Author Archives: Colin Krieger

Back the Blue Honors Police and Their Families

By Columbus, Columbus PD, Golden Triangle, Law Enforcement, Lowndes County SO

Back the Blue Honors Police and Their Families

WCBI (Columbus) –

Promo poster for the event

Promo poster for the event

Columbus and Lowndes County police officers and their families came together Sunday night for an evening of community togetherness and a free movie at the Columbus Soccer Complex. The culmination of a celebration that has been in the works for many months now, Back the Blue gave the local community a chance to express their gratitude not only to the officers, but for their patient and loving families. The honored guests enjoyed some free food and a screening of the Arnold Schwarzenegger movie “Kindergarten Cop.”

“I felt it might be beneficial to let the law enforcement families know that they’re appreciated,” said event organizer, Berry Hinds.

Lowndes County Sheriff Mike Arledge said, “I’ve always felt that Lowndes County and Columbus has got a lot of support for their police officers, even though you are hearing things in the nation that’s negative. I feel like we’ve got great support here in Lowndes County.”

Click here for the full article and news video, courtesy of WCBI: http://www.wcbi.com/video-back-blue-movie-night-draws-crowd-soccer-complex/

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Former Knob Hill Dairy Farm Now a Beautiful Golf Course

By Business, Culture/Entertainment, Recreation, West Point

Former Knob Hill Dairy Farm Now a Beautiful Golf Course

Mossy Oak was designed by Gil Hanse, the architect of the much-acclaimed Olympic golf course in Rio. The 9th hole (foreground) and 17th hole are both visible here. (Photo credit: Michael Clemmer.)

Mossy Oak was designed by Gil Hanse, the architect of the much-acclaimed Olympic golf course in Rio. The 9th hole (foreground) and 17th hole are both visible here. (Photo credit: Michael Clemmer.)

Mossy Oak Golf Course, built on the land which was once the Knob Hill Dairy Farm, presents golfers with unexpected challenges in a beautiful setting. Nestled near the Old Waverly Golf Course just outside of West Point, MS, the creatively-designed course was designed by Gil Hanse, who has also done work for the Olympics in Rio, among many others. World-class attractions such as these have the potential to bring in businessmen and other golfers who are looking for a good challenge, as well as people form around the country who might wish to observe any tournaments that take place in the future. All of this means publicity and tourism dollars for the GTR area, and that’s Good for Business!

Click here for more information and the full article: http://www.forbes.com/sites/erikmatuszewski/2016/10/07/mossy-oak-gil-hanses-first-golf-course-since-olympic-success-is-a-mississippi-masterpiece/#378f31671670

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Natural Gas Expansion Approved for Lowndes, Oktibbeha — Could Bring Jobs to Area

By Golden Triangle, GTR LINK, Manufacturing, PSC

A natural gas expansion has been unanimously approved by the PSC, allowing greater access to our native resources in Oktibbeha and Lowndes Counties. Hopes are high that this will bring both income, and many new jobs, to our area!

gtr linkGolden Triangle, Mississippi –

Public Service Commissioner Brandon Presley recently announced the approval of $16.7 million in natural gas expansion projects in Lowndes and Oktibbeha Counties to equip two industrial sites with the necessary gas infrastructure to land more jobs for the Golden Triangle region.
“Utility infrastructure is a key to Mississippi’s ability to win the jobs of the future. These expansions will be a great benefit to the Golden Triangle.” said Presley. “I deeply appreciate my fellow Commissioners working with me to get these projects funded.”

“This program is a ‘win-win’ for everyone involved,” said David Gates, President of the Division of Atmos Energy. “Under the program we will be able to invest millions of dollars in natural gas infrastructure in the Golden Triangle. This will make the area, which is already a desirable location, even more attractive to industry and that will mean more jobs and more economic development to the region.”

Funds will be used to expand gas capacity in the Golden Triangle Industrial Aerospace Park and the proposed Starkville Industrial Park currently under development.

Read the full article here: http://gtrlink.org/news_media/article/388

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County Bouncing Back Since Loss of Calstar

By Business, Columbus, Golden Triangle

County Bouncing Back Since Loss of Calstar

Courtesy of WTVA —

COLUMBUS, Miss (WTVA) —  Some good economic news is on the horizon for the Golden Triangle.

calstarGolden Triangle Development Link Chief Operations Officer Joey Deason went before the board of supervisors today.  He gave an update on the Calstar building since the departure of the company.

