June 2022 Issue Mississippi Business Journal by Journal Inc

MSBUSINESS.COM | JUNE 24, 2022 ISSUE

VOLUME 45 • NO. 4 | 28 PAGES

Healthcare

Page 6 Stroke Center is long time leader in specialized care

Law and Accounting Page 12

Use of forensic accounting growing

Insurance and Employee Benefits

Page 15 Telematics can help you develop safer driving habits

Pages 9, 13, 17 & 21

Housing market has been hot, but a cool down is expected Page 18

Mississippi Business Journal

June 2022 Issue

Make your money when you buy real estate

eal estate prices are “through have the notion that they make their the roof.” A good metaphor profit at the time they sell their real for sure. Prices around the estate. That’s because it is at the time country and in Mississippi of sale that they receive the return of have been rapidly rising. One devel- the funds invested plus any profit. oper building new townhouses near That’s when they reward of smart this writer has raised prices four times acquisition and prudent ownership or in the past two years. How long will realized. But it’s at the time of purprices keep going up? Is the “bubble” chase of the property that the founabout to pop? And if it pops, will that dation of profitability is laid. It is at be a good time to buy? As the time of purchase that the conventional axiom says, investment is made, and the “You make money when conditions of ownership are you buy real estate, not set out. when you sell real estate.” It’s no wonder that for a According to a May 19, long time the definition of 2022, news release from the term “value” has been the National Association “what someone is willing PHIL HARDWICK of Realtors, existing home to pay at a particular time.” sales fell for the third The definition of market straight month to a seasonally adjust- value is a rather broad description ed annual rate of 5.61 million. Sales that describes the market in which were down 2.4% from the prior month the property is being sold. So, what and 5.9% from one year ago. makes up this somewhat elusive thing “Higher home prices and sharply called value? higher mortgage rates have reduced The generic ingredients for any item buyer activity,” said Lawrence Yun, to have value are demand, utility, NAR’s chief economist. “It looks like scarcity and transferability. Of these more declines are imminent in the four, it is demand which has the greatupcoming months, and we’ll likely re- est influence on the price that will be turn to the pre-pandemic home sales paid. Demand is controlled by buyers. activity after the remarkable surge The supply, or scarcity is controlled over the past two years.” by sellers. Let’s examine each of these Sometimes, real estate investors factors that establish value.

Demand refers to effective demand. There is a great deal of demand for Mercedes automobiles. Recently, a 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé sold for $143 million at an auction at RM Sotheby’s, making it the most expensive car, and one of the top 10 most valuable collectible items, ever sold in the world. But not everyone who wants such a vehicle can afford to buy it. Effective demand refers to the demand created by those in the market who can actually purchase the item. Utility is a term used to describe the ability of something to satisfy a need or desire. For example, there’s quite a bit of utility in Class A office space because of our transformation to an information society from an industrial society. There is just not much an old industrial plant can do to satisfy the needs and desires of a data processing operation. Scarcity refers to the supply of an item. In general, the less an item is available the more value it will have. Well-located buildings can have a way of being somewhat scarce. The transferability of real estate, or any other item for that matter, can have a profound effect on its value. An example of this would be a property that has a clouded title due to an

estate being probated. In general, it is the purchaser who has the greatest control in the real estate transaction. And money is made by the person who is in the greatest control. This is not to say that there are no other forces at work in the transaction. There may be two buyers, for example, who are bidding on the same piece of property. Obviously, the seller has more control in such a transaction than if there were only one purchaser. It is certainly true that the seller may not be willing to sell at a certain price. That is why it is important for the buyer to determine the seller’s needs. One seller may need cash, another may need to close the transaction within a very short time period, and yet another may want to sell to a creditworthy buyer and receive payment on an installment basis. Knowing the seller’s needs and being able to meet them places the buyer in more control of the transaction. Watch the market, understand value, and make your money when you buy. Receive it when you sell. Happy investing. PHIL HARDWICK is a regular Mississippi Business Journal columnist. His email address is phil@philhardwick.com.

Feds indict businessman who helped ‘restart Mississippi’ BY TAYLOR VANCE DAILY JOURNAL

plied for and received more than $1.8 million in an Economic Injury Disaster Loan. Instead of using the federal relief funds for legitimate purposes, prosecutors purport that the two used the money for personal real estate deals, political contributions, loan payments for vehicles and the purchase of Court Square Towers in Columbus.

JACKSON • A business owner who advised the governor on how Mississippi’s economy should rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic has been indicted on federal charges alleging he fraudulently took part in a pandemic relief program. Jabari Edwards, the owner of J5 GBL in Columbus, and AntEdwards political profile included wann Richardson, Edwards’ Restart Mississippi committee business associate, were both charged with wire fraud, conEdwards has connections to spiracy to commit wire fraud and Mississippi politicians through Edwards political appointments and conmoney laundering. Edwards is also charged with making a false tributions. statement. Gov. Tate Reeves appointed Edwards Federal officials specifically alleged to the Governor’s Committee on Ecothat the two defendants applied for and nomic Recovery, also called Restart received more than $500,000 in a Pay- Mississippi, a committee Reeves crecheck Protection Loan for their busi- ated to advise him on reopening the ness North Atlantic Security one month state’s economy during the pandemic. before it went out of business. “We need Mississippians helping After NAS was defunct, investigators Mississippians,” Reeves said in April believe Edwards and Richardson ap- 2020 when he created the committee.

“I have asked a trusted group of our state’s top business minds to do just that. Under the ‘Restart Mississippi’ umbrella, they are going to develop a series of recommendations and goals for our new economy.” Reeves, through a spokesperson, did not respond to a request for comment. Nearly all members of the task force, inducing Edwards, had donated to Reeves’ campaign, according to the Mississippi Free Press. According to records with the Federal Elections Commission and the Mississippi Secretary of State’s Office, Edwards has also donated over $30,000 to several politicians such as Gov. Tate Reeves, Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann, U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson, U.S. Rep. Trent Kelly, House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, President Joe Biden and former Hattiesburg Mayor Johnny DuPree. Leah Smith, Hosemann’s deputy chief of staff, said the lieutenant governor intends to donate Edwards’ $1,000 campaign donation to a charity.

Defendants face up to 30 years in prison if convicted Both defendants appeared at the federal courthouse in Oxford Thursday evening, where U.S. Magistrate Judge Roy Percy released them each on a $10,000 bond. As part of their release conditions, both had to surrender their passports to court authorities and limit their travel to north Mississippi. Court records indicated that both men planned to retain their own counsel, but it’s unclear if they have yet hired an attorney to speak on their behalf. Neither Edwards nor Richardson responded to a request for comment. If convicted, the defendants face a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison. An indictment is when a grand jury believes sufficient evidence exists and that someone has violated a crime, but it is not a criminal conviction.

June 2022 Issue

Mississippi Business Journal

Thank you to everyone at Grand Gulf Nuclear Station Grand Gulf continues to power Mississippi homes and businesses with clean, affordable energy. We are proud of the 850 men and women who work tirelessly to make this possible. Their achievements help grow Mississippi’s economy and build a brighter future for our communities. Highly Rated Grand Gulf achieved the highest status in the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s overall performance matrix. This milestone ensures Grand Gulf is ready for service now and in the future. Record-Setting Production Grand Gulf set an all-time record of 95% capacity factor in 2021, and all-time station records for both gross generation and net generation in megawatt-hours. Low-Cost Power Leader Access to Grand Gulf’s economical, carbon-free energy is critical to keeping our rates among the lowest in the nation, and that’s especially important during a time of rising natural gas prices. Economic Driver Grand Gulf is a major economic driver for Mississippi, employing hundreds of residents, paying millions in tax dollars to 45 Mississippi counties and strengthening our communities. Congratulations to the Grand Gulf team on these recent successes, and thank you for powering a brighter, cleaner future.

Mississippi Business Journal

June 2022 Issue

MBJ

PERSPECTIVE June 2022 Issue • www.msbusiness.com • Page 4

Census follow-up numbers are uncertain

isten to ruling Republicans, that 94.4% of the population had been their aligned talking heads and correctly counted, 2.8% were counted even some media, and you erroneously, 2.8% were counted but would be certain Mississippi had to have their demographic data suffered a significant undercount in the imputed, and 0.6% had to have their recent 2020 Census. data fully imputed. But, census numbers, even follow-up The Census Bureau further estimated numbers, don’t work to that degree of the population estimates for 36 states certainty. were pretty much on target, In general, the Census for 8 states were too high, Bureau reports basic data at and for 6 states were too low. an estimated 90% confidence Mississippi was one of level. When a higher level of those six states with estimatconfidence is sought, it uses ed undercounts. Notably, statistical conversion factors Mississippi’s miss came in to adjust its estimates. at -4.11%, albeit with a 90% BILL CRAWFORD The constitutionally reconfidence level that the quired decennial census attempts to error was somewhere between -1.43% count every person. For the first time, and -6.79%. Another chart showed with the 2020 Census the Bureau made Mississippi’s “dual system enumerathe internet the primary self-reporttion” rate was 90.1% with “omissions” ing vehicle (along with conventional at 9.9%. counting methods). People got postWhat all that means after imputacards telling them how to register and tion, estimation and adjustment is enter data. There were also social methe certainty that Mississippi’s census dia posts and extensive advertising. In numbers were right or wrong and to addition, states established Complete what degree are uncertain. (Want to dig Count Committees to support census deeper? Google 2020 Post-Enumeraactivities. tion Survey.) In March, the Census Bureau issued It’s not like Mississippi didn’t try to its “2020 Post-Enumeration Survey get the count right. Estimation Report” wherein it comOn Aug. 7, 2019, Gov. Phil Bryant pared the census count with other deissued an executive order establishing mographic estimates and a follow-up a Complete Count Committee for Missample survey. The report concluded sissippi. He charged the 25-member

committee, chaired by Sen. Giles Ward, to accomplish the following duties to ensure an accurate count in Mississippi: a) Advise the Governor and the Mississippi Legislature on census activities in the state; b) Identify barriers that might impede the progress of the 2020 Census in Mississippi; c) Promote and advertise the 2020 Census; d) Respond to residents’ questions and concerns about the census; e) Develop partnerships with regional and local Complete Count Committees to increase participation; f) Distribute and share census information with traditionally hardto-count areas and populations; and g) Seek to ensure the highest census participation rate possible. Apparently more needed to get done. Despite the Census Bureau’s follow-up estimates that Mississippi’s population estimate was low, it will not change Mississippi’s count. And that’s the rest of this problematic story. “Then Satan stood up against Israel and moved David to number Israel. So David said to Joab and to the princes of the people, “Go, number Israel from Beersheba even to Dan, and bring me word that I may know their number.” – 1 Chronicles 21:1-2 BILL CRAWFORD is a syndicated columnist from Jackson. Readers can contact him at crawfolk@gmail.com.

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June 2022 Issue | Volume 45, Number 4

TAMI JONES Publisher tami.jones@msbusiness.com • (601) 364-1011 MARCIA THOMPSON Business Assistant marcia.kelly@msbusiness.com • (601) 364-1044 FRANK BROWN List Researcher frank.brown@msbusiness.com • (601) 364-1022 LYNN LOFTON Contributing Writer mbj@msbusiness.com • (601) 364-1018 TED CARTER Contributing Writer mbj@msbusiness.com • (601) 364-1018 BECKY GILLETTE Contributing Writer mbj@msbusiness.com • (601) 364-1018 LISA MONTI Contributing Writer mbj@msbusiness.com • (601) 364-1018 SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES (601) 364-1000 subscriptions@msbusiness.com Mississippi Business Journal (USPS 000-222) is published monthly with one annual issue by MSBJ 132 Riverview Dr., Suite E, Flowood, MS 39232. Periodicals postage paid at Jackson, MS. Subscription rates: 1 year $109; 2 years $168; and 3 years $214. To place orders, temporarily stop service, change your address or inquire about billing: Phone: (601) 364-1000, Fax: (601) 364-1007, Email: marcia.kelly@msbusiness.com, Mail: MS Business Journal Subscription Services, 132 Riverview Dr., Suite E, Flowood, MS 39232 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Mississippi Business Journal, Circulation Manager, 132 Riverview Dr., Suite E, Flowood, MS 39232 To submit subscription payments: Mail: MS Business Journal Subscriptions Services, 2132 Riverview Dr., Suite E, Flowood, MS 39232. No material in this publication may be reproduced in any form without the written consent. Editorial and advertising material contained in this publication is derived from sources considered to be reliable, but the publication cannot guarantee their accuracy. Nothing contained herein should be construed as a solicitation for the sale or purchase of any securities. It is the policy of this newspaper to employ people on the basis of their qualifications and with assurance of equal op-portunity and treatment regardless of race, color, creed, sex, age, sexual orientation, religion, national origin or handicap.

