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INSIDE — Mississippi technology company aids in disaster recovery — Page 2 EVENTS

2018

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GENERIC DRUGS LEAVE YOU FEELING GOUGED?

Nonproﬁt Awards of Mississippi — Section begins page 7

MBJ FOCUS

Economic Development {Section begins P19}

» Ingalls Shipbuilding lands major contracts to continue being a state economic driver » Angela Curry creating opportunities for people in the Mississippi Delta

{The List P21}

» Largest Economic Development Projects

{P22}

» Police, ﬁre wear maker moving from Oxford to Batesville, adding 150 jobs

December 21, 2018 • Vo. 40 No. 51 • 24 pages

» You may have price-fixing to blame By TED CARTER mbj@msbusiness.com Talk often turned to price-fixing whenever leaders of generic drug companies gathered a half dozen or so years ago, say Mississippi’s attorney general and attorneys general of 46 other states. The result: Mississippians and residents of the other states paid artificially inflated prices for generic drugs and continue to do so, say the states in a lawsuit first filed by Connecti-

cut Attorney General George Jepsen in 2016. Mississippi and the other states joined the suit last year. The suit initially focused on only two drugs and a handful of leading generic drug manufacturers – Heritage Pharmaceuticals, Aurobindo Pharma USA, Citron Pharma, Mayne Pharma (USA), Mylan Pharmaceuticals, and Teva Pharmaceuticals USA. Today, the suit involves at least 16 companies and 300 prescription drugs. The Washington Post reported in early Decem-

ber that the lawsuit and related cases picked up steam the previous month when a federal judge ruled that more than 1 million emails, cellphone texts and other documents cited as evidence could be shared among all plaintiffs. The leader of the suit, Connecticut’s Jepsen, predicted in an emailed statement there is plenty more to come beyond the 300 drugs and number of companies so far involved. This, the email from Jepsen’s office said, is but “the tip of the iceberg in terms of the scope of this industry-wide investigation.” With the alleged collusion, the states say, makers of generic drugs created a “cartel” that

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See GENERIC, Page 4

2 Q Mississippi Business Journal Q December 21, 2018 REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK

A mighty fortress holds forth with annual show I

t is the best foot forward for the biggest Baptist church in a Baptist-dominated state. “Carols by Candlelight” is First Baptist of Jackson’s humbly extravagant yule show that just marked its 49th year. It is unquestionably the biggest event of the season in the Jackson area. It is comparable to the Mormons’ annual extravaganza in Salt Lake City. All five performances over the weekend of Dec. 7-9 were “sold out,” meaning all the free tickets were distributed, and used. We attended the last performance Sunday night, and the cavernous sanctuary in the gothic revival edifice was packed. The 250-member choir and full orchestra can hold their own in high company. The Ballet Magnificat troupe adds to the sophistication of the production. Southern Baptists have a strong tendency to be culturally conservative, and also socially and politically. I should know. I was raised Baptist, though my spiritual journey has led this too-often unwise man east to Orthodoxy. All those bells, smells and icons? Hardly a low-church Baptist atmosphere. But as a former Baptist and lawyer, now a Greek Orthodox priest, once told me: “If the Baptists knew about Orthodoxy, you couldn’t keep them out with an army.” Exactly how my mother felt about being

Courtesy of First Baptist Church/For the MBJ

The choir and orchestra of First Baptist perform during the “Carols by Candlelight.”

a Baptist. Oh how she loved to sing in the Christmas cantata at our Baptist church in Memphis. The pastor loved her “high C,” though she would lament in private: “I never had any formal training,” the demands of family and job limiting her creativity. The First Baptist production compares favorably with seasonal stagings in New York City, from what I’ve seen on television. With one major difference. The First Baptist production unashamedly only cele-

brates the high holy day. Since we’re sitting in judgment on the culturally wealthy, let’s just say that New York and some other metropolises tend to try to have it both ways, God and mammon. And, as the Gospel says, they neutralize each other. The exquisite Quimby pipe organ is played superbly by James Arrington Goff, organist for the church. With that rumbling, soaring sound, the church could put on a creditable staging of “Phantom of the Opera.”

But that is another, dark world and the imJack Weatherly mense granite blocks of the temple would surely crush those who blasphemed the house of worship. Ricky Skaggs, the bluegrass legend, was a different case. Bobby Ray, current chief ﬁnancial officer of the church and steel guitar picker in his spare time, recalls when he was in charge of the deacons-and-wives banquet and got Skaggs to perform at the event. Shades of Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, the shrine to country music’s Grand Ole Opry, and a former a gospel tabernacle. Rest assured, there is no sign that First Baptist is moving from its 4,500-member home with its 3,000-seat sanctuary. It’s hard to imagine that the neo-gothic campus that covers two square blocks in downtown Jackson, however, could be anything but a mighty fortress, as Martin Luther wrote in his famous hymn. Especially with the 50th anniversary of “Carols by Candlelight” next December.

» Contact Mississippi Business Journal staff writer Jack Weatherly at jack.weatherly@msbusiness.com or (601) 364-1016.

FROM THE PUBLISHER’S DESK

Mississippi technology company aids in disaster recovery following Hurricane Michael

or those who aren’t aware, technology in Mississippi is one of our bright and emerging industries. Mississippi’s tech companies are providing innovative and creative solutions to the needs of business, government, and communities in diverse places around the world, and during the devastating blow dealt to the Florida Panhandle by Hurricane Michael in October, one Mississippi ﬁrm was at the forefront in helping one of its clients to recover. In a recent conversation with Don Glidewell, CEO of Think Anew, a Mississippi technology ﬁrm based in Madison, I learned about a new technology product called BOOMBOX that was instrumental in helping a Think Anew client get back up to speed following the storm. On Oct. 10 Hurricane Michael nearly decimated the town of Panama City knocking out critical essentials such as power, water, communications and connectivity to homes, businesses and critical-care facilities. With over 70 percent of carrier communications towers leveled and almost all utility poles snapped, St. Andrews Bay Skilled

Nursing and Rehabilitation Center found itself without critical communications and struggling to track and report on resident care. St. Andrews reached out for help to Think Anew. Within two days, Think Anew mobilized a team to deploy its device which restored communications and critical access to clinical/operational software and allowed the facility to care Glidewell for their residents effectively, and to maintain operations during the crisis. Think Anew had just introduced BOOMBOX when Hurricane Michael came calling. “I cannot describe how bad the situation was”, said Jeremy Ryman of St. Andrews Bay . “BOOMBOX technology solution provided a lifeline in the middle of a crisis so we could focus on our jobs and ensure the safety and care of our near 100 elderly residents.” “I’m delighted that we were able to deliver the technology that St. Andrews desperately needed,” Don

Glidewell told me. “We were able to prove the effectiveness of the device under the most challenging of circumstances, and I feel that our work and investment in developing BOOMBOX were proven beyond our greatest expectations.” That success story has not gone unnoticed by others. Alan Turner “The horrid conditions left by Hurricane Michael created signiﬁcant challenges for many Florida residents, but none moreso than seniors in skilled care facilities going without everyday necessities and at risk for medical care issues due to the lack of communications.” said Florida Sen. Dennis Baxley, who sits on the Florida Senate Healthcare Committee. Don told me that he developed the concept for BOOMBOX almost 7 years ago, and he said that it is the only device of its kind in the long-term care market. “We’re very excited to be able to play a role in helping care facilities to recover from disastrous situations and to continue to provide the quality care that their residents need,” Don said. “While we’re a technology company, my ﬁrst priority has always been in helping seniors to get the services and support they need at all times.” Don told me that Think Anew has developed an

