Business Journal 05052016

BUSINESS JOURNAL BIZBUZZ.DJOURNAL.COM

FEATURE:

FIT

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COLUMN:

COMPANY

Business editor Dennis Seid discusses new the health industry and economy impacts Northeast Mississippi.

UPDATE: Construction on the new Baptist Memorial Hospital hits a milestone. Check out the new updates.

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CONNECT WITH US

MAY

KEEPING

How do independent pharmacies handle big box competition? Three area pharmacy owners discuss the independent pharmacy business.

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INSIDE: BUILDING A NEW GENERATION, page 10

Workplace wellness programs aim to help employees and employers

A

fter taking part in a recent six-week fitness challenge at Toyota Mississippi, Tina Henderson won a stationary bike for her hard work.

“I wanted to do it for my health,” said Henderson, who’s worked at the automotive plant for 4 1/2 years It wasn’t her first time to participate in the company’s wellness program, which includes monthly health themes.

STORY BY DENNIS SEID | PHOTO BY ADAM ROBISON For example, healthy eating was the theme in March, eye and ear health is the theme in May, diabetes awareness is the focus in June.

Henderson took part in a program earlier this year to help shed a few pounds, and she’s signing up for another.

“I enjoy the challenges,” she said.

Workplace wellness programs are nothing new. The basic premise of such pro-

grams is that an employer covers the cost of a voluntary program that improves employee’s health and fitness. The programs might include gum memberships, weight-loss programs, cash rewards, insurance premium discounts and other incentives. The idea is that greater participation by employees will help lower costs with improved productivity, reduced absenteeism and reduced injuries and illnesses

For employees, the programs are supposed to provide benefits like improving their health, reducing stress and lowering their out-of-pocket costs through a healthier lifestyle.

Company programs vary.

Some businesses may offer discounts for gym membership, or provide regular free health screenings.

TURN TO FIT, 9

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THE NORTHEAST MISSISSIPPI

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MAY 2016

Hospitals are under-appreciated economic engines

ypically when we think of large employers, we think of large manufacturers.

For example, in Northeast Mississippi, Ashley Furniture Industries employs some 3,000 people at its plants in Ecru, Ripley and Verona. Toyota Mississippi employs more than 2,000 people at its automotive plant in Blue Springs.

Cooper Tire in Tupelo employs some 1,600 people.

Here’s something you might not realize: If you combine the number of workers at the three companies mentioned, that’s how many North Mississippi Health Services employs at its six hospitals and 30-plus clinics.

NMHS has its headquarters in Tupelo, where its flagship hospital also is located.

While medical services are the first thing people think about when they hear DENNIS SEID “hospitals,” it’s their economic impact that is often overlooked or under-appreciated.

The medical community in Tupelo and Lee County alone have some 400 physicians representing more than four dozen specialties.

North Mississippi Medical Center-Tupelo is one of the largest nonmetropolitan hospitals in the country. Last summer it completed a $55.1 million project that added 84 rooms in a new wing.

While NMHS has been the major point of discussion

here, other communities also are feeling the impact of a strong hospital system.

In Oxford, a new $300 million hospital is under construction. And you can read about that in this issue of the Business Journal.

While the information is a dated, the American Hospital Association in 2012 said community hospitals in Mississippi directly employed some 60,000 people statewide, with another 35,000 indirectly employed. The total economic impact statewide of the states hospitals was nearly $12 billion. Payroll and benefits totaled $3.2 billion a year.

The average hospital employee salary is more than $42,000, double the state’s per capita income.

“The health care sector is

an economic mainstay, providing stability and even growth during times of recession,” the AHA said.

Health care is the second-largest source of private sector jobs, and more than $700 billion is spent annually on goods and services from other businesses.

Among the economic ripple effects: Each hospital job supports about two more jobs, and every dollar spent by a hospital supports another $2.30 of additional business activity.

In Mississippi, nearly 95,000 jobs are created by hospitals in Mississippi due to hospital employment, operational activities and construction activities, according to the Mississippi Hospital Association.

Hospitals and related health services also are a big recruiting tool for economic developers.

In addition to having the space and infrastructure for a business to locate, site selectors also look at the workforce, the education system and the heathcare system.

Quality of life is key to recruiting and retaining good workers, and in turn, producing quality products and services.

And having a strong hospital system is more important than ever.

Contact DENNIS SEID at (662) 6781578 or dennis.seid@journalinc. com. Follow him on Twitter at @ dennisseid. And check out his blog at www.bizbuzz.djournal. com

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BUSINESS JOURNAL

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ZACK ORSBORN | BUY AT PHOTOS.DJOURNAL.COM

Eddie Armstrong, co-owner of Tupelo Family Pharmacy, speaks to a patient from behind the counter his Tupelo location. Tupelo Family Pharmacy opened last year and has grown.

Area independent pharmacies find ways to compete with chains

BY ZACK ORSBORN BUSINESS JOURNAL

TUPELO – Eddie Armstrong and Jared Bounds, co-owners of Tupelo Family Pharmacy, were “corporate boys” before opening one of the few independent pharmacies in Lee County.

Armstrong worked at Super D for 13 years before Bounds took his place.

The 62-year-old pharmacist grew tired of being in the corporate setting. His neighbor owned the future TFP property, so he teamed up with Bounds and Ben Burns, owner of Rushing Drug Co. in Iuka.

“We took a gamble to come out of the ground,” Armstrong said.

Armstrong and Bounds were fortunate enough to have a large following from their corporate days, so the operation came off the ground a lot sooner than expected.

Bounds’s five-year plan was met

in two years.

Compared to their time in corporate, running an independent pharmacy is a different operation. Their main focus is quality customer service in a friendly manner.

The two built relationships with their clients and talk to them as if they’re the best of friends.

“We’ve got the ability here to get people in and out of the door,” Bounds said. “You don’t wait. If we have to hire more people, we will.”

The partners left enough space in their building on East Main Street for expansion.

Corporate and independent pharmacy business models don’t differ much, however.

Bounds said the goal for both is to ultimately be profitable, but corporate looks at numbers, setting things in stone, while independent pharmacies have more freedom.

“You have the freedom to make your own choice and decisions

without a line of individuals above telling you what to do,” Bounds said.

As pharmacy owners, Armstrong and Bounds now deal with decreasing reimbursement rates from insurance companies.

Armstrong worked in pharmacies when they banged on typewriters, prescriptions weren’t pre-printed and people paid out of their pocket for medication.

When insurance companies became involved, all of that changed.

A LOT OF JOY

Two independent pharmacies and 17 years later, Chris Cornelison, owner of Iuka Discount Pharmacy and Saltillo Pharmacy & Solutions, struggles with reimbursement from insurance companies, typically called pharmacy benefit managers.

TURN TO RX, 11

ZACK ORSBORN | BUY AT PHOTOS.DJOURNAL.COM

Chris Cornelison began owning and operating Iuka Discount Drugs almost 17 years ago. His vitamins, SolutionsRX, are in over 250 independent pharmacies.

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MAINTAINING

BY ZACK ORSBORN BUSINESS JOURNAL

MIDTOWN POINTE

TUPELO – Chris Mills’s pitch to prospective tenants in Midtown Pointe is simple: “We can build you something exactly what you want with probably more square footage for the same price or less for what you’re paying now.”

The pitches have worked.

After the purchase of the former Gloster Creek Village with Sean Koehn, Dr. Steve Mills and Jason Perry in 2012, Midtown Pointe occupancy is now up to 98.5 percent.

“We have about two more places, and I have two people looking,” Mills said.

“We’re pretty much full.We put an awful lot of money in it to make it look better, so I hope Tupelo is proud of what we’ve done.”

The “awful lot of money” – around seven figures – went toward adding new hardwood floors, energy efficient lighting, a fresh paint job, new dining options in the food court, building expansion and more.

Mills’s father owned one-sixth of the building in 1996 before the family decided to buy out the rest of the partners

The former mall is now 98.5 percent occupied, caters to medical professionals

ZACK ORSBORN | BUY AT PHOTOS.DJOURNAL.COM

Investors renovated the interior and exterior of Midtown Pointe, formerly known as Gloster Creek Village.

