AGP Executive Report

Economic Development & Workforce: Mississippi SBDC Networks selected Catalyzer to modernize small-business program delivery, with Mississippi completing a statewide rollout and Indiana moving toward year-end deployment—aiming to cut advisor admin work and improve client impact reporting. Industrial Incident: A massive chemical fire at Howard Industries in Laurel forced evacuations after a paint booth fire near a tanker carrying an explosive substance; crews from across Jones County responded and largely contained the blaze by evening. Public Safety & Energy Infrastructure: A proposed second 765-kilovolt power line in Wisconsin’s Driftless region is drawing resident pushback, with concerns it would mainly serve data centers and questions about environmental impacts. Community & Small Business: The Mississippi Women’s Summit wrapped its second day in Jackson, featuring panels, cooking demos, and a marketplace with dozens of women-owned businesses. Legal/International Enforcement: The U.S. extradited two Nigerian nationals to face federal sextortion prosecutions tied to cases in Mississippi and North Carolina, including allegations linked to teen deaths by suicide. Local Business/Operations: University of Mississippi rolled out a new Transit app to improve parking and campus transportation planning with live route and lot updates. Energy Prices Watch: GasBuddy reported Mississippi fuel price snapshots for the week ending Aug. 22, including lowest regular gas in Lawrence County at $3.59 and diesel lows in Jones County at $4.99.

Data Centers & Community Impact: SpaceXAI cut 11 temporary turbines powering a Southaven data center and is moving toward a permanent 1.2 GW power plant, after residents raised noise and air concerns and lawsuits followed. Public Finance & Fraud: Mississippi State Auditor Shad White announced arrests tied to “Operation Payback,” alleging four people used stolen Mississippi Department of Corrections inmate identities to file fraudulent unemployment claims, with Cash App and bank accounts used to launder funds. Healthcare & Local Growth: Picayune Mayor Luke highlighted a partnership between Highland Community Hospital and Forrest Health, plus a planned Gulf Coast Sleep Center expansion that could bring more businesses and sales tax revenue. Business & Compliance: Cal-Maine Foods, based in Ridgeland, shared plans to participate in the Barclays Global Consumer Conference and published its FY2025 Impact Report. Energy Prices & Local Economy: GasBuddy reported Mississippi regular gas averaging $3.62 for the week ending Aug. 22, with county-level lows ranging into the $3.30s. Legal & Environment: Republican AGs, including Mississippi’s, asked the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse a decision upholding tighter Biden-era soot pollution limits.

Defense & Manufacturing: Raytheon finished a $50M expansion at its Forest, Miss. facility to boost airborne electronic warfare and radar production, with about 100 high-skilled jobs expected by 2028. AI Power & Local Impact: Elon Musk says SpaceX will build its own gas turbine parts to meet surging AI data-center electricity demand, while reporting from the Memphis-Mississippi border highlights growing noise concerns tied to xAI’s campus. Data Centers vs. Communities: In Clarksdale, residents are uneasy about a proposed data center’s promised jobs and tax revenue, citing worries about water, electricity, pollution, and strain on already-stretched local resources. Trade & Timber: Doug Jones backed Canada in a lumber fight, pushing back on claims that tariffs aren’t hurting Alabama’s foresters—an issue that touches Mississippi’s broader Delta and forestry economy. Health Policy: Proposed Medicaid payment changes are drawing alarm in Texas over potential cuts to maternal and children’s care—an example of how federal rules can ripple into rural hospital capacity. Mississippi Business Signals: Raytheon’s expansion and the data-center debate are the week’s clearest Mississippi-relevant economic moves, while local energy and infrastructure pressures keep showing up in the background.

