Category Archives: Columbus

Palmer Home Teens Working Hard to Help Nonprofit

By Columbus, Golden Triangle, MSU, Recreation, Starkville

Palmer Home Teens Working Hard to Help Nonprofit

Teens from Palmer Home for Children are working hard to support their home and others like it, while learning real-world skills in customer service, in order to prepare them for life as young adults. And that’s Good for Business!

Courtesy of The Dispatch

palmer-homeTeenage residents of Columbus’ Palmer Home for Children have been helping fans on MSU game day to find parking at Cadence Bank, right across the street from The Mill. The teens collect the $20 parking fees – all of which goes to the Palmer Home locations in Columbus and Hernando, as well as a partner location in Tennessee. In addition to helping them to raise much-needed funding, it also raises awareness of the fact that the children’s homes even exist. The local Palmer Home provides a home, food, clothing, and education for about 112 local children who might not otherwise have had ready access to any of those things.

Tom Green, director of operations and facilities at Palmer Home, supervises the children as they provide the service. “The objective is to get these young (people) in a different social environment, let them present themselves, let them talk to the patrons of the parking lot,” Green said. “But, most important, it teaches them life skills of engaging with people, making change and giving instructions.”

Marketing director Kellum Kim said that the Palmer Parking project, which began during the 2014 season, has raised about $30,000 in that time, or about $2,500 per game.
“It’s important for them to learn just that face-to-face interaction in a business setting,” Kim said. “A lot of our kids do have after-school jobs or volunteer in other capacities, so it’s not just like they’re here on our campus never socializing with the outside world. But a lot of their jobs are here on our campus.”

For more info and the full article, click here: http://www.cdispatch.com/news/article.asp?aid=53930

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MUW Adds New Member to its Athletic Staff

By Business, Columbus, The W

MUW Adds New Member to its Athletic Staff

The W, which has been beefing up its athletics program recently, just added a new shining star to their pool of talented individuals. Brooke Beasley was both a star athlete, and a star student during her time at Alabama State. She will now use her backgrounds in athletics, accounting, and business to help The W reach even greater heights. She and the school are – without a doubt – good for Columbus, and that’s Good for Business!

MUW – PRESS RELEASE

Columbus, Miss. – W Athletics has named Brooke Beasley as the assistant director of athletics.

Brooke Beaasley, Athletic Director at The W (courtesy photo)

Brooke Beasley, Athletic Director at The W (courtesy photo)

“We are very fortunate to have Brooke join our staff.  Her vast experience working in the business department for athletics at Alabama State and her most recent work in financial aid compliance will be a tremendous asset to our growing staff,” said Jason Trufant.  “A former standout volleyball student-athlete at Alabama State University, Brooke will also assist our women’s volleyball program and head coach Roxanne Hernandez.”

Prior to joining The W, Beasley worked as a compliance specialist at Wallace State Community College where she performed Title IV federal financial aid calculations, monitored compliance with federal and state requirements and assisted students with the day-to-day financial aid process.

“I am excited by the opportunity that The W presents. Reviving an athletics program is a huge undertaking, but it is also very exciting to reestablish something that is such an important part campus,” said Beasley. “The W already has such a rich history, and reestablishing the athletic program is one of those history making moments. Anyone would be blessed to be a part of this amazing opportunity.”

Formerly at Alabama State University, Beasley served as athletics business manager which included reporting monthly and annual expenses forecast and assisting with ticket distribution, game day operations and NCAA compliance.

As a Division I student athlete, Beasley was captain of the Lady Hornet Volleyball team at Alabama State University and named 2012 Southwestern Athletic Conference Newcomer of the Year, two-time Southwestern Athletic Conference Champion and Capital One Academic All-District team for two consecutive seasons. As a volleyball player at Wallace State, Beasley was selected for the 2011 ACCC/Region 22 Tournament MVP and 1st team All-Region.

She holds a master of accountancy and bachelor of science in accounting from Alabama State University, where she graduated with a 4.0.

