-5004

Mother Goose at Columbus-Lowndes Public Library 314 7th St. N. (662) 329-5300

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Plum Grove Center 54 W. Minnie Vaughn Road (662) 327-4935

Community Volunteer Center 501 Seventh St. N., Ste. 5 P.O. Box 266 Columbus, MS 39701 (662) 327-0807 www.unitedwaylowndes county.org/cvc_vision.html

Plymouth Bluff Center 2200 Old W. Point Road (662) 241-6214

The Charity Guide for Columbus www.charity-charities.org/ charities/MS/Columbus.html Volunteer Mississippi www.volunteermatch.org/ search/org50069.jsp

Propst Park Hwy. 82 East and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive (662) 327-4935 Rosenzweig Arts Center 501 Main St. (662) 328-2787 Skate Zone 810 N. Lehmberg Road

Slip N Dip 312 Lake Lowndes Road (662) 328-7946 Spray Park 7934 Barton Ferry Road (662) 434-6808

ANNUAL EVENTS

JANUARY MARTIN LUTHER KING CELEBRATION Join us in celebrating the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with weekend-long activities and events, including a noted speaker. Columbus Locations TBA.

GOLF Columbus Country Club 2331 Military Road (662) 328-5584 Elm Lake Golf Club 1609 Taylor-Thurston Road (662) 329-8964 Green Oaks Golf Club 326 Green Oaks Drive (662) 328-3879 Whispering Pines Golf Club Columbus Air Force Base Building 570, C St. (662) 434-7932

CHILDRENâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S ACTIVITIES Columbus Lock and Dam Play Area 4873 W. Plymouth Road (662) 328-7075 Lee Park 7th St. N. (662) 327-4935 www.clra.net Columbus Malco Cinema 2320 Hwy. 45 N. (662) 240-4171

COLUMBUS

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Connecting with Columbus-Lowndes County has never been easier …

imagescolumbus.com 1 2

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SIMPLY SEARCH: In a hurry? Find the exact info you need, quickly with our enhanced search capabilities.

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SMOOTHER SURFING: Explore the site and interact with us more easily with our reorganized navigation bar.

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JUST THE FACTS: Get a quick snapshot of the community with our greatly enriched Facts and Stats section.

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WATCH AND SHARE: Experience first-hand views of the community in our video gallery, then share them with friends.

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VIRTUAL VIEW: Flip through pages of the digital magazine, an online version of the print publication.

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MOVING MUSTHAVES: Visit our new Relocation Tools section for many useful tips and information to make your transition go smoothly.

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MORE EYE CANDY: Check out our enhanced Photo Gallery for more of stunning photos of the community.

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OUTSIDERS WELCOMED: Read about the best places to play in this community.

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IN GOOD TASTE: Get the dish on local flavor, from favorite restaurants, noted area products and farmers’ markets in our new Food section.

Community Profile

FEBRUARY HISTORIC AFRICANAMERICAN TOUR Celebrate Black History Month with this guided tour of African-American landmarks.

Transportation provided.

(800) 920-3533

MARCH ARTS AUCTION GALA Enjoy a live arts auction, silent auction, dinner, and live musical performances at Trotter Convention Center.

Admission. (662) 328-2787

APRIL COLUMBUS SPRING PILGRIMAGE Visit the Columbus Historic Foundation’s annual tour of homes with daily tours, candlelight tours and carriage rides in historic Southside Columbus.

Admission. (800) 920-3533

COLUMBUS PILGRIMAGE 10K RUN A part of the Columbus Spring Pilgrimage celebration, the run begins at the Tennessee Williams Home and Welcome Center.

TALES FROM THE CRYPT FRIENDSHIP CEMETERY This award-winning dramatic presentation recreates lives of Columbus’ historic personalities at their gravesites. Admission.

(662) 329-7360

MAY MARKET STREET FESTIVAL Enjoy this music and art festival held in historic downtown Columbus.

(662) 328-6305

JUNE JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION This two-day festival features food vendors and live music.

(662) 329-5871

AUGUST ARTESIA DAYS This festival held in downtown Artesia includes entertainment for children, vendor booths, nightly entertainment from headline bands and featured singers.

SEPTEMBER TENNESSEE WILLIAMS TRIBUTE The tribute honors one of America’s most prolific playwrights with a series of events, exhibits, and plays.

