Wet weather puts farmers behind schedule across Mississippi.

The U.S Department of Agriculture says foul weather only left Mississippi with four days suitable for fieldwork during a two-week period that ended May 12.

A USDA report says the percentages of cotton, race, soybeans, peanuts and watermelons that have been planted as of May 12 were far below five-year averages. For example, 52 percent of the state’s cotton crops have been planted by mid-May over the past five years. This year, however, only 7 percent of cotton has been planted, according to the USDA.

Corn, which was 91 percent planted, is a notable exception to that trend.

Flint said farmers can plant in the dark to catch up.

“It’s far from time to panic,” he said. “There’s still time to get most crops in the ground before the absolute cutoff date.”

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Corps will hold meeting on Gulfport channel deepening Tuesday

A public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday on the state port’s proposal to study deepening the ship channel to as much as 47 feet.

The port has asked the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to study the feasibility of a deeper ship channel as part of an ongoing environmental assessment of port expansion.

The Sun Herald reports the port’s request to deepen the 20-mile-long ship channel would modify a corps study of port expansion that began about two years ago.

The study already includes expansion of the port’s West Pier, East Pier, north shore and turning basin.

The plan calls for filling about 200 acres of water bottoms for wharfs, bulkheads, terminal facilities, container storage, container-transfer infrastructure and other improvements.

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Sierra Club lawsuit seeks PSC reboot for MS Power’s Kemper County project.

In legal papers filed Thursday, the environmental group says that a January settlement so changes the permission that the PSC gave Mississippi Power in 2012 that the utility regulator should be forced to look again at its analysis. Mississippi Power said it would respond in court, but had no immediate comment.

The unit of Atlanta-based Southern Co. announced last month that what it calls Plant Ratcliffe was another $540 million over budget. The company said that it expected Southern shareholders would absorb those costs. The parent company announced it would amend its financial reports to record some of the loss in the last three months of 2012 and the rest in this year’s.

The Legislature, which generally governs PSC operations, approved two laws to ratify the settlement. One allows Mississippi Power to sell up to $1 billion in bonds to pay for Kemper construction and financing costs over $2.4 billion, though the company wouldn’t earn a profit on that money. It would only collect from customers to repay the debt and interest. The other law allows the PSC to approve a seven-year rate plan for the plant, smoothing out rate increases. Subsequently, the PSC approved a 15 percent rate increase, to be followed by a 3 percent increase in 2014. The company also expects to raise rates another 2 percent to 4 percent later to pay off the bonds.

Sierra Club state director Louie Miller said that although the Legislature was involved, responsibility ultimately rests with the PSC.

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Gov. Bryant announces 200 new jobs coming to Louisville.

Gov. Bryant was on hand Monday with local and company officials to announce Natron Wood Products locating to Louisville, Miss., in Winston County. The operations will be located in a 265,000-square-foot existing facility, and represent a company investment of $10 million and will create more than 200 new jobs.

“I appreciate Natron Wood Products for choosing to locate its new operations in Louisville and for creating a significant number of jobs for the area’s workers,” Governor Bryant said. “I know our dedicated workforce, coupled with Mississippi’s strong business climate, will help ensure the company’s success in Winston County.”

Natron Wood Products’ new Mississippi facility will produce specialty plywood products, such as plywood overlay panels, which are commonly referred to as Medium Density Overlay (MDO) and High Density Overlay (HDO). The panels are used primarily in large vertical and horizontal concrete structures and other residential and commercial construction applications. The facility will also produce high-grade marine plywood and sanded plywood products.

“We are really excited to be in a business-friendly state such as Mississippi, and we have enjoyed building a relationship with Mayor Will Hill and the citizenry of the city of Louisville,” said Natron Wood Products Owner Richard McDougal. “We look forward to the opportunity to expand our operations here, and we are committed to being a positive partner in the community for years to come.”

The Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) provided assistance in support of the project through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program and the Appalachian Regional Commission for modifications and upgrades to the publicly-owned building.

“We are grateful to Natron Wood Products for recognizing Mississippi is a great place to do business and for revitalizing the former Georgia Pacific manufacturing facility,” said MDA Executive Director Brent Christensen. “MDA thanks our partners in Winston County and the City of Louisville for their support of this project, and we wish the company years of success in Mississippi.”