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and develop the old Tupelo Mall into a medical facility rather than retail.

Since the medical field is not economy driven, Mills and his partners saw promise in moving away from retail.

“Everybody has to go to the doctor eventually, whereas retail can be good and bad,” Mills said. “They have a tendency to leave you quicker than medical.”

The only retail comes from the food court and Carmelcorn, a tenant since the 70s.

Right now, Mills focuses on maintaining his investment. Most tenants are tied into five-year leases.

“I can’t grow anymore because there’s no space,” he said. “I’m trying to make it comfortable for all my tenants and their patients.”

But the owners plan to build eight to 10 office space for individual offices or businesses to be completed in about three months. Anything over 7,500 square feet, Century Construction takes on the project; anything under goes to M&N Construction.

Current projects include moving in Urology Associates to further round out the versatility of Midtown Pointe ser-

MAY 2016

vices.

“It’s very convenient,” Mills said.

“Right now, I can get my heart checked, my prostate, my bones, my teeth, my eyes. There’s very few things I can’t get done in this place. I can even get plastic surgery done.”

TURN TO POINTE, 18

Chris Mills, Midtown Pointe investor.

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Monroe in the middle but building momentum

ife in the middle. I’m married to a middle child so I understand the struggle. In terms of economic development, welcome to Monroe County.

If you ask anyone in the economic development profession to list the top 10 organizations in the country, eight of the 10 will list Columbus and Tupelo, as they should. Both are well-funded and professionally run organizations.

And geographically between the two, it’s life in the middle.

The old adage that economic development is about location, location, location has some merit.

But it also is about three other things – speed, risk and money.

No matter where you are located, no matter who your competition is, it eventually boils down to speed to market, limiting risk and saving money. Which brings me back to Monroe County.

For the past two years the

county and local chamber have seemingly focused on the mundane duties of product develSKIP SKAGGS opment. No matter the location, no matter the incentive, if you don’t have product you are not in the game. To paraphrase the colorful retired football coach Lou Holtz, “you can certainly loose with talent, but without it you can’t compete.” For Monroe County, our talent or product is improved real estate that offers a competitive advantage as it relates to speed, risk and money.

With the support of TVA and the Mississippi Development Authority, we have invested over $300,000 in industrial sites along the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway. While wetland delineation

studies or cultural resource surveys don’t necessarily grab headlines they are simple requirements that without we cannot lay the foundation required to attract new industry.

While improving our product inventory we have also been fortunate to locate several new projects and assist local companies with competitive expansion projects. We are proud of the 485 new jobs announced and the $20 million- plus in new private investments over the past 24 months.

For us this signals a confidence in Monroe County’s ability to provide not just a building or site but a workforce to go with it. As we look at our employment base Monroe County we currently can celebrate that more people are working here than ever before and our unemployment rate is the lowest it’s been in over 11 years.

Monroe County is slowly building momentum. We understand our strengths and opportunities to improve and are looking to be a regional partner for industrial development. With a collection of aerospace opportunities to our immediate north and south, we are excited about the Amory High School Rocket Team which has once again qualified for a national competition. This year marks the third year in a row for Amory, and this year it is the only team from Mississippi. In the economic development world this is important. As workforce availability tightens across the country, companies see the issue as a leading driver for project decisions.

Three years running is not a coincidence, it is an indication that our public schools and our parents are doing something right, something that competes on the

national scene. While athletic championships are nice, academic prowess like the rocket team or the Monroe County Robotics team are economic development selling points and barometers of our local schools’ success and thus our local workforce.

Speed, risk and money. Monroe County is quietly focusing on those things that matter most to companies that may be looking to expand within the Southeast.

Be it industrial real estate or workforce development, our communities are focused on what it takes to follow the lead of the success around us and implement long term strategies that make us a regional partner worth noting.

WILLIAM "SKIP" SKAGGS is executive director of the Monroe County Chamber of Commerce.

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BUSINESS JOURNAL

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MAY 2016

Subpar hospitals get bonuses because of cheaper costs

BY JORDAN RAU KAISER HEALTH NEWS

The federal government paid bonuses to 231 hospitals with subpar quality because their patients tend to be less expensive for Medicare, new research shows.

The bonuses are small, generally a fraction of a percent of their Medicare payments.

Nonetheless, rewarding hospitals of mediocre quality was hardly the stated goal when the Affordable Care Act created financial incentives to encourage better medical care from hospitals, doctors and other health care providers.

A recent study published last month in the journal Health Affairs looked at the more than $1 billion in payments made last year in the Hospital Value-Based Purchasing program, which raises or lowers Medicare payments to hospitals based on the government’s assessment of their quality.

Medicare primarily uses death and infection rates and patient surveys to judge hospitals, but it also evaluates how much each hospitals’ patients cost, both in treatment and recovery.

The 231 hospitals the study identified had below average scores on quality measures but were awarded the bonuses because caring for their patients during their stays and in the 30 days following their discharge cost Medicare less than what it cost at half of hospitals evaluated in the program.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, or CMS, began measuring

The bonuses are small, generally a fraction of their Medicare payments. Nonetheless, rewarding hospitals of mediocre quality was hardly the state goal... cost in October 2014 to encourage hospitals to provide care in the most efficient way possible. In the period examined in the study – the federal fiscal year that ended in September 2015 – spending counted for 20 percent of a hospital’s score in determining whether a hospital would get a bonus, penalty or regular payment.

Under this formula, hospitals with Medicare spending below the median hospital were able to qualify for bonuses even though their quality measures were below the median, the study found.

Patients at those 231 hospitals cost Medicare on average nearly $16,000, about $2,300 less than the average spending for the patients at other hospitals that received bonuses, according to the study’s lead author, Anup Das, a medical and health policy student at the University of Michigan.

The average bonus for those lower quality hospitals was an 0.18 percent increase in Medicare payments for each patient stay during that fiscal year.

Most of the 1,700 hospitals that received a bonus that year had higher than average quality ratings, and their patients in some cases were more costly to Medicare.

“High-quality low-spending hospitals re-

ceived the greatest financial benefit from the program,” the study said.

“In this respect, CMS achieved its goal with the new spending measure.

However, some low-quality hospitals received bonuses because of their low spending.”

In a statement, CMS said it would consider revising the program for future years so that hospitals scoring below the national median for quality would not receive a bonus. The statement also noted that this year, three-fourths of hospitals’ scores were based on quality measures. “We believe that there needs to be a balanced consideration between quality and cost, which is reflected in our scoring methodology,” the statement said.

The study found the lower-quality hospitals that received bonuses in the last fiscal year had higher death rates for heart attacks, heart failure and pneumonia than half of the nation’s other hospitals evaluated in the program.

These hospitals were also less likely to follow recommended procedures for care, like choosing the right antibiotic for patients or performing an angioplasty on a heart attack patient within 90 minutes of their arrival at the hospital.

The 231 lower-quality hospitals with bonuses also received less enthusiastic ratings from patients about how well doctors and nurses communicated, responded to issues and managed pain, the study found. The study did not name the 231 hospitals.

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BUSINESS JOURNAL

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BUSINESS JOURNAL

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Fit: Employers, employees see benefit FROM 1

ADAM ROBISON | BUY AT PHOTOS.DJOURNAL.COM

James Conley, a Toyota Mississippi employee, works out in the fitness center at the automotice plant in Blue Springs.

At BancorpSouth, employees have access to health care benefits providing preventive care services, which include an annual wellness exam covered at 100 percent under the its UnitedHealthcare medical benefit plan.

“Plan participants can also sign up to receive personalized recommendations designed to motivate and empower people to take ownership of their health,” said Randy Burchfield, senior vice president of corporate communications.

BancorpSouth’s online individual health assessments and recommendations are available for free as well through UnitedHealthcare’s Rally program. The customized portal helps participating employees find out how they are doing in vital areas like nutrition, fitness and health, and helps them find personalized ways to eat better, exercise and to become better informed in order to improve their health.