See PUBLISHER’S DESK, Page 22

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4 Q Mississippi Business Journal Q December 21, 2018

GENERIC Continued from, Page 1

greatly damaged the promise that a competitive generic drug market would lower prices for consumers. Generic drug company executives “sowed the seeds” for the price run-ups at trade shows, conferences, industry dinners, girls nights out or any other event in which interaction was possible, the multi-state lawsuit claims. “First, to avoid competing with one another and thus eroding the prices for a myriad of generic drugs, defendants — either upon their entry into a given generic market or upon the entry of a new competitor into that market — communicated with each other to determine and agree on how much market share and which customers each competitor was entitled to,” the complaint states. “They then implemented the agreement by either refusing to bid for particular customers or by providing a cover bid that they knew would not be successful. Defendants agreed to allocate the market for Nimodipine, Meprobamate, Zoledronic Acid, and Doxycycline Hyclate Delayed Release, among others,” it adds. The Mississippi Attorney General’s Office declined to be interviewed or to respond to submitted questions about the suit. In the filing, Attorney General Jim Hood charged that the “conduct was not only anti-competitive but was also unfair and deceptive to the consumers of the State of Mississippi.” The action, Hood said, violated the Mississippi Consumer Protection Act and entitles the state to injunctive relief, damages, disgorgement, civil penalties, costs and attorney fees. The price collusion may have cost Mississippi taxpayers as well by inflating prices for generic medications paid for by the Mississippi Division of Medicaid. In fiscal 2018 from July 1, 2017 through June 30 this year, the Division of Medicaid spent $22 million on generic drugs. It spent another $102 million on brand-name drugs. In a response to a request for comment, the Association for Accessible Medicines, a main trade group for the generic drug sector, did not directly address the multi-state claims other than to say the Association and member companies support competition and oppose price-fixing. A spokesperson for the Association said the recent Washington Post article “recycles years-old allegations that are inconsistent with an industry providing patients enormous measurable health care savings through competition.” The AMM spokesperson said that 93 percent of generic prescriptions are filled for $20 or less. “No category of health care provides lower prices year-over-year like FDA-approved generic medicines,” the spokesperson said, and insisted the industry has a robust system for ensuring compliance with anti-trust laws. The litigation is in discovery and is with

HEALTH CARE

PHARMACISTS SAY THEY’RE MOSTLY LEFT IN DARK ON GENERIC DRUG PRICE HIKES By TED CARTER mbj@msbusiness.com Longtime Mississippi pharmacists Kim Rodgers and Bill Mosby say sudden price run-ups in for certain generic drugs often leave them scratching their heads. “I’m sure there is a basis for it,” said Rodgers, only half serious, as he recalled the trip into orbit by the price of oral antibiotic Doxycycline Hyclate in 2011. The Journal of Investigative Dermatology says it, too, looked for a basis. What it found wasn’t anything that fits the “framework of a competitive market,” the Journal of Investigative Dermatology says. That leaves “non-competitive market forces” as the instigators, adds the Journal. It put the price jump for Doxycycline, an acne medication, at 1,854 percent from 2011 to 2013. Mississippi and other states also took a look. They discovered the drug makers had agreed to allocate the market for Doxycycline Hyclate, the states say in a lawsuit filed in 2016. Generic drug companies, on the other hand, blame industry consolidation, FDA-mandated plant closures and elimination of unprofitable generic drug product lines. For Rodgers Family Pharmacy in Petal, the increase spiked the price of a 500-count bottle of Doxycycline to $1,700 from $79 within a two-weeks’ time. The supplier gave no explanation, Rodgers said. “We just had to pay.” Prices eventually dipped some but not close to the earlier $79 price, he said. “I mean, come on,” said Rodgers, who opened Rodgers Family Pharmacy in 1990 and today serves on the board of directors of the Mississippi Independent Pharmacists Association. “These drug prices are ridiculous,” he said. “No one really understands how a

the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation in Philadelphia, according to the Connecticut AG’s office. The Justice Department began its own probe following the start of the Connecticut AG’s investigation. That led to guilty pleas to federal criminal charges by two former executives of generics maker Heritage Pharmaceuticals. They are cooperating with the Justice Department in a parallel criminal case. Now that the Justice Department is involved, civil suits on behalf of organizations, companies and individual consumers could follow, lawyers said in a National Public Radio report. Law ﬁrms that specialize in class actions have already lined up as many as 80 companies that may have paid too much, including retail pharmacies, employee unions and insurance companies, according to NPR. In an interview with NPR, Jason Dubner, an attorney for Chicago’s Butler, Rubin, Saltarelli & Boyd, said the allegations

company comes up with a price of drugs.” The spikes are contrary to the idea behind a generic market. That market is designed to create lower consumer prices by letting competing companies make and sell generic versions of previously branded drugs. Congress cleared the way for the generic drug market with the 1984 passage of the Hatch-Waxman Act. In recent years, however, Mississippi and other states noticed the price dynamic changed for many generic drugs as costs rose – and in some instances skyrocketed – without explanation. With consumers across the country enduring costs that doubled, tripled, or even increased 1,000 percent or more, Mississippi and 46 other states joined a suit with claims of price ﬁxing by a growing number of generic drug manufacturers.

Are Shortages Real? Bill Mosby, whose family opened Mosby’s Drugs in Canton in 1844, says the

are so massive that prices throughout the generic industry could have been affected. “You start to get an understanding just how widespread this alleged conspiracy was to cover so many different types of cures,” he said. Meanwhile, lawyers handling the multistate suit will try to show that generic drug makers established a conduct code by which they would conspire to inﬂate prices and keep them that way. It worked like this, they say: Any time a company is entering a particular generic drug market, it can contact its competitors and allocate the market according to a generally agreed-upon standard of “fair share” in order to keep prices high and avoid competing. Knowing the practices amounted to anti-trust violations, the company leaders usually chose to communicate in person or by cell phone, in an attempt to avoid creating a record of their illegal conduct, the suit charges. The structure of the generic

See PHARMACISTS, Page 5

drug industry provided numerous opportunities for “collusive communications at trade shows, customer events and smaller more intimate dinners and meetings,” the suit says. When communications were reduced to writing or text message, the companies often “took overt and calculated steps to destroy evidence of those communications,” it adds. Many generic drug manufacturers, including several named in the suit, are headquartered in close proximity to one another in New Jersey or eastern Pennsylvania, giving them additional opportunities to foster connections and meet and collude, according to the lawsuit. As is the practice for cartels, companies named in the suit monitored and tracked each others’ fair share, and discussed it with each other in the context of agreements on speciﬁc drugs, the suit alleges. The complaint asks for treble damages for the states taking part in the suit.

PHARMACISTS Continued from, Page 4

steepness of price hikes is hard to grasp, even when a tangible reason like a generic drug maker leaving the market exists. “Unconscionable,” Mosby said of the unexplained pricing. Experts say a single generic drug maker exiting the market for a particular drug should not drive up the price of the drug. But it does nonetheless, Mosby said. He said he suspects a tendency by the generic drug industry to declare shortages when none exist. “I can’t believe that some of the drugs go up the way they do because a manufacturer goes out,” he said, and questions why the government steps in to stop price gouging after a hurricane but not when a generic drug’s price skyrockets. Mosby, a former president of the Mississippi Pharmacists Association, recalls the industry had no shortage of Doxycycline when the price of the antibiotic climbed to alarming levels. Generic-drug makers, he says, were following the lead of the oil industry. “The oil companies taught them about scarcity,” Mosby said.

