Mississippi

May 9, 2007 -- (Jackson, Mississippi) – Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour today announced approval of more than $97.2 million in grants to help with post-Katrina revitalization projects in 15 coastal communities, ranging from new fire stations in Bay St. Louis, Moss Point, Picayune, Poplarville and Waveland to a county services complex in Jackson County.    » read more »

April 26, 2007 -- “We are grateful to the President and the Administration for this 18-month extension of the deadline for FEMA’s providing trailers and other temporary housing for Mississippians who lost their homes in Katrina. This announcement will give peace of mind to the more than 25,000 Mississippi families still living in FEMA trailers.    » read more »

Update: $869 Million Distributed to 12,413 Families in Housing Assistance

April 26, 2007 -- (Jackson, Mississippi) – Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour today announced the opening of a public comment period for a $262.5 million plan designed to restore affordable rental housing units in the coastal counties most affected by Hurricane Katrina.    » read more »

April 23, 2007 -- (Jackson, Mississippi) – Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour has signed a bill to authorize the Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks to study the issue of deer baiting, and ultimately determine the outcome of this issue.

The Governor signed the bill on Saturday, and it was returned to the Legislature today with the following statement:

“I have signed House Bill 423 to remove the issue of using bait to hunt deer from the politicians and to give that important decision to the professionals and scientists.”    » read more »

April 19, 2007 -- (Jackson, Mississippi) - Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour, in conjunction with other governors across the nation, has officially proclaimed Friday, April 20, 2007, as a statewide “Day of Mourning” in remembrance of the victims of the recent Virginia Tech tragedy. As part of the “Day of Mourning,” the Governor is asking for all bells to chime at 11 a.m. CDT as a sign of respect for the victims and their families.    » read more »

March 7, 2007 -- BILOXI, Miss. -- Like the old adage, March came in like a lion. Just a few days into the month, the Gulf Coast has already experienced severe weather. Local, state and federal emergency management partners encourage all Mississippians to be prepared.

Here are few tornado safety tips from the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA):    » read more »

As April 17th Tax Filing Deadline Approaches, Governor Barbour, CCIA Remind State Taxpayers That EITC Recipients, Active Military Members & Others Are Eligible To File For Free

March 6, 2007 -- (Jackson) – With the April 17th tax filing deadline rapidly approaching, Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour today joined the Computer & Communications Industry Association at a press conference urging Mississippi taxpayers to take advantage of the Free File Alliance, a program that provides state taxpayers with free access to the best-known and most trusted tax preparation software products for their personal use. Mississippians who qualify for the program can prepare their state and federal returns and electronically file their taxes online free of charge with the program.

“This free service allows most taxpayers to file their tax returns quickly and accurately, and often helps consumers find hidden deductions or credits and receive a faster, sometimes larger refund,” Governor Barbour said at a press conference today in the Woolfolk Building. “Since its creation five years ago, the Free File Alliance has proven to be a valuable program for Mississippi taxpayers,” said Governor Barbour. “We want to get the word out and get taxpayers to visit www.mstc.state.ms.us to take advantage of the program.”    » read more »

Biloxi, Mississippi -- March 1, 2007 -- THE PRESIDENT: Governor, and First Lady, thanks for your welcome. It's great to be back in the Gulf Coast of Mississippi.

I've had the privilege of coming down and meeting a lot of these folks before, so I really feel like it's, in many ways, a chance to reconnect with people who I admire. I can remember the looks on your faces when I first came down here during the incredible destruction -- right after destruction of Katrina. You know, there was something about the spirit of Mississippi, though, that made it clear to me that there was no doubt that progress was going to be made.

Mayor, I remember you and I walking through the streets of Biloxi and finding people that were literally stunned and were in shock, and were wondering what life meant for them. And I remember the piles of debris, Mayor, in your city -- or, Rocky, I remember talking to you when you came, and you had the same set of clothes on for the last four days -- you were trying to recover from a brutal devastation in your county.    » read more »

February 27, 2007 -- BILOXI, Miss. -- The city of Moss Point will receive a grant of more than $188,000 to increase the number of building department positions and upgrade the city's computer systems. The Pearl River County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) will receive a grant of more than $8,000 to install storm shutters to protect their operations room.

