Wednesday, March 10, 2010
 

 
 
  Current News
 		  Announcements
 

Applications Being Accepted for 2010 Masters Class
 
The Gulf Coast Business Council Research Foundation is pleased to announce that applications are now being accepted for the 2010 Masters Program.  Founded in 2007, the Masters Program is designed to identify and develop emerging leaders of the Gulf Coast, and creates a practical application forum to delve deeply into solutions to critical issues facing the region.  Up to 20 class members will be selected to participate in the year-long program which will consist of seven sessions, including one visit to a national "best practices" city.  This year's program is made possible in part through the generous support of Horne LLP.  For a copy of the application to this year's class, click here.  If you have questions about the program, please call (228) 897-2020.
 
 
Fourth Quarter Regional Brief Released
 
The Gulf Coast Business Council Research Foundation published its Regional Brief for the fourth quarter in February.  This report contains information and commentary reflective of the Mississippi Gulf Coast and is intended to provide a regional perspective of economic conditions during the fourth quartrer of 2009 and expectations for the coming months.
 
The economy on the Mississippi Gulf Coast advanced in the fourth quarter 2009 when referencing results from economic indicators such as sales tax diversions and home sales, while employment levels worsened slightly at the end of the year.  Weighing these results with other indicators, such as the CEO & Business Owner Survey that was administered at the end of the qurater, and anecdotal information, shows slight progress was made within the overall economy of the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
  
 
Research Foundation Releases School Start Date Study

The Gulf Coast Business Council Research Foundation announced on January 26, 2010,  the release of its Introductory Study of Later School Start Dates in Mississippi.  The study is not an endorsement of moving school start dates back in Mississippi.  The Business Council hopes that educators, legislators, and other stakeholders will explore all facets of the issue in an open an honest dialogue. The study explores the potential economic impacts of moving school start dates back while maintaining the same number of instructional days and analyzes the effect such legislation has had in other southern states.  

While the report is an important set of facts related to the issue of school start dates, it is understood that it is not the only information which is important to the dialogue and it is paramount that all other points of view and data points are fully explored in a broad process by appropriate stakeholders. 
 

Outlook for Mississippi Gulf Coast Continues to Improve
The CEO and Business Owner Confidence index improved in the fourth quarter 2009 and remains above neutral for the third consecutive quarter.  The confidence component measuring expecations for the next six months reached an all-time high; the survey has been administered for six consecutive quarters.  The CEO and Business Owners Confidence Survey is administered through a collaboration between the various Chambers of Commerce that serve the Mississippi Gulf Coast and also the Mississippi Gulf Coast Business Council.  In the near future the Gulf Coast Business Council will be publishing its Regional Brief for the fourth quarter and insight will be provided for economic indicators such as commercial and residential permits, home sales, employment, and sales tax diversions.


Regional Brief Reports Positive Economic News

The Gulf Coast Business Council Research Foundation announced today the release of its quarterly Regional Brief. This report contains statistics and commentary relative to the events and news that shaped the Mississippi Gulf Coast economy during the second quarter of 2009. The report details signs of recovery from the current national economy by noting that the Mississippi Gulf Coast’s unemployment levels stabilized in the second quarter, with corporations such as Northrop Grumman increasing its employment levels by 800 individuals. Additional key announcements from the second quarter include Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport’s increased flights, as well as major expansion plans from the Palace Casino.  


Port Alliance Encourages Public Membership

The Port Alliance For Jobs and Community Development is a newly-formed group of citizens who support the increase of jobs at the State Port at Gulfport and the development of the Coast Communities which will result from the full restoration of the Port at Gulfport.


Membership in the Port Alliance is voluntary and open to all members of the public who support the restoration of the Port. Download the Port Alliance membership application here.

To learn more about the restoration of the Port at Gulfport and the Port Alliance, download the following articles from the Sun Herald. 
                        

Wind Pool Study Reveals Impact on Economy     

A study commissioned by the Gulf Coast Business Council Research Foundation and conducted by the John C. Stennis Institute of Government at Mississippi State University evaluates the economic impact of the proposal for additional funding of $20 million into the wind pool.
 
An analysis of the study, released by the Gulf Coast Business Council Research Foundation, states that in addition to attracting commercial investments and reducing the burden of insurance costs to Gulf Coast homeowners, this additional $20 million in state funding will more than pay for itself as a result of new tax revenues to the state of Mississippi. The study estimates these new tax revenues to state coffers at $26.9 million.
 
 
 
                  


         
  
         
    
 
 
             
              

  

  
 
 
 
January 26
General Membership
Meeting
8:00 am
 
  
 
February 9
Board Meeting
4:00 pm