AGP Executive Report

Small Business Boost: The Hancock Chamber launched new programs to strengthen Hancock County’s economy, including a Catalyst Grant Program offering 35 matching grants ($1,000–$1,500) plus AI training access for recipients. Workforce & Education: Russellville City Schools hired baseball coach Blake Beck as the new varsity coach, calling it a “destination job” tied to community-wide support. Energy Costs: GasBuddy data show Mississippi regular prices averaging $3.90 for the week ending May 30, with local lows like $3.39 in Jackson County and $3.58 in Wayne County; diesel and midgrade prices also varied by county. Inflation Debate: An AP report says inflation hit 3.8% in April and is rising again, pushing back on claims that it’s mainly a “blue state” problem. Local Environment & Development: Live-oak protections were undermined in Long Beach and Biloxi as ordinances were effectively overridden before appeals could be heard. Infrastructure Disruption: The Iowa/Wisconsin Mississippi River bridge center-span install will shut the free car ferry June 11–12 and restrict river traffic.

Data Centers in Jackson: Residents packed a Jackson hearing to oppose Saxum’s rezoning request for a potential data center, with the plan expanded to 230 acres and the city weighing a data-center moratorium while it drafts rules. Inland Logistics: Logistic Services Inc. bought Five Rivers Distribution assets, boosting inland waterways operations and expanding presence on the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System. Energy Policy: President Trump announced nearly $700M for coal plant life extensions, new builds, and a delayed export terminal—aimed at lowering energy costs, but criticized for health and environmental impacts. Mississippi Agriculture & Food Safety: Mississippi’s agriculture commissioner said the newly confirmed “new world screwworm” in Texas poses no threat to the state’s meat supply, while urging vets and the Board of Animal Health to be contacted if suspected. Public Health: A University of Mississippi review found fine air pollution (PM2.5) links to cardiovascular harm even below EPA limits. Fuel Prices Watch: GasBuddy reported Mississippi regular averages around $3.90 for the week ending May 30, with local lows like $3.46 in Jones County. Local Governance & Community: Biloxi’s 97th Blessing of the Fleet kicked off shrimp season with faith, maritime tradition, and a shrimp festival. State Politics: Mississippi Rep. Price Wallace, a poultry farmer and agriculture advocate who chaired the House Constitution Committee, died at 64.

Mississippi Fuel Watch: GasBuddy reports show diesel prices easing in several counties in the week ending May 30, with the lowest noted at $4.91 in Prentiss County and $4.99 in Amite County, while statewide averages for diesel sit around $4.97. Infrastructure & Roads: A new analysis flags that 14.0% of Mississippi’s major roadways are in poor condition, warning that funding timelines ending in October 2026 could slow safety and repair work. Industry & Energy: The St. Louis Fed’s Beige Book says businesses across the Eighth District (including Mississippi) are dealing with higher costs tied to energy, transportation, insurance, and materials, with supply-chain disruption and Iran-war uncertainty still weighing on outlooks. Workforce & Education: Mississippi Christian University named Griffin Fleming Director of Fan Engagement, aiming to boost game-day attendance and community partnerships. Community & Culture: Lucas Oil received a 2026 Community Impact Award from Culture of Good, highlighting continued support for local initiatives. Local Planning: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is seeking public comments on proposed work at Lock and Dam 5, with construction expected in late 2027 or 2028.

Mississippi Politics: House Agriculture Committee chair Price Wallace, a poultry farmer and longtime advocate for Mississippi agriculture, died at 64, with colleagues citing his work on restoring ballot initiative rights. Energy & Jobs: Accelerate MS won a $100,000 ARC POWER grant to train coal-impacted workers for advanced manufacturing careers in the region. Oil & Gas (Gulf): Subsea7 landed an EPCI contract tied to Murphy Oil’s String Music development in the U.S. Gulf, feeding back to the Delta House system in Mississippi Canyon. Healthcare Access (MS Gulf Coast): HealthOne plans a new multipurpose facility in Picayune aimed at bringing sleep studies, specialty care, and durable medical equipment closer to Pearl River County residents. Workforce & Policy: A Mississippi lawmaker says he’s pushing the Pentagon to stop stalling wind project permits, a hurdle for broader permitting reform. Food Retail: Rouses Markets earned a spot on Supermarket News’ inaugural Super50 list, ranking #28 across the U.S. Public Health Research: University of Mississippi researchers report heart risks from PM2.5 even when pollution stays below federal limits.