Diminished Price Flexibility As retailers, pharmacists like Rodgers and Mosby hear the customer gripes. Knowing why a drug has

jumped in price helps in explaining the increase to customers. But, otherwise, it means little because the price to pharmacies is what the wholesale distributor says it is. “We can’t determine the price on about eight out of 10 drugs we sell,” Mosby said, referring to both branded and generic drugs. “You can lose hundreds of dollars on individual prescriptions. You can’t stay in business doing that,” he added. Meanwhile, Mosby and Rodgers can expect to hear more price gripes from customers as health insurance deductibles on prescription meds rise. The new, higher deductibles expose customers to the full price of the drugs. Something they once received with a $25 co-pay can now cost them hundreds of dollars.

Higher Prices, Even in Slumps Generic prescriptions make up more than 85 percent of all retail pharmacy prescriptions, the Association of Accessible Medications said in an August MarketWatch report. Generic medications come on the market at about 60 percent of the branded price, and eventually decrease to about 20 percent of the branded price as competitors enter the market, the MarketWatch report said.

December 21, 2018

Prices on some drugs have gone even lower as the FDA steps up its pace of approvals. But pricing can still go the other way. According to the Government Accountability Office, more than 300 generic drugs in recent years had at least one price increase of 100 percent or more.

Puzzle of the EpiPen It’s been nearly three years since the nationally publicized EpiPen pricing episode. Bill Mosby is still puzzled by the pricing of the epinephrine used in injections to treat life-threatening allergic reactions known as anaphylactic shock. The EpiPen was not a generic in 2016 but maker Mylan, the second largest manufacturer of generics, received loads of grief over it. The company also found itself among targets of a multi-state lawsuit alleging price-ﬁxing across the generic industry. Mississippi is part of the suit. Mylan denied any wrongdoing in an early December Washington Post report. EpiPen’s price run-up from under $100 to over $600 was but another instance of independent retailers like the family-owned Mosby’s Drug Store having zero leverage with suppliers, Mosby said. In Petal, Kim Rodgers is wondering what’s going on lately with generic cream medications. “Some of them have quadrupled in prices from $10 on up to

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$60, $70, $80 up to $100,” Rodgers said. Asked whom he blames, Rodgers cited Pharmacy Beneﬁt Managers, or PBMs. These third-party organizations administer prescription drug programs for all varieties of health insurance plans, including Medicare Part D. They bring a lot of clout as deciders on a plan’s drug formulary. “PBMs are the biggest problem we have right now,” he said. Rodgers cites an example of two drugs with the same long-lasting insulin production. “Each year one is going to be a preferred product on the PBM’s formulary. One is not.” A rep for the manufacturer that didn’t make the preferred list said a 35 percent fee paid to the PBM by the competitor made the difference, Rodgers recalled. The price of the insulin product totaled $450. “They are rebating up to $150” of it to the PBM as the cost to be on the formulary, Rodgers claimed. “You’ve got to pay to be in the game.” Yes, it’s part of the price of doing business, Mosby conceded, but questions why the consumers are the ones left paying the exorbitant prices. “It’s frustrating,” he said.

e r ɸ70% of Mississippi n o a ɸM ɸ ɸ ɸ ɸpɸth ɸ ɸ ɸsupports a cigarette tax increase. pp Paid for by the Invest in a Healthier Future Coalition.

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Uplifting Jackson forum hints at rural gloom

Having a servant’s heart every season of year

rowing economic trends bode ill for rural America. “We are witnessing a growing economic and political divide between urban and rural America,” wrote Axios last week, pointing to some significant data. “Roughly half of all U.S. zip codes still have lower total employment than they did in 2007…. Rural Americans have far fewer hospitals, workout facilities, and health specialists….Big employers and better technology makes cities magnets for better teachers, schools, and specialized training…. Democrats own the fast-growing cities and Republicans rule rural.” The Economic Innovation Group reported, “Today’s jobs are going almost exclusively to people with education beyond high school, and those jobs are going to thriving communities….Most of today’s distressed communities have seen zero net gains in employment and business establishment since 2000.” Mississippi is pretty much all rural and full of distressed communities. Are these trends going to whack us even more? Here’s a hint. Last week at a Focus on Jackson gathering hosted by the Wise Carter law firm, three Jackson hospital executives and the head of the state hospital association highlighted the massive economic impact hospitals have on the Jackson economy, i.e. nearly 30 percent of salaries and 23 percent of jobs are hospital-related. The gist was that Jacksonians should take pride in their hospitals and the economic and health care benefits they provide, while at the same time understand that sustaining them is crucial to the city’s economy and advanced medical care for state residents. While regulatory, political, and demographic trends were said to pose financial challenges for Jackson’s hospitals, the outlook presented suggested a more dismal future for Mississippi’s rural hospitals. From financially struggling regional hospitals to cash-strapped small hospitals, the prognosis was for additional hospital closures. As this happens, the need

for Jackson hospitals to pick up the slack will only grow. No solutions Bill Crawford emerged during the presentations. No solutions are likely to emerge from state politicians currently in power either. Their focus is on tax cuts, reducing state spending, and upcoming elections, not on sustaining health care economic engines in rural areas or addressing other trends impacting rural communities. Indeed, there is no state plan to help small towns survive, much less thrive. The budget recommendations presented by Gov. Phil Bryant and legislative leaders were keep-thingsgoing-like-they-are proposals. Indications were that no controversial or challenging issues will be confronted during next year’s legislative session in order to keep things calm just before statewide elections. Maybe there will be a token pay raise to make teachers happy. Likely there will be some additional goodies given out for favored businesses and communities. In light of all this you might want to keep the following in the back of your mind through next November. It comes from a just released Pew Trust report on the growth of personal income since the Great Recession. “The second-longest U.S. economic expansion has played out unevenly across the states,” the report begins. It shows top states, most west of the Mississippi, had average annual income growth of 2.5 percent to 3.3 percent since 2007 (the U.S. averaged 1.9 percent). Bottom states averaged less than 1 percent. There were three, Connecticut at .8 percentfollowed by Illinois and, of course, Mississippi at .9 percent. Since you’ll wonder, neighboring states came in like this, Tennessee 2.1 percent, Arkansas 1.6 percent, Alabama 1.2 percent, and Louisiana 1.0 percent. » Bill Crawford (crawfolk@gmail.com) is a syndicated columnist from Meridian.

“I

slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy.” – Rabindranath Tagore Christmas is the season of giving. It’s what we’ve heard all our lives. And while it’s true, a greater truth is every single day should be a time for giving, for service to others. The good news is this: There are countless people who understand this and practice servanthood at all times. One doesn’t have to look far to find these fervent believers in giving. French writer Romain Rolland, who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1915, once wrote, “A hero is a man who does what he can.” Hatley resident Robbie Ausbon is one such hero. The Monroe Journal’s Ray Van Dusen recently penned a story about Ausbon and what happened while he was on a mission trip to Lumberton, N.C. A member of Grace Fellowship Baptist Church, Ausbon, along with the Monroe County Baptist Association, was helping with clean-up and repair efforts in the aftermath of the Category 4 hurricane named Florence that wreaked havoc in North Carolina in September. While taking a break from his work, Ausbon took a walk and was accosted by two young men who threatened Ausbon with a gun and demanded any money he had. One of the men fired a shot and then hit Ausbon in the mouth, chipping a tooth and injuring his lip. When Ausbon told the men he was in Lumberton to help because of storm damage, they drove away in their car. And Ausbon went back to work. He said he didn’t give much thought to how close he came to being killed until he was later on the phone telling his wife about what had happened. Even so, Ausbon said he won’t let this close call deter him from helping others. According to Van Dusen’s story, the most recent mission trip was the fifth of its kind for Ausbon, who used vacation time from his job to be of service to people in need. And he’s looking forward, he said, to having time to be even more of a servant to his fellow humans after he retires at some point in the future. It’s wonderful to practice the art of giving during this holiday season. But it’s an enviable gift to have the heart of a servant at all times. We applaud and appreciate Robbie Ausbon and others like him who have such a heart.

— Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal

2018

Special Section

8 Q Mississippi Business Journal Q December 21, 2018

Nonprofit Awards 2018 CLASS 4EverCaring ......................................................................................................... 10 American Heart Association (Jackson)....................................................... 10 Baddour Center .................................................................................................. 10 Baptist Health Foundation .............................................................................. 10 Bradley Arant Boult Cummings Charitable Foundation...........................11 CASA of Hancock County ..................................................................................11 Catch-A-Dream Foundation .............................................................................11 Catholic Charities Diocese of Jackson...........................................................11

n this issue of the Mississippi Business Journal, we highlight Mississippi’s nonprofits for the first time. This year, we recognize and honor a great group of Mississippi’s nonprofits that range across a broad spectrum of people and Ross Reily places in Mississippi. We first conceived Mississippi’s Top Non Profit Awards in 2015, and after many discussions and planning sessions launched our first program last month. Over the course of the past year, we were pleased to receive a large number of nominations for highly qualified organizations from large and small around the state. The nominations come from numerous sources, including peers, professional acquaintances, and leaders in the community. “We were truly delighted to be able to honor and recognize so many worthy Mississippi non-profits,” Mississippi Business Journal Publisher Alan Turner said. “We’ve felt for some time that these hard-working, dedicated agencies don’t get near the recognition they deserve, and we’re happy to be able to shine a light on their good works.” The judging process was a joint undertaking between the Mississippi Business Journal and a number of respected professionals from the Mississippi business community. When the scoring and comments from all judges were assembled and tabulated, we were able to select the top nominees for recognition.

» Contact Mississippi Business Journal editor Ross Reily at ross.reily@msbusiness.com or (601) 3641018.

Children’s Advocacy Centers of Mississippi...............................................12 Community Foundation of East Mississippi ...............................................12 Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi ..............................................................12 Girl Scouts of Greater Mississippi .................................................................12 Harbor House Chemical Dependency Services .........................................13 JDRF of Mississippi ............................................................................................13 Little Light House Central Mississippi .........................................................13 Make a Wish Foundation of Mississippi ......................................................13 Methodist Children’s Homes of Mississippi .............................................. 14 Mission First, Inc ................................................................................................ 14 Mississippi Center for Nonproﬁts................................................................. 14 Mississippi Children’s Museum ..................................................................... 14 Mississippi Council on Economic Education ..............................................15 Mississippi Food Network ...............................................................................15 Mississippi Society for Disabilities, Inc........................................................15 Mississippi Tourism Association....................................................................15 Mississippi Urban Forest Council ..................................................................16 Mississippi’s Toughest Kids Foundation ......................................................16 Mustard Seed.......................................................................................................16 Olive Branch Chamber of Commerce ...........................................................16 Springboard to Opportunities.........................................................................17 Stewpot Community Services ........................................................................17

TO NOMINATE FOR FUTURE CLASSES PLEASE GO ONLINE www.msbusiness.com/events/mississippi-nonproﬁt-awards

United Way of Southeast Mississippi ..........................................................17 Event photos ............................................................................................... 9 & 18

Nonprofit Awards

December 21, 2018

Mississippi Business Journal

2018

Special event of the Mississippi Business Journal

Photos by Stegall Imagery

10 Q Mississippi Business Journal Q December 21, 2018

Nonprofit Awards

4EverCaring

American Heart Association (Jackson)

ased in Madison, 4everCaring is a faith-based nonproﬁt where the mission is to serve families in Mississippi with an emphasis on those with socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds. Areas of interest include but not limited to community development, economic empowerment, education, mentorship, health and wellness. One program is their F.I.T (Fun Innovative Training) program which is health and wellness component where residents are able to engage in fun ways to exercise and be healthy. Classes include the only water aerobics offered in South Jackson, march aerobics, line dance aerobics, step aerobics, and jump rope aerobics.

Baddour Center

Baptist Health Foundation

aul Baddour passed away in 1973, leaving a generous sum of money and a charge to his family for them to use the money for a charitable purpose. With gifts from business associates, friends, and family, Baddour Memorial Center was founded in 1978. It has been pouring its heart into serving adults with intellectual disabilities ever since. Baddour Memorial Center – now simply called The Baddour Center — began with ﬁve residents but now serves 150 men and women who live on campus and additional day clients who live in the surrounding communities. Baddour residents represent many states across our nation. And the Baddour Center is celebrating its 40th anniversary in December and looks forward to many more years of serving residents and their families.

he American Heart Association works tirelessly to bring awareness and education to Mississippians about overall health. Through events like the Heart Walk, Heart Ball and the Go Red For Women Luncheon, the AHA brings the community together, raises funds for life-saving research, and educates people about how to incrementally decrease their risk for cardiovascular diseases. Funding research is at the heart of what they do. By funding more than $3 million of research right here in Mississippi, they’ve propelled breakthroughs that have saved and improved thousands of lives. The AHA depends on the generosity of its donors and sponsors, and the time and talent of our many volunteers, to help move them toward a world free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke.

he mission of Baptist Health Foundation is to support the healing mission and work of Mississippi Baptist Medical Center (MBMC). Since 1911, MBMC has served Mississippi to provide the highest quality health care guided by Christian faith. Today, MBMC is part of a growing network that makes comprehensive health care, health education, health risk assessment, and wellness more accessible than ever before. Funds donated to Baptist Health Foundation, in support of MBMC, provide equipment, services, comfort, and convenience for patients and their families that might not otherwise be available. One of their special programs, fund for the girls, established in 2012, supports Mississippi women in need of ﬁnancial assistance for breast health services. The purpose of fund for the girls is to break down the ﬁnancial barrier that prevents some women from obtaining needed breast screenings. The fund not only pays for screening mammograms, but also diagnostic ultrasounds, and biopsies, and the staff can help direct patients to additional care as needed.

Nonprofit Awards

December 21, 2018

Mississippi Business Journal

Bradley Arant Boult Cummings Charitable Foundation

CASA of Hancock County

radley is committed to and has a long history of supporting charitable, educational, and civic organizations that serves the communities in which it lives and works. In 2017 alone, Bradley contributed more than $885,000, and its attorneys and staff volunteered more than 17,100 hours to organizations serving the community and the underprivileged in the areas of education, healthcare, medical research, poverty relief, homelessness, and the arts. Established in 2010, the Bradley Arant Boult Cummings Charitable Foundation coordinates the ﬁrm’s charitable giving and encourages engagement by its attorneys, staff, and clients in the charitable and civic organizations that it is proud to support.

Catch-A-Dream Foundation

Catholic Charities Diocese of Jackson

he Catch-A-Dream mission is to provide not only the opportunity to “catch an outdoor dream,” but also to provide spiritual encouragement that is often so badly needed by children and youth. It is this very message of Christian hope, promised in Isaiah 40:31, that seeks to instill in these children and their families. Catch A Dream uses hunting and ﬁshing as opportune tools to expose these children to the wonders of God that await them in the outdoors, away from the bleak and sterile world of medical facilities, treatments, and hospital gowns, but in the presence of the Creator who is the Author of real Hope. On each trip, these children and the family members who accompany them are surrounded by outdoors-minded people who understand these children are often “…sick and tired of being sick and tired!” A designated and specially trained Catch-ADream Volunteer Host accompanies each family and, together with the outﬁtters and local volunteers, facilitates their dream experience. They love and nurture them through the strong personal relationships that inevitably are forged in the lodge, on the stream, or in the woods.