THE MISSISSIPPI BUSINESS JOURNAL,

June 2022 Issue

Mississippi Business Journal

Protect American tech from legislation

ound the alarm, because Rus- act of opening systems to accommosia, China and other adverdate all software without barriers – to saries are coming for Amerlimit discriminatory conduct. Howica’s technology industry, ever, instead of protecting consumers and federal lawmakers want to make it as antitrust legislation is supposed to easier for them to comprodo, S.B. 2992 creates vulnermise our infrastructure and abilities that allow American devices. innovation to be exploited Foreign hackers are and users’ data to be comprotargeting everything from mised. American pipelines to U.S. The legislation bars tech elections, threatening our companies from implementway of life, economy and ing their own security meaCHIP PICKERING democracy each time. sures to protect their technolMeanwhile, Congress is pushing anogy and their users. This prohibition titrust legislation that unfairly targets paves the way for third-party actors, American tech companies and makes including China and Russia, to steal it easier for foreign competitors and and hijack the technology we depend criminals to access user data and comon in our daily lives throughout the promise our security measures. United States. Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar In addition to S.B. 2992, the U.S. introduced the American Innovation Senate is also considering another bill and Choice Online Act, S.B. 2992, that puts American tech users at the aiming to reign in our largest and most mercy malicious adversaries, the Open successful American tech companies. App Markets Act, S.B. 2710. S.2710 The bill aims to prevent self-preferrequires American app stores to open encing – the act of favoring in-house their marketplaces to all and allow products and services over competisideloading on devices. The bill pretors’ on one company’s own platforms vents tech companies from monitor– and mandate interoperability – the ing for and blocking against harmful

software that could hurt users. It also puts American users’ data and privacy at risk by crippling companies from securing their technology. Not only are both S.B. 2992 and S.B. 2710 dangerous for national security, but they are also unfair. They only target U.S. technology companies, weakening their position in the global marketplace. Although the sweeping antitrust legislation claims to target a handful of “big tech” companies like Amazon, Facebook and Google, the scope of the legislation is broad and will affect many other American tech companies from the onset and into the future. Being successful and large is not illegal, and these “big tech” companies face competition at home from each other and abroad, especially from China. Why penalize American companies for being successful and keeping America ahead? American technology companies are doing all they can to ensure their devices and services are secure for users. They are proactively taking pricey steps to enhance security for the good of Americans and our national security. For example, Google spent $5.4 bil-

lion to acquire Mandiant, a cybersecurity firm, as an effort to better protect customers and their data from criminals at home and abroad, according to CNBC. Former top national security officials have warned Congress about the national security implications associated with S.B. 2992, and industry professionals have explained how S.B. 2710 puts users at a disadvantage. Why jeopardize the work American companies have done to keep our technology and American’s data safe? Mississippi Sens. Roger Wicker and Cindy Hyde-Smith have the opportunity to stand up for American technology and the devices that make our daily lives easier, our data safer, and our country more secure. They both must vote against S.B. 2992 and S.B. 2710 when they come to the Senate floor for a vote this summer. There is no valid reason to penalize American companies for being a successful global leader and working to keep our technological infrastructure and data safe. CHIP PICKERING currently serves as CEO of INCOMPAS.

Mississippi Business Journal

June 2022 Issue

Healthcare Stroke Center is long time leader in specialized care BY LISA MONTI

trokes, one of the leading causes of death and the number one cause of long-term physical disability, affect 795,000 people each year in the United States, including thousands in Mississippi, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Disabilities such as paralysis, speech difficulties and emotional changes are common in people who suffer a stroke, which is caused when a clot blocks the blood supply to the brain or when a blood vessel bursts in the brain. On average, someone suffers a stroke every 40 seconds, and someone dies of a stroke every four minutes. About 5,000 Mississippians experience their first stroke each year and more than 1,500 die, according to the Mississippi Department of Health. The University of Mississippi Medical Center has been a leader in specialized stroke care for decades. In the late 1960s, UMMC recognized the need for such specialized care and opened one of the first stroke-focused units in the nation. In 2008, UMMC opened its acute care stroke unit offering patients the combined advantages of leading-edge technology, medical expertise and specialty care. UMMC’s Stroke Center provides rapid diagnosis and treatment to patients with brain imaging scans, neurological evaluations, clot-busting medications and surgery when needed. Patient care continues with what the Center calls “aggressive medical care and rehabilitation followed by education and prevention measures to help patients reduce the risk of a second stroke.” Dr. Chad Washington, professor and chair of the Department of Neurosurgery, said the Stroke Center is unique because of the highly specialized care the staff provides patients. “The doctors caring for our patients are board certified in neurology, and our neurosurgeons are all specially trained. We have a dedicated neuroscience ICU with specialty trained doctors to treat patients,” he said. Washington said a vital part of UMMC’s rapid response protocol is AirCare, the center’s medical helicopter transport. AirCare is available to transport patients as quickly as possible to receive care in

MELANIE THORTIS/UMMC PHOTOGRAPHY

Dr. Chad Washington, Neurosurgery

Jackson and other hospitals in the state. The helicopter flight program began in 1996, and its medical flight crews include highly trained critical care nurses and critical care paramedics. “All of these aspects are unique and give us a multidisciplinary team caring for patients to try to improve the outcome,” he said. Over the years, the Stroke Center has been recognized for its service to patients. Most recently it earned the prestigious American Heart Association and American Stroke Association’s Get With the Guidelines-Gold Plus Target: Stroke Elite Plus Honor Roll and Quality Achievement Award for its commitment to providing stroke patients with rapid diagnosis and treatment according to the latest evidence-based standards and guidelines. “What that top award level demonstrates is that for patients who come in and are cared for within our system, we are doing the things that are best for them to treat their current stroke,” said Washington. “And since the Stroke Center opened, we have progressively gotten better and improved in those award metrics.” Risk factors for strokes include diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, all very prominent in Mississippi’s population, according to Washington. “Over the past eight years, Mississippi has been number one and two TURN TO STROKE, 8

Dr. Gustavo Luzardo, associate professor in the Department of Neurosurgery, performs a diagnostic cerebral angiogram on a stroke patient at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.

Shaneka Simmons, a neurology nurse practitioner who treats patients in UMMC’s Stroke Center, was among providers offering stroke awareness and brain health education at Jackson’s New Jerusalem Church.

UMMC’s Stroke Center, in conjunction with the departments of Neurosurgery and Neurology, in March 2022 offered education to thousands of employees on the Jackson campus about stroke prevention and disorders affecting brain health.

June 2022 Issue

Mississippi Business Journal

Healthcare

Pickering pioneers robotics in hip, knee replacement surgery BY LISA MONTI

ust about every week, Dr. Trevor Pickering, an orthopedic surgeon at The Surgery Center at Mississippi Sports Medicine in Flowood, is visited by fellow surgeons from all over the country who want to learn about pioneering robotic equipment and procedures Pickering uses for knee and hip replacements. Pickering also travels the country training other surgeons in the specialized robotics he uses to treat his patients in Mississippi. Over the last 14 years, Pickering has performed more than 800 full and partial knee replacements, the last three years using ROSA robotics developed by Zimmer Biomet. This year, he and his team at The Surgery Center performed the first ROSA robotic hip replacement in the United States. “I got into robotics because I was interested in this particular technology,” Pickering said of the ROSA platform. “Other earlier versions used in orthopedics were very limited and didn’t help us achieve the goals we wanted. But when ROSA came out, I saw it was far superior and more advanced than prior robotics. I really got onboard and worked with the knee replacement system to the point when the hip application was ready, ROSA asked me to help evaluate and introduce it.” As a specialist in knee and hip replacement, Pickering said, “I have people coming to me all the time asking to evaluate new technology. It’s very rare I find something as useful and beneficial for my patients and surgeons” as ROSA. After months of training, he and his team were prepared for the pioneering hip replacement surgery earlier this year. “When the time came, the team was ready and we were able to bring ROSA hip replacement to the state of Mississippi. It went beautifully,” he said. Pickering graduated from the University of California at Berkeley and received his Master’s degree from Columbia University in New York City. While working on his Ph.D. at Columbia, he completed studies in Oxford, England, and Paris. Pickering earned his Doctor of Medicine at Duke University. Pickering’s professional training in orthopedic surgery includes a completed

SAM INGRAM

Dr. Trevor Pickering of The Surgery Center at Mississippi Sports Medicine in Flowood stands in an operating room with the ROSA surgical robot he uses for knee and hip replacements.

Dr. Trevor Pickering, center, stands with the team that performed the first hip replacement surgery using the ROSA machine at The Surgery Center at Mississippi Sports Medicine in Flowood. Orthopaedic Surgery Residency at Duke University Medical Center in 2007 and a Fellowship in total joint replacement at the Center for Hip and Knee Surgery in

Mooresville, Ind. He has published articles and book chapters on joint replacement and has done research in the long-term out-

comes of hip and knee replacement, pain management, blood conservation and minimally invasive surgical techniques. “Robotics technology has been used for years in gynecology and urology procedures. By the time the technology was available in orthopedics, it was mature,” Pickering said. “So we benefited from having a better understanding of its applications over the last several decades.” Pickering has been doing outpatient joint replacements for more than eight years and in the new facility in Flowood for almost three years. “This is one of the largest orthopedic outpatient centers in the nation and we are continuing to expand,” he said. “When it comes to joint replacement in orthopedics, the technical challenge is to get all of pieces of the joint replacement in the exact position so that we can be sure that the position will not change, that the joint will not come out of socket and there won’t be wear and tear of the joint over the years.” Robotics allows the surgeon to “map” out the patient’s hip and help guide the exact implants. “There are several significant benefits to the patient with ROSA technology,” Pickering said. The robotic-assisted surgery is done on an outpatient basis, so patients go home the same day to begin their recovery. Recovery is faster and generally without complications. Pickering was the first in the southeast region of the country to perform hip replacement surgery from the front of the body rather than the rear. “You don’t have to cut tendon and muscle, so patients recover quicker and it makes the replacement inherently more stable,” he said. “The Surgery Center at Mississippi Sports Medicine has the highest volume of robotic-assisted total joint replacement surgeries in Mississippi,” said Pickering. “We are pioneers in our joint replacements and have done a good job trying to make the surgical experience better for our patients.” Pickering said providing patients the benefits of robotics in hip and knee replacements is his passion. “I get great satisfaction seeing patients do better,” he said. “If this technology helps me get patients better quicker, that’s why I’m interested in it.”

Mississippi Business Journal

June 2022 Issue

Health Department: Mississippi medical marijuana months away

BY EMILY WAGSTER PETTUS ASSOCIATED PRESS

JACKSON • It could be the end of the year before medical marijuana is available in Mississippi because businesses need time to receive licenses and to grow, test and prepare to sell the products, state Health Department officials said Monday. The department opened the licensing application process last week for patients and caregivers interested in

Stroke FROM 6

for rates of stroke and in death rate from stroke. Around 2,000 patients per year succumb to stroke.” From the state population standpoint, he said, “Our overarching goal is to reduce the rate of stroke in the state.” “For individuals, it is of the utmost importance to manage their health and be engaged with their health care providers to make sure their blood pressure is under control, diabetes is controlled, and being an advocate for their own health care to make sure they reduce their risks as much as possible,” Washington said. UMMC’s medical specialists are also available as a resource to provide information to and answer questions from other health care providers in the state. “The best treatment for a stroke is to prevent the stroke, and educating patients plays a big role in that,” Washington said. “The Stroke Center partners with different community groups to try to educate people on the risk factors for stroke, how a layman can recognize when to call 911 and to work with health care providers making sure patients who had a stroke are treated appropriately to prevent a second stroke.”

using medical cannabis as allowed under a new state law; for medical practitioners who will certify patients for medical cannabis use; for facilities that will grow, process and test the products; and for businesses that will transport medical cannabis and dispose of waste. On July 1, the state Department of Revenue will start accepting applications for businesses that will dispense medical marijuana. A wide majority of Mississippi voters approved a medical marijuana ballot

initiative in November 2020, but the state Supreme Court invalidated the results of that election six months later by ruling the initiative was not properly on the ballot. Earlier this year, Republican Gov. Tate Reeves signed a law to create a medical marijuana program similar to what voters approved. It allows use of the products by people with debilitating conditions including cancer, AIDS, sickle cell anemia and Alzheimer’s disease.