BancorpSouth’s healthcare benefit plan also includes virtual office visits where employees can see a doctor “virtually” for non-emergency medical conditions.

wards program that is gaining popularity at the 2,000-employee plant.

The program has five levels of “Vitality status,” starting at blue, then moving up to bronze, sliver, gold and platinum. Improving a status is based on points earned.

Everyone starts at blue, then is boosted to bronze with the completion of a health assessment. Points can be earned several ways including meeting body mass index goals, blood pressure goals, blood glucose levels and cholesterol levels.

Family members participating can get points by finishing a 5k run or walk, kids participating in sports and other activities.

“The more you do, the more points you earn,” said LeAnne Harmon, the payroll and benefits director who oversees the HumanVitality program at the plant.

Those points can then be used to go “shopping” in an online mall, and bigger discounts are available as a participant improves his or her status. For example, a platinum-level employee can get 40 percent off Vitality Mall items. Gift cards, Fitbit and Apple products also are available after WELLNESS AND REWARDS reaching a certain level of Toyota Mississippi has points. partnered with HumanaViToyota Mississippi rolled tality, a wellness and re- out the HumanaVitality

program in 2010 and has seen participation grow.

To provide a little motivation, the automaker built a fully equipped fitness center that includes stationary bikes, treadmills, elliptical machines, free weights and weight machines. The center is open 24 hours, and is staffed during work shifts by 13 people.

A medical clinic also is available nearby, and can be used at anytime by team members.

And if an employee gets a little sore from a workout, physical therapy services also are provided. Team members who return after an extended absence due to a medical condition – a twisted ankle or a broken arm, for example – can go through physical therapy at the plant to get themselves ready to return to their work areas.

Susan Campbell, a certified work wellness specialist, has seen the benefits employee participation in the HumanaVitality program.

“We’ve seen blood pressure go down, we’ve seen fitness levels improve .... people are making it a part of their lifestyle,” she said.

“Ultimately, we want to see more people who don’t participate in the program to do so in the future."

dennis.seid@journalinc.com Twitter: @dennisseid

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MAY 2016

10

Generations is newest assisted living facility

BY DENNIS SEID BUSINESS JOURNAL

SALTILLO – Emily Floyd had been in business for more than 20 years, mostly in retail, but was looking for something different to do.

In the back of her mind, she had long thought of taking care of loved ones in a home-like setting.

Floyd is now making good on that idea, buying 13 acres of land to build a 23,000-squarefoot French country style assisted living facility.

“As I’ve gotten older, I’ve seen my own family aging and needing a helping hand,” she said. “I saw a need for a place that I would feel at ease caring for my own loved ones. I envisioned a comfortable, home-like setting, something peaceful and set in nature.

Generations Assisted Living

is located on 1090 County Road 811, near Big Oaks and the busy Barnes Crossing Shopping District. Yet the facility, which has room for 36 residents, is set far enough off the road and is surrounded by trees and landscaping that give it the country feel Floyd was seeking.

Generations is opening this month, and it has the distinction of being the only locally owned and operated facility in Lee County and one of only two private-pay facilities.

When it’s opened, it will have 24-hour staffing, security and assistance. The facility’s administrator is Jay Shannon, an experienced executive who’s operated his own assisted living facilities.

Interest has been high in Generations, and Floyd said “many” people are waiting for it to open to review what it offers.

She assures would-be resi-

dents and their families that “your loved one is getting the best atmosphere, staffing and care at Generations. ... the staff is going FLOYD to be comprised of those whose passion is to serve this generation of elderly.

They’re going to be experienced, compassionate and committed caregivers.”

On a recent job interview session, more than 100 people – many with years of experience in assisted living – waited in the rain to talk to Floyd and Shannon.

“We’ve got a good group to choose from, but we’re still looking for the best,” Floyd said.

TURN TO ASSISTED, 17

Generations Assisted Living Administrator Jay Shannon helps assemble ceiling fans as crews work to get the facility underway.

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BUSINESS JOURNAL

MAY 2016

MAY 2016

RX: Pharmacies see growth FROM 3

For example, insurance company Caremark is in the process of taking back money on prescriptions from Jan. 1 until now.

“That’s challenging,” Cornelison said. “We’ve already had the transaction and done business with a patient, and now they are charging us another fee.

"It’d be like going to a restaurant and them charging your credit card, and three months later, they come back and say, ‘You owe us 10 bucks for that steak.’”

Cornelison connected with the Mississippi Independent Pharmacy Association to stay up-to-date with the pharmacy world and their lobbying efforts.

MIPA gives independent pharmacy owners a voice in the state legislature. Since independent pharmacies get paid by state and federal organiz a t i o n s, Co r n e l i s o n wanted to have a say in how the regulations monitor and reimburse him.

“They give us a combined voice,” he said.

“One of the disadvantages of being independent is being by yourself, obviously. MIPA gives us a chance to merge as one.”

What Cornelison loses in reimbursement rates, he makes up with a high volume of products and personalized care for patients.

He developed pharmaceutical grade supplements, called Solutions Rx, to offset drug nutrition depletion that are in 220 pharmacies with hopes to be in 500 stores within the next five years.

There's a lot of joy. You can do a lot for your community

CHRIS CORNELISON

“We do compounding where we customize and make a medicine specifically for somebody, like pain creams,” he said.

“We did some suspensions for babies that couldn’t swallow the tablet version of what they need.”

The pharmacies use robotics to fill prescriptions and a fill master, a flavoring antibiotic technology that mixes suspensions and creates flavors. In the Saltillo pharmacy, they use a full-blown compounding lab to grind powders and mix medicine.

The pharmacy also flavors children’s medicine and offers diabetic shoes, oxygen and CPAPs. A lot of pharmacies have to have more products in a small town to have a different source of revenue, Cornelison said.

Besides traveling the country for speaking engagements about the business of the pharmacy, Cornelison is thinking about expanding and opening a third pharmacy.

“The main reason I want to expand is I want to give this opportunity to more areas and more people to hopefully work for a company they love,” he said. “There’s a lot of joy. You can do a lot for your community.”

ALWAYS NEED PRESCRIPTIONS

BJ Cougle opened BJ’s Family Pharmacy in Starkville nearly three

years ago with his wife, Jennifer.

They both worked for a chain for a while, but the long hours conflicted with the couple’s plans to raise a family.

“The quality of life of just being able to work regular standard normal hours was one thing that led us to it,” Cougle said.

Since opening three years ago, Cougle feels even more connected to his community after being in Starkville for ten years. In a college town, Cougle experiences consistent tur nover in patients, but it doesn’t hinder his business.

B u t , without question, COUGLE his pharmacy will not be able to compete with big box chains on things like prices, locations and hours, Cougle said.

As the Baby Boomer generation grows older, the less healthy they become and the more prescriptions they need to main a certain level of health.

“Baby Boomers have gotten older, so we’ve definitely seen an increase in our prescriptions,” Cougle said.

His business is one that everyone will always need.

“My friend said we’re in the toilet paper and toothbrush business,” Cougle said. “People will always need prescriptions.”

zack.orsborn@journalinc.com Twitter: @thedaily_zack

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BUSINESS JOURNAL

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NMMC, physician partnership helps grow cancer care

BY MICHAELA GIBSON MORRIS BUSINESS JOURNAL

A partnership with the physicians who take care of cancer patients has bloomed for North Mississippi Medical Center-Tupelo.

“We have a lot of services here (now) that we just didn’t have two years ago,” said Tupelo oncologist Dr. Charles Montgomery. “It’s great for patients. We’re busier than we’ve ever been.”

In August 2014, North Mississippi Hematology and Oncology and its Bridgepoint facility on South Gloster Street became part of NMMC; staff became hospital employees and the physi-

cians were contracted to provide services.

“When we sat down, it wasn’t about money,” said Beth Bryant, NMMC cancer services administrator. “It was about how we build our cancer program to meet our region’s needs.”