ASA of Hancock County recruits, trains and supports a diverse volunteer base of community members who advocate for the abused and neglected children of Hancock County. CASA of Hancock County has increased its number of volunteers by 400 percent over the last five years. Currently, CASA is serving 84 percent of the children in foster care with a goal a providing every child a CASA by the end of this year. CASA maintains diversification in terms of funding and maintains fiscally sounded business practices. CASA of Hancock County also works closely with the Youth Court, Mississippi Child Protection Services and other stakeholders in terms of child welfare training and best practices.

or 55 years, Catholic Charities, Inc. of the Diocese of Jackson has been a forerunner of social services programming in the state of Mississippi. The agency strives to ﬁll service gaps in communities where families and individuals are in the most need. It offers a wide array of programming which includes domestic violence and sexual assault services, residential alcohol and drug treatment for pregnant and parenting women, trauma counseling, family crisis intervention, therapeutic foster care, adoption and maternity care, supportive services for veterans and their families, immigration and refugee services, and advocacy.

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Nonprofit Awards

Children’s Advocacy Centers of Mississippi

Community Foundation of East Mississippi

hildren’s Advocacy Centers of Mississippi is a unique organization that is dedicated to improving the system for victims of felony child abuse. Every year nearly 4,000 of these courageous Mississippi children walk through the doors of a child advocacy center to tell the details of their felonious abuse and receive services to help them heal from that abuse. There are 11 child advocacy centers in Mississippi under the membership umbrella of the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Mississippi. Felonious abuse includes sexual abuse, sex trafficking, child exploitation, severe physical abuse, severe neglect, and witnessing a homicide. Importantly, these victims come from every community and economic demographic across the state. The long-term health and healing is directly impacted by how professionals respond across the state. The goal is to improve the efficacy of training to recognize and care for these victims so that Mississippi’s children can lead long and healthy lives.

Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi

Girl Scouts of Greater Mississippi

he Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi has championed the health of Mississippi children and adults with diabetes since 1965. The goal of the DFM is to care for the 373,000 Mississippians who have type 1 or type 2 diabetes. That is accomplished through diabetes awareness and advocacy campaigns in Mississippi, through educational programs for health professionals and the lay public, emergency medical assistance for patients with diabetes, and diabetes training programs for schools, daycare and the workplace. It also operates Camp Kandu, a camp for children and their families, to become more educated about managing diabetes while the children of all ages make new friends and learn about diabetes; We Care 2 is a program where they visit newly diagnosed children and their families in the hospital and provide a backpack including fun toys, information for the parents, and diabetes supplies to help families have the supplies to test and treat the highs and lows of diabetes.

he Community Foundation of East Mississippi (CFEM) is a public charity dedicated to maintaining, improving and enriching the quality of life in East Mississippi by supporting worthy causes, providing philanthropic services, and encouraging and providing leadership in response to changing community needs. It’s a catalyst for charitable giving where civic-minded individuals, families, and businesses can meet their philanthropic goals. The Foundation meets this mission by developing and managing a comprehensive base of funds—an expanding pool of charitable dollars, permanently committed to meeting the needs of the people of East Mississippi. CFEM serves a ﬁve county area, Lauderdale, Kemper, Neshoba, Newton and Clarke. CFEM is supporting and enhancing a wide variety of programs and initiatives required to maintain a vibrant and vital community. Acting as a convener of divergent interests, CFEM encourages cooperation and collaboration to move projects forward. Partnerships may include private and corporate foundations, businesses, civic groups, nonproﬁts, and local, state and federal agencies.

irl Scouts organization is much more than cookies. Girl Scouting helps build girls of courage, conﬁdence and character who make the world a better place. Girl Scouts of Greater Mississippi has approximately 10,700 members of which almost 7,900 are under the age of 14. The educational programs include anti-bulling and ﬁnancial literacy. Adapting to the times with working parents, the In-School Program is a way to allow girls who stay after school to participate in a well-guided after-school program.

Nonprofit Awards

December 21, 2018

Mississippi Business Journal

Harbor House Chemical Dependency Services

JDRF of Mississippi

arbor House of Jackson was founded in 1973 to provide residential treatment services for adult male and females. The mission is to offer a continuum of high quality, affordable, and effective chemical dependency treatment services and programs for adults and their families, including those who cannot afford private treatment facilities. In the 45 years Harbor House has been operating, it has treated more than 16,000 patients and their families. In 2000, Harbor House moved all program services to its 9-acre main campus in Jackson. It currently has a bed capacity of 90 beds which includes 20 female residential beds, 43 male residential beds and 27 beds for the Sonny Montgomery VA Medical center. It recently purchased 73 acres of property which was completed with private and public funds. Harbor House lives up to its name by providing a beacon of hope to those in the area that need it most. It provides clients with a safe place to heal, to learn, to regroup, and recover.

DRF Mississippi works every day to improve the lives of those affected by type one diabetes — and to prevent anyone else from ever knowing the disease — by raising funds for research, advocating for government support of research and new therapies, ensuring new therapies come to market and connecting and engaging the T1D community. JDRF Mississippi recognizes that none of this could happen without the commitment and generosity of our dedicated volunteers and corporate partners. JDRF Mississippi staff focuses on supporting and facilitating our community donations of time, talent or dollars to bring about life-changing breakthroughs in T1D treatments and therapies. In 2018 the JDRF Mississippi Chapter was awarded “Excellence in Engagement” as well as “High Performing Financial Metrics”. In 2017 the JDRF Mississippi Chapter received “Recognition for Net Income”.

Little Light House Central Mississippi

Make-a-Wish Foundation of Mississippi

he Little Light House is a Christian developmental center for children with special needs from birth to age six. It offers educational and therapeutic services, tuition free, to its students and their families. It operated solely on community support accepting no funds from the state or federal government or United Way. Steeped in a tradition of academic and therapeutic excellence that for over four decades has been making a difference in the lives of hundreds of children with special needs. Founded in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the Little Light House opened its ﬁrst affiliate school in Central Mississippi, in January of 2006. To date, The Little Light House of Central Mississippi has served 145 children and their families.

ake-A-Wish Mississippi grants wishes to kids in Mississippi battling critical illnesses. The wishes have a tremendous impact on each child and their family. Wishes give hope, strength and joy. Make-A-Wish Mississippi was founded in 1985 in Gulfport when a group of people raised money to send a young girl battling cancer and her family to Disneyworld. The group formally incorporated and became the 36th chapter of the Make-A-Wish movement. Since then, the Mississippi chapter has granted more than 2,100 wishes. The chapter currently grants about 100 wishes each year.

14 Q Mississippi Business Journal Q December 21, 2018

Nonprofit Awards

Methodist Children’s Homes of Mississippi

Mission First, Inc.

hrough Jesus Christ, Methodist Children’s Homes brings hope and healing to hurting children in Mississippi. Methodist Children’s Homes seeks to bring restoration to children and youth who have been neglected or abused. By the end of their time there, they hope to see that it ﬁnds reconciliation with biological families, love within an adoptive family or success as a productive, independent individual. For more than a century, Methodist Children’s Homes has cared for Mississippi’s most vulnerable children. During this time, it has worked to help and provide for thousands of children who have suffered complex trauma. By the end of their time at MCH, they hope to see them ﬁnd reconciliation with their biological families, love within a foster family or achieve success living independently.