Public Safety: Lafayette County authorities arrested 31-year-old Jarvis Petty on multiple child sex-crime charges, including sexual battery, child pornography, grooming, and enticement; bond was set at $1 million. Local Infrastructure: Lauderdale County supervisors moved forward with an $800,000 Minnow Bucket Road resurfacing project, funded through a Mississippi legislative appropriation, with bids expected before state money arrives mid-to-late 2026. Waterways & Industry: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is seeking public comments on a draft environmental assessment for proposed end-cell work at Lock and Dam 5, with construction targeted for late 2027 or 2028. Coastal Development: Mississippi officials are reviewing an application to build a 280-foot bulkhead and fill coastal wetlands near Bayview Ave in Biloxi for shoreline stabilization, with a requested variance. Workforce & Business Growth: GreenPoint Ag named Athens resident Amy Winstead as CEO, tapping her retail and operational leadership experience to guide the Southeast agribusiness supplier. STEM & Training: Pearl River Community College students Lakeveon Causey and Elijah Powell received $500 Mississippi Space Grant Consortium STEM stipends. Defense Tech: Integer Technologies plans to expand operations on LSU’s campus, creating 23 jobs tied to military decision-support software. Energy/Comms Pressure: A Mississippi AM station says a data-center and chip-manufacturing project forced it off its long-time transmitter site, raising FCC questions about its operating status.

Education & Workforce: Dyersburg High School’s Bailey Nolen was named a National Merit Scholar, one of 2,500 college-sponsored winners. Broadband & Telecom: Windstream asked the FCC to shift Mississippi Rural Digital Opportunity Fund obligations to an in-state telecom, Uplink Internet. AI for Government: Mississippi AI Innovation Hub student teams built an AI solution for the Secretary of State’s office, aimed at speeding regulatory research and statutory review. Energy Efficiency in Schools: TVA awarded $350,000 to Mississippi-area schools through the School Uplift program to cut power bills and improve classroom upgrades. Water Infrastructure: A federal judge limited a state takeover of Jackson’s water system, blocking certain operational moves while the court keeps oversight. Logistics & Rail: Union Pacific’s proposed merger with Norfolk Southern drew remarks at a Little Rock Rotary Club, with the Mississippi River corridor highlighted for faster, more reliable service. Gulf Seafood Transparency: Genetic shrimp testing found mixed results on mislabeling across Gulf markets, with Mississippi showing more encouraging outcomes than some peers. Public Safety & Enforcement: Chickasaw County authorities arrested 59 in a cockfighting ring bust, seizing roosters, cash, firearms, and equipment. Community Development: Brandon broke ground on a $50 million luxury apartment complex, while Madison’s “The Gallery” entertainment district cleared permits for summer construction.

Mississippi Legal/Real Estate: A Wayne County foreclosure notice filed through Carrington Mortgage Services LLC sets a June 11, 2026 public auction for a Quitman property tied to a 2019 deed of trust. Agriculture & Supply Chains: Texas rice acreage is expected to drop again as producers weigh low prices and the looming threat of rice delphacid, while Mississippi is projected to see reduced planted acres amid broader oversupply pressures. Transportation & Farm Inputs: FMCSA granted a fertilizer-hauling Hours of Service waiver in 34 states, letting drivers log 16 hours driving within 24, aiming to ease supply squeezes during the summer. Energy & Weather Readiness: Atmos Energy is urging natural gas safety as hurricane season ramps up, reminding customers not to use equipment that’s flooded or damaged without inspection. Logistics: Logistic Services Inc. says it acquired substantially all assets of Five Rivers Distribution, expanding inland river multimodal operations across Arkansas and into Mississippi. Workforce & Community: Starkville-Oktibbeha and Columbus school districts restart federally funded summer meal programs to help close the summer hunger gap. Aviation Safety: The U.S. Air Force cleared T-38 Talon aircraft to resume flying after a May crash pause tied to Columbus AFB, Mississippi.

Mississippi Economy & Industry: The former Levi’s plant in Gluckstadt remains vacant after the December 2024 closure, with F Street Investment Group still shopping the 850,000-square-foot site for a single buyer or multiple tenants, while the Mississippi Development Authority stays involved. Energy Costs: Gas prices in Mississippi are expected to rise after the Strait of Hormuz blockade, with one report citing a jump from $2.35 in January to $3.82 by March 1. Workforce & Tech: Gulf Coast Community College hosted Anthropic Day Mississippi, part of the Mississippi Artificial Intelligence Network’s push to upskill public employees and prepare students for AI-linked jobs. Local Governance & Housing: Construction tied to the Lariat Affordable Housing project is prompting phased closures on 7th Ave N in Great Falls (impacting local access and traffic). Agriculture & Food: India’s heavy subsidies are distorting global rice markets, squeezing U.S. producers as government-backed support covers most production costs. Education & Youth: Mississippi 4-H is expanding beyond livestock and gardening into shooting sports, LEGOS judging, and leadership/public speaking.