In September 2015, the oncologists took the next step and became employed physicians. Radiation oncologist Dr. Ray Reed moved from private practice to hospital-employed physician in January. Having all of the cancer physicians under the NMMC Oncology umbrella has allowed them to make the patient experience more seamless.

“We’re seeing the abil-

ity to monitor progress, and quality really being bolstered,” Reed said.

Since the partnership began, NMMC oncology department’s volume has grown 18 percent. Most importantly, physicians and hospital leaders say, the level of collaboration among multi-disciplinary team that cares for patients has become much more robust.

One of the great successes are the weekly conferences to discuss treatment plans before they’re implemented.

“We’re working cooperatively to have the best treatment,” Reed said.

Every new breast cancer case is presented to a group of surgeons, medical and radiation oncolo-

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gists and radiologists. All new lung cancer cases are presented except for advanced metastatic cases are presented to the medical and radiation oncologists, cardiovascular surgeons and pulmonologists.

“Some are clear-cut and some are more complex and require more discussion,” Montgomery said.

The early morning conferences routinely attract 10 to 15 physicians, no small feat considering the demands on physicians’ time.

EVOLUTION

The oncologists had been in private practice in Tupelo since 1979, but smaller reimbursements and high drug prices squeezed their ability to operate for the past decade, Montgomery said.

In some cases, Medicare allowed the oncologists to bill $500 but the drug would cost $650.

“The margins were too narrow,” Montgomery said. “It affected everything in the clinic.”

Because the hospital is a nonprofit entity that accepts patients regardless of their ability to pay, it can purchase the chemotherapy agents at deeply discounted prices, Montgomery said.

“They can cover the indigent and provide additional s e r v i c e s ,” Montgomery said.

The oncologists had previously sought a partnership with the hospital, but the effort gained traction when Shane Spees took over as the chief executive of the North Mississippi Health Services system.

“He said, ‘The cancer program is vital to this

BY THE NUMBERS

18 percent volume growth over past 18 months 3 oncology nurse navigators added 3 oncology certified nurse practitioners on board 2 new linear accelerators 1 mental health counselor 1 genetics counselor

community, and we need to move it forward,’” Montgomery said.

The funds from the cancer program have to be reinvested within the program.

“It opens up a lot of options that didn’t exist,” Mo n t g o m e r y said.

“There’s a lot of expertise a small practice doesn’t have access to.”

INVESTMENT

NMMC has invested in infrastructure and people at each of the three oncology sites – outpatient medical oncology at Bridgepoint on South Gloster Street, the inpatient oncology department in the main hospital and the radiation and infusion services departments at 990 S. Madison St. Medical oncology is the center around which cancer care turns, Bryant said. NMMC added nutrition, social work, outcomes management and mental health counseling to the range of services available at Bridgepoint on South Gloster Street.

Oncology certified nurse practitioners assist the physicians with patient care. They now have a genetics counselor. A palliative care physician, who is focused on help-

ing people manage the symptoms of cancer and treatment, is set to arrive in August.

“The partnership has allowed us to pool our resources,” Bryant said.

At the main hospital, they have created a dedicated breast suite in the East Tower to allow breast cancer patients to have their pre-surgery work done in one place, said T.J. Adams, cardiovascular and surgical services administrator “It prevents patient from having to having to go all over for services,” Adams said.

In the radiation oncology department, NMMC has installed two new linear accelerators, expanding the treatment options available to patients, especially those who are too ill for surgery, Reed said. A second radiation oncologist is set to join the program in August.

“The commitment to the program from administration has been wonderful,” Reed said.

Part of the efforts are aligned to focus more resources on the top four cancer sites – breast, lung, colorectal and prostate cancer, Bryant said.

The cancer program started first with breast cancer, establishing a breast cancer nurse navigator to shepherd patients through the process and coordinate the weekly breast cancer conference. Then they did the same for lung cancer. NMMC has just hired a nurse navigator for gastro-intestinal and genital-urinary cancers – which primarily cover colon and prostate cancers.

It’s a really strategic approach,” Bryant said.

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13

Contour Airlines

CDF

BUSINESS

ROUNDTABLE Wednesday, May 25 4:00 p.m.

CDF Boardroom 398 E Main St., CDF Center

Free for CDF members.

For more information, contact Emily Addison at (662) 842-4521 eaddison@ cdfms.org.

Contour Airlines celebrated its new service from Tupelo Regional Airport with a ribbon cutting. Contour’s flights currently connect Tupelo and Nashville, where you’re just minutes away from downtown Music City—and a flight away from anywhere in the country.

Visit contourairlines.com to book a flight or call 1.888.33. CONTOUR for more information.

Integrity Auto Body

Farrell Calhoun Paint

In celebration of its grand opening, Integrity Auto Body held a ribbon cutting. With more than 36 years of experience, Integrity Auto Body applies its core values of honesty, quality and punctuality to every project, including collision repair, customization or restoration. Integrity Auto Body is located at 363 Mobile St. in Saltillo and can be contacted at (662) 276-1118 or online at integritybodyshop.com.

Farrell Calhoun Paint celebrated the grand opening of its Tupelo location at 1289 N Gloster St., Ste. C, with a ribbon cutting. Since 1905, Farrell Calhoun Paint has been the favorite of professional painting contractors and is dedicated to working with its customers to give them the quality products they need to ensure a superior paint job. For more information, call (662) 844-0240 or visit farrellcalhoun.com.

Century 21 Sue Gardner Realty Agents are

SMARTER. BOLDER. FASTER. We help you make the impossible, possible.

There is a difference when choosing Century 21 Sue Gardner Realty. Visit our website or download our app to see properties for sale or receive alerts on the place you’re interested in.

662.842.7878

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OFFICE HOURS: M–F 8–5, SAT 9–NOON

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MAY 2016

Jimmy's Seaside Burgers and Fries

Pappi's Garage

In celebration of the grand opening of its new location, Jimmy’s Seaside Burgers and Wings held a ribbon cutting. Jimmy’s Seaside Burgers and Wings serves fresh-made hamburgers, flavor-infused ice cream, fries with a variety of mouth-watering toppings, wings and more. Enjoy their convenient drive-thru location at 1710 S Gloster St., in Tupelo. For more information, visit seasidefries.com or call (662) 690-6600.

Pappi’s Garage celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon cutting. Located at 209 Commerce St. in Tupelo, this classic car emporium specializes in classic, exotic and muscle cars. In addition to selling museum quality pieces and high quality drivers, Pappi’s also offers consignment and repair/maintenance services. Visit pappisgarage.com for more information or call (662) 260-4949.

Qualified Staffing

Quick Cash

Qualified Staffing celebrated its new brand with a ribbon cutting. Whether an employer looking for traditional, temporary help to managed staffing services, or a job seeker looking for career advancement or just to earn extra money, Quality Staffing delivers a variety of flexible workforce solutions. Qualified Staffing is located at 525 S Church St. in Tupelo and can be contacted at (662) 680-6999 or online at q-staffing.com.

Quick Cash celebrated the grand opening of its new location at 1706 N Gloster St. in Tupelo with a ribbon cutting. Quick Cash helps customers meet their immediate financial needs between paychecks by providing customer-focused financial solutions. For more information about Quick Cash, call (662) 842-1880.

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15

Red Cloud Vapor

Surgery Clinic of Tupelo

Red Cloud Vapor celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon cutting. Located at 906 Robert E. Lee Drive in Tupelo, Red Cloud Vapor offers innovative electronic cigarette and PV supplies. For more information about Red Cloud Vapor, call (662) 266-1680.

Tupelo Plastic Surgery

Surgery Clinic of Tupelo celebrated the grand opening of its new location with a ribbon cutting. Surgery Clinic of Tupelo provides the highest quality surgical services with compassionate personal care. Surgical specialties include general, gastrointestinal, endocrine, breast and vascular. Surgery Clinic of Tupelo is located at 499 Gloster Creek Village, Ste. S-1 in Tupelo and can be contacted at (662) 377-6470 or online at surgeryclinicoftupelo.com.