Mississippi Infrastructure: MDOT is launching “The Big Fix” I-20/I-55 Freight Corridors Improvement Project in the Jackson metro, targeting 36 bridge rehabilitations and 32 interstate miles of resurfacing/repairs to improve safety, mobility and extend bridge life. Energy & Cost of Living: GasBuddy reports show Mississippi fuel prices remain uneven week to week, with Clay County’s lowest premium at $4.24/gal (week ending Aug. 22) and Monroe County’s lowest regular at $3.39/gal; diesel in Walthall County hit $5.39/gal where only one station was reported. Weather & Household Budgets: A heat dome is expected to push temperatures 10–15 degrees above normal into the Mississippi Valley and Southeast ahead of Labor Day, raising cooling costs and prompting renewed debate over thermostat settings. Business Climate: Kentucky AG Russell Coleman is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse a Biden-era EPA air quality rule, arguing it would raise costs for manufacturers, utilities and farmers and could slow new investment. Local Consumer Safety: Picayune ranked among Mississippi’s top scam-report cities in July, with online purchase scams driving the reported losses. Regional Growth Narrative: A new push frames the Gulf South—including Mississippi—as a potential innovation hub built on energy, manufacturing, logistics and ports rather than software-only growth.

Medicaid spending snapshots: New data show Gulfport Medicaid billing for “Administrative, Miscellaneous and Investigational” services held at $4 in 2024, while Vancleave’s Orthotic Procedures jumped to $8,827 and Moss Point’s Pathology/Lab category rose to $772; Ocean Springs reported $512,179 for Pathology/Lab in 2024. Public health & environment: Researchers measured the northern Gulf of Mexico’s 2026 hypoxic “dead zone” at about 1,332 square miles—small for the year—after storm conditions disrupted oxygen levels. Mississippi communities & aging: Multiple ZIP-code Social Security counts were updated, including declines in 39569 (-12.5%) and 39043 (-25) and increases in 39503 (+430) and 39531 (+65), underscoring shifting retiree and disability populations. Business & infrastructure: A weekly U.S. freight update points to mixed port, rail, and barge conditions, with Mississippi River downbound grain barge rates generally up. Regional economy: The Gulf South is being pitched as a new innovation hub tied to energy, logistics, and advanced manufacturing. Local economy-adjacent: A Northern Gulf Institute leadership change names MSU’s Jamie Dyer as director, expanding NOAA-linked research and outreach across the Gulf Coast. Consumer risk: An FDA recall update upgrades a pistachio butter risk level to Class I over possible salmonella contamination.

Northern Gulf Institute Leadership: Mississippi State’s Jamie Dyer has been named director of the NOAA-linked Northern Gulf Institute, taking over from her associate-director role and continuing as dean at MSU’s College of Integrative Studies. Gulf South Innovation: A new look at the region’s economy argues the Gulf South is becoming a major innovation hub tied to energy, logistics, and advanced manufacturing—an angle that matters for Mississippi job growth and investment. Phosphate Factory Push (Regional Impact): Morocco’s OCP North America and CHS plan a $450 million phosphate fertilizer plant in Waggaman, Louisiana, aiming for more than 1 million tonnes a year—potentially reshaping fertilizer supply chains that Mississippi farmers rely on. Online Crime & Local Fallout: U.S. authorities confirmed the extradition of two Nigerian men tied to alleged sextortion schemes involving minors, including cases prosecutors say connect to deaths of Mississippi teens. Consumer Watch: The FDA upgraded a pistachio butter recall to a Class I risk, warning it “could cause serious illness or death” from possible salmonella contamination. Local Economy Signals: Mississippi ZIP-level Social Security counts show mixed year-over-year changes across several areas, offering a snapshot of aging-related income flows.