Natron Wood Products operates as Jasper Wood Products in Jasper, Ore., where the company has been in business for more than 20 years. There, the company produces a number of timber products, including marine plywood, millworks, plyform for heavy concrete pours and interior and exterior fire retardant treating. For more information, visit http://www.jasper-wood-products.com.

Gov. Bryant signs Energy-Related bills into law.

As part of his Energy Works: Mississippi’s Energy Roadmap plan, Governor Phil Bryant recently signed into law landmark legislation that positions Mississippi as a leading destination for energy-related economic development. These sensible, forward-thinking approaches to energy policy also position Mississippi as a state that welcomes a diverse mix of investment in the energy sector.

“Mississippi’s diversity of energy resources and infrastructure makes us a significant energy state and an ideal location for businesses,” Governor Phil Bryant said. “Energy-sector economic development is a primary focus of my administration, and the passage of these laws will increase Mississippi’s competitiveness when attracting and recruiting new industries.”

Mississippi’s energy production is one of largest economic engines in the state, providing more than 28,000 jobs. Mississippi produces approximately 23 million barrels of oil a year and ranks 13th in oil production. The state also ranks 21st in natural gas production.

Legislation signed into effect includes:

HB 844 Sales Tax Exemption on Energy for Manufacturing
Exempts sales tax on energy used in manufacturing. While Mississippi boasts energy costs around 20 percent below the national average, HB 844 further cuts the costs of one of the key drivers companies consider when choosing a location for new investment. Manufacturing comprises a large portion of Mississippi’s economy, and advanced manufacturing and onshoring are key target sectors for the state.

SB 2564 Energy Infrastructure Revolving Loan Fund
Gives Mississippi communities the ability to help finance energy infrastructure (for instance, gas lines and transmission lines) for companies that invest more than $50 million in an economic development project. This law provides the State a new low-interest financing tool to help companies locate or expand in Mississippi.

HB 841 Sales Tax Reduction on Electricity for Enhanced Oil Recovery
Decreases the sales tax paid on electricity to 1.5 percent for oil and gas produced in the state using carbon dioxide as a method of enhanced oil recovery (EOR). Existing Mississippi EOR policy is considered by many to the best in the nation, and the passage of HB 841 will further improve our position and help to grow this industry in our state.

HB 826 Rebate on Research and Development Costs
Defrays the research and development costs of companies that operate in Mississippi and partner with a state institution of higher learning. Under this new law, a corporation that collaborates with a state university for research and development purposes, including energy-related research, is eligible for a 25 percent rebate of the total research costs. This law will assist companies looking to tap into the wealth of energy expertise and resources available in Mississippi’s research institutions.

Governor Bryant tasked the Mississippi Development Authority with executing his strategies for energy-related economic development. MDA promotes the state’s energy-related economy utilizing four targeted approaches: Responsible Resource Exploration and Extraction; Energy-Intensive Industry Recruitment; Energy Systems Component Manufacturing; and Biomass Development.

“Energy costs and availability of resources are often deciding factors for companies seeking a location for new investment, and these laws passed by the State Legislature will tremendously assist our economic development efforts moving forward,” said Brent Christensen, MDA executive director. “I commend Governor Bryant and our legislative partners for being so hands-on and dedicated to the economic development of Mississippi. The passage of these new laws will greatly benefit the state’s existing businesses while further positioning Mississippi as the optimal place for energy-related industries and manufacturing companies to locate.”

“Manufacturers use more than one-third of the energy consumed in the United States. In a globally competitive marketplace, these legislative actions support our existing manufacturers and increase our competitive position for domestic and international companies that are considering a U.S.-based location,” said Mississippi Manufacturers Association President and Chief Executive Officer Jay Moon.

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Salter: Bryant’s first major economic development victory notable for transformative potential

Perhaps most notable in Bryant’s first major economic development victory is the fact that the plant location came in the county with the second highest jobless rate in the state. Clay County, ravaged for years after the reduction and later closing of the Sara Lee (formerly Bryan Brothers) operation, recorded unemployment rates of 18.2 percent.

One of the complaints about the Nissan and Toyota deals was that they didn’t create jobs in the areas where joblessness was more problematic. In Yokohama, Bryant courted and won a major employer in a locale that badly needed an economic anchor.

