Meridian is in the midst of an economic revival that will continue to enhance the richness of our community for decades to come.
The East Mississippi Business Development Corp. is focused on the long-term economic diversification of our community and is steadily engaged in recruiting new industries.
Meridian’s prime location makes the city attractive to new businesses wanting to relocate while taking advantage of the many incentives Mississippi has to offer. Along with our Southern hospitality, Meridian has available land for development and is close to interstates and institutions of higher learning.
Our newest neighbors in Meridian, Loblolly Industries and Tower Automotive, will play a significant role in the advancement of Meridian’s economic progress. Not only will they provide jobs for our community, they will ensure that our homegrown industries thrive as well.
Loblolly Industries’ new site in Lauderdale County, at the G.V. “Sonny” Montgomery Industrial Park, is under construction.
The site has been cleared and Lauderdale County is preparing to issue bonds in support of the new 335,000-square-foot facility. The plant, expected to open in early 2008, will create 140 direct jobs and 160 indirect jobs throughout the area.
The project is backed by Shuqualak Lumber Co., one of Mississippi’s largest privately-owned timber companies. Loblolly Industries will produce Scrimtec, a remarkable new structural engineered wood product made from immature pine trees. Scrimtec is made with the patented TimTek technology, which uses pine forest thinnings to produce lumber-like products.
The location of this plant will ignite the pulpwood market by creating an additional outlet for local timber growers in the Meridian area and ensure the future of the state’s lumber industry. Local farmers, who have been seeking additional revenue options for their small diameter trees, will soon be able to realize immediate economic benefits.
Tower Automotive, now located at the former Delco Remy building in South Industrial Park, is a leading global designer and producer of structural metal components for the automotive industry.
Company officials chose Meridian, known as the strategic center of the south, because of its proximity to Tower customers and other facilities. Tower’s new automotive parts facility was scheduled to begin limited production this month. Tower Automotive is currently hiring and is expected to provide 200 initial jobs for our community.
Meridianites will soon realize that the economic success of both ventures will eventually translate into benefits for the entire area.
Providing new opportunities while nurturing our existing industry is a primary goal of the East Mississippi Business Development Corp. And, the EMBDC staff is always preparing for tomorrow.
Working with city, county and state officials, the EMBDC is constantly talking to prospects and promoting the area with the intention to bring businesses and industries to East Mississippi. The Lauderdale County Board of Supervisors played a major role in facilitating both Tower and Loblolly projects.
The team at East Mississippi Business Development Corp. remains focused on its mission and is excited about Meridian’s potential.
Andrea Maloof is communications and research coordinator for the East Mississippi Business Development Corp.
FIND OUT MORE
In February 2001, Wade C. Jones was named president of the East Mississippi Business Development Corp., the chamber/economic development
organization for Meridian and Lauderdale County. Jones is a active volunteer in local area civic and community development organizations. He and his wife, Wanda, have five children and live in Meridian.
The EMBDC office is at 1901 Front St. in downtown Meridian. The phone number is (601) 693-1306. For more information, or to read the latest newsletter or request a new resident package, visit www.embdc.org.
Meridian and its Neighbors
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Discussion
July 20, 2006
EMBDC: Welcoming new businesses
- Meridian and its Neighbors
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Meet Bruce Clopton
Bruce Clopton has lived in Meridian almost all his life, and wouldn’t want it any other way. Bruce, a partner at the Insurance Center of Meridian, lives in the same house in which he was raised, one that was designed by his father, the late architect Brad Clopton.
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Now on Sale — KATRINA: A Time to Reflect
Katrina: A Time to Reflect, a hardback, full-color pictorial review of last summer’s record-setting hurricane, is available for pickup at The Meridian Star’s office, 814 22nd Ave.
Books are available for purchase at $20.00.
The 120-page book features photographs taken by The Meridian Star staff and its readers. Sections are devoted to both East Central Mississippi and the Gulf Coast. -
THANK YOU ...
The Meridian Star thanks all the people in the community who collaborated on “Meridian and its Neighbors” by writing stories — and gratefully acknowledges help provided by the city of Meridian, the Meridian/ Lauderdale County Tourism Bureau and the East Mississippi Business Development Corp.
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A shining new star in Meridian
On Sept. 8, the doors will open on a vibrant new hub for performing arts, education and conferences in the heart of Meridian’s historic downtown.
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NAS Meridian celebrates 45th anniversary
It’s been a long journey for Naval Air Station Meridian from the once-small auxiliary air station to the major jet training air base where pilots from around the world are trained. In fact, the base celebrates its 45th anniversary this year.
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Meridian Community College: Just the right size for your success
Meridian Community College President Scott Elliott always tells entering freshmen that he has two major goals for them — to get the highest quality education possible and to enjoy a total college experience.
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Let me tell you about ...
In practically any bustling, growing city you can find an activity or community center. If it’s a really large city they’ll have a “Y” with activities for all ages.
- State Games packs ’em in For two weekends every June, it’s impossible to stay in a Meridian hotel or, for that matter, any hotel within a 60-mile radius of the city unless you thought ahead ... way ahead, like the year before.
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EMBDC: Welcoming new businesses
Meridian is in the midst of an economic revival that will continue to enhance the richness of our community for decades to come.
- Come visit a growing city The growth and expansion we’ve been experiencing continue to add to our economic vitality, and we’re delighted to share our projects and programs with our neighboring communities.
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