Kris Jones Adcock, director of the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Program, said Monday that about 1,800 people registered for accounts when the Health Department started accepting licensing applications Wednesday. She said most were patients. She said 15 businesses have completed an application, 12 people have applied for work permits and nine medical practitioners have applied for licenses. She also said those numbers will increase.

June 2022 Issue

Mississippi Business Journal

Healthcare Stroke Care Centers Level

Stroke Care Center

Address

Phone

Website

North Mississippi Medical Center

830 S. Gloster St., Tupelo, MS, 38801

662-377-3000

nmhs.net

St. Dominic Hospital

969 Lakeland Dr., Jackson, MS, 39216

601-200-2000

stdom.com

University of Mississippi Medical Center

2500 N. State St., Jackson, MS, 39216

601-984-1000

umc.edu

Singing River Pascagoula Hospital

2809 Denny Ave., Pascagoula, MS, 39581

228-809-5000

SingingRiverHealthSystem.com

Baptist Medical Center

1225 N. State St., Jackson, MS, 39202

601-968-1000

baptistonline.org/locations/jackson

Forrest General Hospital (Forrest Health)

6051 U.S. Hwy. 49, Hattiesburg, MS, 39402

601-288-7000

forresthealth.org

Greenwood Leflore Hospital

1401 River Rd., Greenwood, MS, 38930

662-459-7000

glh.org

Memorial Hospital at Gulfport

4500 Thirteenth St., Gulfport, MS, 39501

228-867-4000

gulfportmemorial.com

Merit Health Wesley

5001 Hardy St, Hattiesburg, MS, 39402

601-268-8000

MeritHealthWesley.com

Singing River Ocean Springs Hospital

3109 Bienville Blvd, Ocean Springs, MS, 39564

228-818-1111

SingingRiverHealthSystem.com

Anderson Regional Health System

2124 14th St., Meridian, MS, 39301

601-553-6000

andersonregional.org

Baptist Memorial Hospital Calhoun City

140 Burke Calhoun City Rd, Calhoun City, MS, 38916

662-628-6611

baptistonline.org/locations/calhoun

Baptist Memorial Hospital-Attala

220 Highway 12 West, Kosciusko, MS, 39090

662-289-4311

baptistonline.org/locations/attala

Baptist Memorial Hospital-DeSoto

7601 Southcrest Pkwy., Southaven, MS, 38671

662-772-4000

baptistonline.org/locations/desoto

Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle

2520 5th St. N., Columbus, MS, 39705

662-244-1000

baptistonline.org/locations/golden-triangle

Baptist Memorial Hospital-Leake

1100 Highway 16 East, Carthage, MS, 39051

601-267-1100

baptistonline.org/locations/leake

Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi

1100 Belk Blvd., Oxford, MS, 38655

662-636-1000

baptistonline.org/locations/north-mississippi

Baptist Memorial Hospital-Union County

200 Hwy. 30 West, New Albany, MS, 38652

662-538-7631

baptistonline.org/locations/union-county

Baptist Memorial Hospital-Yazoo

823 Grand Ave., Yazoo City, MS, 39194

662-746-2261

baptistonline.org/locations/yazoo

Bolivar Medical Center

901 E. Sunflower Road, Cleveland, MS, 38732

662-846-0061

bolivarmedical.com

Copiah County Medical Center

27190 Hwy 28, Hazlehurst, MS, 39083

601-574-7000

myccmc.org

Covington County Hospital

701 South Holly Avenue, Collins, MS, 39428

601-765-6711

covingtoncountyhospital.com

Delta Health-Northwest Regional

1970 Hospital Dr., Clarksdale, MS, 38614

662-627-3211

deltahealthsystem.org/locations/delta-health-northwest-regional

Delta Health-The Medical Center

1400 E. Union St., Greenville, MS, 38703

662-378-3783

deltahealthsystem.org/locations/delta-regional-medical-center

Highland Community Hospital

130 Highland Parkway, Picayune, MS, 39466

601-358-9400

forresthealth.org/our-locations/highland-community-hospital

Jefferson Davis County Community Hospital

1102 Rose St., Prentiss, MS, 39474

601-792-4276

forresthealth.org/our-locations/jefferson-davis-community-hospital

King's Daughters Medical Center

427 Highway 51 North, Brookhaven, MS, 39601

601-833-6011

kdmc.org

Lackey Memorial Hospital

330 N. Broad St, Forest, MS, 39074

601-469-4151

lackeymemorialhospital.com

Magee General Hospital

300 3rd Ave. SE, Magee, MS, 39111

601-849-5070

mghosp.org

Magnolia Regional Health Center

611 Alcorn Dr., Corinth, MS, 38834

662-293-1000

mrhc.org

Marion General Hospital

1560 Sumrall Road, Columbia, MS, 39429

601-736-6303

forresthealth.org/our-locations/marion-general-hospital

Memorial Hospital at Stone County

1434 E. Central Ave., Wiggins, MS, 39577

601-928-6600

gulfportmemorial.com/schospital

Merit Health Biloxi

150 Reynoir St., Biloxi, MS, 39530

228-432-1571

merithealthbiloxi.com

Merit Health Central

1850 Chadwick Drive, Jackson, MS, 39204

601-376-1000

merithealthcentral.com

Merit Health Madison

161 River Oaks Drive, Canton, MS, 39046

601-855-4000

merithealthmadison.com

Merit Health Natchez

54 Seargent Prentiss Dr., Natchez, MS, 39120

601-443-2100

merithealthnatchez.com

Merit Health Rankin

350 Crossgates Blvd., Brandon, MS, 39042

601-825-2811

merithealthrankin.com

Merit Health River Region

2100 Highway 61 North, Vicksburg, MS, 39183

601-883-5000

merithealthriverregion.com

Methodist Olive Branch Hospital

4250 Bethel Road, Olive Branch, MS, 38654

662-932-9000

methodisthealth.org/locations/methodist-olive-branch-hospital

Neshoba County General Hospital

1001 Holland Ave., Philadelphia, MS, 39350

601-663-1200

neshobageneral.com

North Mississippi Medical Center Gilmore

1105 Earl Frye Blvd, Amory, MS, 38821

662-256-7111

nmhs.net

OCH Regional Medical Center

400 Hospital Rd, Starkville, MS, 39759

662-323-4320

och.org

Ochsner Medical Center - Hancock

149 Drinkwater Blvd., Bay St. Louis, MS, 39520

228-220-5200

ochsner.org/locations/ochsner-medical-center-hancock

Pearl River County Hospital & Nursing Home

305 W. Moody St., Poplarville, MS, 39470

601-795-4543

forresthealth.org/our-locations/pearl-river-county-hospital—nursing-home

Rush Foundation Hospital

1314 19th Ave., Meridian, MS, 39301

601-483-0011

rushhealthsystems.org

Simpson General Hospital

1842 Simpson Highway 149, Mendenhall, MS, 39114

601-847-2221

simpsongeneral.com

Singing River Gulfport Hospital

15200 Community Road, Gulfport, MS, 39503

228-575-7000

SingingRiverHealthSystem.com

South Central Regional Medical Center

1220 Jefferson St., Laurel, MS, 39440

601-426-4000

scrmc.com

Southwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center

215 Marion Ave., McComb, MS, 39648

601-249-5500

smrmc.com

Tippah County Hospital

1005 City Ave. N., Ripley, MS, 38663

662-837-9221

tippahcountyhospital.com

Tyler Holmes Memorial Hospital

409 Tyler Holmes Dr., Winona, MS, 38967

662-283-4114

thmh.org

Wayne General Hospital

950 Matthew Drive, Waynesboro, MS, 39367

601-735-5151

waynegeneralhospital.org

Winston Medical Center

17550 E. Main St, Louisville, MS, 39339

662-773-6211

winstonmedical.org

Level 1: Neurologist, neurosurgeon and endovasular specialists available 24/7; Capable of perform interventional neurology; Has personnel, infrastructure and expertise to diagnose and treat stroke patients who require intensive care. Level 2: Must have all the requirements of Level 1, excluding endovascular capabilities. Level 3: Must have the ability to diagnose and stabilize patient for transfer to Level 1 or 2 Referring Center. List is arranged by Stroke Care Center Level ratings as determined by the Mississippi Stroke System of Care, a collaborative effort among the Mississippi State Department of Health, the Mississippi Healthcare Alliance, the American Heart Association, and the Mississippi Hospital Association.

10 n

Mississippi Business Journal

June 2022 Issue

HelpingYou StayHealthy

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June 2022 Issue

Mississippi Business Journal

Law and Accounting

Founded in 1871, Wells Marble & Hurst remains strong BY LYNN LOFTON

our clients,” he added. “We also have extremely competitive billing rates. he Ridgeland law firm of Wells In major markets, clients have found Marble & Hurst has been in ex- it more cost effective to hire us even istence 151 years, and it’s still when it is necessary for us to hire local going strong. One of the state’s counsel.” oldest firms, it was founded in 1871 by The 1871 founding creed included William Calvin Wells, who built the firm core values that focused on superior on a tradition of and reputation for in- work, integrity, striving for excellence, tegrity and excellence, professionaland investing in the quality of ism and stability. Through the years, the organization. the name has changed, but Wells “The last sentence of the has remained a part of it. firm’s creed states, ‘Our goal In 1968, the current iteration of is to be the best law firm the firm, Wells Marble & Hurst, was possible… not necessarily the established by members William C. largest or the most profitable.’ Wells Jr., Erskine W. Wells Sr., RoMansfield Jr All of these values still ring land D. Marble and Joe Jack Hurst. true and are woven into the “The early successes paved the way fabric of today’s firm,” Mansfield said. to evolve into a firm with a primary “We also promote the importance of presence in Mississippi while expanddiversity as a combination of people ing to a national scope of representafrom various backgrounds fosters an tion for some clients, having handled environment that helps provide an cases in approximately 40 states,” says additional level of legal expertise for Managing Member Kenna L. Mansfield our clients.” Jr. With a number of specialties, Wells With 25 attorneys and 24 staff memMarble has broad-based experience. bers, this venerable firm feels it must be “Always focused on our clients’ goals, doing something right. we help them assess all options, man“Some people might say it’s because age their cases from initial pleadings we hire the best and the brightest through discovery, explore settlement attorneys,” Mansfield said. “Yes, that’s negotiations, and, when necessary, go true. Or they might say our lawyers to trial,” Mansfield said. “Our primary bring an incomparable level of experiareas of practice include insurance ence and knowledge to their work, and defense, transportation law, premises our litigators continue to be successful liability, and products liability. The defending lawsuits in Mississippi and firm also has a long history in the area across the nation. There are many facof estate planning, estate and trust tors that contribute to our firm’s ability administrations, conservatorships and to deliver an excellent work product for guardianships. our clients.” “Additionally, our workers’ compenMansfield lists the firm’s long time sation defense team represents all types representation of the financial services of self-insured employers and workers’ and insurance industries in all facets of compensation carriers in multiple their business and the history of litigaindustries.” tion in a state that for a long time was The firm’s community involvement considered one of the top ten “judicial is shown through their annual suphell holes.” port of the Community Foundation of “We have honed our skills and sucMississippi and by attorneys giving to cessfully defended insurance and other charitable causes and serving as board business clients in a pressure-cooker members for non-profit, corporate and jurisdiction. As a result, we think outmunicipal organizations, and churches. side the box and develop and imple“Our strong commitment to Jackson ment creative strategies for defending and our surrounding communities is

built on the diversity and dedication of our attorneys and staff,” Mansfield said. “Various members of our firm have served in leadership positions in the Ridgeland and Jackson Chambers of Commerce, the Madison County Business League, the Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Commission, and the Mississippi Bar Association.” Achieving rankings and receiving honors is also important to Wells Marble & Hurst. “Our firm is truly honored that we have received many accolades through the years, and we continue to be selected for multiple awards every year,” Mansfield said. “Most of our attorneys

have achieved AV-Preeminent ratings from Martindale-Hubbell as well as having maintained 10.0 AVVO ratings. They have also been selected as Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, Benchmark Local Litigation Stars, ranked in Chambers USA, and more.” The firm is listed as a Tier 1 Best Law Firm and has been selected by A.M. Best for more than 75 years as recommended insurance attorneys. Two attorneys are members of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel. Additionally, some attorneys are recognized as Super Lawyers’ Rising Stars, American Bar Association Rising Stars, and Best Lawyers’ Ones to Watch.