Mississippi Center for Nonproﬁts

Mississippi Children’s Museum

s the state’s only nonprofit resource center, the Mississippi Center for Nonprofits (the “Center”) provides the nearly 12,000 nonprofit organizations operating throughout Mississippi with the know-how, specialized training and access to resources that enables those nonprofits to care for our sick and elderly, to nurture and mentor our children and youth, to minister to disaster victims, and provide educational, artistic and cultural programs for all to enjoy. In its 26 years of service, the Center has offered over 1,000 workshops to over 10,000 nonprofit leaders in every corner of our state; answered over 25,000 calls for help from Mississippi nonprofits; and delivered more than $5 million in training and technical assistance to nonprofits across the state. Additionally, the Center has worked with national and regional funders to bring millions of dollars to Mississippi for disaster recovery and to further help nonprofits improve the quality of life for all Mississippians.

he mission statement of Mission First is to respond to the spiritual, mental, social, and educational needs and problems in the metro area of Jackson, by providing Christian ministries, Christian care, and Christian assistance to people in need regardless of age, sex, or ethnic background. Mission First is the umbrella organization for seven ministries designed to support families and spread the good news of Gospel to those in Hinds, Madison, and Rankin counties. There are two locations in the city of Jackson. Ministry areas include: medical and dental clinics, legal aid office, after-school programs for students, sports ministry program, community revitalization, and an early learning center beginning with 3-year-old students.

ississippi Children’s Museum was born in 1994 from a visionary group of community volunteers who recognized the urgent need to improve the health, literacy and well-being of Mississippi’s children. In 2003, this group brought their ideas to the Junior League of Jackson and it became their signature project. The Junior League undertook a $26.6 million capital campaign and led a statewide effort to build a children’s museum. Completed in 2010, the 40,000 square foot museum houses ﬁve galleries of educational, interactive exhibits and enriching weekly programs that focus on literacy; health and nutrition; the cultural arts; science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM); and Mississippi heritage. In 2014, MCM opened a sixth, outdoor, 13,000 square foot gallery, the Literacy Garden, which combines experiential artworks with unique landscape architecture that encourages early language and reading skills development. MCM has consistently been recognized for excellence by Trip Advisor, AAA Southern Traveler, and numerous local and statewide media outlets.

Nonprofit Awards

December 21, 2018

Mississippi Business Journal

Mississippi Council on Economic Education

Mississippi Food Network

CEE works tirelessly around the state to increase the economic and financial literacy of Mississippi students. It knows that 100 percent of its students will make economic and financial decisions during their lifetime. The quality of the decisions they make is directly attributable to the quality of economic and personal finance education they have received or the lack thereof. It achieves its goals by equipping K-12 teachers with quality instruction and proven curriculum to use in the classroom. The education its providing its teachers and students is seen as the best in the nation, as proven by the “Outstanding State Council” award received in 2017. This education is an important part of helping citizens reduce the level of poverty in Mississippi via education on decision making skills, opportunity cost, money management, risk management and proper planning for the future to include post-secondary education.

Mississippi Society for Disabilities, Inc.

Mississippi Tourism Association

he Mississippi Society for Disabilities, originally chartered as the Mississippi Easter Seals Society, continues to seek ways to make the lives of Mississippians with disabilities better. Accessibility is always a challenge and one the Mississippi Disability Society tackles daily. Equipping parks and other recreational areas with handicap accessibility is something they pride themselves on doing. Working collectively with public and private concerns and supporters, Mississippi Society for Disabilities operates state wide seeking to make a difference for all Mississippians.

ississippi Food Network is a food bank that procures, warehouses and distributes food through more than 400 member agencies to help provide for people facing food insecurity. It is a Feeding America affiliated food bank and covers a 56-county service area in the central part of Mississippi. Its member agencies operate food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, senior citizen programs, after school programs and other human service organizations. In 2017, it distributed more than 21.4 million pounds of food through these member agencies to their clients who live in the communities they serve. From its meager beginning in 1984 when 139,000 pounds of food were distributed to 21.4 million pounds distributed in 2017, the Mississippi Food Network continues to work to accomplish the mission of relieving poverty-related hunger in its 56-county service area by distributing donated and purchased food and grocery products through a network of member churches and non-proﬁt organizations.

he Mississippi Tourism Association is proud to be the voice for advocacy, education and promotion in the state of Mississippi. It provides an environment for its industry members to thrive and succeed in their local communities and foster continuous improvement in industry standards through supporting the appropriate programs and events. The Mississippi Tourism Association was established in 1988 as a trade association comprised of tourism professionals and allied businesses. The organization strives to support and empower the tourism industry to promote Mississippi as a tourism destination. Tourism is the fourth largest industry in Mississippi, employing more than 124,000 people and it generates more than $6 billion in visitor spending. Last year, 23 million people visited Mississippi and the goal is tell the Mississippi story to many more.

16 Q Mississippi Business Journal Q December 21, 2018

Nonprofit Awards

Mississippi Urban Forest Council

Mississippi’s Toughest Kids Foundation

he Mississippi Urban Forest Commission mission is to foster and promote proper management of urban and community forests for social, economic, and environmental beneﬁts to people through innovation leadership, communication and educational services. Goals of the Mississippi Urban Forest Council are to » Foster interaction between professional and individuals involved in the management and care of community and urban forests » Identify needs at a state level to promote the proper planning, selection, planting, management and protection of community forests » Stimulate citizen interest and action in community forest, among other things. The MUFC is a nonproﬁt organization supported by members including communities, businesses, civic groups and individuals with an interest in community forestry The Council was formed in 1991. Governed by a board of directors, the Council supports community projects and provides education and assistance to citizens and communities statewide.

Mustard Seed

Olive Branch Chamber of Commerce

he Mustard Seed has been meeting the spiritual, physical, emotional and intellectual needs of adults with developmental disabilities for nearly forty years. It does this by providing a loving and protected environment with meaningful activities which allow the “Seedsters” to fulﬁll the potential it believes God has created within them. Volunteers often say that one thing that sticks out in their head about The Mustard Seed is how joyful the campus is. The founding members were parents of adults with developmental disabilities and others who saw the need for a Christ-centered ministry in the community. Prior to the Mustard Seed’s inception in 1981, many parents and guardians of adults with developmental disabilities had few options for the care of their loved ones. These visionaries knew that their special persons had great potential for growth and the right to their own life experiences.

he Mississippi Toughest Kids Foundation is dedicated to bringing the ﬁrst totally accessible, year-round camp facility solely dedicated to children and adults with serious illnesses; physical, mental and emotional challenges; and other special needs such as children in the foster care program, children whose parents are deployed, etc. It will be available for day trips by groups from Whitﬁeld, Hudspeth, and nursing homes. It will invite existing camps for children with special needs to move to the facility or serve as a second location for them to enjoy. It will help form new camps such as a camp for those with kidney disease because wit will be able to do kidney dialysis at camp. Now that construction has begun, they can see the dream and the mission becoming a reality. Years have been spent visiting out-of-state camps, taking pictures and answering questions. They are working with Dean and Dean Architects to design each building.

he Olive Branch Chamber of Commerce helps local businesses and non-proﬁt members grow their business along with helping the community be a great place to live work and play. We encourage a community that is good to do businesses in and be a strong business community. The Chamber started in 1973 as a way to support our local businesses and encourage growth of our community as well as business growth. Community growth is its product and service and is a way to give its businesses a way to grow through community development or networking with other businesses and the community. It helps make the Olive Branch community a great place to live, work, and play and do business.