New CDF Members Alzheimer’s Mississippi Mr. TJ Harvey 855 S Pear Orchard Rd., Ste. 501 Ridgeland, MS 39157 (601) 987-0020 www.alzms.org Organizations In celebration of its new location at 499 Gloster Creek Village, Ste. D4, in Tupelo, Tupelo Plastic Surgery Clinic held a ribbon cutting. Tupelo Plastic Surgery Clinic is devoted to rejuvenating and enhancing your natural beauty using state-of-the-art procedures creating beautiful, natural results. Additionally, Tupelo Plastic Surgery Clinic offers hand surgery options that treat a variety of hand injuries. For more information, visit tupelocosmeticsurgery.com or call (662) 377-6630.

Anderson & Associates Mr. William Anderson 398 E Main St., Ste. 213 Tupelo, MS 38804

(662) 587-7858 Insurance The Blind Eye DJ Mr. Ron Cottom 110 Westbrier Rd. Saltillo, MS 38866 (662) 871-9990 www.theblindeyedj.com Entertainment Retail & Specialty Shops Blue Delta Jean Co. Mr. Josh West P.O. Box 1810

Verona, MS 38879 (888) 963-7879 www.bluedeltajeans. com Manufacturers & Distributors Contour Airlines Mr. Daniel Brownlee 2763 W Jackson St., Ste. A Tupelo, MS 38801 (662) 620-9777 www.contourairlines. com

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16

New CDF Members continued Crossfit Tupelo, LLC Mr. John Prince 1715 McCullough Blvd.

Tupelo, MS 38804 (662) 255-1525 www.crossfittupelo.com Fitness & Wellness Crossroads Rehabilitation Services Mr. Chad Brown 499 Gloster Creek Vlg., Ste. F5 Tupelo, MS 38801 (662) 841-0551 www.crossroadsrehab.net Health Care Dollar General Corporation Mr. Matt Mahan P.O. Box 55 Belden, MS 38826 (479) 518-1564 www.dollargeneral.com Retail & Specialty Shops Domestic Divas, LLC Ms. Stephanie Nettles 142 S Industrial Rd. Tupelo, MS 38801 (662) 687-2215 Retail & Specialty Shops Heavenly BBQ Mr. Terrille Pulliam P.O. Box 941 Verona, MS 38879 (662) 321-8139 Restaurants & Catering Lindsey & Associates Mr. John Lindsey P.O. Box 166 Tupelo, MS 38802

(662) 869-0757 www.lindseyandassociates. net Consulting Barrett & Molly Lovorn 1414 Joyner Ave. Tupelo, MS 38804 Individuals Magnolia Automotive Services Mr. Andrew Burks 1200 Magnolia Way Blue Springs, MS 38828 (662) 538-5902 Manufacturers & Distributors Meredith Martin – Tommy Morgan Inc., Realtors Ms. Meredith Martin 210 E Main St. Tupelo, MS 38804 (662) 401-0811 www.tmhomes.com Real Estate, Appraisers, & Property Development Master Grafix LLC Ms. Lisa Howell 66 Fenco Ln. Tupelo, MS 38801 (662) 620-6300 www.mastergrafixllc.com Promotional Items McAlister’s Deli Ms. Kelley Bain 495 S Gloster St. Tupelo, MS 38801 (662) 680-3354 www.mcalistersdeli.com Restaurants & Catering

Middleton Law Office, PLLC Mr. Dalton Middleton P.O. Box 3129 Tupelo, MS 38801 (662) 205-4749 www.mlawms.com Attorneys Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial Mr. Robert Hall 144 S Thomas St., Ste. 103-1 Tupelo, MS 38801 (662) 260-4635 www.modern-woodmen.org Financial Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial Mr. Scott Medlock 144 S Thomas St., Ste. 206 Tupelo, MS 38801 (662) 620-9876 www.modern-woodmen.org Financial Ogletree Deakins Nash Smoak & Stewart, P.C. Ms. Melissa Foreman 1022 Highland Colony Pkwy, Ste. 200 Ridgeland, MS 39157 (601) 360-8444 www.ogletreedeakins.com Attorneys Pappi’s Garage Mr. Joe Estess 209 Commerce St. Tupelo, MS 38804 (662) 260-4949 www.pappisgarage.com Arts

Popsy, LLC Ms. Chance Beck 1993 McCullough Blvd.

Tupelo, MS 38801 (662) 315-0185 Restaurants & Catering Red Cloud Vapor Ms. Shannon Nelson 906 Robert E. Lee Tupelo, MS 38801 (662) 266-1680 Retail & Specialty Shops Relias Emergency Medicine Specialists of Tupelo, LLC Ms. Pam Smith 830 S Gloster St. Tupelo, MS 38801 (662) 377-2435 www.reliasemergency.com Health Care SGK Landscapes Mr. Michael Everett 1406 Fire Station Rd. Starkville, MS 39759 (662) 350-0090 www.sgklandscapes.com Lawn & Garden Shine Time Super Wash Mr. Daniel Senter 3587 N Gloster St. Tupelo, MS 38804 (662) 823-6464 www.shinetime-superwash. com Automotive SnagMob Media Ms. Sonja Senter 1842 Ivy Brook Court

Chattanooga, TN 37421 (866) 575-7866 www.snagmob.com Advertising Star Nails Nail Salon Mr. Richard Buckner 1712 N Gloster St. Tupelo, MS 38804 (662) 844-2741 Barber Shops, Salons, & Spas Sunbelt Rentals Mr. Michael Gillen 1408 D L Collums Dr. Tupelo, MS 38801 www.sunbeltrentals.com (662) 350-6980 Rental Services Sweet & Sassy Dolls Ms. Pamela Green 1040 Smithey Dr. Baldwyn, MS 38824 (662) 554-2702 Event Planning Sydney’s Children’s Boutique Ms. Mary Barker 1704 N Gloster St. Tupelo, MS 38804 (662) 825-0855 Retail & Specialty Shops Upchurch & Upchurch P.A. Mr. David Upchurch 141 S Commerce St., Ste. B Tupelo, MS 38804 (662) 620-6952 www.upchurchpa.com Attorneys

Waddle Trucking of Mississippi, Inc. Ms. Stephanie May 2484 S Green St. Tupelo, MS 38801 (662) 680-9657 www.waddletrucking.com Transportation WAG Corporation Mr. Jim Denton 5522 W Main St. Tupelo, MS 38801 (662) 844-8478 www.wagcorp.net Engineering WG Construction Company, Inc. Ms. Sharon Graves 12051 Hwy 4 E Ripley, MS 38663 (662) 837-8811 Contractors, Construction Companies, & Building Materials White Oil Co. Inc. Mr. Robert White, Jr. 108 Deer Park Rd. Tupelo, MS 38804 (662) 842-3070 www.whiteoilcompanyms. com Oil & Petroleum Products YGM Total Resource Campaigns, LLC Mr. Jason Ebey P.O. Box 181 Coushatta, LA 71019 (318) 294-2717 www.ygmtrc.com Consulting

401 Franklin Street $1,000,000 Downtown Tupelo - 32,500 square feet building and 8 acres. Adjacent to Tupelo Automobile Museum and BancorpSouth Arena with visibility from Hwy 45. 16-176.

James Hunter 662.871.8658

jrhunter@tmcommercialgroup.com 662.842.3844 210 E. Main St., Tupelo tmhomes.com

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MAY

11– HOW TO DEVELOP A BUSINESS PLAN, 1 p.m to 2:30 p.m. Location: UMSBDC, Lafayette County. Topic: Business Basics. This seminar is designed to assist in preparing a business plan. The parts of the business plan are explained, i.e., industry research, description of company products and services, identifying target customer groups and a marketing plan. Financial components discussed are start-up costs and preparation of a projected cash flow statement. Register by calling 1-800-725-7232 (for MS area codes only).