12 n

Mississippi Business Journal

June 2022 Issue

Law and Accounting

Use of forensic accounting growing BY LYNN LOFTON

common in divorces to hire forensic accountants – I do a lot of them, and orensic accounting may be now estates, trusts and abuses in powa type of accounting not well ers of attorney. Someone is trying to known by many people. determine where the assets or revenue Long time Jackson forenhas gone.” sic accountant Glover (Russ) Russell Russell, who has a law degree and a explains, “Generally forensic master’s in tax law in addition to accountants go into applying an accounting degree, observes accounting and financial conthat the use of forensic accountcepts, rules and certain teching has increased in the past 10 niques to determine and verify years. alleged allegations or impropri“I think it’s because people eties.” want money and are more maRussell terialistic; money means more Clients can be any number of individuals and businesses, which to people now and a lot get into finanmay be banks, government entities cial binds,” he said. “It may start small and just about any business that has or maybe they think it’s something cash or assets passing through and they’re entitled to, but it catches up. has a reason to believe there’s some “There have always been abuses impropriety. in businesses, but now we’re seeing “The difference in this type of acmore in the probate area and power of counting and an audit is that it’s not attorney.” the primary objective of an audit to Today’s technology is making forendetect fraud, but an auditor will dissic accounting more difficult, he says. close it if he finds it,” Russell says. “It’s “In addition to just financial state-

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ments, now there’s all the digitization,” he said. “The flexibility of the internet has aided someone who wants to engage in wrongdoing, and tracing it is harder. There are so many categories of transactions; it can be 50 pages.” Because he sees the use of forensic accounting growing along with the use of technology, Russell says the field is an excellent one for young people. “With all that’s coming about, young people are more adept in technology and I don’t see this field going away. It’s a good area of accounting; there’s plenty of opportunity. It’s a broad area, that’s why it’s so interesting,” he said. “Whatever someone’s imagination comes up with regarding money, they’ll try it. For us, finding the fraud is a challenge, sort of like putting a puzzle together.” There are continuing professional education courses available to ac-

countants interested in forensics. “There are options for additional training. Then an accountant can get certified through the American Institute for CPAs,” Russell said. “In 2020, the AICPA came out with the first standards of forensic accounting. Through this national regulatory agency, an accountant can get certified and evaluated.” Forensic accountants sometimes testify in court. “Sometimes we’re called by a lawyer or a company’s accountant if it looks like a case will go to litigation,” Russell said. “We come in and get financial statements to track and trace the area where they think there may be an issue, generally it’s specific. We take the findings to the clients and can serve as an expert witness in court.” This forensic accountant says the practice is very methodical and the practitioner needs that mindset to work through the process.

June 2022 Issue

Mississippi Business Journal

Law and Accounting Oldest Law Firms Rank

Firm

Address

Phone

Website

1 2 3 4 5

1515 Walnut St., Vicksburg MS 39180 923 Washington Ave., Greenville MS 38701 1201 Cherry St., Vicksburg MS 39183 300 Concourse Blvd., Ste. 200, Ridgeland MS 39157 400 Enterprise Drive, Oxford MS 38655

601-636-6532 662-335-6011 601-636-6565 601-605-6900 662-234-8775

campbelldelongllp.com tellerlaw.com wellsmarble.com holcombgroup.com

Dabney & Dabney Campbell Delong, LLP Teller, Hopson & Schrader, LLP Wells Marble & Hurst, PLLC Holcomb Law Group Brunini, Grantham, Grower & Hewes, PLLC

190 E. Capital St., Ste. 100, Jackson MS 39201

601-948-3101

Watkins & Eager PLLC

400 E. Capitol St., Jackson MS 39201

Henry, Barbour, DeCell & Bridgforth, Ltd.

Managing Partners

Open in MS

Lucius B Dabney Robert N. Warrington B. Blake Teller Kenna L. Mansfield Jr.

1835 1861 1866 1871 1885

brunini.com

Samuel C. Kelly

1891

601-965-1900

watkinseager.com

1895

117 E. Jefferson St., Yazoo City MS 39194

662-746-2134

hbdblaw.com

Mitchell, McNutt & Sams, P.A. Rushing & Guice, PLLC Hortman Harlow Bassi Robinson & McDaniel, PLLC Lake Tindall, LLP

105 S. Front St., Tupelo MS 38802 1000 Government St. , Ocean Springs MS 39564

662-842-3871 228-374-2313

mitchellmcnutt.com rushingguice.com

C. Joyce Hall, Corey Hinshaw, James Crongeyer Jr. E Barry Bridgforth, Wiley J Barbour, Wiley J. Barbour, Jr. John G Wheeler William L Guice III, Maria Martinez

414 W. Oak St., Laurel MS 39440

601-649-8611

hortmanharlow.com

127 S. Poplar St., Greenville MS 38701

662-378-2121

Alexander, Johnston & Alexander, P.A.

112 N. Pearman Ave., Cleveland MS 38732

662-843-3631

14 15

Jones Walker LLP Wise Carter Child & Caraway, P.A.

190 E. Capitol St., Ste. 800, Jackson MS 39201 401 E. Capitol St., Ste. 600, Jackson MS 39201

601-949-4900 601-968-5500

laketindall.com alexanderjohnstonand alexanderpa.com joneswalker.com wisecarter.com

Balch & Bingham, LLP

188 E. Capitol St., Suite 1400, Jackson MS 39201

601-961-9900

balch.com

17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Daniel Coker Horton & Bell, P.A. Walker, Brown & Brown P.A. Gore, Kilpatrick & Dambrino, PLLC Butler Snow LLP Young Wells Williams P.A. Eaves Law Firm Montgomery McGraw, PLLC Upshaw, Williams, Biggers & Beckham Page Mannino Peresich & McDermott Smith Phillips Law Firm, PLLC Waller & Waller, Attorneys at Law Hopkins, Barvie & Hopkins, PLLC Courtney Elder Law Associates PLLC Bennett Lotterhos Sulser & Wilson Franke & Salloum, PLLC Richard Schwartz & Associates, P.A.

601-969-7607 662-429-5277 662-226-1891 601-948-5711 601-948-6100 601-355-7961 601-859-3616 662-455-1613 228-374-2100 662-563-4613 601-354-5252 228-864-2200 601-987-3000 601-944-0466 228-868-7070 601-988-8888

Jones Law Firm of Jackson LLP

4400 Old Canton Rd., Ste. 400, Jackson MS 39215 2540 Highway 51S, Hernando MS 38632 2000 Gateway St. No. 160, Grenada MS 38901 1020 Highland Colony #1400, Ridgeland MS 39157 141 Township Ave., Ste 300, Ridgeland MS 39157 101 N. State St., Jackson MS 39201 151 W. Peace St., Canton MS 39046 309 Fulton St., Greenwood MS 38930 759 Howard Ave., Biloxi MS 39530 695 Shamrock Dr., Batesville MS 38606 220 S. President St., Jackson MS 39201 2701 24th Ave., Gulfport MS 39501 7708 Old Canton Rd., Ste. B, Madison MS 39110 190 E. Capitol St., Ste. 650, Jackson MS 39205 10071 Lorraine Road, Gulfport MS 39503 162 East Amite St., Jackson MS 39201 1060 E County Line Rd Suite 3A-331, Ridgeland MS 39157

Wilkins Patterson Copeland, Cook, Taylor & Bush, P.A.

9 10 11

36 38

1904 1908 1919

Heath S. Douglas

1919

Robert G. Johnston

1920 1937 1941

danielcoker.com wbblaw.us gorekilpatrick.com butlersnow.com youngwells.com eaveslaw.com montgomerymcgraw.com upshawwilliams.com pmp.org smithphillips.com wallerandwaller.com hopkins-law.com elderlawms.com blswlaw.com frankesalloum.com 1call.ms

William H. Hines Charles E. Ross, George H. Ritter M. Stanford Blanton, Tara P. Ellis, Ricky Cox Wilton V. Byars III William A. Brown Jay Gore III Christopher R. Maddux Wes Daughdrill John Arthur Eaves, John Arthur Eaves Jr. Donald A. McGraw Jr. J. L. Wilson IV Ronald G. Peresich Richard T. Phillips Robert O. Waller Mariano Barvie, Norris Hopkins Richard A. Courtney Marcus M. Wilson Fred Feeney Richard B Schwartz

601-957-5747

Facebook

Bernard Jones Jr., Shannon Jones

1984

4735 Old Canton Road, Ste 108, Jackson MS 39211

601-366-4343

wilkinspatterson.com

Casey Younger, Amy Felder, Nicholas Garrard, Robert Stephenson

1985

601-856-7200

copelandcook.com

John H. Geary Jr.

1985

Forman Watkins & Krutz LLP Phelps Dunbar Chinn & Associates, P.C.

1076 Highland Colony Pkwy., Ste. 200, Ridgeland MS 39157 210 E. Capitol St., Suite 2200, Jackson MS 39201 4270 I-55 North, Jackson MS 39211-6391 4316 Old Canton Rd., Ste. 200, Jackson MS 39211

601-960-8600 601-352-2300 601-366-4410

formanwatkins.com phelpsdunbar.com chinnlaw.com

1986 1986 1988

Blackmon & Blackmon, PLLC

907 W. Peace St. , Canton MS 39046

601-859-1567

blackmonlawfirm.com

Williford, McAllister, Jacobus & White, LLP

303 Highland Park Cove, Ste. A, Ridgeland MS 39157

601-991-2000

wmjwlaw.com

Trey Watkins, Edwin Gault, Joshua Metcalf W. Thomas Siler Jr. Mark A. Chinn Edward Blackmon Jr., Barbara M. Blackmon Reeve G. Jacobus Jr., Samuel H. Williford, Shelly Gunn Burns, John Robert White Vikki J. Taylor Lisa W. McKay Scott Pedigo

1995

Martin Regimbal G. Dewey Hembree III M. Scott Jones

1995 1995 1996 1996 1996 1996 1997 1997 1999 1999 1999 2000 2001 2001 2001 2003 2003 2003 2003 2003

Taylor Jones & Associates, PLLC 1012 Madison Ave Suite D, Madison MS 39110 601-608-8604 taylorjoneslaw.com Currie Johnson & Myers, P.A. 1044 River Oaks Dr., Jackson MS 39232 601-969-1010 curriejohnson.com Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & One Eastover Center, 100 Vision Dr, Ste 400, Jackson MS 43 601-351-2400 bakerdonelson.com Berkowitz 39211 The Kullman Firm, PLC 119 3rd St. S., Suite 2, Columbus MS 39701 662-244-8824 kullmanlaw.com McGlinchey Stafford 1020 Highland Colony #702, Ridgeland MS 39157 769-524-2300 mcglinchey.com Adams and Reese LLP 46 1018 Highland Colony #800, Ridgeland MS 39157 601-353-3234 adamsandreese.com Page, Kruger & Holland, P.A. 10 Canebrake Blvd., Ste. 200, Flowood MS 39232 601-420-0333 pagekruger.com Shows Law Firm 242 Market St, Flowood MS 39232 601-664-0044 showslawfirm.com Barnes, Bailey & Janoush 5 River Bend Place, Ste. A, Flowood MS 39232 601-981-6336 bbj-law.com Deutsch Kerrigan LLP 50 2510 14th St., Suite 1001, Gulfport MS 39501 228-864-0161 deutschkerrigan.com Morton Law Firm, PLLC 402 E. Main St., Clinton MS 39056 601-925-9797 mortonelderlaw.com Law Offices of Craig M. Geno PLLC 52 587 Highland Colony Parkway, Ridgeland MS 39157 601-427-0048 Jernigan Copeland Attorneys, PLLC 970 Ebenezer Blvd, Madison MS 39110 601-427-0021 jcalawfirm.com Massey, Higginbotham & Vise, P.A. 3003 Lakeland Cove, Ste. E, Flowood MS 39232 601-420-2200 mhvlaw.com Mayo Mallette PLLC 55 2094 Old Taylor Road, Suite 200, Oxford MS 38655 6622360055 mayomallette.com Krebs, Farley & Dry, PLLC 56 258 Market St, Flowood MS 39232 601-968-6710 kfplaw.com Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP One Jackson Place, Ste. 400, Jackson MS 39201 601-948-8000 bradley.com Hancock Law Firm, PLLC 855 S. Pear Orchard Bldg 100, Ridgeland MS 39157 601-853-2223 hancocklawgroup.com Burr & Forman LLP 59 190 E. Capitol St., Suite M-100, Jackson MS 39201 601-355-3434 burr.com Anderson Crawley & Burke, PLLC 216 Draperton Court, Ridgeland MS 39157 601-707-8800 acblaw.com Glover Russell, P.A. 120 N. Congress St., Ste. 600, Jackson MS 39201 601-709-7000 gloverrussell.com Knight Law Offices, PLLC 300 Highland Park Cove, Ste. C, Ridgeland MS 39157 601-956-5771 Heilman Law Group, P.A. 4266 I-55 N. Suite 106, Jackson MS 39211 601-914-1025 heilmanlawgroup.com Information provided by company representatives and MBJ research. Direct questions to frank.brown@msbusiness.com. 41 42