(800) 327-2686

OCTOBER COLUMBUS DAY CELEBRATION Celebrations are held in various downtown locations.

ROAST ‘N BOAST COLUMBUS FAIRGROUNDS The annual festival held at Columbus Fairground includes live music and a

barbecue-cooking contest.

(662) 328-5026

WELTY WEEKEND AT THE MISSISSIPPI UNIVERSITY FOR WOMEN Enjoy a three-day celebration of Southern literature at Mississippi University for Women. (662) 329-7119

NOVEMBER ANTIQUES SHOW & SALE/DECORATIVE ARTS & PRESERVATION FORUM Held at various locations, this weekend event features vendors offering fine and collectible antiques, lectures and related activities.

(800) 920-3533

CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE Start your Christmas shopping early! Visit our historic downtown district’s boutiques and specialty shops on Saturday, 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. or on Sunday, 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

DECEMBER STAR DRIVING TOUR Enjoy a self-guided driving tour of antebellum and Victorian homes decorated for the holidays. Antebellum homes feature a gold star, and Victorian homes feature a silver star.

LOVE FEAST AT MUW This annual event features traditional and contemporary music followed by a Christmas tree lighting at Welty Hall.

(662) 329-7204

TRASH TO TREASURES Enjoy a flea market, antiques and craft exhibits at Columbus Fairgrounds. (662) 328-5147

DECORATION DAY RE-ENACTMENT Friendship Cemetery. Visit the re-enactment of the 1866 service that eventually became the Nation’s Memorial Day celebration.

COLUMBUS

MORE EO ONLINE imagescolumbus.com m More facts, stats and community information, including relocation tools and links to resources.

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visit our

advertisers 4-County Electric Power Association www.4county.org American Eurocopter www.eurocopterusa.com Baptist Memorial Hospital Golden Triangle http://goldentriangle.baptistonline.org Bennett Ophthalmology Group

Mid South Signs Mississippi Industrial Waste Disposal www.msindwaste.com Mississippi University for Women www.muw.edu

Calvery-Spradling Engineers Inc.

Monograms Plus www.monogramsplusgifts.com

Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Health Center of Columbus www.drskiskids.us Coldwell Banker West Realty www.westrealtycompany.com Columbus Bank Association Columbus Convention & Visitors Bureau www.columbus-ms.org Columbus Light & Water www.columbuslw.com Columbus Municipal School District www.columbus.k12.ms.us CPI Group www.cpi-group.com Creekview Office Park www.creekviewcolumbus.com East Mississippi Community www.eastms.edu Eden Medi Spa & Laser Center www.edenmedispa.net Ellis Construction www.ellis-construction.com

Newell Paper Co. www.newellpaper.com Nichols, Crowell, Gillis, Cooper & Amos PLLC www.nicholscrowell.com North Mississippi Medical Center www.nmhs.net Pediatric Dentistry www.drdkcurtis.com Penny Bowen Designs/Bella www.bellapbd.com Phillips Contracting www.phillipscontracting.com Physicians & Surgeons RAS Inc. www.rasaviation.com Rent-A-Space www.columbusrentaspace.com Rhett Real Estate Inc. www.rhettrealestate.com Sanders Oil Company

Express Employment Professionals www.expresspros.com

Severstal International www.severstalms.com

Front Door/Back Door Restaurant www.frontdoorcolumbus.com

Smith Landscaping

Galloway-Chandler-McKinney www.gcm-insurance.com

State Farm www.denisegood.net

Glenn Machine Works www.glennmachineworks.com

T.E. Lott www.telott.com

Golden Triangle Regional Airport www.gtra.com

Triangle Federal Credit Union www.trianglefcu.com

Heritage Academy www.heritagepatriots.com

Triangle Maintenance Service LLC www.trianglemaintenanceservice.com

Hicks & Smith Law Firm www.hicksandsmithlaw.com

Wag for Pets & Their People www.wagforpets.com

Immanuel Center for Christian Education www.immanuelschool.net

I M AG E S C O L U M B U S . C O M

Microtek Medical Inc. www.microtekmedical.com

Brunini Grantham Grower & Hewes PLLC www.brunini.com Ceco Building Systems www.cecobuildings.com