Mississippi Tourism: Coastal Mississippi kicked off the summer season over Memorial Day weekend, leaning on indoor “anchors” like museums and major events to keep visitors coming even with scattered rain. Local Infrastructure: Lauderdale County took the first steps to resurface Minnow Bucket Road, with an $800,000 earmark from a new state local-improvements bill expected to arrive mid-to-late 2026. Defense & Aviation: The U.S. Air Force lifted a fleetwide operational pause for the T-38 Talon after a May crash near Columbus AFB, with inspected aircraft expected to return to flight status soon. Tech & Jobs: Seagate reached a proposed $175 million settlement tied to claims it concealed sales of hard drives to Huawei, with pension funds including Mississippi plaintiffs. Community & Youth: Pascagoula is accepting applications for its Mayor’s Youth Council (11th graders), offering students a behind-the-scenes look at city government and service projects. Agriculture: A separate regional report highlights how drought and higher costs are shrinking cattle herds while beef demand stays strong.

Mississippi State Baseball: The Diamond Dawgs kept rolling in Starkville, beating Louisiana Lafayette 19-5 in the NCAA Regional, with Ryan McPherson back for extended work and MSU’s bats piling on early and late. Gulf Coast Seafood Tradition: Biloxi marked the 97th annual Blessing of the Fleet, a prayer-and-celebration kickoff to shrimp season. Shipbuilding & Military Dining: NCBC Gulfport opened its renovated Colmer Dining Facility, part of a Navy shore food-service upgrade aimed at boosting readiness and quality of life. River Infrastructure: A barge carrying major pieces for the Brent Spence companion bridge reached Cincinnati, with in-water work expected to start soon. STEM Recognition in Mississippi: Two Mississippi State students—Madelyn “Sloan” Berry (aerospace engineering) and India “Alex” White (biomedical engineering)—earned Astronaut Scholar honors. Local Industry & Growth: Lockers Manufacturing expanded operations in Batesville, while Azuria Water Solutions invested $80 million in the same city. STEM & Workforce Signals: The week also highlighted how AI and policy debates are reshaping expectations for entry-level white-collar work.

Mississippi STEM Spotlight: Two Mississippi State University students—Madelyn “Sloan” Berry (aerospace engineering) and India “Alex” White (biomedical engineering)—were named Astronaut Scholars, one of just 79 nationwide, earning up to $15,000 each. Manufacturing Growth in North MS: Lockers Manufacturing is expanding in Batesville with a $9.7 million investment and 25 new jobs, adding production capabilities and new locker materials. Water Infrastructure Investment: Azuria Water Solutions broke ground on an $80 million, 72,000-square-foot Fusible PVC Pipe facility in Batesville, creating 50 jobs and supported by state and local incentives. Film & TV Production Boost: Film Mississippi says five recent projects wrapped—three on the Coast and two in the Canton-Jackson area—employing Mississippians and driving local spending, with more productions expected this summer. Coastal Resilience Tech: Engineers in the New Orleans area are using Bentley digital twin tools to digitize flood defenses and better simulate severe flooding scenarios. Environmental Pressure on the River: Minnesota regulators filed a new lawsuit against 3M over ongoing PFAS releases tied to waters connected to the Mississippi River. Jones Act Debate, Deeper Stakes: An op-ed argues Jones Act waiver changes aren’t just about ships and fuel—they also distort taxes and regulations by shifting domestic commerce toward foreign-flag operators.

Aviation & Infrastructure: U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith says 24 Mississippi municipal airfields won just over $20M in FAA Airport Improvement Program grants for runway, taxiway, and safety upgrades. Higher Education & Agriculture: Mississippi State University says the 2026 legislative session delivered pay raises and support for rising health and retirement costs, plus more operating funds for its agriculture units. Industrial Development: Vicksburg’s Mississippi River Inland Port Complex (MRIPC) was selected for Canadian Pacific Kansas City’s “Site Ready” program after earning Silver-level certification, aiming to speed rail-served industrial investment. Delta Leadership: Delta Council Day in Stoneville honored young leaders and scholarships, with Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann and Rep. G.T. Thompson highlighting agriculture’s role in the Delta’s future. Rural Health: A bipartisan federal bill extends the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration for five years, keeping Medicare payment tests alive for participating states including Mississippi. Agriculture Security: A UF/IFAS survey finds growing public concern across the region about pests, animal disease spread, and food-chain disruptions, with strong support for tougher protections.