In this economy, in this plant location, Bryant establishes his new MDA team and his administration as job developers who can compete on a global scale. If Yokohama hits the 2,000 job mark, it will transform the region.

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Legislators to continue port tour today.

The state Senate’s Ports and Marine Resources Committee is continuing rounds Thursday to visit coastal ports, committee chairman Sen. Brice Wiggins said.

Wednesday the group visited Bienville Port in Hancock County and the state Port of Gulfport.

Thursday morning, they will be in Jackson County to tour the Port of Pascagoula.

Two members from the House of Representatives Committee on Ports, Harbors and Airports will also be in attendance, as well as members of the Pascagoula Bar Pilots Association and representatives of Signet Maritime.

The visiting legislators will view activities at the public and private marine terminals and shipbuilding operations, which are responsible for more than 18,000 direct jobs, more than $1.4 billion in earnings and $1 billion in tax revenues annually.

Legislators on the tour include Sens. Brice Wiggins, Josh Harkins, Tommy Gollott, Philip Moran, John Polk and Michael Watson. Reps. Sonya Williams-Barnes and Larry Byrd are also expected to attend.

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DMR officials working with State Auditor’s office to implement 60-day evaluation of agency.

The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources announced Wednesday that it has begun a 60-day comprehensive evaluation to identify and recommend a plan of action to correct any fiscal and programmatic deficiencies, and to ensure more transparency, efficiency and accountability in the future.

“The challenges we have at MDMR cannot be fixed overnight, but this week we have taken a big step toward meeting those challenges head-on by beginning a process that will shine a light on the agency’s weaknesses and restore hope in its future,” said Jamie Miller, DMR Executive Director.

“The solution begins and ends with being transparent and accountable to the public, and in order to get there, we’ve got to find out what’s been done wrong, what’s been done right, and how we can do things better.”

In Miller’s testimony to the Mississippi Senate during his confirmation hearing, he proposed to implement the 60-day agency evaluation and assessment. With a joint meeting with the State Auditor’s office yesterday, the DMR started the 60-day evaluation which marks the beginning of the process. To assist the DMR and the State Auditor’s office with this analysis, two CPA firms, Horne, LLP and Nicholson and Company, PLLC, were hired to provide the following services:

1. Financial examination, auditing, compliance and assessment activities.

2. Organizational review, including but not limited to, structure, staffing, classification, work flow analysis, job description and compensation analysis.

3. Recommendations to improve efficiency, maximize agency effectiveness, strengthen public transparency, and assure operational integrity.

4. Preparation of internal and external communication strategy to include public outreach

5. Other related financial, organizational, and operational assessment and review as assigned by the Executive Director.

“This objective evaluation of the DMR is the necessary and prudent approach to ensuring that the agency is operating efficiently and effectively,” said Mississippi State Auditor Stacey Pickering. “Our office will work closely with the DMR to assist in this process.”

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Keesler named top Air Force Base in America for 2013.

Winning $1 million and a 2013 Commander-in-Chief Award declaring Keesler America’s best Air Force base is a reflection on the entire Coast, Brig. Gen. Brad Spacy, commander of the base and the 81st Training Wing, told the Sun Herald.

In winning the distinction, Keesler was judged on how well it works with the community.

“That’s why I keep telling people it’s not just our award,” Spacy said. “It’s an award for the whole Gulf Coast community.”

Considered the top base, Keesler is now competing with the other branches of service for the best in the Department of Defense — the best of the best.

Spacy said they could know as early as this month how Keesler ranks at that level.

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New port director to take “aggressive” action to create jobs through business development.

(The state port’s new executive director Jonathan) Daniels said he will finish work in Oswego before he begins his new job in Gulfport in early to mid-June. He will relocate to the Coast with his wife and four children.

Both Daniels and (port president Jim) Simpson also praised port Chief Operating Officer Matt Wypyski for an exceptional job as interim director, a position he agreed to take when Don Allee resigned in October amid criticism about the slow pace of expansion. At Gov. Phil Bryant’s behest, the port scaled back plans for West Pier elevation to focus on improvements that would create the 1,200 jobs promised for federal funding. Daniels said he believes the port expansion can create 1,200 jobs, or more. He views the port as an economic development asset for the state.

“We will be very aggressive in our business development activities,” he said.

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