16 – HOW TO DEVELOP A BUSINESS PLAN, 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Location:UMSBDC, Marshall County Library, Marshall County 18–BUSINESS ISSUES - DISASTER RECOVERY, (Oxford), 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Location: UMSBDC, Lafayette County. Topic: Disaster Mitigation.

The Business Issue seminars are de-

17

BIZ CALENDAR signed to offer topics of interest to small business owners. Each seminar will cover a different issue. Examples of topics that will be covered are: financing; managing a business; managing employees; human resources; customer relations; accounting; budgeting; real estate; cash flow management; tax planning; marketing/advertising; family owned business; franchising; insurance and other issues. Register by calling 1-800-725-7232.

19– ENTREPRENEUR BASICS, (Golden), 10 a.m. to noon. Location: UMSBDC-Tupelo, Northeast MS Community College – Adult Education Center, Tishomingo County.

Topic: Managing a Business.Have a business idea? Wonder how to analyze the idea for revenue potential?

This seminar helps entreprenenurs understand the processes to use to conceptualize and analyze a business idea into a business venture.

Once an entrepreneur understands

the process of analyzing a business venture, they are able to repeat the process until they find a successful business venture. Register online at www.mssbdc.org or call (662) 6806988.

JUNE

1– FIRST STEPS, (Oxford), 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Location: UMSBDC, Lafayette County. Topic: Start-up Assistance. Are you interested in starting your own business, but don’t know where to begin? This seminar outlines the basic steps to start a business. Topics include: regulations such as licenses and permits; legal forms of business ownership; basic marketing concepts to help analyze the revenue potential; lending terminology; outline for a business plan and other resources to assist in starting a business. Register at 1-800-725-7232.

13– FIRST STEPS, (Holly Springs), 1 p.m. to 2:30

p.m.Location: UMSBDC, Marshall County Library, Marshall County.

15– HOW TO DEVELOP A BUSINESS PLAN, (Oxford), 1 p.m to 2:30 p.m.

Location: UMSBDC, Lafayette County.Topic: Business Basics. This seminar is designed to assist in preparing a business plan. The parts of the business plan are explained, i.e., industry research, description of company products and services, identifying target customer groups and a marketing plan. Financial components discussed are start-up costs and preparation of a projected cash flow statement. Register by calling 1-800-725-7232 (for MS area codes only).

22– STARTING A BUSINESS, (Oxford), 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Location: UMSBDC, Lafayette County. Topic: Start-up Assistance. Are you interested in starting your own business, but don’t know where to begin? This seminar outlines the basic steps to start a business. Topics include: reg-

ulations such as licenses and permits; legal forms of business ownership; basic marketing concepts to help analyze the revenue potential; lending terminology; outline for a business plan and other resources to assist in starting a business. Register at 1-800-7257232.

27– HOW TO DEVELOP A BUSINESS PLAN, (Holly Springs), 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Location: UMSBDC, Marshall County Library. Topic: Business Basics. This seminar is designed to assist in preparing a business plan.

The parts of the business plan are explained, i.e., industry research, description of company products and services, identifying target customer groups and a marketing plan. Financial components discussed are start-up costs and preparation of a projected cash flow statement. Register by calling 1-800-725-7232 (for MS area codes only).

29– HOW TO DEVELOP A BUSINESS

PLAN, (Oxford), 1 p.m to 2:30 p.m.

Location: UMSBDC, Lafayette County.Register by calling 1-800725-7232 (for MS area codes only).

29– STARTING A BUSINESS, (Tupelo), 1 p.m. to 1 p.m.Location: UMSBDC Business Assistance Center-Tupelo, Renasant Center for IDEAs. Topic: Start-up Assistance. Are you interested in starting your own business, but don’t know where to begin? This seminar outlines the basic steps to start a business. Topics include: regulations such as licenses and permits; legal forms of business ownership; basic marketing concepts to help analyze the revenue potential; lending terminology; outline for a business plan and other resources to assist in starting a business. Register at 1-800-725-7232.

IF YOU HAVE a business-related event in the coming months, email dennis. seid@journalinc.com.

Assisted: Residents will have two room options, serene setting with quick access INSIDE THE FACILITY

Residents will have two room options. Most rooms have the same setup – a walk-in closet, bathroom, a separate air conditioning/ heating unit. Another option is a suite,which offers the same amenities with a little extra room.

In addition to the 36 rooms in the main facility, separate cabins will be built

for those who might not need as much supervised care as others.

“They’ll still be monitored and looked after 24/7, but they’ll also have the opportunity to have a little more privacy,” Floyd said.

Generations has a large, open dining room, in addition to a day room with a fireplace and card tables. A staffed therapy gym, a

beauty salon and large covered porches with ceiling fans are other amenities.

Laundry facilities are mainly for the staff to use, but residents can use them if they wish.

At full capacity, Generations will employ about 20 people, with 10-12 working full-time.

Floyd and Shannon said it’s important to emphasize

that assisted living is an alternative that has its benefits.

“It’s an alternative to those who don’t need to live alone and need a helping hand to get them through the day,” Floyd said. “That includes meals, bathing, medicine supervision and even just companionship.”

The 13 acres also provide enough room for expan-

sion. If demand calls for it, another mirror-image facility can be built, Floyd said.

The serene setting with quick access to shopping, dining and medical care sets Generations apart from other facilities, Floyd said.

“I thought of my mom as this idea developed,” she said. “I know she would be proud of my accomplish-

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Is An Everyday Event!

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Medical Assistant – 29 weeks Medical Administrative Assistant – 15 weeks CHOOSE all in class or online

Built in the heart of the Mid-South, the BancorpSouth Arena & Conference Center is designed to accommodate events that demand comfort, convenience, and flexibility.

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Saturday class- 12 weeks- starts May 14 Weekday class- 6 weeks- starts May 16 1 Day Hands On Phlebotomy w/EKG May 21

1830A North Gloster, Tupelo | 877-741-1996

375 East Main • Tupelo 841-6573 • 718-5555 fax www.bcsarena.com

FROM 17

ments. She had a saying, ‘What have you done for others?’ She was truly a caring, giving, loving, hard-working lady. I thought of our legacy and giving back to the generations who have given so much to us.”

Dennis.seid@journalinc.com Twitter: @dennisseid

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MAY 2016

Commercial air service returns to Tupelo

REGIONAL ROUNDUP

TUPELO – After more than a five-month hiatus, commercial air service returned to Tupelo in early April.

Contour Airlines provides 30 weekly flights between Tupelo and Nashville.

The nine-passenger, twin-engine Jetstream 31 planes Contour is flying are converted 19-seat aircraft. Contour is using two of the planes, both recently renovated inside and out, with one always stationed in Tupelo as a backup.

In Tupelo, Contour has hired 10 employees, including a mechanic, to take care of operations at Tupelo Regional Airport.

The spare plane will be kept in the hangar near the fixed-based operator, Tickets can be purchased online at www. contourairlines.com or by calling 1-888-33-CONTOUR.

Burger King opening five locations, hiring 250

TUPELO – Five Burger King restaurants will be opening this summer in Northeast Mississippi – Booneville, Tupelo, West Point, Amory and Columbus.

The openings also mean the addition of some 250 employees.

Cambridge Franchise Holdings is behind the efforts to build the new locations as part of its plan to expand its footprint.

The company in December bought 42 Burger King restaurants and five convenience stores in Tennessee, Arkansas and Mississippi from Mirabile Investment Corp.

For the new Mississippi locations, Cambridge is in the process of hiring 25 managers and 250 workers, said company spokeswoman Teresa Harris.

Hunter Douglas wins President’s Safety Award

SHANNON – Winning awards is nothing new at Hunter Douglas, and the company’s metals and distribution plant in the Tupelo Lee Industrial Park South has another piece of hardware to show off.

For the seventh time in the 11 years it has been awarded, the company’s President’s Safety Award was given to the facility here last month.

More than two dozen plants compete for the President’s Safety Award each year, and since it was first handed out in 2006, Hunter Douglas in Shannon has won nearly two-thirds of the coveted prize.