1895

John Howard Shows Harris H. "Trip" Barnes III Doug Vaughn, Matt Quinlivan Ronald C. Morton Craig M. Geno Arthur F. Jernigan Jr, Clyde X Copeland III G. Michael Massey Elizabeth Danford, Paul B. Watkins Jr. Craig N. Mangum Margaret Oertling Cupples Pamela L Hancock Cheri T. Gatlin Daniel Culpepper Glover Alcorn "Russ" Russell Jr. James T. Knight Michael A. Heilman

1945 1946 1950 1952 1954 1962 1963 1967 1971 1972 1974 1976 1977 1978 1980 1981 1981

1988 1991 1992 1994

14 n

Mississippi Business Journal

June 2022 Issue

Insurance and Employee Benefits There are ways to help with pandemic-related stress in the workforce

BY BECKY GILLETTE

t is well established that the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic have led to an increase in people who have anxiety, depression or other forms of mental illness. The Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) has done research indicating that pandemic and the resulting economic recession negatively affected many people’s mental health and created new barriers for people already suffering from mental illness and substance use disorders. KFF said that during the pandemic, about four in 10 adults in the U.S. reported symptoms of anxiety or depression. Those conditions can certainly affect absenteeism, productivity and morale in the workplace. The need for mental health services has definitely increased during the pandemic, said Angela Ladner, executive director of the Mississippi Psychiatric Association, the state branch of the American Psychiatric Association (APA). “I think the national data tends to indicate the isolation and disruption in a normal routine for so long created a lot of different problems,” Ladner said. “Most people would say the lock downs, isolation, and the separation from friends and relatives were very difficult. A lot of people lost loved ones to COVID-19 in that time frame, and they couldn’t even be in the hospital with them.” APA is advocating for statutory changes within hospital associations to make sure that at least one person is allowed to be with a patient even in the direst situations. A patient should always have at least one advocate, a friend or family member, who is allowed to be with patients to make sure they are getting what is needed and that they are not alone. Ladner said outcomes are much better when patients have this kind of support.

There is a lot employers can do to help have a mentally healthy workplace. Ladner recommends the resources at the APA website. It includes tabs for returning to workplace guides, employee mental health now and beyond COVID-19, and how to address burnout in the workforce. “That resource guide continues to be updated consistently,” Ladner said. “It is a great place for best practices and resources. A lot of people have burnout. Many of our physiLadner cians, nurses and other healthcare providers have had a huge battle with burnout because of the different stresses that have come about in the past several years.” While psychiatrists are essential to providing care for those with the most chronic and serious mental illnesses, Ladner said it is actually primary care physicians who are on the front lines many times with mental health concerns. “About 80% of most mental health issues are dealt with at the primary care level,” Ladner said. Federal regulations require employers with more than 50 employees to provide coverage for mental health just as for any other type of disease. Ladner said they would like to see small businesses do all that is possible to address mental health, as well. “In our state, small businesses are what keeps the economy moving,” she said. “We must have employees who are able to come to work and function in a healthy manner. And mental health is usually a huge piece of other underlying illnesses. For example, sometimes addictions can create mental health concerns. There is a lot that needs to be addressed in order to be able to go to work and function and be the best possible employee.” The pandemic has led to some positive changes in how healthcare is delivered. The Mississippi Legis-

lature recently passed SB 2738 that includes provisions for telehealth and telemedicine regulations. “This is a very positive step that the legislature took,” Ladner said. “Our association, the Mississippi State Medical Association, and the Mississippi Insurance Department all worked to make sure emergency orders issued during COVID were codified into statute. We saw so many mental health patients who needed to have access and continued treatment during the lockdown. Telehealth and telemedicine bridged a huge gap. Prior to pandemic, only provider to provider could participate in telehealth. Now it can be from provider to patient. That has been a huge and transformative change for healthcare in our state.” Telehealth can be particularly helpful for people who live in rural areas without a nearby specialist, or those without transportation. Ladner said telehealth allows health care providers to see, speak and discuss issues with patients, and then discern if there is a need for emergency care or other steps such as visiting a provider. “It has broadened our ability to provide access by a medical specialist to care and treatment for both emergency and non-emergency conditions,” Ladner said. “I definitely think telemedicine was transformative in the pandemic and

is going to remain in the toolbox for patients and physicians. It is not a replacement for in-person visits, but meant to be an aid for people who are already stabilized and don’t need any changes in their medical treatment plan.” Some providers found that by being able to go into a patient’s environment, they could see more. For example, an alcoholic patient might deny drinking while bottles of alcohol can be seen nearby. “It was a very eye-opening change and approach that allowed the physician to better understand the environment in which the patient resides,” Ladner said. Ladner said COVID-19 caused the most problems in the adolescent and geriatric populations. Children had difficulty with remote learning and isolation, and elders were dealing with isolation and fear from a virus that was particularly deadly to people their age. Ladner said most adolescents in the state don’t have access to mental health specialists. Parents, for example, might have to take a child from the Coast to Jackson once a month. “The anxiety that causes with relocation from their environment is huge,” she said. “Then the parent has to lose a whole day of work. With telemedicine and telehealth, that is not always the case anymore.”

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June 2022 Issue

Mississippi Business Journal

Insurance and Employee Benefits Telematics can help you develop safer driving habits while saving money on insurance BY BECKY GILLETTE

re you a Sunday driver? Or do you often treat the road you use to commute to work like a racetrack? How often you drive and driving habits like sudden braking, speeding and fast acceleration all can impact the likelihood of you being in an accident. People who work from a home office and have safe driving habits might save 10% to 15% on their insurance rates if they use a telematic device on their vehicle that feeds information back to their insurance company about the policy holder’s driving habits. The Mississippi Insurance Department (MID) lists “check to see if your insurer offers reduced rates for agreeing to use a telematic device,” on a list of 10 Insurance-Smart Things to do When Buying a New Car. Telematic devices can also be used on older vehicles and they can come in many forms, said MID Director of Consumer Services Andy Case. “With the older cars, a lot have the ability to plug in the device under the dash,” Case said. “Telematics can even be tied to your cell phone as an app to track your movements and driving. Some use Bluetooth devices through your phone. For some newer vehicles, you can make it part of the technology package. Each company has a way you can use telematics if you would like to consider it.” Case said in addition to tracking how fast you accelerate, how many times you break hard and the miles driven, the insurance company can look at whether you are driving in peak traffic hours, whether you are driving at night or during the day, and where the vehicle is being driven, urban versus rural, for example. All those can go into risk factors for driving. “If you are parked in a garage most of the time, your exposure to accidents is reduced,” Case said. “Therefore, you get a bigger discount than someone on the road for more than four hours a day. Companies use the information differently.

SHUTTERSTOCK

Everyone does what they think will make them more competitive. “Some say if you allow them to use telematics devices, it won’t be used against you. But if they see you are driving safely, they will apply that to your rate. My agent has reached out to me twice telling me I can get a better rate if I use telematics. Insurance companies are trying to get their customers to use it.” Rural areas are generally safer than urban areas with heavy traffic. Since Mississippi is largely a rural state, using telematics could be an advantage to many policyholders.

Having to drive frequently in areas with road construction can increase risks. Case said that frequently correlates to the time spent on the road, as well. Interstate 55 from Byrum to Jackson has been under construction for a long time, and the drive time that used to be 20 minutes can now be more like 40 minutes. Interstate 10 between Biloxi and Gulfport has a lot of traffic, but no construction, so there is less risk. “Anything that keeps you on the road longer increases your risk of an accident,” Case said. TURN TO TELEMATICS, 16

City of Vicksburg employees now have increased mental health benefits BY BECKY GILLETTE

icksburg Mayor George Flaggs Jr. said one of the most noticeable things to him pre-COVID-19 compared to today is the attitude of city employees. “I felt the COVID-19 impact was devastating,” Flaggs said. “I noticed the isolation was affecting all our employees. I felt we should

treat mental health the same as we treat physical health. We are concerned with the well-being of the employees and their family members. We also want employees to perform as best they can. Something like COVID affects everyone.” The city of Vicksburg hired NuLife Health Care to serve their Flaggs employees and their dependents. In addition to providing mental health

services, it provides training to help division heads and staff members be aware of the signs of mental health issues in employees. The services were considered particularly important for police and firemen, who can face major stresses on the job at any time. But Flaggs said other employees are also benefiting from the program. NuLife has come into the workplace to perform clinics. “It has been a phenomenal experience

for us, and I think it is working well,” Flaggs said. “We started this in March with a number of work sessions with the fire and police departments, and other departments like recreation and public works. “That is what we will do until every employee has had the opportunity to be in a work session so we can be able to determine their needs. I believe in the wellness of the whole mind, body and soul.”

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Mississippi Business Journal

June 2022 Issue

Insurance and Employee Benefits Telematics FROM 15

“That is just statistics. If your vehicle is parked a lot, telematics can really benefit you.” One of the things insurers hope to accomplish with telematics is giving drivers feedback on driving habits that can enlighten them on where they can improve safety. Case said if you can make drivers more aware and reduce insurance costs, everyone wins. Telematics can also be used to keep an eye on student drivers. “If I had young drivers on my policy, I would absolutely have it,” Case said. Sometimes people might not associate the word “telematics” with the program they use from their insurance company. For example, Allstate’s program is called Drive Wise. Some people don’t want “Big Brother” watching their lives that invasively. But most companies have strict privacy rules, and information from their customers is not shared. Being accident free is still one of the most significant factors when setting rates. Case said the higher the number of claims you have, the more likely it is that the insurance company will re-evaluate what kind of risk you are. “Any time a company writes insurance on you, they are trying to make educated guesses about what kind of risk you are,” Case said. Case said telematics, including dash cameras, have been in use in commercial trucking for a long time. In addition to making sure drivers are being safe,

it can help defend the company in a liability situation. Telematics is newer to the private market. Other devices like back-up cameras can be beneficial, but Case said people tend to rely on them too much. Fea-

tures like lane change departure warnings can help with safety. Industry studies support that consumer interest and awareness in telematics and/or usage-based insurance offerings continues to grow, a spokesperson

for State Farm Insurance said in an email to the Mississippi Business Journal.” “Drive Safe & Save offers customers the ability to save 10 percent for enrolling and then personalizes the discount based on the

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telematics data captured,” the spokesperson said. “Individual discounts vary by state. Customers save on average between 10 to 15 percent.” The Drive Safe & Save mobile app provides feedback on braking,

acceleration, cornering, speed and phone usage to promote safer driving. “We continue to see additional uses of telematics data within the industry including commercial auto offerings,” State Farm said.