Nonprofit Awards

December 21, 2018

Mississippi Business Journal

Springboard to Opportunities

Stewpot Community Services

ll families are entitled to a future not pre-destined by circumstances. In many ways, this statement is the driving force behind Springboard to Opportunities. Residents in affordable housing communities ﬁnd themselves facing many barriers to success including the lack of affordable childcare, poor access to transportation, or even not knowing about or how to navigate the resources available for ﬁnding steady employment of going back to school. But Springboard To Opportunities seeks to change that, believing affordable housing combined with strategic, resident-engaged services can provide a platform for low-income people to advance themselves in life, school and work. Springboard operates within seven communities throughout Mississippi and works with more than 40 community partners to offer holistic programming that covers everything from after-school programs to school and career readiness programs. Each program is designed to help residents at any age recognize their potential and start working towards their goals with the support of their community.

United Way of Southeast Mississippi

nited Way of Southeast Mississippi has been building stronger communities for almost 80 years through partnerships with local businesses, government organizations, volunteers and other local nonprofits. It is more than fundraisers, it is hand raisers and game changers. United Way SEMS identifies the problems and needs of its community in the areas of health, education and financial stability, and then finds solutions to those problems. It goes beyond single-issue and temporary fixes, and creates lasting change that benefits everyone. Whether its through support of an existing program, leading new initiatives or creating a collective impact, United Way SEMS is improving lives across Forrest, Lamar, Perry and Marion Counties.

tewpot provides food, shelter, clothing, care and support to people who are homeless or are living in deep poverty. The 14 ministries include: a Community Kitchen; a Meals on Wheels delivery service; a Food Pantry; a Clothing Closet; an After School Program and Summer Camp for K-12th graders; two emergency shelters, one for men and another for women and women with children; a day shelter for people who are homeless; a Rapid Rehousing Program, which helps people move from shelters into stable housing; a chapel service; the HeARTWorks art program; the St. Dominic Community Health Clinic; and a Legal Clinic. Through these various ministries, it serves between 500 and 600 people every day, depending on the season. It can do these things because it has a wide base of support: nearly 200 congregations now contribute their time, energy, and/or money as well as numerous local and federal grants. According to the most recent audit, 87 percent of every dollar goes directly to programs, to helping the people we were founded to help.

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2018

Special event of the Mississippi Business Journal

TO NOMINATE FOR FUTURE CLASSES PLEASE GO ONLINE www.msbusiness.com/events/mississippi-nonproďŹ t-awards

December 21, 2018 • MISSISSIPPI BUSINESS JOURNAL • www.msbusiness.com

AN MBJ FOCUS: Economic Development

Ingalls Shipbuilding lands major contracts to continue being a state economic driver By BECKY GILLETTE mbj@msbusiness.com PASCAGOULA—It has been a banner year for the state’s largest private employer, the Ingalls Shipbuilding division of Huntington Ingalls Industries. In September Ingalls was awarded a $5.1 billion fixedprice incentive, multiyear procurement contract for construction of six Arleigh Burke-class (DDG 51) Flight III destroyers for the U.S. Navy. That is in addition to a $1.43 billion contract awarded in April for detail design and construction of LPD 29, the 13th San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock. Also, in 2018, the state of Mississippi approved the fourth element ($45 million) of a five-year, $200-million total investment Cuccias in bond funds with a match from Ingalls of $400 million toward revitalizing of the west bank of Ingalls. There’s one $45 million increment left to be approved in 2019. Ingalls also announced it was spending $100 million to reopen the east bank, which had been closed since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. “We are fortunate to be in the State of Mississippi,” said Ingalls Shipbuilding President Brian Cuccias. “Ingalls is blessed to be in such a great place. We get great support from the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Speaker, legislators, and state agencies. The State is investing significant funding support, matched more than 2-to-1 by Ingalls, for our Shipyard of the Future modernization program. This modernization will make this shipyard the most modern in the country, if not the world. Our 80-year partnership with Mississippi has allowed us to put ourselves on a different playing field at a higher level than we would have been on otherwise.” Ingalls has an estimated economic impact of more than $1 billion per year and employs between 11,000 to 12,000 people. “The people of Ingalls are the reason for our success,” Cuccias said. “I’m really fortunate to lead the finest work force in the world that builds the best warships the world has even known. We have an amazing team of shipbuilders--craftsmen and women, engineers and technical professionals, and support personnel--who are performing great in what the yard does every day.” Ingalls is a phenomenal asset not just for the state, but the country, Cuccias said. It builds almost 70 percent of the active U.S. surface warfare ships, four

Ingalls Shipbuilding/Lance Davis

Top: Arleigh Burke-class (DDG 51) Flight III destroyer ; Above: LPD 29, the 13th San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock

different classes of ships simultaneously. “We are also very proud of our engagement with our community,” he said. “In addition to our community college work-force training programs, we recently reached out to area high schools and helped rebuild some of the career technical facilities at high schools in Pascagoula and Moss Point, as well as at Alma Bryant in Alabama. We have a great partnership with the high schools not only helping with technical training, but also with teaching students how to make good life decisions.” Normally something like a $5.1 billion contract such as was announced in September would have garnered a great deal of press attention. But con-

tracts this large are not unusual for Ingalls. They are not routine either, says Jerry St. Pe, who worked at Ingalls for 40 years, 16 years as CEO. St. Pe said the contracts demonstrate the extraordinary performance being recorded at the shipyard, and are a clear demonstration in the customer’s conﬁdence in the shipyard’s continued ability to not only meet schedules, but also meet budget. “That has been the hallmark of this shipyard’s success,” said St. Pe, who is also a former chairman of the Mississippi Gaming Commission. “There is no question the shipyard has been the trend setter for the standards for on-time, on-budget delivery See INGALLS, Page 21

Economic Development

20 Q Mississippi Business Journal Q December 21, 2018

ON TO THE BIG TIME

Âť Angela Curry creating opportunities for people in her home in the Mississippi Delta By NASH NUNNERY mbj@msbusiness.com

Fresh out of Mississippi Valley State University with diploma in hand, Angela Curry began the daunting search for a job. Curry, who grew up in tiny Teoc, Mississippi, applied at a Grenada temp agency and eventually received an offer to be an administration assistant with the Greenwood-LeďŹ&#x201A;ore County Industrial Board. Sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s never left. Twenty-eight years later, Curry is the executive director for both the GLIB and the Greenwood-LeďŹ&#x201A;ore-Carroll Economic Development Foundation after serving time as admin assistant, office manager and assistant director. Career dues paid. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Funny but I just happened into the ďŹ eld of economic development the day I walked into that (temp) agency,â&#x20AC;? Curry said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was not my plan at all but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been great that I was able to work in several different capacities. I want my community to be a great place for people to work and have families. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Anything I can do to help in that effort is fulďŹ lling and keeps me motivated.â&#x20AC;? Curry, one of the few African-American women in an economic development leadership role in Mississippi, says there is a perception that the segment is a male-only

â&#x20AC;&#x153;When Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m able to help my community, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the best feeling in the world.â&#x20AC;? Angela Curry

profession. She concurs that slowly but surely, the ďŹ eld is becoming more diverse. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When I got into the profession, I had no inkling what economic development was. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve learned a lot and continue to learn,â&#x20AC;? Curry said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t mind putting on my boots and walking a site or unlocking the doors of a dark, empty building. When Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m able to help my community, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the best feeling in the world and I would