Beasley officially started her role as assistant athletics director on Oct. 24.

http://www.muw.edu/news/3910-beasley-joins-w-athletics-as-assistant-director-of-athletics-2

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Joe Max Makes the Mississippi Top 50

By Columbus, Golden Triangle, GTR LINK, PACCAR, Yokohama

Joe Max Makes the Mississippi Top 50

Columbus – Courtesy of MS Top 50

joe max higgins

GTR LINK CEO Joe Max Higgins (courtesy photo)

Local businessman and GTR LINK CEO, Joe Max Higgins, will soon be inducted into this year’s “Top 50 Most Influential people in the state of Mississippi.” He has taken part in the efforts to bring major businesses such as Yokohama and PACCAR to our area, as well as a number of other economic developments. He will be receiving his award on Nov. 9 of this year at the Old Capitol Inn, along with the rest of the winners of this special award.

Please see the link below for more info and for the full article:
http://mstop50.com/winners/business-media-and-culture/5

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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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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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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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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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Old Train Depot Renovation Steams Ahead in Preparation for Shops and Apartments

By Business, Columbus, Main Street, Real Estate, The W

Old Train Depot Renovation Steams Ahead in Preparation for Shops and Apartments

 

Courtesy of The Dispatch

After two years of hard work, California developer/preservationist Gayle Guynup has completed external renovations to the old Train Depot on Main near the W, and will soon begun work on the inside of the dilapidated 130-year-old structure. She stated that, among other major fixes, a new roof was put on the building, along with removal of a secondary structure. Guynup’s intention is to have a few apartments on the upper level, and commercial space on the ground floor; she hopes to have most of it leased out and occupied within nine months. “We would have loved to have had a single tenant that could have taken over the whole property,” she said.

Columbus contractor Gene Reid walks in front of the old depot on Main Street in Columbus Thursday. Finished with exterior renovations, Reid is soon to begin building apartments on the second floor of the historic structure. Photo by: Luisa Porter/Dispatch Staff

Columbus contractor Gene Reid walks in front of the old depot on Main Street in Columbus Thursday. Finished with exterior renovations, Reid is soon to begin building apartments on the second floor of the historic structure. Photo by: Luisa Porter/Dispatch Staff

Gene Reid Construction was responsible for the exterior fixes. “I think right now, we’re tentatively looking at four to five apartments, most likely four,” said Reid, adding once the permits are approved, the apartments should take six to nine months to complete. “What we’re probably going to do is build two small, efficiency-type apartments, plus two to three larger apartments.”

Please see the full article here: http://www.cdispatch.com/news/article.asp?aid=52147

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Local Girl Making Amazing Sweets — And Baking Good Business!

By Business, Columbus, Foodservice

Got a sweet tooth? How about placing an order with a local entrepreneur who has an established business selling fresh, delicious cupcakes and brownies just a few weeks ago, and is already a big hit with the local community! Magnolia Cakes is a small business, but one with plenty of potential – the amazing part is, it’s run by a 13-year old Columbus high school student named Katelyn Lowe.

Courtesy of the Dispatch:

Katelyn Lowe, 13, of Columbus is selling homemade baked goods this summer. She plans to donate part of the proceeds to charity. Katelyn Lowe, 13, of Columbus is selling homemade baked goods this summer. She plans to donate part of the proceeds to charity. Photo by: Courtesy photo

Katelyn Lowe, 13, of Columbus is selling homemade baked goods this summer. She plans to donate part of the proceeds to charity. Photo by: Courtesy photo

Katelyn got her start making goodies for her family and friends, and word of her skills soon spread to her church family at Kolola Springs Baptist in Caledonia. Enough people wanted her baked goods that she was soon able to establish a small business to sell them and gain further reach. She credits her skill to her mother:

“My mom likes to cook a lot, and she makes these really good desserts that I love,” she said.

Lowe reports that she’s gotten over a dozen orders in just over a month, and word is spreading fast. While her mother helps her shop for baking supplies, the young teen pays for her own ingredients with her business’ revenue. Customers may order Lowe’s sweets in any amount, but she prices cupcakes at $18 per dozen, cupcakes with filling at $22 per dozen and brownie buttons at $10 a dozen. Lowe said she plans to donate a portion of her final profit this summer to Lowndes County Imagination Library and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis.

Lowe created a business website, magnoliacakesbykatelyn.weebly.com, because she had no idea her business would grow so quickly. She hopes her website will allow customers to order online. She hopes to be able to continue filling orders once school starts, if her schedule allows.

Lowe is the daughter of Jeff and Melinda Lowe of Columbus.

Click here for the full article:

http://www.cdispatch.com/news/article.asp?aid=51434

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