June 2022 Issue

Mississippi Business Journal

Insurance and Employee Benefits Largest Independent Insurance Agencies Rank

Agency Address

Phone Website

Ross & Yerger Insurance Inc. 100 Vision Drive, Suite 100, Jackson, MS 39211 SouthGroup Insurance Services 795 Woodlands Pkwy Suite 101, Ridgeland, MS 39157 FBBInsurance 248 E. Capital St., Ste. 1200, Jackson, MS 39201 Gallagher 1076 Highland Colony, Ste 300, Ridgeland, MS 39157 The Nowell Agency Inc. 1500 Old Fannin Rd., Brandon, MS 39047 BXS Insurance 525 E Capitol St. 2nd Floor, Jackson, MS 39201

601-948-2900 rossandyerger.com 601-914-3220 southgroup.net 601-960-8200 fbbins.com 601-956-5810 ajg.com 601-992-4444 nowellagency.com

Top Officer Founded

Products

Dudley D Wooley, Eason Leake Business; personal; life; employee benefits; surety bonding; risk 1860 management; specialty products for financial institutions Ronald P. Tubertini Commercial and Personal Insurance; Employee Benefits; Risk 2 2002 Management Scott Woods Business; property/casualty; surety; professional liability; employee 3 1936 benefits; life; personal home & auto Stephen Fountain Commercial property; liability insurance; workers' comp; surety 1927 bonding; loss prevention; employee benefits Michael A. Nowell Bonds; business; personal; health; employee benefits; home and 5 1984 auto. Markham McKnight 6 601-718-8237 P&C and Benefits 1904 Bill Dalton, Allen Maxwell, Debbie Renasant Insurance 662-842-1321 Personal; business; client services; investment management; estate 7 Shempert, Robby Robertson renasantinsurance.com planning 315 Main St., Tupelo, MS 38804 1904 Lemon Mohler Insurance Agency 228-875-7777 Mark Mohler, Scott Lemon Personal; Commercial; Life/Health; Special Programs; Employee 8 lemonmohler.com 1947 Benefits 806 Washington Ave., Ocean Springs, MS 39564 HUB International Gulf South 601-707-2050 C. Larry Vance, Brent Tyler Commercial Property & Casualty Insurance; Personal Insurance; 9 hubinternational.com 1945 Employee Benefits; Third Party Administrator; Retirement 300 Concourse Blvd., Ste. 300, Ridgeland, MS 39157 Northwestern Mutual 601-664-1212 Nick Jude Fiorito Financial Planning ridgeland.nm.com 1968 210 Draperton Grove, Ridgeland, MS 39157 Galloway-Chandler-McKinney Insurance, LLC 662-328-0492 Brandt Galloway Property and casualty insurance (commercial and personal lines), 11 gcminsurance.com 1983 Surety, Benefits 2320 Commerce Dr., Columbus, MS 39705 Southern Insurance Group, LLC 601-736-9899 Danny Wilks 12 Property, Casualty, Life, Accident & Health sigins.com 2001 1023 Highway 98, Columbia, MS 39429 John Russell O'Neal, Scott Bishop Insurance Agency, LLC 228-354-0877 13 Mosher, Harry Hamrick Personal Lines, Commercial Lines, Life/Health, Specialty, Benefits bishopins.com 14507 Lemoyne Blvd , Biloxi , MS 39532 2000 Assured Partners 601-849-2271 Danny Moseley 14 Personal, commercial lines and benefits assuredpartners.com 1978 1663 Simpson Hwy. 49, Magee, MS 39111 Cooke Insurance Center Inc. 662-429-4488 Thomas "TA" Wooten 15 Business owners; workers' comp; auto; home; life; specialty cookeins.com 1915 220 W. Commerce St., Hernando, MS 38632 MWG Employer Services 877-759-5765 Joel Jasper Insured/self-funded health plans; life; disability; dental; vision; 16 morganwhite.com 1987 employee benefits; HR administration; payroll administration 500 Steed Road, Ridgeland, MS 39157 Insurance Protection Specialists 601-992-4040 Bubba Howell Auto, Home, Life, Business Insurance ips-ms.com 2004 5500 Plaza Drive Suite A, Flowood, MS 39232 The Insurance Mart Inc. 601-956-5093 Ladd Bratcher Commercial; personal; property/casualty; bonds; health; life insurancemartinc.com 1964 6045 Ridgewood Rd., Jackson, MS 39211 Fulton Insurance, Inc. 662-862-3111 Steve R Gregory, Rickey S Riley 19 All Personal and Commercial Lines Fultoninsurance.net 1943 1601 S. Adams, Suite A, Fulton , MS 38843 Information provided by company reps and MBJ research. Ranked by number of Mississippi agents. Direct questions to frank.brown@msbusiness.com 1

Miss. agents 114 112 100 100 50 41 30 28 25 25 20 18 17 15 10 7 7 7 6

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Mississippi Business Journal

June 2022 Issue

Real Estate and Construction

BY DENNIS SEID

Housing market has been hot, but a cool down is expected

DAILY JOURNAL

he hot housing market is likely to cool down with rising mortgage rates, but for now it remains fairly steady, according to real estate agents, brokers and associations across Mississippi. Inventory remains low in virtually every market. That means bidding wars often erupt for much sought-after homes. But the real estate executives do see an eventual slowdown in sales accompanied with a price drop. It’s just a matter of when that happens. On the Gulf Coast, Bay St. Louis and Ocean Springs are popular with tourists, and the cities have seen large increases in sales and home prices, according to Gulf Coast Association of Realtors Danny Lee. “The housing market along the coast has been booming over the last several years. We’ve seen a huge increase in both primary home purchases, as well as second-home purchases,” he said. “The coast is fast becoming a popular tourist destination and has been receiving a lot of national attention for its affordability compared to other beach communities.” The average sales price s $268,000, and homes are on the market for an average of 26 days. “We have seen a slight stabilization of the market with rising interest rates, but the market seems to be holding strong,” Lee said. “We anticipate these trends will continue for the near future.” In the Greater Golden Triangle area – which includes Choctaw, Clay, Lowndes, Noxubee, Oktibbeha, Webster and Winston counties – association board president Rick McGill said, “We are blessed in our area to have one of the country’s fastest growing industry areas. Being a right to work state and us here in the Golden Triangle area having these Megasite work development plots, we have doubled our industry in just a few years. Couple that with the Columbus Air Force Base and Mississippi State University, things are good.” The average selling price in the area is $212,647, but the best-selling homes in recent years has ranged from $250,000-

Real estate markets are still hot despite rising interest rates. $350,000. “Of course the Feds raising rates are beginning to affect sales. The higher the rates, the lower the average price is going to become,” McGill said.”I still think prices and inventory are going to remain close to where we are now. The cost of building is still so high.” With the Federal Reserve raising shortterm rates to fight inflation, borrowing costs will increase. The record-low interest rates enjoyed for the past several years is history and unlikely to return anytime soon as the Fed struggles to deal with the highest inflation in 40 years. Rates on home loans have soared in the past few months, mostly in anticipation of the Fed’s moves, and will probably keep rising. The national average for a 30-year fixed mortgage has jumped from 3% at the start of the year to well above 5%. The higher mortgage rates will likely dampen home buyers and home prices could rise at slower pace. There is evidence of that happening, as sales of existing homes have fallen for six straight months. Also, new home sales have falle. These two factors combined have modestly boosted the supply of available properties. Still, in hot markets like Oxford, multi-

SHUTTERSTOCK

ple offers on homes is not uncommon. Linda Allgood, associate executive of the North Central Mississippi Realtors, said “Any new subdivisions in Lafayette County and especially developments inside the Oxford city limits are the fastest growing. However, we have such a condo/townhouse market that those developments are always in high demand.” Last year the median price was $278,000 for single family homes and $225,000 for a townhouse/condo. Those prices are just for Lafayette County for the townhouse/condo since it is the only area in the market with a demand for those types of properties due to the student population and second home market, Allgood said. The association includes Lafayette, Yalobusha, Panola and parts of Calhoun, Pontotoc, Union and Marshall counties. Like her colleagues across the industry in the state, she expects the interest rates to have an effect on sales. “In the last few weeks with interest rates rising, we have started to see a slight slowdown with days on market and properties going under contract. We expect that to continue in the months ahead,” she said. Another booming market is DeSoto County. Amy Patterson is president of

the Northwest Mississippi Association of Realtors, which encompasses DeSoto, Panola, Tate and Tunica counties. There, Olive Branch and Southaven are the fastest-growing communities. Hernando also is picking up momentum. The average selling price in the area is nearly $324,000, and the average days on market is a mere 13 days. “Northwest Mississippi is definitely booming,” Patterson said. “We have seen record sales in real estate in the past few years. In May 2019 average sales price was $218,723 with an average days on market of 44 days.” She added, “Cash is king in this market. Many sellers want a quick sale with no requests for repairs and that generally ends up being investors. We are also seeing sellers decide not to accept offers from investors because they aren’t wanting more rentals in the neighborhood they’ve lived in for so many years, along with subdivisions adopting new standards and not allowing rentals.” In East Mississippi, which includes Lauderdale, Clark, Kemper, Neshoba and Newton counties, it remains a seller’s market for now. “It’s not unusual to have multiple offers and be under contract within 24 hours,” said East Mississippi Realtors association executive Betty Oltremari. “Values have increased, I would say proximately 20% last 2-3 years.” As for the rising interest rates, they haven’t slowed the market just yet. “I anticipate that it will if interest rates continue to rise, then we will transition back to a more stable market,” Oltremari said. Shawn Lowery, association executive for the Southwest Mississippi Board of Realtors which is comprised of Lincoln, Pike, Walthall, Lawrence and Amite counties, said the area is in the very beginning of a slow down. “I anticipate the rates to further slow sales and for inventory to increase,” she said, adding, “I see the interest rates affecting the amount buyers can qualify for. That will put downward pressure on pricing and may even make the lesser TURN TO HOUSING, 20

June 2022 Issue

Mississippi Business Journal

Real Estate and Construction Metal roofs can provide long-term benefits BY DENNIS SEID DAILY JOURNAL

SALTILLO • Everyone needs a roof over their heads, but also important is the type of roof. Most homes typically have asphalt roofs, which, depending on the climate, last for 10-20 years. Metal roofs, on the other hand, can last 50-70 years, depending on the metal used and the maintenance. According to Underwriters Laboratories (UL), a roof is an important element of a building’s construction. “When properly designed and installed it can provide years of protection against the elements, including fire rain, snow, ice and high winds.” “Having a metal roof or building doesn’t mean it will stop a fire,” said Mark Barnett, the general manager of the Tupelo/Saltillo location. “We have wildfires which are common out west, and it’s the embers that are the biggest problem, especially with asphalt roofs. Asphalt is petroleum based, and it burns. Metal roofs can withstand about four hours of intense heat.” FEMA recommends that in fireprone areas that homeowners consider replacing their roofs of wood or asphalt shingles with a fire-resistant material such as metal, which has a Class A fire rating, the highest available. The Metal Roofing Alliance says metal roofing also is highly water resistant, energy efficient, low maintenance, durable and an overall more sustainable material choice. Equally important for any roof is the underlayments, which the International Building Code defines as”one or more layers of a material that is

ADAM ROBISON | DAILY JOURNAL

Van Gray, an employee at Reeds Metals in Saltillo, pulls formed sheets of metal off of the roll form machine on Tuesday.

ods to provide unprecedented quality and service.” Barnett said the use of metal roofs varies according to location. On the Gulf Coast a high percentage of homes feature them. In Brookhaven, where Reed’s was founded, about a 30-35% of homes have them. In Northeast Mississippi, it’s about 10-15% but growing. Typically residential roofs are exposed fastener, where the residential roof panel has an exposed three-quarter inch rib and the screw lines are visible. A standing seam roof uses clips mounted to the decking and the roof panel are mounted to the decking, and there are no exposed fasteners. Standing seam roofs also have superior in wind uplift resistance. These systems are more expensive but are growing in high-end homes. “We’re seeing it just explode over in Oxford,” Barnett said. Commercial projects are an important segment of Reed’s Metals, and the

applied to a steep-slope roof covering Alabama, Arkanas, Florida, Louisiana, deck under the roof overing and resists Missouri, Tennessee and Texas. liquid water that penetrates the roof Reed’s says it “utilizes state-of-thecovering.” art technology and fabrication methRoofing products and systems also are required by code to be tested and evaluated for wind and impact resistance. “Metal roofs certainly provide protection,” Barnett said. Reed’s Metals was founded in 1998 and has been an award-winning and W E H AV E SERV ED N OR T H MIS SIS SIPPI for more industry leading provider of metal than 90 years. While we are here for you, you are here roofing and panels systems, post for us. Together, we make our communities stronger. frame, tube buildings and pre-engiWe’ve grown, expanded, and adapted—always with the goal of of serving you better. Now, we are moving neered steel buildings and storage forward with an updated name and logo. Our solutions. Reed’s Metals has 10 locaownership, leadership, and staff will not change. Our dedication to our communities will not waver. tions, including eight manufacturing Thank you for allowing us to serve you for nearly sites (three with IAS Certification) nine decades. We look forward to serving you into the future. We’re better, together. and two store front locations. Reed’s Metals locations are in Mississippi,

TURN TO ROOFS, 20

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Mississippi Business Journal

Roofs

June 2022 Issue

in Idaho, its 47th state – and 1,750 remodels. FROM 19 Dollar General also plans construction of Dollar open its first internationGeneral stores has keep al stores, with 10 locait busy. With more than tions in Mexico. 18,000 stores in 46 states, Reed’s Metals’ custhe discount retailer tomer mix doesn’t lean plans to build 1,110 new stores this year – including its first stores

Housing FROM 18

expensive homes in higher demand for a while.” And in Picayune, MLS president Bruce Kammer said,”We have had a very strong market which is starting to show signs of slowing. With the lack of inventory, coupled with interest rates rising homes will be longer on the market ... Sellers are still looking at ‘boom’ prices, but as days on market get longer, those prices will come down.” dennis.seid@djournal.com

heavily commercial or residential however. “We do a little of both; it’s about 50-50,” Barnett said. While metal roofs are more expensive than asphalt roofs, Barnett said

the long-term benefits of metal roofs can’t be ignored. “Metal roofs is often a discretionary purchase; the only time you have to have it is if you’re building a brand new house

or something,” Barnett said. “Right now, with the economic uncertainty, you could see metal roofs tapering off some. But part of our business that’s booming is our commercial customers.

