Category Archives: Golden Triangle

New Trends in Homebuying in Today’s Market

New Trends in Homebuying in Today’s Market

Homeowners these days are trending towards the “Millenial” generation, are becoming more and more diverse, and are showing a distinct preference for the suburbs, according to new research from Zillow. With them comes higher incomes, as well as slightly older, more financially stable buyers for the market, who are tired of renting and want to put down roots somewhere that they can truly call “home.”

Courtesy of Zillow.com

zillow-logo-150xNew Zillow Group research shows that young adults are buying homes in sufficient numbers now and they are actually driving the housing market.
Half of home buyers are under age 36.

“Millennials are shaping the market more than anyone realized. In fact, half of all buyers are under 36 and half of sellers are under 41,” said Zillow Chief Marketing Officer Jeremy Wacksman, referring to results from a survey of more than 13,000 homeowners, sellers, buyers and renters that are part of the new Zillow Group Consumer Housing Trends Report. Young adults are also driving more diversity among homeowners. Only 66 percent of millennial homeowners are white, compared with 77 percent of all homeowners. Among millennial homeowners, 17 percent are Latino or Hispanic, 10 percent are African-American and 7 percent are Asian or Pacific Islander.

Another surprise from the new report is that a large number of millennial homeowners — 47 percent — live in the suburbs. One big reason for the popularity of suburbs is cost. As urban cores have soared in popularity, so have the price tags on urban homes. To afford bigger homes, and to find the shared amenities they like such as community gyms and pools, many millennials are willing to live farther out.

Financial considerations make sense to a lot of renters, almost 60 percent of whom make less than $50,000 a year. Home buyers, by comparison, make $87,500 on average. As a result, many prospective homebuyers will look at a large number of properties before making a decision, while also simultaneously taking a look at rental properties in the same price range.  “Depending on where they live, homeownership may be out of reach,” Wacksman said.

For more info and the full article, click here: http://www.zillow.com/blog/trends-zillow-group-research-206775/

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MUW Adds New Member to its Athletic Staff

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

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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MSU Student Volunteers Come Together to Help Feed Those in Need

MSU Student Volunteers Come Together to Help Feed Those in Need

STARKVILLE, MS (Sourced from Starkville Daily News, WCBI) –

ms stateRoughly a hundred MSU student volunteers recently joined forces to pack and ship five thousand meals to be sent out to hungry families in Mississippi and beyond, as part of a project to help raise awareness of food insecurity.The Oxfam Hunger Banquet model was used for their pre-work meal, where students were divided up into several groups meant to proportionally represent various “income levels” and what families at those levels might find themselves eating. The smallest group by far – those randomly chosen as the “high income” group, sat down at the tables for a multi-course meal with real plates and silverware; the largest two groups – the “low income” ones, sat on the floor with paper plates, plastic forks, a mound of mashed potatoes – and precious little else. Students reportedly ate relatively little, many of them never having previously known just how bad many families in need really have it.

Click the links below for the full articles and more info:

http://www.starkvilledailynews.com/content/msu-raises-awareness-food-insecurity-miss-beyond

http://www.cdispatch.com/news/article.asp?aid=53727

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Back the Blue Honors Police and Their Families

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

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

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

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

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

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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