With more building department staff, Moss Point can increase field inspections. In turn, more inspections can ensure correct construction methods are being used and buildings are within proper codes and standards. Frequent inspections can also uncover poor construction or building workmanship. These precautions can aid in preventing significant building and structural damage and subsequent repair costs during future storm events.    » read more »

Tupelo, Mississippi -- February 27, 2007 -- "It is my great pleasure to announce today that Toyota Motor Corporation has decided to locate its next North American automobile assembly plant at the Wellspring site near Tupelo, Mississippi.

Obviously, we in Mississippi and especially North Mississippi are excited to have been chosen by Toyota as its partner. Toyota is the world’s premiere auto manufacturer, and our state will be the best partner the Company has.

Let me share some specifics with you: Toyota’s new plan will initially employ 2,000 workers when it opens in less than three years; between now and then some 2,000 construction jobs will have been created; and Toyota will invest $1.3 billion not including the State’s incentives.    » read more »

New Plant to Start Production by 2010; To Employ 2,000 Team Members

February 27, 2007 -- (TUPELO, Mississippi) – Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour joined Toyota (NYSE: TM) officials today to announce that the company has chosen a 1,700-acre site in Blue Springs, Mississippi to build its eighth North American vehicle assembly plant.

The new plant, to be located just outside of Tupelo, will have the capacity to build 150,000 vehicles annually of Toyota’s popular Highlander sport utility vehicle. Production is scheduled to begin by 2010.

The new plant represents a $1.3 billion investment by Toyota and is expected to create approximately 2,000 new jobs for the region and indirectly create work for many more. Operations at the plant will include stamping, body weld, plastics, paint, and assembly.    » read more »

February 21, 2007, (Washington, DC) - U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez today announced a $2 million Economic Development Administration (EDA) investment to Mississippi's Prentiss County, the city of Booneville and the Prentiss County Development Association, Inc., Miss. The investment will help build infrastructure improvements to the Prentiss County Industrial Park to serve the expansion of ACCO Brands, Inc., an office products manufacturer. The investment is expected to help create 287 new jobs and generate $43.5 million in private investment.

“President Bush and I are committed to partnering with communities to promote innovation and competitiveness. Through economic development grants like these, the Commerce Department will continue to encourage investments in local areas, grow the economy and create jobs,” said Gutierrez.    » read more »

Richton, Mississippi selected for Petroleum Reserve Expansion

February 14, 2007, HATTIESBURG, MS - U.S. Secretary of Energy Samuel W. Bodman today announced that Richton, MS, will be the site for the expansion of the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR). The announcement came during remarks at a signing ceremony at the University of Southern Mississippi’s Thad Cochran Center. He was accompanied by Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour and Richton Mayor Jimmy White.

“The Strategic Petroleum Reserve is a national asset intended to protect the U.S. against severe supply disruptions that could harm our economy and threaten our national security”, said Secretary Bodman. “Today’s designation of Richton, MS, as the home of the fifth site of our nation’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve will make America stronger, and make her a more secure and prosperous nation.”    » read more »

Richton, Mississippi selected for Petroleum Reserve Expansion

February 14, 2007 -- HATTIESBURG, MS - U.S. Secretary of Energy Samuel W. Bodman today announced that Richton, MS, will be the site for the expansion of the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR). The announcement came during remarks at a signing ceremony at the University of Southern Mississippi’s Thad Cochran Center. He was accompanied by Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour and Richton Mayor Jimmy White.

“The Strategic Petroleum Reserve is a national asset intended to protect the U.S. against severe supply disruptions that could harm our economy and threaten our national security”, said Secretary Bodman. “Today’s designation of Richton, MS, as the home of the fifth site of our nation’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve will make America stronger, and make her a more secure and prosperous nation.”    » read more »

February 8, 2007 -- BILOXI, Miss. -- The recovery effort remains strong throughout Mississippi as families rebuild their homes, communities and lives.

In partnership with the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has obligated more than $9.4 billion in disaster aid to Mississippi as of Feb. 2, 2007.

Approximately $1.15 billion has been approved in the following Public Assistance (PA) categories (not including debris removal). To date, more than $984 million has been disbursed to PA applicants for rebuilding projects including bridges, public buildings and utilities. The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency administers the funds. The $1.1 billion approved for PA includes:    » read more »