“They’re not thinking about today – they’re thinking about 20 years or more down the road and that this is going to be with me for a long time.” dennis.seid@djournal.com

June 2022 Issue

Mississippi Business Journal

Real Estate and Construction Largest Commercial Real Estate Firms Rank 1 2 3

Company Name Address

Telephone Website

Top Officer Founded

Coldwell Banker Commercial Alfonso Realty 9153 Lorraine Road, Gulfport, MS 39503 Overby Commercial 1808 N. State St., Jackson, MS 39202 Coldwell Banker Stewart Realty 131 S. Commerce St, Natchez, MS 39120 Cook Commercial Properties, LLC 1501 Lakeland Drive, Jackson, MS 39216 Kerioth Corporation 361 Township Ave, Ste 200, Ridgeland, MS 39157 Randall Commercial Group, LLC 850 Insight Park Ave., University, MS 38677 Concord Capital/Duckworth Realty 308 E. Pearl St., Jackson, MS 39201 The Estes Group, Inc. 613 Crescent Circle, Ste. 102, Ridgeland, MS 39157 London & Stetelman Commercial Realtors 3906 Hardy St., Ste. 20, Hattiesburg, MS 39402

228-287-1200 cbarcommercial.com 601-366-8511 Overby.net 601-442-9999 natchezcoldwellbanker.com 601-260 0753 cookcommproperties.com 601-368-9950 kerioth.com 662-234-4044 randallcommercialgroup.com 601-914-0800 duckworthrealty.com 601-362-9633 estesgroup.net 601-268-8770 londonandstetelman.com

NAI UCR Properties&Underwood Companies 660 Katherine,#304, Jackson, MS 39232

601-981-6800 ucrproperties.com

Southeast Commercial of MS, LLC 2310 19th St., Gulfport, MS 39501

228-276-2700 southeastcommercial.net

H.C. Bailey Company / Colony Properties 1022 Highland Colony, #300, Ridgeland, MS 39157 Speed Commercial Real Estate 805 S. Wheatley St, Ste 200, Ridgeland, MS 39157 Howard Johnson Properties, LLC 1525 Parker Dr., Laurel, MS 39440 J. Walter Michel Agency Inc. 2660 Ridgewood Rd. Suite 101, Jackson, MS 39216 Kennedy & Company Real Estate Inc. 120 W. Jackson St., Ste. 2C, Ridgeland, MS 39157 Lane-Harkins Commercial Real Estate, LLC 12 River Bend Place, Flowood, MS 39232 Mattiace Companies 125 S. Congress St., Ste. 1800, Jackson, MS 39201 The Cress Group, LLC 661 Sunnybrook Rd, Ste 120, Ridgeland, MS 39157 CBRE, Inc. 10 Canebrake Blvd., Ste. 325, Flowood, MS 39232 Landmart, Dean Land & Realty Co. 303 N. Broad St., Leland, MS 38756 Peters Real Estate 2906 N. State St., Ste. 201, Jackson, MS 39216 T.L. Brown Properties 1991 Lakeland Dr., Ste. J, Jackson, MS 39216 TRI Inc. Commercial Realtors 324 Troy St, Tupelo, MS 38804 Carpenter Properties Inc. 1437 Old Square Road, #104, Jackson, MS 39211 Century Commercial Real Estate Services 205 E. Troy St, Suite 301, Tupelo, MS 38804 Commercial Real Estate Services Inc. P.O. Box 13853, Jackson, MS 39236-3853 Cumbest Realty Inc. 17725 Hwy. 63, Moss Point, MS 39562 Greer Real Estate 140 Mullherrin Drive, Madison, MS 39110 Hertz Investment Group, LLC 190 E. Capitol St, Ste. 675, Jackson, MS 39201 Kretschmar Realty Inc. 1231 S. Main St., Greenville, MS 38701 Larry Smith-Vaniz Realty, LLC 3535 Hwy 43 North, Canton, MS 39046 Madison Capital Partners LLC P.O. Box 1753, Madison, MS 39130-1753 Payne Realty 113 Village Blvd., Madison, MS 39110 Stribling Realty Corp. 105 Katherine Dr., Bldg. E, Flowood, MS 39232 Terramark 4775 Old Canton Rd, Jackson, MS 39211 Baxter Brown Properties Inc. 248 E. Capitol St., Ste. 826, Jackson, MS 39201

601-853-8000 colonypark.org 601-987-0202 speedcres.com 601-649-2356 hojopro.com 601-352-0757 WalterMichel.com 601-898-2999 kennedy-realestate.com 601-932-4664 laneharkins.com 601-352-1818 mattiace.com 601-707-1300 cresscre.com 601-420-8080 cbre.com 662-822-3877 deanlandmart.com 601-362-8440 petersre.com 601-981-1170 tlbrownproperties.com 662-842-8283 trirealestate.net 601-957-1001 carpenterproperties.com 662-842-4076 centurycommercialrealestate.com 601-956-1915 CRES-MS.com 228-219 2376 cumbestrealty.com 601-750-9494 greerrealestate.net 601-974-8102 hertzgroup.com (601) 855-7192 lsvrealty.com 601-856-7377 msbrealty.com 601-956-2020 paynerealtyms.com (601) 981-2200 striblingrealtycorp.com 601-345-3335 terramarkre.com 601-948-7720 baxterbrownproperties.com

Carrie Fish 1958 Scott Overby 1983 Butch Stewart 1993 William Cook, Bill Hankins 1995 Clinton G. Herring Jr. 1983 Elizabeth J Randall 2009 Ted Duckworth, Breck Hines 1989 Brian E Estes 2004 Andy D Stetelman 1933 Tom Underwood, Micah McCullough 1948 Monte Luffey, Tim Carlson, Scott Delano 2009 H.C. (Buster) Bailey 1952 William Jefferson Speed 2009 Joe M. Johnson 1960 Henry R. Michel 1927 Steve Kennedy 1989 Nancy Lane, Josh Harkins 2015 Andrew Mattiace 1979 Gary Cress 1992 Liz Edmundson 2013 John M. Dean 1982 Mike Peters 1995 Tim Brown, Brandon Brown 1979 Clay Short 1952 Rob Carpenter 1992 Duke Loden 1997 Walter D. Becker 1985 Mark Cumbest 1975 Melanie Greer 1994 James Ingram 1979 Mal Kretschmar 1979 Larry Smith-Vaniz 1999 Mark Bounds, Shelton Bounds 1986 Bruce Payne, Tommy Payne 1960 John Stribling 1967 Trey Guerieri 2012 Baxter Brown 1987

Command Realty Group 5779 Getwell Rd., Bldg. D1, Southaven, MS 38672

662-349-7775 commandrealtygroup.com

1999

662-378-3632

Desai Companies 601-376-9216 Sunny Desai desaicompanies.com 2009 105 W. Washington St., Suite A2, Ridgeland, MS 39157 E. David Cox, Broker 601-898-0181 E. David Cox buy-land.com 1977 385-B Highland Colony, Ridgeland, MS 39157 Ergon Properties Inc. 601-842-1228 Jim DeFoe ergon.com 1997 2829 Lakeland Dr., Flowood, MS 39232 Homer Lee Howie Real Estate 601-362-8112 David Howie homerleehowie.com 1950 5360 I-55 N, Ste 105, Jackson, MS 39211 Southeastern Commercial Properties, LLC 601-383-7939 Gerald Peoples secp.com 2017 454 Monterey Road, Richland, MS 39218 Franklin Property Management Group 662-996-1111 1999 44 franklinpropmgmt.com 5779 Getwell Rd., Bldg. D1, Southaven, MS 38672 Information provided by firm representatives and MBJ research. Direct questions to frank.brown@msbusiness.com.

Major Properties Properties on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, with offices in Gulfport, Pascagoula, Biloxi, Diamondhead, and Bay St. Louis. Riverhills Tower; 3000 Fondren; Madison Market; Strawberry Festival Market; Charmant Station; Colony Crossing; N. Regency Sq.

Agents 22 11 8

Nissan, General Motors, Walgreen, Gentiva, United Health Care, Firestone

The Township at Colony Park; Meadowbrook Office Park, Olde Madison Plaza, Magnolia Marketplace

8 8

200/400/600 Concourse, The Electric Building, The Primos Building, Market at Grants Ferry, New South Neurospine Bldg, Dickie's Lofts GSA, Southpointe, I-55 Plaza, Flowood Office Park, Lakeview Village, Northtown Apartments. Northpointe Apartments Brittany Arms, Westchester, 49 Place, Westover Crossing, Corinne Place, Adeline Place, Hardy Plaza. Midtown Strip Center

Pemberton Plaza, The Shops of Richland, Crossgates Corners, Spring Lake Cove, Crossgates Landing, 220-Highland Colony Business Park

Edgewater Village Shopping Center; Northcourt One; Shoppes at Popps Ferry; The Toggery Building; Gulf Coast Professional Tower

7 7

Colony Park, Ridgeland

Plaza 1&2, City Center, Heritage Bldg, Atrium, Regents Plaza, River Oaks Place, 409 W. Parkway, LeFleur's Bluff Tower, Wind River Church of God. Downtown Restaurant and apartment building, Large office Building Auto Sales lot, 3 Home Family Compound 5 Old River Place; East River Place; Fairmont Plaza; Fontaine Office Park; Millsaps Building; Trace Station Shopping Center Olde Towne Square-120 W. Jackson St., Ridgeland. Liberty Business Center-509 Liberty Rd, Flowood. College Park, Byram Marketplace, Northside Sq., Hazlehurst Center, Marketplace at Hazlehurst, Northwest Junction, Reservoir Sq. Renaissance at Colony Park, Renaissance Phase III (Costco), Fondren Place, Capital Towers, Lamar Life Bldg., Highland Bluff Buildings Horne Building, Ridgeland; 200-202 W. Jackson St, Ridgeland; 2550 Flowood Dr, 10 Canebrake; Maywood Mart; Market St; 201&205 Colony Way; Barnes Crossing Plaza; 111 East Capitol St.; 188 E. Capitol St.

Brokerage & Management of Investment Grade Farmland

Fondren Corner, Fondren Place, Duling School, English Village, Chinn Bldg., Tombigbee Bldg., Lakeport Center, Play Pen Center Rankin Multi-Purpose Complex; Palmetto Plaza, Brown Centre', 289 Commerce Park; 643 Lakeland E.; Parkway Place Shopping Center Regions Bank Main branch, WestPark Industrial Complex, Walmart Shadow Centers, Elite PT, Kindred Healthcare, and Girl Scouts HQ

Various industrial properties located in metro Jackson.