The 324,000-squarefoot plant opened in 1985 in the Tupelo Lee Industrial Park South in Shannon. Starting out at 150,000 square feet, the facility has expanded four times. It produces steel and aluminum rail profiles for the company’s wide variety of window covering products made by the company across North America. The distribution center in Shannon also supports other Hunter Douglas plants throughout the U.S.

Hancock Fabrics begins liquidation of all stores

BALDWYN – The liquidation of Hancock Fabrics is expected to be completed by July 31.

Great American Group

of California is conducting the sale of merchandise – along with furniture, trade fixtures and equipment – at the company’s remaining 185 stores. The company’s bid for the rest of Hancock’s stores received approval from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court of Delaware earlier last month. The company was already liquidating another 70 stores identified as underperforming during Hancock’s Chapter 11 filing in February.

While the liquidation is expected to be complete

by July 31, there is a possibility that the sales can be extended, pending court approval.

Corinth Coke expanding into Arkansas, Missouri

CORINTH - Less than a year after expanding into west Tennessee, Corinth Coca-Cola is expanding its territory again.

As part of its continuing plan to refranchise it’s North American bottling operations, the Coca-Cola Co. announced expanded territories for three bottlers and the addition of a new, independent bottler.

Corinth Coca-Cola has signed a letter of intent to expand into areas of Arkansas and Missouri.

In addition, Clark Beverage Group Inc. of Starkville has acquired territory in Mississippi in Greenwood and Jackson.

Last May, Corinth Coca-Cola finalized its expansion into the west Tennessee cities of Jackson and Paris, and in June completed its territory expansion into the market with the addition of 13 areas in and around Dyersburg, Ripley, Covington and Brownsville.

18

National Park visitors spent $194M in Mississippi DAILY JOURNAL

TUPELO – A recent National Park Service report showed 6,359,648 visitors to National Park Service units in 2015 spent $194 million in communities in Mississippi. That spending supported 2,795 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $205 million.

The Natchez Trace Parkway, which is headquartered in Tupelo and stretches 444 miles from Natchez to Nashville, attracted 5,785,812 visitors last year, compared to 5,846,474 visitors in 2014.

The Trace was again among the top 10 most visited NPS sites in the country.

“The National Park Service is proud to have been entrusted with the care of America’s most treasured places and delighted that the visitors we welcome generate significant contributions to the local, state, and national economies.”

Visitor spending on the Natchez Trace Parkway totaled $44 million, resulting in 636 jobs and a cumulative benefit to the state economy of $48.6 million.

According to the 2015 report, most park visitor spending was for lodging (31.1 percent) followed by food and beverages (20.2 percent), gas and oil (11.8 percent), admissions and fees (10.2 percent) and souvenirs and other expenses (9.8 percent).

Pointe: Tenants talk benefits FROM 6

NEW DOCS ON THE BLOCK

The newest tenant, Urology Associates, offers a service not many places do in the north half of Mississippi.

“We treat kidney stones same day,” said Marilyn Wilkerson, Urology Associates administrator. “We deal with a lot of prostate cancer, kidney stones, kidney cancer, bladder cancer and general urinary tract infections.”

After over 20 years in North Mississippi Medical Center’s East Tower on the fourth floor, the clinic decided it was time to grow and increase patient access.

“It’s very difficult to get here,” Wilkerson said. “We are four floors up, which is not good access.”

The clinic started thinking about a bigger space over a year ago after realizing they had simply outgrown their current location. They noticed the changes made in Midtown Pointe in the last three years.

The clinic is hoping to be open in Midtown Pointe by June 6, but the date is not definite.

With more space, the clinic expects to add another physician in the summer and two more within a year. The clinic currently has six physicians and four mid-levels.

‘JUST KIND OF EXPLODED’

Since Advanced Diabetes Management Center opened shop 13 months ago, Nat Collins, nurse practitioner and owner, never expected his first business to take off so well.

He believes Midtown Pointe got his business started on the right foot. Advanced Diabetics sees 250 to 350 patients re g u l a r l y, p r ov i d i n g comprehensive and individualized care to the diabetic community.

Collins asked a friend at Cardiology Associates of North Mississippi, a Midtown Pointe tenant, if any space was available in November 2014.

Luckily, Collins got a space just in time before the tenants filled up.

Chris Mills showed Collins and his wife several spots and design options.

By the time he worked out a contract and got everything designed for the space, there wasn’t much left to lease at Midtown Pointe.

“It’s just kind of exploded,” Collins said. “I see why because Chris and Sean are tremendous to work with. They have bent over backwards to help someone get in here.”

zack.orsborn@journalinc.com Twitter: @thedaily_zack

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W

19

Understanding stock market indexes, impact

hen most media outlets refer to the financial markets, chances are at some point they are going to refer to a particular stock market index.

Most will report whether an index was up or down and by how much either by points or percentage. But how many people actually know what makes up an index and how it actually works?

An index is a way to measure, track and report the movements of a pool of different securities that are placed into the index based on factors like size of the company or location. For example, the S&P 500 index is made up of mostly large-cap U.S. based companies. By large cap, the generally accepted definition is a company with a market value of all the outstanding shares of stocks of more than $5

billion. The company that develops the index tracks the performance of all the contents CHRIS COLE and produces a single figure that represents the index as a whole.

Indexes can be made up of a cross section of industries or be industry specific. They also can be country specific or cover a wider area such as an entire continent.

While indexes can be made up of whatever securities the index maker wishes, they may not operate in the same way. Most indexes are either price-weighted or market capitalization-weighted. If an index is price-weighted, the highest

priced stocks would have a greater impact on the overall index movement. For example, a 1 percent point drop in the price of a stock selling for $80 a share would have a greater impact on the overall index than a 1 percent point drop of a stock selling for $40.

The greatest example of this is the widely used Dow Jones Industrial Average. Many times, you will hear that one stock in the average makes up a large portion of the rise or drop of the average on a given day.

If an index is market capitalization-weighted, the average of the index is adjusted to take into account the relative size of each company based upon its market value. Stocks with a larger market value have a larger influence of how the index performs as a whole. For example, a stock in a

company with a $10 billion market value will move an index either up or down greater than a stock in a company with a $1 billion market value. Two of the most common indexes that follow this method are the Nasdaq index and the S&P 500 composite index.

Some of the most common indexes for the U.S. stock markets are: • The Dow Jones Industrial Average is made up of 30 large industrial companies. The 30 stocks change from time to time and represents 15 to 20 percent of the overall market value of the New York Stock Exchange.

• The Dow Jones Transportation Index is comprised of 20 companies primarily in transportation related industries (i.e., airlines, railroads and delivery services).

• The Standard & Poors 500 index is comprised of 500 stocks chosen by market value, liquidity and industry to give a wide barometer of the stock market as a whole.

Internationally, most every stock market has an index. Examples are the FTSE 100 in Great Britain, the CAC 40 in France and the Nikkei 225 in Japan.

These indexes, like the ones in the U.S., are meant to show how a market in general is doing.

Indexes can provide valuable information for investors. They provide a convenient way to track a market or industry’s progress. If the stock market was a body, the indexes would be its pulse.

CHRIS COLE is a Chartered Wealth Advisor and vice president of Hilliard Lyons in Tupelo.

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BUSINESS JOURNAL

MAY 2016

A PAR TMENTS

Apartment Homes 1, 2, & 3 Bedrooms

MILITARY, LAW ENFORCEMENT, & FIREFIGHTER DISCOUNT Ask about our Military & Law Enforcement Discount

ART SUPPLIES

A PAR TMENTS

Affordable Luxury Apartment Homes 1, 2 & 3 Bedroom

111 Grand Ole Oaks Drive Belden, MS 38826 Carey Wilson Manager

Call 662-891-5000

office: 662.823.1470 • fax: 662.823.1474 • cell:662.231.7508

3260 Hwy 145 N. • Tupelo, MS 38804

www.GrandOleOaks.com

AUTOMOTIVE COMMERCIAL VEHICLES

BANK

662-841-8743 rbarnett@trustmark.com

Whether you’re hauling or delivering...Call

ART SUPPLIES AND PAINT-YOUR-OWN POTTERY SHOP.