Deason told the board Comprehensive Logistics Incorporated is subletting the space from Agra-Cel.  He says CLI hired 22 people and could hire as many as 45 over the next couple of years.

“They are a warehouse distribution provider for paccar. They currently have 22 jobs and they will be probably be expanding within the next two or two and a half years depending on PACCAR’S growth as well. It was a little bit of a blow when Calstar obviously failed. The business didn’t materialized but it’s a great thing to know that we were able to get in there ASAP.” said Deason.

He says the loss of Calstar cost the county about 15-thousand dollars.

http://www.wtva.com/news/local/Good_Economic_News_on_Horizon_for_Golden_Triangle.html

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Local Boy Done Wood — News in the World of Food

By Business, Columbus, Foodservice, Manufacturing, Other Manufacturing, Steel Dynamics

20150424085747-58f2ab97Info courtesy of the Dispatch

Main Street to Get a New Kind of Furniture Store

Mississippi Steel Processing’s president, Chip Gerber, has been waiting a long time to open up a shop that showcases his passion. On Thursday, September 29th, he will get his wish. that will be the first operating day of his new shop, The Steel Forest Furniture Company at 515 Main Street. Gerber has been making hand-crafted furniture as a hobby out of Mississippi wood and steel for years, and now he’s had the opportunity to increase production of his custom pieces, and share them with his eager customers. Please come on out to show your support for this new type of store, run by a local hobbyist-turned-artisan!

 Under New Management: Cattleman’s Steak and Fish

One of Columbus’ best-known restaurants will re-open at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 29th. They are  located at 301 Tuscaloosa Road, and they will now be offering an all-you-can-eat seafood buffet, in addition to their other fare. They will be open from 4:30 p.m.-9 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, and from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday with a lunch buffet.

 Avast, Matey! Krispy Kreme Shares the sweet Booty!

Monday was International Talk Like a Pirate Day, and Krispy Kreme has continued its popular tradition of giving out free donuts to patrons who come in dressed as pirates, or who were at least talking like them, on that day. Store Manager Jessica Carpenter reports that they gave away more than 6,300 donuts to gleeful participants this year.

For more info, you can read the full article at the Dispatch: http://www.cdispatch.com/news/article.asp?aid=53022

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Video: Starkville Contemplating a WalMart Near Hwy 12

By Business, Foodservice, Retail, Starkville, Starkville Board of Aldermen

Video: Starkville Contemplating a WalMart Near Hwy 12

Courtesy of WCBI

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) –

The Mayor and Aldermen will take up a proposal on the Starkville Neighborhood Market Project on Tuesday, October 4th. The proposed site, east of Hwy 12, will cost about $14 million to set up, and will hopefully provide both jobs and a supermarket for students and other residents on the east side of town and nearby areas.

The project would be paid for through a tax increment financing plan.

Video: The Starkville Neighborhood Market Project

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EMCC Playing Host to LAN Party and Gaming Competition This Friday

By Culture/Entertainment, EMCC, Golden Triangle, Recreation

EMCC Playing Host to LAN Party and Gaming Competition This Friday

MAYHEW

Information courtesy of the Dispatch

East Mississippi Community College (EMCC) will be holding a LAN party and video game competition this Friday at their Golden Triangle Campus outside of Columbus. IT’s scheduled for 6 PM to Midnight, and the entry fee is $5. Pizza, chips, soda, and cookies will be provided for an extra $5. Entrants of all ages are welcome, though children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult, who must sign a release form. Attendees are encouraged to bring any online-capable computer or video game systems with them, to take part in the festivities; some equipment will also be made available on-site.emcc-logo

EMCC last held such an event in March, and ninety players showed up. Information Systems Technology instructor Brandon Sesser hopes that even more folks show up this time:  “Everyone is invited to come out and game their hearts out and network with like-minded individuals,” he said. He went on to say that you never know what the other players might wish to play. It could be anything from online chess to the latest and greatest action-packed online games or long-forgotten classics.

There will also be a competition held, with the winner taking home their choice of a small EMCC Information Systems Technology program scholarship or cold, hard cash. Second place will will a Walmart gift card, and an AMazon gift card will be given away as a door prize. Players will test their skills in Mario Kart, Team Fortress, and Super Smash Bros. games, in each of three rounds. “By having them compete in different venues, it shows who the best all-around gamers are and not just who is the best on a console or who is best on a PC,” Sesser said.

Preregistration is encouraged but not required. To preregister, contact Sesser at bsesser@gmail.com or via Facebook at the “AITP (EMCC)” page.