Aviation Innovation in the Gulf South: Louisiana DOTD and FAA partners launched LIFTOff Louisiana, a multi-year effort to study electric and autonomous aircraft for cargo and personnel flights to offshore energy sites across Louisiana, Texas and Mississippi. Public Safety & Accountability: In Mississippi, prosecutors moved to recover nearly $11M in stolen pandemic relief funds through civil court, while a separate case added an Illinois man charged with allegedly threatening a witness tied to the Nolan Wells investigation. Cybercrime to Federal Court: Two Nigerian men were extradited to the U.S. to face federal charges over financially motivated sextortion schemes targeting American minors, with cases tied to deaths in Mississippi and North Carolina. Local Business & Workforce Housing: Big River Steel increased its “Work Here. Live Here.” housing incentive support by $300,000, pushing total company investment higher and helping drive home purchases and construction in Mississippi County. Consumer Watchdog: The BBB of the Mid-South urged Mississippians to vet contractors and use bbb.org after a remodeling complaint highlighted the risk of paying upfront without licensing or a solid track record. Tourism Momentum: Visit Meridian and Lauderdale County reported steady visitor demand and a strong mix of leisure, group and business travel, with plans aimed at improving late-night dining options.

Energy Reliability & Infrastructure: Attala County residents say recurring power outages tied to aging lines and overgrown trees have left them without electricity for 12 to 24 hours, with complaints that fixes haven’t come. Public Safety & Courts: A Nigerian man, Adebola Festus Adekunle, has been extradited to Mississippi to face federal charges in a sextortion case tied to the 2022 suicide of Starkville teen Walker Montgomery; prosecutors say the case helped drive “Walker’s Law.” Justice System Update: Bricen Rivers pleaded guilty in the killing of nursing student Lauren Johansen and was sentenced to life without parole. Consumer & Business Impact: Mississippi Power is partnering with Single Stop to help customers find financial assistance through a free, private questionnaire. Trade & Prices: Trump’s push to import cheaper foreign beef is drawing mixed reactions from Mississippi shoppers and ranchers, with concerns about price relief versus local supply. Economic Development: The U.S. Department of War says it’s investing $100 million more into Atlantic Alumina to support domestic alumina refining capacity. Health: CDC reports COVID-19 activity is increasing nationwide, with “high” levels in Mississippi. Local Economy/Community: Mississippi Power’s new assistance tool and a 7 Brew Magee opening push community-facing growth.

Raytheon Expansion in Forest: RTX’s Raytheon has finished a $50M, 17,000-square-foot expansion in Forest to produce and test Next Generation Jammer Mid-Band pods, targeting 100 high-skill jobs by 2028. Fertilizer Supply Push: CHS and OCP North America are moving toward a joint venture to build a phosphate fertilizer plant in Louisiana, aiming to cut U.S. reliance on imported phosphate. Mississippi Data Center Relief: Entergy says data center revenues helped keep Mississippi rates flat this summer and could support more reductions later, as regulators weigh the costs of rapid growth. Meta Youth Safety Settlement: A multistate deal would require major Instagram/Facebook limits for teens and automatic protections for ages 13–17, with Mississippi slated to receive about $189M for youth health programs. Local Government Budgets: Biloxi is set to hold a Sept. 1 hearing on a 1-mill ad valorem tax increase; Long Beach and Harrison County also schedule budget/tax levy public hearings in early September. Workplace Safety: OSHA fined Koch Foods $167K after a fatal Fairfield, Ohio poultry plant fire tied to training and evacuation plan failures. Auto Financing Pressure: A new study finds Americans are devoting 12.4% of disposable income to auto loans as car prices and debt climb.

Meta Settlement: Mississippi is set to receive nearly $190 million over 10 years from a multistate Meta case over Instagram and Facebook harms to children, with new limits including a two-hour daily cap and “productive pauses,” plus funding for youth programs, mental health, and digital literacy. Defense & Jobs: Raytheon completed a $50 million expansion at its Forest, Miss., manufacturing facility, adding space for Navy Next Generation Jammer Mid-Band production and creating 100 new jobs. Education & Talent: TIME’s inaugural “America’s Best Colleges” list shows only three Mississippi schools making the cut—Mississippi University for Women (308th), Ole Miss (419th), and Mississippi State (422nd). Rural Economy: Mississippi farmers and landowners are urging lawmakers to ban foreign land ownership, arguing it could help offset rising input costs and inflation pressures. Workforce/Community Research: The University Research Center will host the 11th annual Advancing Mississippi Conference Sept. 25 in Jackson, featuring Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis researcher Dr. William M. Rodgers III. Tourism Growth: Lauderdale County tourism leaders unveiled a strategy to build on strong visitor demand, while targeting gaps like late-night and Sunday dining and limited transit options.