HANDMADE GIFTS ARE THE BEST GIFTS.

Located at 107 North 13th Street

(behind Something Southern on the square)

236-9798

BANK

Call Robin Barnett today!

DWAYNE BLACKMON CHEVROLET

Bank Of Okolona Okolona

Houston Banking Center

P.O. Box 306 • Okolona, Mississippi 38860

321 W. Madison St. • Houston, Mississippi

Bank of Mantee

Calhoun Banking Center

(662) 447-5403

54 1st Street • Mantee, Mississippi

(662) 456-5341

for your commercial vehicle needs!

(662) 456-3347

200 S. Pontotoc Rd. • Bruce, Mississippi

(662) 983-3700

www.bankofokolona.com

1410 SOUTH GLOSTER / TUPELO / 842-3611

BLINDS

B ATH R EMODELING

BANK

21

Bath Remodeling Shower Remodeling Tub-To-Shower Conversion Bathroom Accessories Handicap Accessible

“The Sign of Service” Baldwyn • Booneville • Marietta Mantachie • Mooreville • Tupelo

Your Financial Cornerstone.

www.bathfitter.com Give Us One Day… We’ll Give You A Beautiful New Bathroom!

FREE IN HOME ESTIMATE Licensed And Insured

662-350-3175

www.fmbms.com

2015 McCullough Blvd. • Tupelo, MS 38801

BUILDING SUPPLIES

BUILDING SUPPLIES

Rex & Diannah Coggins, Owners

Ph: (662) 365-7021

N H A R Fax: (662) 365-8902 Y DW W & AR LD A E SUPPLY, INC. B • Full Service • Hardware • Building Supplies • Plumbing • Hydraulic Hoses

• Electrical • Glass • Valspar Paints • Welding Supplies • Portable Carports

1187 North 4th St. • Baldwyn, MS 38824

C O L L I S I O N R E PA I R

Lumbe ville r Boone Company Full Line of Lumber, Hardware, Plumbing and Electrical Supplies 2300 E. Chambers Dr. • Booneville • 728-0094

Booneville Hardware & Supply 403 Church St. • Booneville • 728-0032 "For all your hardware needs"

24 Hour Wrecker Service

Junior Burns - Cell 662-728-0524 David Denson - Cell 662-416-5591 100 W. Veterans Drive • Booneville, MS 38829

Phone 662-728-4459 • Fax (662) 728-4150

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BUSINESS JOURNAL Business Directory

MAY 2016

COMMERCIAL CLEANING SERVICES

MAY 2016

C ONCRETE

C OMMERCIAL P LUMBING

RH PLUMBING, INC. 224 Starlyn Ave. New Albany, MS 38652

662-534-4448

Commercial Plumbing, Gas & Industrial Piping RICHARD HANLON (662) 447-3213

Thank you for choosing RH Plumbing. We appreciate your business

401 Elizabeth St. • Tupelo 662-842-7305

FURNITURE

FURNITURE

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

589 N. Coley Rd. Tupelo, MS

www.careers.asurion.com Great Employment Opportunities

G IFTS

formerly Okolona Drug Co. • Tab Boren Pottery • Collegiate Items • Hobo Purses • Ronaldo • Baby Gifts & More

210 W. Main Street • Okolona, MS • (662)447-3711

P.O. BOX 417 Okolona, MS 38860

We’ve got all your

home furnishings

903 Varsity Dr. Tupelo, MS

7540 Veterans Hwy. West • Pontotoc, MS 38863

GLASS & OVERHEAD DOORS

H E AT I N G & C O O L N G

Serving Tupelo for 3 Generations

24 Hour Emergency Service

662-844-4540

“Serving Tupelo for 3 Generations”

711 ROBERT E. LEE DR. • TUPELO, MS

“Experience Is The Difference”

FAX:662-620-7754

INSURANCE INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES

662-844-1306

ATV • Life • Health Annuities • RV • Automobile Motorcycle • Home Mobile Home Medicare Supplements

Scott Hancock

Allen Hancock

Monthly Rates Available

HEATER ON THE FRITZ?

Store Fronts • Mirrors Shower Doors • Garage Doors Commercial Doors Hollow Metal Doors

Hancock Insurance Agency

3166 West Jackson, Tupelo, MS

662-489-1176

Fine Furniture, Fabric, & Flooring

I N S U L AT I O N

Member of the QCN Network. Saving You Money And Making You More Comfortable For Over 38 Years Residential & Commercial Insulation, Installation Blown-In Attic Insulation - Blown-in Wall Insulation - Batting www.nsul8or@att.net www.nsul8or.com

at affordable prices.

Mon.-Fri. 9am - 5pm

662-534-2661 720 W. Bankhead St. New Albany

Are You SURE It Can’t Be Fixed?

$ 1255 Nelle Street Tupelo, MS

8 4 4 - 0 2 70

25

OFF

Heating or Cooling System Repair Please present coupon at the time of service. Expires 5/30/16

KENNELS

$

250

OFF

Complete Heat & Air System 15 Seer or Higher

Please present coupon at the time of billing. Expires 5/30/16

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BUSINESS JOURNAL Business Directory

22

L OCKSMITH

PRINTING

MILLER’S SAFE & LOCK SERVICE, INC.

(662) 842-7720

1219 1⁄2 NELLE STREET • TUPELO

R E A L E S TAT E

arber Printing, Inc.

NEW & USED SAFES

• Safes Serviced & Installed • Locks Installed • Locksets • Combinations Changed • Locks Rekeyed • Lost Keys Replaced • Master Key Systems • High Security Keys AUTO RESIDENTIAL COMMERCIAL

23

PRINTING • GRAPHIC DESIGN • SIGNS BANNERS • BLACK & WHITE/COLOR COPIES

Thinking of Selling Your Home or Property?

We Have Six Full-Time Agents Pontotoc Ridge Realty, Ltd. Who Call MOSSY OAK PROPERTIES OFFICE Pontotoc Home. ISEACH INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATED

811 A Varsity Dr. • Tupelo, MS • 662.841.1584 8am - 4:30pm • goodimpressions@barberprinting.com

Call Us Today 662-489-2848

R E S TA U R A N T

R E S TA U R A N T

R E S TA U R A N T

Party Trays for all Occasions!

1101 W. Main • Tupelo 842-3774

Ecigs, Mechanical Mods, Vapor Smokes, Tanks/Cartomizers, Ejuice, Blu, V2, Century 21 Ecigs

365-7059

405 S. Gloster Street Tupelo, MS 38801 Phone: (662) 844-4888 Fax: (662) 844-3006

709 S 4th St. • Baldwyn, MS

Mon.-Thurs. 11-10 • Fri.-Sat. 11-11 • Sun. 12-10

ROOFING

R E TA I L

Alternatives to Cigarettes

• Pizza Spaghetti • Salad Bar • Sandwich • Pasta Special Every Thursday

W

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R E L

RO

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TECHNOLOGY

OF

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“A Family Business Since 1946”

• Residential • Commercial • Industrial FREE Estimates LICENSED & INSURED

411 CLARK ST. TUPELO 844-4481

TRUCKING

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Y OUR B USINESS C ATEGORY

ADVANCED RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT FACILITY 1150 SOUTH GREEN ST • BUILDING 1, SUITE E • TUPELO,MS 662-821-2500 • www.circadence.com

JOURNAL PUBLISHING COMPANY PRINT

3637 Peppertown Road Fulton, MS 38834 (662) 862-6497

ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS HERE EACH MONTH

ONLINE

INTERACTIVE

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Multimedia/Inside Sales Consultant veronica.bench@journalinc.com PO Box 909 Tupelo, MS | 38802-0909 1242 South Green Street Tupelo, MS | 38804

Phone 662.678.1566 or 1.800.270.2614 ext.566 Fax 662.620.8301

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BUSINESS JOURNAL Business Directory

MAY 2016

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