Read the full article here: http://www.cdispatch.com/news/article.asp?aid=52498

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MSMS Teacher Wins National Award After Years of Perseverance

By Columbus, MSMS, The W

Info courtesy of The Dispatch

MSMS teacher Lauren Zarandona, who was first nominated for the national Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching in her first year of teaching at the school, has won the award, thanks to her tireless effort and commitment to excellence! She has applied four times, and ended up as a state finalist three of those years, before finally winning the big one this time: “I was excited because I finally did it,” Zarandona said. “This has been an eight-year process for me.” She will accept the award in person in Washington, D.C. during the second week of September, and go home with a ten thousand dollar prize.

Lauren Zarandona, who teaches math at the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science, has won the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, a national award that recognizes math and science teachers. Photo by: Luisa Porter/Dispatch Staff

Lauren Zarandona, who teaches math at the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science, has won the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, a national award that recognizes math and science teachers. Photo by: Luisa Porter/Dispatch Staff

Zarandona has taught math classes at MSMS for eight years, teaching on a variety of subjects, up to and including pre-calculus & Statistics.  “That’s actually really fun as well,” she said. “Kids look forward to it. It’s a pretty popular class.”

“It’s neat when you can capture the imagination of students who don’t consider themselves ‘math people,'” Zarandona said. “I don’t think there’s such thing as a math person, but a lot of people do. They will immediately find out I’m a math teacher and (say), ‘Oh, well, I’m not a math person.’ I don’t know what that’s supposed to mean, but I do know that for those kids, stats and logic and game theory and those other courses can be a way for them to see that maybe they’re better at math than they realized.”

Kelly Brown, director for MSMS academic affairs. Brown called Zarandona “the best of the best . . . She is the perfect person to meet those students wherever they are and help them go where they want next”

You can read the full article here:

http://www.cdispatch.com/news/article.asp?aid=52359

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MS State’s Professor Flick Retiring After 45 Years [VIDEO]

By MSU, Starkville

MSU’s Professor Flick Retiring After 45 Years

 

STARKVILLE, Miss. (Courtesy of WCBI)

Dr. Hank Flick, communications professor with a grand 45-year career at MSU, is hanging up his mortarboard. He first joined the university in the 1970’s, where he had gone to earn his Master’s degree – and things just kind of ballooned from there: “I never planned on being a teacher,” he said. “This is something I never wanted to do, not that I had any problem with it, but it was just something that opened up to me.”

Since then, he has never missed even a single day of work. He remarked, “I just love it here at Mississippi State. I love the students, I love the classroom, and love means commitment. I’m committed to this.”

He also served as a PA for some time: “I worked there for 32 years,” he said. “I started doing basketball then I did football, then I did track and I did a couple of baseball games.”

In his retirement, Flick plans to focus on book authorship and research; his third volume is planned for this Christmastime.
Flick said he has a genuine love for all of his students, which made his decision to retire a tough one.

Read more at WCBI:

Former MSU Professor Retires After An Illustrious Career

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The TVA Infinity Megasite is Online in Columbus!

By Columbus, GTR LINK, Manufacturing, PACCAR, Steel Dynamics, Yokohama

The TVA Infinity Megasite is Online in Columbus!

Bill Johnson, President and CEO of the TVA (Tennesse Valley Authority) announced today that the Infinity Site is open and ready for a manufacturing business to move right in. Infinity is a TVA Megasite in the Columbus area; two others also exist as part of the industrial park off of Hwy 82, which houses Steel Dynamics and part of PACCAR. This is now the third such site in the Columbus area, and the eighth in the state of Mississippi.

Megasites are large (1000+ acres) industrial production sites designed to be everything a manufacturer could want, all set up and ready for them to move in and get down to business in short order: The buildings themselves, land and parking, infrastructure, and easy access to major transportation routes such as interstates and railways. On average, as many as three thousand jobs are created as part of a megasite’s creation and usage.

joe max higginsJohnson gave JoeMax Higgins, CEO of the GTR LINK, an award recognizing the hard work the LINK has done in order to facilitate speedy certification of the site – a process which can normally take a year and a half was done in half the time due to their efforts.

Mississippi is growing ever stronger, and word is spreading!

Colin Krieger of our own Good for Business was on had to record the announcement on video. 60 Minutes also had reporters on-hand to cover the story, as a testament to the ongoing improvements in economic development.

Link to our video here:  https://www.facebook.com/colin.krieger.92/videos/1131807593532839

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