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Lowndes County Economic Development

WCBI-TV-DT www.wcbi.com

JBHM Architects PA www.jbhm.com

Willowbrook Dental Center

JTB Furniture Manufacturing www.jtbfurniture.com

Wingate Inn www.wingateinns.com

COLUMBUS

RAS, INC. AVIATION SERVICES

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(662) 328-9312

408 Main St. Downtown Columbus

1900 Airport Rd., Columbus Golden Triangle Regional Airport www.rasaviation.com

329-1094

Air Charter

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Ad Index 6 4 - CO U N T Y E L EC T R I C P OW E R A S S O C I ATI O N 1 4 A M E R I C A N EU RO CO P T E R

8 6 CO LU M B U S CO N V E N TI O N & V I S ITO R S B U R E AU 42 CO LU M B U S LI G H T & WATER

C 2 BAPTIST M EM O RIAL H OS PITAL GOLDEN TRIANGLE

C 4 CO LU M B U S M U N I C I PA L SCHOOL DISTRICT

72 BENNETT O P H T H A L M O LO GY G RO U P

5 3 C P I G RO U P

8 0 B RU N I N I G R ANTHAM G ROWER & H E W E S P L LC

59 E A S T M I S S I S S I P P I CO M M U N IT Y

9 C A LV E RY-S P R A D LI N G ENGINEERS INC .

52 C R E E K V I E W O FFI C E PA R K

7 1 E D E N M E D I S PA & L ASER CENTER

32 C ECO B U I L D I N G SYS T EM S

8 0 E L LI S CO N S T R U C TI O N

7 2 C H I L D R E N ’ S H E A LT H C E N T E R O F CO LU M B U S

8 2 E X P R E S S E M P LOY M E N T P RO FE S S I O N A L S

6 3 CO L DW E L L B A N K E R W E S T R E A LT Y

42 FRO N T D O O R / BAC K D O O R R E S TAU R A NT

87 CO LU M B U S BA N K A S SO C I ATI O N

5 1 GA L LOWAYC H A N D L E R- M C K I N N E Y

Ad Index (cont.)

47 G L E N N M AC H I N E WO R K S 52 GOLDEN TRIANGLE R EG I O N A L A I R P O RT 75 H E R ITAG E AC A D E M Y

4 TRIANGLE FEDER AL C R E D IT U N I O N 48 TRIANGLE MAINTENANCE S E RV I C E L LC

52 H I C K S & S M ITH L AW FI R M

87 WAG FO R P E TS & T H E I R P EO P L E

7 7 I M M A N U E L C E N T E R FO R C H R I S TI A N E D U C ATI O N

4 0 WC B I -T V- DT

1 1 J B H M A RC H IT EC TS PA 87 J T B FU RNITU RE MAN U FAC TU RING 8 2 LOW N D E S CO U N T Y ECO N O M I C D E V E LO P M E N T 5 0 M I C ROT E K M E D I C A L I N C .

87 M I D S O U T H S I G N S 88 MISSISSIPPI INDUSTRIAL WA S T E D I S P OSA L 1 M I S S I S S I P P I U N I V E R S IT Y FO R WO M E N 7 7 M O N O G R A M S P LU S 4 0 N E W E L L PA P E R CO. 79 N I C H O L S , C ROW E L L , G I L LI S , CO O P E R & A M OS P L LC C 3 N O RT H M I S S I S S I P P I MEDICAL CENTER 7 1 P E D I AT R I C D E N T I S T RY 8 0 P E N N Y B OW E N D E S I G N S/ B E L L A 3 0 P H I L L I P S CO N T R AC T I N G 8 P H YS I C I A N S & S U R G EO N S 87 R A S I N C .

87 R E N T-A-S PAC E 79 R H E T T R E A L E S TAT E I N C .

87 SA N D ERS O I L CO M PA N Y 2 S E V E R S TA L I N T E R N ATI O N A L 87 S M IT H L A N DS C A P I N G 75 S TAT E FA R M 6 3 T. E . LOT T

7 2 W I L LOW B RO O K D E N TA L C E N T E R 8 2 W I N GAT E I N N

s WWW COLUMBUSCITYSCHOOLS ORG

COLUMBUS SCHOOL DISTRICT

Our Vision â&#x20AC;¦ In Action