Angela Curry

encourage young people to explore the ďŹ eld.â&#x20AC;? Economic development in the Mississippi Delta isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t without challenges. Manufacturing jobs have become scarce, while agriculture remains king. But Curry remains upbeat despite the difficulty of recruiting new business to the region. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not easy but I believe the trend is changing,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have several projects in the pipeline right now. Economic development is a slow process, so you work projects until you close the deal, answer the last question or you see the project is not a good ďŹ t. Often times, companies and employees are looking for

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amenities that small rural communities sometimes donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have.â&#x20AC;? One recent example was a California-based plastics manufacturing plant rumored to be coming to Greenwood, creating 75 jobs with a proposed $2 million investment. Curry asked the Greenwood city council to contribute $200,000 toward an incentive package, with the Foundation providing an additional unspeciďŹ ed sum. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As of now, the project is on hold,â&#x20AC;? Curry said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There are still some issues to be resolved, but weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re hopeful.â&#x20AC;? The director also is encouraged by a new federal program offering tax incentives for areas designated â&#x20AC;&#x153;Opportunity Zones.â&#x20AC;? The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 established Opportunity Zones as a new community development program aimed to embolden long-term investments in low-income and rural communities. Low-income communities, deďŹ ned as census tracts with a poverty rate of 20 percent or greater, and family income less than 80 percent of the areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s median income, are eligible. The program is a perfect ďŹ t for Greenwood and LeďŹ&#x201A;ore County, acknowledged Curry. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re always looking for resources that will make our community even more attractive to business,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have two areas in LeďŹ&#x201A;ore County that are in the Opportunity Zone. We are looking forward to utilizing the program in the future.â&#x20AC;? Looking ahead, Curry said sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll remain aggressive in retention and recruiting of new industry, as well as with work-force development, and maintaining Greenwoodâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Work Ready Community status. Though she wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t mind landing a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;big boxâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; project such as a YokohamaTire or Nissan, Curry actually prefers pursuing smaller game. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Big industry companies are great and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d love to recruit one,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But, when you lose a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;big boxâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, the impact is devastating. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve witnessed that devastation ďŹ rsthand during my 28 years. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve managed to ďŹ ll most of our vacant buildings (with smaller projects) and would love to have the last two occupied.â&#x20AC;? When sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not working or serving on several local boards, including Main Street Greenwood, Museum of the Mississippi Delta and the Greenwood Hospital Foundation, Curry can be found on weekends at the drag strip. As a spectator only, she insists. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My ďŹ ancĂŠ has an â&#x20AC;&#x2122;89 Mustang that we race at tracks in Memphis, the Gulf Coast and all over,â&#x20AC;? Curry said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I enjoy the excitement.â&#x20AC;?

Economic Development

December 21, 2018

Mississippi Business Journal

LARGEST ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN 2018

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INGALLS Continued from, Page 19

of ships for both the Navy and the Coast Guard.â&#x20AC;? While admitting that he is â&#x20AC;&#x153;sort of grading my own homework here,â&#x20AC;? St. Peâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s assessment is that the yard is performing at the best seen during its 80 years of operation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The shipyard has been from its outset the largest private employer in the State of Mississippi,â&#x20AC;? St. Pe said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Clearly this backlog into billions of dollars provides job security well into the future. Not all employees live in Jackson County. The shipyard has a broad regional impact here in South Mississippi and across the state. The shipyard does business with dozens of suppliers across the state that provide services and materials to the shipyard. Its impact is far reaching. These recent contracts plus the backlog the yard already had and the business base shows a high level of conďŹ dence in the company and in the job security of the employees who work there.â&#x20AC;? St. Pe also said the success of Ingalls shows the value of the state partnering with companies to encourage job creation and economic development. He said the shipyardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s long, strong partnering with the State of Mississippi goes back to the very beginning when one of the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ďŹ rst

economic development efforts, Balance Industry With Agriculture, provided ďŹ nancial support when the shipyard was constructed in 1938. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The partnership has continued throughout those 80 years,â&#x20AC;? St. Pe said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The State of Mississippi has provided hundreds of millions in bond funds to match private capital Ingalls provided to modernize the shipyard. That is an important part of the story because it reďŹ&#x201A;ects that state bond money is producing what it is intended to produce.â&#x20AC;? Mississippi Economic Council President and CEO Scott Waller said over its history, Ingalls has hired about 180,000 people. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is no question that Ingalls it is one of bright shining stars that we have in terms of what it does for the state,â&#x20AC;? Waller said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It has been there for 80 years. It is something that has been a stable part of our economy helping with jobs and careers for so many Mississippians doing work that is valuable to our nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s defense. I think in some cases we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t fully realize all the things it brings to the table. It is the largest single-site private employer in the state. The company has long helped drive the economy of the Coast while also impacting the entire state. I think what these new contracts speak to is the reliability of what they do so well, which continues to drive their success.â&#x20AC;?

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22 Q Mississippi Business Journal Q December 21, 2018 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Police, fire wear maker moving from Oxford to Batesville, adding 150 jobs By JACK WEATHERLY jack.weatherly@msbusiness.com Blauer Manufacturing, which makes uniforms and protective wear for police officers and firefighters, will expand its operations in north Mississippi in a $2.4 million corporate investment and creation of 150 jobs over three years. Located in Lafayette County, Blauer is moving to the former Batesville Casket

Company plant in Batesville. The company, which employs about 150 workers in Lafayette County, will relocate the existing jobs to Batesville. “We are excited to showcase the Blauer brand with an appealing presence directly on Interstate I-55. The newly renovated building is double the size of our existing building with plenty of room to expand,” Blauer Manufacturing President Michael Blauer said in a news release.

The Mississippi Development Authority provided a $500,000 grant for renovations and $300,000 for work-force training. The Panola Partnership is providing assistance for start-up costs, the amount of which it declines to reveal because it is a private entity, according to the MDA. The city of Batesville and Panola County are providing a 10-year property tax abatement. Panola County is also granting

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a Free Port Warehouse Inventory Tax exemption. Blauer has had operations in Lafayette County since 1997. The company plans to be operational in its new location in the third quarter of 2019. Joe Azar, director of the Panola Partnership, said it is only a 20 minute drive from Oxford to Batesville. For that reason, Blauer, which had been looking at a Pensacola, Fla. location, expects 98 percent of the current employees to make the drive. Blauer simply had outgrown its 100,000-square-foot Oxford plant, according to Elvest Cook, vice president for logistics for the Boston-based company. A private company, it was founded in 1936. The Batesville plant is about twice that size, Cook said. Pay ranges from $10 to $15 an hour, Cook said. “We try to capitalize on a different attitude,” Cook said, adding that the company throws a couple of parties a year for the workers. Batesville Casket closed in March 2017, putting 200 employees out of work. The plant assembled wooden caskets for nearly 30 years. It was owned by Indiana-based Batesville Basket. The plant has been vacant since that closure.

PUBLISHER’S DESK

Continued from, Page 2

important strategic partnership with Microsoft, and he is delighted with the support that he has received from one of the world’s largest technology companies. “I truly believe that BOOMBOX is going to play an important role in disaster recovery planning throughout the longterm care industry,” Don said. “Right now, 30 percent of businesses have no disaster recovery plan or strategy in place, and as we’ve seen on the Gulf Coast and in many other areas, catastrophic situations can develop and develop quickly. They key is, how do you recover? That’s what we’re focused on.” It is deﬁnitely encouraging to see Think Anew and other Mississippi technology companies that are working to deliver the vital technology products and services that are necessary in business, health care, education, and government. That presents a bright picture for Mississippi technology in the years to come. Contact Mississippi Business Journal publisher Alan Turner at alan.turner@msbusiness.com or (601) 364-1021.

December 21, 2018

Mississippi Business Journal

THE SPIN CYCLE