Meta Child-Safety Settlement: Michigan AG Dana Nessel announced a landmark multistate deal with Meta requiring sweeping Instagram and Facebook changes for kids, including daily screen breaks and nighttime access blocks, with Michigan set to receive at least $171M. Mississippi Impact: Multiple reports say Mississippi is expected to receive nearly $189M from the same multistate Meta settlement aimed at protecting children online. Rural Healthcare Funding Scrutiny: A $50B federal rural healthcare program is one year in, but critics say it lacks transparency—slowing oversight and making it harder to track whether money is reaching communities and delivering results. Banking Tech Push: Thirty-nine state bankers associations formed the BankChain Alliance to build a bank-owned blockchain network for tokenized deposits, stablecoins, and smart payments, targeting a 2027 launch. Cattle Market Watch: Golden Triangle producers are monitoring Trump’s plan to import 300,000 metric tons of beef with lower tariffs, even as Mississippi’s cattle herd remains at its lowest inventory since 1951. Local Business Recognition: Galloway Chandler McKinney Insurance in Columbus was named a Best Practices Agency for a 14th straight year. Healthcare Leadership: Mental Health Cooperative named Andrea Westerfield as its new CEO effective Sept. 8, and TriStar Summit Medical Center named Brittani Downey VP of quality.

Meta Child-Safety Settlement: Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch says the state will receive close to $189 million from a $17.1B multistate Meta deal, with new limits on Instagram and Facebook for users ages 13-18, including daily time caps and “productive pauses,” plus other safety changes. Mississippi Infrastructure: MDOT announced “The Big Fix,” a $400 million interstate improvement project targeting bridges and pavement on I-20 and I-55, including 36 bridge repairs and upgrades across 121 miles. Local Housing Policy: Advocates are pushing for stronger Mississippi tenant protections, arguing current state law leaves renters with limited options when repairs and housing problems drag on. Shipbuilding Tech Jobs: Cadmatic says it’s hiring in Virginia, Mississippi, and Louisiana to support U.S. shipyard customers, adding applications specialists and technical account managers. Gulf Coast Health Access: Ocean Springs opened a new infusion clinic to bring long-distance treatment closer to patients and reduce travel burdens. Gas Prices Watch: GasBuddy reported some of the week’s lowest Mississippi prices in select counties, including Jackson County regular at $3.18 and Lincoln County midgrade at $3.68 (week ending Aug. 15). Dolly Parton Legacy in Mississippi: After Parton’s death, local efforts tied to her Imagination Library and community tributes continue delivering books and honoring her impact in central Mississippi and Oxford.

College Sports Policy: The SEC approved a rule Tuesday barring players with NFL/NBA/WNBA ties from returning to college, joining the Big Ten after a wave of court-driven eligibility fights. Mississippi Housing & Homelessness: Jackson City Council approved a $220,000 contract with the Mississippi Housing Partnership to oversee a tenant-based rental assistance component of Homeward JXN. Beef Tariffs Impact: Mississippi cattle producers are bracing for fallout after the Trump administration moved to suspend tariffs on ground beef and allow large tariff-free imports. Mississippi Tech & Research: Integer Technologies launched Integer Constellation Labs, including hubs co-located with the University of Southern Mississippi. Community Investment: FHLB Dallas and member banks awarded more than $1.8M to 71 community groups across Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico and Texas. Education Access: Atmos Energy and the Grammy Museum in Cleveland, MS, announced a three-year, $50,000 partnership to expand student access. Space & Coastal Risk: Wildlife groups warned Louisiana regulators not to waive environmental protections tied to SpaceX’s planned $100B Starbase Louisiana on Pecan Island.