Medical and office buildings, restaurants, and wholesale and industrial warehouses in Northeast Mississippi 130.25 acres Interstate 20, Pelahatchie; 11 Acres by Super Wal-Mart, Byram, Office Sites, Office Buildings, Bank-Owned Real Estate Singing River Village, Pascagoula; Retail and Office Space; Cumbest Wetlands Mitigation Bank; Industrial & Land Brokerage in South MS High Point Plaza, Hwy 18 Jackson; Nebletts Frame Shop Hwy 80 Jackson; Various Investment Properties in the state of MS. The Pinnacle; 111 E. Capitol; Regions Plaza; One Jackson Place; City Centre; UBS Building; River Oaks 2 Industrial Plants; 4 Medical Clinics; Downtown Office Suites; 4 Shopping Center Premises; Land; Retail and Office Buildings. 280 acres Hinds County, 45 acres Madison County, 102 acres Madison County Commercial/Industrial/Investment leasing and sales. Commercial and residential appraisal, property management, development Real estate brokerage specializing in commercial sales, leasing, management and investments in Mississippi

4 4 4 4 4 4

3 3

2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

LeFluer Square Offices; 16 Northtown Dr, 3977 Terry Rd, 6080 Highway 18 W., Hidden Oak Apartments, Victoria Station II, 1 Woodgreen Pl Tenant and buyer representation in office space, industrial, warehouse/ distribution and land transactions Shops of Deerchase; Methodist Hospital Minor Med; Grove Office Park; Deerchase Office Park; South Creek Collection, DeSoto Plaza, DeSoto Park Plaza, Country Oaks Office Park, Baptist Rehab

Various Hotels Throughout Mississippi

Mannsdale Park; Flora-Hwy 49 & 22, acreage, & acerage east side of Hwy 49; Rankin County northside Hwy 25 Lakeland Drive

Mirror Lake Plaza, Various real estate holdings Mississippi and Alabama

5360 I-55 N; 2570 Bailey Ave; 3931 Hanging Moss Rd

Sorrento I & II - 382 & 384 Galleria Parkway; Renaissance Place - 385B Highland Colony Pkwy; 625 Highland Colony Parkway Shops of Deerchase; Methodist Hospital Minor Med; Grove Office Park; Deerchase Office Park; South Creek Collection, DeSoto Plaza

22 n

Mississippi Business Journal

June 2022 Issue

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Schedule Business Tours Now for Fall 2022 1

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June 2022 Issue

Mississippi Business Journal

Legislative leaders to scrutinize state health plan, pharmacy benefit managers

BY TAYLOR VANCE DAILY JOURNAL

JACKSON • Leaders of the Capitol’s two insurance committees hope to find longterm solutions to the recent cash crunch in Mississippi’s insurance plan, which covers the nearly 200,000 state employees and retirees. The House and Senate Insurance Committees are scheduled to conduct a joint hearing on July 19-20 on both the state’s managed care insurance program and the drug middlemen known as pharmacy benefit managers. “The elephant in the room is that our state health insurance plan is bleeding cash right now,” Senate Insurance Chairman Water Michel told the Daily Journal. Michel, R-Madison, said state employees filed around $120 million in claims related to COVID-19 last year, which put a significant strain on the system and caused lawmakers to use one-time money to plug the hole. To temporarily stop the hemorrhaging, lawmakers agreed to supplement the recent loss with American Resource Plan Act dollars they received

ADAM ROBISON | DAILY JOURNAL

In this file photo from April 2022, Terri Driskill, a RPH pharmacist at Tupelo Family Pharmacy, pulls drugs from the shelf for an order on April 15, 2022, in Tupelo. from the federal government. “We just want to make sure we’re staying ahead of the curve with the plan,” Michel said. The plan is overseen by the Department of Finance and Administration, but

benefits are administered by Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi, which works with another PBM to deliver drugs to enrollees. Pharmacy benefit managers, or PBMs, are subcontractors often hired by health

plans or employers to manage drug benefits, negotiate drug pricing with manufacturers, and reimburse pharmacists. Part of PBMs’ job involves negotiating rebates and other discounts from drugmakers. In exchange, they provide a drugmakers’ product with preferred placement. But this rebate and negotiation process is often cloaked in secrecy and has caused a litany of states like Ohio, Oklahoma, Georgia, New Mexico, Kansas and Arkansas to scrutinize the practice. The hearing comes after State Auditor Shad White’s office in March inked an agreement with a data analytics firm to harvest a large swath of data from any PBM that has a contract with the state. When asked if the investigations by the auditor’s office could have any relevance to the upcoming hearings, Michel deferred to House Insurance Chairman Hank Zuber, who he said is the main official organizing the hearing. Zuber, R-Ocean Springs, said the hearings are scheduled to take place, but the agenda for them has not been finalized. taylor.vance@djournal.com

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June 2022 Issue

Mississippi Business Journal

Liz Weston: Is medical debt vanishing from credit reports?

The three credit bureaus have promised to remove nearly 70% of medical debts from consumer credit reports within the next year

also can cause you to be turned away from jobs or apartments, and require you to pay more for car and home insurance. Newer versions of credit scoring formulas treat medical debt less harshly, since research shows health care bills aren’t as reliable as a gauge of creditworthiness compared to other types of collections. But most lenders still use older credit scores that don’t distinguish medical debt from other overdue bills. Rather than wait for lenders to update BY LIZ WESTON OF NERDWALLET to the latest credit scores – a process that could take years, if it ever happens – the ealth care bills are about to be- CFPB announced on March 1 that it come far less threatening would investigate whether medto the financial well-beical debt should be included on ing of millions of Americredit reports at all. cans. Seventeen days later, the three The three major credit bureaus credit bureaus – Equifax, Experiare erasing most medical debts an and TransUnion – responded from people’s credit reports, and by promising to remove nearly the Biden administration is reducWeston 70% of medical debts from coning or eliminating medical debt as a sumer credit reports within the factor in government lending decisions. next year. Here’s what you need to know about medical debt now. Most medical debts

1 in 5 U.S. households has medical debt

Roughly 1 in 5 U.S. households have medical debt, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Some aren’t insured, while others struggle to pay deductibles and other cost-sharing. Insurance billing is byzantine, to say the least, and it’s easy to lose track of a bill while your insurer decides how much, or whether, to pay. Many of these unpaid bills wind up on people’s credit reports. The CFPB found medical debts on 43 million credit reports last year, and medical debts made up 58% of all bills in collections as of the second quarter of 2021. Collections can depress your credit scores, which can make it harder to get loans or require you to pay higher interest rates. Bad credit

disappearing from credit reports Starting July 1, all paid medical collections will be eliminated from people’s credit files, and no unpaid bill will be reported until 12 months have passed – an increase from the current term of six months. By June 30, 2023, the three bureaus will also stop reporting unpaid medical debts under $500. Consumer advocates hailed the changes but noted that those with larger debts would still face credit damage. About 16 million people (6% of U.S. adults) owe more than $1,000 in medical debt, and 3 million (1%) owe more than $10,000, according to KFF, the nonprofit health research organization formerly known as the Kaiser Family Foundation. Recent moves by the Biden admin-

SHUTTERSTOCK

istration could help improve access to credit. On April 11, Vice President Kamala Harris announced additional reforms, including reducing or eliminating medical debt as a factor in government lending decisions. That should make many home and business loans easier to get. Also, Veterans A ffairs, which has already erased $1 billion in copayments owed by veterans, promised to streamline the process so more low-income vets can have their VA bills forgiven. The VA has also stopped reporting most veterans’ medical debts to the credit bureaus.

What you can do to deal with medical debt Soon you won’t have to worry about a minor medical bill tanking your credit scores. But catastrophic medical bills could still upend your finances. Consider taking the following steps to reduce your vulnerability to medical debt: – STAY COVERED, IF YOU POSSIBLY CAN. Insured people enjoy more consumer protections , and better access to

health care, than the uninsured. People who aren’t covered by workplace insurance or government plans such as Medicare can find coverage through Affordable Care Act exchanges. Start your search at healthcare.gov. Most uninsured people qualify for subsidies to make premiums more affordable. – CHECK ALL MEDICAL BILLS FOR ERRORS. Billing errors are common, so request itemized bills for hospital stays and complex procedures. Dispute any mistakes you find. – ASK FOR HELP. Hospitals and other health care providers may have financial assistance programs that could reduce or eliminate your bills. (Nonprofit hospitals are required to have such programs but may not offer help unless you ask.) – AVOID USING CREDIT CARDS IF YOU CAN’T PAY IN FULL. Credit cards tend to have high interest rates that make debt harder to pay. Many health care providers offer interest-free payment plans that allow you to pay off your bill over time.

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June 2022 Issue

Mississippi Business Journal

Delta Council to meet as an unpredictable world has crop costs at scary levels Council leaders cite progress on money for roads and bridges BY TED CARTER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

ver-rising crop prizes should bring cheers to the growers who make up a huge portion of the Mississippi Delta Council’s membership. But not this year, not with the confluence of pandemic, war, oil shortages and international trade strife the world is seeing. Growers across the Delta see the escalating costs of growing and harvesting crops and wonder just how things will shake out for them, Delta Council leaders say. Input costs and ways to manage them are but a few of the pressing topics the region’s main economic development entity will take up when it convenes June 17 at Delta State University for its annual meeting. Council leaders cite the deep uncertainty caused by a stubborn global covid pandemic, war in Ukraine, worldwide oil and natural gas shortages and retaliatory tariffs, to name just a few. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine alone is set to cause the “largest commodity shock” since the 1970s, the World Bank warns, with cotton prices projected to be nearly 40 percent higher in 2022. Energy prices, on the other hand, are projected to rise more than 50 percent in 2022 before easing in 2023 and 2024, the World Bank says. All the uncertainty follows a 2021 that Delta Council Executive Vice President Frank Howell calls “one for the record books.” Halfway through the new year, “We have seen a huge runup in both prices in the commodity markets and the input side,” Howell said in a recent interview. The runup is “from all of our businesses, not just agriculture,” he said. “Whether running a metal manufacturing facility in Clarksdale or farming operation n Bentonia, managing your costs is the name of the game.” His best advice: Analyze all the information “and hope to get lucky,

SHUTTERSTOCK

Escalating costs of growing and harvesting crops have Delta farmers wondering how things will shake out for them. I’m afraid.” Howell said the Stoneville-based organization is getting strong cost-management guidance from its Mississippi State University agriculture partners. And the help is surely needed as growers see “red ink all over the place,” he said, though he conceded that crop prices “look pretty good.” One farm crop that bears watching, Howell said, is catfish. Feed prices and other input costs are in “record territory,” he said. “Catfish farmers are already bracing for a tough year.” Tunica farmer Patrick Johnson Jr. is wrapping up his year as president of the Council which represents 19 Delta and part-Delta counties. Members will elect a new president at the June 17 gathering. Johnson said in an interview that he spent a good part of his term in Stoneville and Jackson working on getting money for the Delta’s deteriorating bridges and crumbling roads. “I felt we were able to have a positive impact in that arena,” Johnson said of the lobbying effort on behalf of a region that stretches from Warren County north to DeSoto County. Both Johnson and Howell say they expect the Delta to do well in the dividing of a 2022 transportation pie that includes $984 million for new construction and $264 million for maintenance. In addition, state legislators ap-

proved a $230 million infrastructure improvement plan that provides a $100 million increase to the state’s Emergency Road and Bridge Repair Program. Johnson and Howell say they expect this year’s funding will help shore-up at least some of the deteriorating bridges that have forced Delta commercial truck traffic to take detours. “I’m pleased with the way they have allocated funds from different sources,” Howell said, citing federal pandemic relief, new federal infrastructure money and the significant share of state lottery revenues designated annually for roads and bridges. Legislators, Howell said, “stepped up to the plate in the last session.” The result should be “more maintenance on our roads and bridges,” he said. In addition to transportation issues, the Delta Council’s role involves developing a workforce able to accommodate new industries and retain current ones. “We have had some strong activity,” Howell said, and predicted increased hiring across the region, especially in its northern section. Influencing flood control policy is also a part of the organization’s mission. Delta growers and residents have been on an 80-year quest for construction of a pump system to ease flooding dubbed the Yazoo Backwater Project. The U.S. Envi-

ronmental Protection Agency stated its support for construction of a $400 million pumping system in late 2020. But by spring 2021 complaints from environmental groups and its own top officials led the agency to put the project in limbo. Howell, in what seemed an effort to moderate his dissatisfaction with the EPA, called the reversal “unfortunate.” As it did a few years ago when it endorsed ridding the state flag of the Confederate battle emblem, the Delta Council this year took a side in one of the most controversial issues confronting the state: Expansion of Medicaid. It’s time, the Council’s 150-member health and education committee said in a resolution, to expand Medicaid coverage to include the state’s uninsured working poor. Mississippi is among 12 states that have refused expansion. Such an expansion, according to Johnson, would significantly improve the health of Mississippians and the fiscal health of its hospitals, especially the rural ones across the Delta struggling to remain open. “We felt it was something we needed to get behind,” Johnson said. If nothing else, the resolution of support should bring more attention to the issue, he said. “We hope it will gather momentum.” Effort to expand the state’s Medicaid rolls have languished for nearly a decade but got a big boost in 2021 when Corey Miller, state economist, presented an analysis that shows new federal cost-sharing provisions would cover the first 3.5 years o the expansion costs while adding over 200,000 Mississippians to the insured rolls. Miller put the state’s annual costs beyond the 3.5 years at about $500 million a year. However, “other savings in and outside of Medicaid on an annual basis roughly offset the annual costs of expansion,” Miller said in an interview after presenting the University Research Center’s economic analysis. A main feature of the Delta Council’s annual meeting is the keynote speech during the business session. This year’s speaker will be author, motivational speaker and Oxford native David Magee. He is the author of Dear William, a bestselling book detailing intergenerational family addiction and recovery.

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June 2022 Issue