Energy & Industry: A Jackson developer says a Mississippi Public Service Commission decision cleared the way for Prado AI’s planned 350-megawatt natural gas power plant tied to an AI data center and semiconductor project in Ridgeland. Infrastructure & Riverfront Development: Winona is moving toward construction of its Riverfront Trail, with the first phase linking Levee Park to Lions Park and later work planned past the Winona Marina, pending DNR and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers review. Manufacturing & Supply Chain: Electra Sales says it now represents custom switchgear and arc-flash protection maker High Power Products across parts of the region, aiming to cut lead times for industrial, data center, and healthcare projects. Workforce & Education: Mississippi State named two engineering majors as Astronaut Scholars, awarding up to $15,000 each. Public Safety: The Tunica Humane Society warns that hot cars can become deadly fast for children and pets. Sports (WCWS): Alabama faces Nebraska Saturday in the winners’ bracket, with ESPN carrying the game.

Mississippi Politics: With Tate Reeves term-limited, Republicans Andy Gipson and Philip Gunn have announced bids for Mississippi governor, while Michael Watson is the only declared lieutenant governor candidate so far—early buzz is already building around the 2027 statewide ballot. AI Infrastructure & Water: A new “Breaking Points” look says AI data-center growth is shifting from power to water, with developers seeking massive water capacity and cooling requirements that strain municipal systems. Defense & Industry: House GOP leaders floated a defense budget provision that could deepen U.S.-Israel defense technology ties in ways analysts call “unprecedented,” raising questions about long-term military-industrial integration. Jackson Government & Parks: Jackson dissolved its Parks and Recreation Department to balance the budget without cutting programs; maintenance moved to Public Works and recreation administration to Human and Cultural Services. Mississippi Energy & LNG/Data Centers: Kinder Morgan and Williams both point capital toward LNG exports and data-center power demand, but their strategies diverge—pipelines vs. power generation. Local Infrastructure: Baxter held an assessment hearing for a 2026 pavement project, with residents focused on payment timing, interest, and construction disruption. Food Security: Jackson-area Kroger stores will host a Summer Stock Up drive June 5 to restock the Mississippi Food Network for summer kids’ programs.

Mississippi Forestry & Jobs: Gov. Tate Reeves says Mississippi will invest $5 million in three forestry projects, including an industrial access road in Choctaw County, rail corridor work in Gloster, and utilities upgrades for Bell Timber to support kiln operations. Broadband & Rural Connectivity: A Broadband Breakfast panel says BEAD is shifting toward affordability and compliance, citing Mississippi’s Walthall County gains tied to Conexon Connect and Starlink capacity improvements. Energy & EV Charging: A new report warns federal EV charging rollout has lagged, with only 96 NEVI-funded stations open by end of 2025, pointing to slow state implementation. Logistics & Liability: After a Supreme Court broker-immunity shift, Mariner Logistics says it’s rolling out a “Sentinel Protocol” for carrier and driver verification. Commercial HVAC: Gulf Coast businesses are urged to keep rooftop HVAC maintenance and refrigerant monitoring tight as heat, humidity, and storms stress equipment. Local Business Growth: Mississippi’s Small Business Development Center graduates complete the Coastal Business Growth Accelerator on the Gulf Coast. Sports (Starkville): Mississippi State opens its NCAA Regional at Dudy Noble Field this weekend, with Omaha expectations rising.

Shipbuilding & Defense Logistics: A Manitowoc-built Navy crane is set to leave Manitowoc Harbor for Hawaii May 29, to support submarine maintenance at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, with an ocean tug towing it via the St. Lawrence Seaway and Panama Canal. Retail & Manufacturing Supply Chain: Cornerstone Building Brands is rebranding and consolidating its metal solutions retail footprint, converting Fortify Building Solutions stores to Mueller across multiple states including Mississippi through 2026. Mississippi Economic Impact: Hattiesburg and Starkville expect major spending from NCAA regional baseball, with Hattiesburg projecting about $7.3M in direct local spend and nearly $11M total impact. Agriculture & Food Industry: Mississippi Gulf Coast shrimp season is underway, with early landings giving fishermen cautious optimism as they weigh catch results against fuel costs. Public Safety & Infrastructure: I-20 in Warren County reopened after an overnight 18-wheeler crash in a construction zone; bridge repairs are slated to finish Oct. 26. Workforce & Skills: ICC Brings FANUC Robotics Training to Mississippi educators, supporting hands-on manufacturing and automation learning.