Mississippi Small Business Spotlight: Leña Pizza & Bagel in Cleveland was named “Dining Destination of the Year” by the Mississippi Small Business Development Center Network, with owner Marisol Doyle crediting community support and noting the restaurant is also a Food & Wine Top 10 pizzeria. Workforce & Training: AccelerateMS and the Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid launched the UPSKILL Mississippi Grant, covering remaining tuition/fees for eligible certificate and associate programs tied to in-demand fields, plus a $500 annual stipend for books and materials. Local Government Finance: Vicksburg moved to make its ambulance service profitable for the first time since 1969, reaching terms with Merit Health River Region to bill insurers/patients for eligible transports while the hospital covers certain non-billable cases. Energy Costs: Gas prices stayed pressured by global conflicts and refinery disruptions, with AAA warning Labor Day could bring record-high fuel costs; Mississippi-area reporting also showed diesel and regular prices varying by county in the week ending Aug. 15. Space & Regulation: SpaceX unveiled a $100B Starship launch complex in coastal Louisiana, while wildlife groups warned proposed federal rule changes could weaken environmental protections and hurricane safeguards. Business Growth: Birdcall opened its first franchise restaurant in Starkville, signaling further expansion in Mississippi and beyond. Opioid Funding: AG Lynn Fitch announced the 2026 Opioid Settlement Fund grant cycle materials and a new application portal, with applications open Aug. 31–Oct. 5.

Mississippi Seafood Push: The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources is preparing a $9 million seafood marketing campaign this fall, using federal disaster funds tied to the 2019 Bonnet Carré Spillway, with billboards and coordinated promotion through Coastal Mississippi and Visit Mississippi. Fraud Enforcement Boost: South Dakota AG Marty Jackley joined a 16-state coalition raising concerns about “Big 4” accounting firms’ climate-related financial activism and disclosure practices, with Mississippi among the signers. Food Aid Pressure: Second Harvest in south Louisiana says federal funding freezes and grant cutbacks have slashed food donations, forcing a heavier reliance on local donors as pantry shelves run low. Local School Tech: Natchez-Adams School District is rolling out signal-blocking cellphone pouches for students starting after Labor Day, aiming to reduce classroom disruptions and shift enforcement away from teachers. Delta Food-as-Medicine: Alcorn State University’s Demonstration Farm in Mound Bayou is reviving its community garden legacy through the Delta GREENS Food is Medicine project, linking fresh produce to the Delta Health Center clinic. Energy & Jobs: Hyundai Steel has begun pre-construction work on a $5.8 billion mill in Ascension Parish, with community outreach and upcoming open house and permit steps.

Beef Tariffs & Imports: Mississippi restaurants and cattle producers are bracing for Trump’s plan to import up to 300,000 metric tons of tariff-free ground beef over 90 days, aimed at cutting grocery prices—while farmers warn it could destabilize already-stressed cattle markets and squeeze local profits. Local Agriculture Impact: In Ocean Springs, a restaurant says it will track how imported beef affects price and quality, as Mississippi Cattlemen’s Association leaders say uncertainty could hurt producers trying to rebuild herds. Economic Development: Mississippi County officials are working to land a yarn spinning facility and, eventually, a textile mill to turn local cotton into luxury bath towels—an effort they say could create thousands of jobs and revive the region’s cotton-and-textiles legacy. Workforce & Enforcement: The IRS Criminal Investigation is recruiting special agents nationwide, including in the Atlanta field office that covers Mississippi, targeting tax fraud and money laundering as financial crimes evolve. Sports Medicine Expansion: Campbell Clinic is expanding its physician-led high school sports medicine network to 19 schools across Tennessee and North Mississippi. Consumer Watch: Biloxi logged eight BBB scam reports in July, up from five in June, with employment scams leading. Education & Tech Policy: The University of Chicago Law School is banning laptops and phones in first-year classrooms and adding live oral defenses to its AI-era legal education strategy.