POPLARVILLE —
Have you ever heard of the creative economy? There are a lot of references to this in regards to the arts, music, museums, cultural events and other industries that make an economic impact on communities. Some compare and contrast the creative economy with the knowledge economy. The argument being that they go hand in hand. The thought goes something like this, those in the knowledge economy (i.e. computer programmers, designers, engineers, scientists etc.) tend to cluster in and around communities that are high in cultural and social activities. Cultural and social type businesses require creative workers to support the knowledge workers in the area. Of course some communities benefit mightily from the tourism component of these industries.
A lot of people in Mississippi earn their living from these creative industries. The Mississippi Arts Commission and Mississippi Development Authority studied these industries in our state and determined that approximately 63,500 talented workers kept this economic engine churning. These businesses span the blues music in the Mississippi Delta, the arts and crafts in Ocean Springs and Bay St Louis, and Elvis in Tupelo. Read more at http://www.dailyyonder.com/worth-rural-creative-economy/2012/01/30/3727 .
One of the larger cultural events on the Miss. Gulf Coast is Cruising the Coast. The numbers this year continue to exceed expectations of the organizers. Registrants from 39 states and 3 different countries made up the 5,878 that formally signed up for the event, according to WLOX. Would be interesting to know how many participated that did not register. The restaurants, casinos and other establishments certainly benefitted from the estimated $21 million impact as noted by Beth Carriere, Harrison County Tourism Director.
What does this have to do with Picayune? Any of us in the over 40 set, having lived in and grown up around Pearl River County for most of our lives, remembers the Boulevard. Picayune’s Goodyear Boulevard was regionally renowned as a place to go cruising, show off your car (or truck), and socialize. As noted in this paper by Doug McQueen, the Boulevard was a place to cruise and congregate (http://picayuneitem.com/features/x2079263767/Memories-of-Goodyear-Boulevard-and-life-in-Picayune-during-the-1960s-and-1970s).
In the 60s and 70s there was cool restaurant, the Boulevard Inn and in the 80s The Picadilly was where young people congregated. Of course those businesses benefitted from the “loose change” spent by the kids. And I mean that quite literally, how many times did you and your friends tally up all the quarters, nickels and dimes in your pockets and ash trays in order to get enough gas to cruise around all evening?
With our close proximity to the Mississippi Gulf Coast and being the home to the Boulevard Cruisers (http://boulevardcruisers.com/), Picayune is strategically positioned to economically benefit from Cruising the Coast. The cars that the Boulevard Cruisers, and the participants of Cruising the Coast, drive and display are beautiful rolling works of arts. This type of creative economic development is bringing new jobs and businesses to many towns in Mississippi, and after all, people were cruising in Picayune long before Cruising the Coast existed.
Business
What comes around goes around
- Business
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- Dual Enrollment Practical Nursing Program available at PRCC Some students possess the maturity level and academic wherewithal to begin studying toward a fruitful career path while still in high school. It is no secret that many earn most of the necessary credits towards a high school diploma by the completion of the junior year of school; thus, requiring the student to attend high school for part of the school day during their senior year. Many students have jobs or extracurricular school activities, such as band or athletics, to help round out the day. However, those not in falling into these categories often ended up with a lot of free time; fortunately policy makers in Mississippi are finding ways to assist these students.
- Senators Burks Hill and Smith along with Representative Frierson panelists for Chamber Business Review The Greater Area Picayune Chamber of Commerce held a Legislative Review for the business community, at Char Southern Steakhouse, Monday at 5:30 p.m. Panelists included State Senator District 40 Angela Burks Hill, State Senator District 47 Tony Smith, and State Rep. Herb Frierson of Poplarville. All are Republican. They spoke on the past session and bills they either authored or helped pass which impact local and state businesses.
- Investing in the community one building at a time There is a bit of a renaissance occurring in Pearl River County. This is happening one building at a time. It seems to be happening rather quietly, but the end results are going to help shape the future of the county and the cities located here.
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Medical Group gives back to community
, Children’s International Medical Group is proud to announce the opening of their pediatric clinic in Picayune.
The clinic is one of many throughout La. and Miss. which brings compassionate care centered around pediatric patients and the community in which they live.
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Charter Bank names Westfall as VP
Charter Bank is pleased to announce the addition of Rich Westfall as vice president of business development and marketing. His responsibilities will be to lead business and community development and oversee all marketing efforts for the bank.
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Weak Oracle sales, Cyprus fears weigh on US stocks
Stocks closed lower on Wall Street Thursday after Oracle’s weak sales results weighed down big U.S. technology companies. Traders also worried about Cyprus running out of time to avoid bankruptcy.
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Mississippi REALTORS® hold annual REALTOR® Day at the Capitol
On Feb.7, 2013 Pearl River County REALTORS® joined more than 120 Mississippi REALTORS® at the Mississippi State Capitol to take part in REALTOR® Day at the Capitol.
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More than school board needs to be changed: Part 2
Dr. Scott Alsobrooks/Guest Columnist
At quick glance, it is easy to see that the Mississippi economy will only need about 25 percent of its workforce at the bachelor’s level or higher. Most jobs still require only a high school degree, but many well paying jobs will require some sort of 2 year degree or a post high school type credential such as a certificate in welding, carpentry or plumbing. -
HORNE LLP welcomes Picayune native as spring accounting intern
HORNE LLP, one of the top accounting and business advisory firms in the nation, recently welcomed Melissa Pigott of Picayune, Miss., as a spring accounting intern. A total of 26 accounting students were selected for the highly competitive internship program.
Pigott is a student at the University of Southern Mississippi and is completing her internship in assurance services in the Ridgeland, Miss., office location. -
More than school board needs to be changed: Part 1
By Dr. Scott Alsobrooks/Guest Columnist
The Senate Education Committee passed Bill 2141 recently. The bill is championed by local Senator Tony Smith. While the bill would not affect Pearl River Central Schools, it would change the Picayune and Poplarville School Districts from a mix of appointed and elected board members, to all elected. An amendment was put in the bill to require board members to have at least one year of college. - More Business Headlines
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