AGP Executive Report

Manufacturing Expansion: Solero Technologies plans a $14 million expansion in Water Valley, adding 86 jobs and 14 new manufacturing lines, with Mississippi Development Authority support through MFLEX. Cybersecurity & Public Safety: Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann announced a Mississippi cybersecurity select committee aimed at stopping more than $100 million in alleged annual losses to residents and businesses, pairing prevention with prosecution. Disaster Resilience Funding: U.S. Reps. Mike Ezell and Troy Carter are pushing a bipartisan $100 million-a-year bill to expand fortified roof programs and other storm mitigation, aiming to reduce long-term FEMA costs. Local Business Growth: Byram is set to welcome a 7 Brew coffee shop and a Fleetway convenience store, with the Fleetway also planned to include a Byram Police substation. Tech Expansion Backlash: xAI’s rapid growth near its Southaven operations is drawing resident concerns about transparency and potential air quality and noise impacts as TVA approves an additional 100-megawatt power connection. Jobs & Economy: Gov. Tate Reeves highlighted Mississippi’s all-time employment record, citing 1,196,200 total jobs as of July. Consumer Watch: Car insurance premiums are easing in Tennessee, Mississippi and Arkansas, though analysts warn rates could creep back up.

Insurance Watch: Car insurance premiums are down nearly 5% over the past year, with rates in Tennessee, Mississippi and Arkansas starting to stabilize after big jumps from 2022 to 2025. Local Development: Mississippi Christian University’s Rising Spring project in Clinton is moving from site work to major construction, including a planned Baptist medical facility. Sports Business: Southern Miss will rename M.M. Roberts Stadium to Renasant Stadium under a 10-year, $13.7 million naming-rights deal. Workforce & Economy: Gov. Tate Reeves says Mississippi hit a record 1,196,200 non-farm jobs in July and points to ongoing private investment momentum. Community & Culture: Meridian unveiled a restored Hotel E.F. Young Jr. sign as part of downtown’s Historic Black Business District restoration. Consumer Costs: Back-to-school spending averaged about $858 in 2025, and Mississippi ranked highest for the share of monthly income devoted to it. Tech & Payments: Walmart’s Apple Pay rollout is scheduled to reach Mississippi in early October. Public Safety: ICE arrests continue in Georgia and Mississippi, with lawmakers also pushing back on ICE’s plan to procure shock gloves.

Meatpacking & Grocery Costs: Tyson Foods is shutting down two beef plants (Illinois and Utah) and selling a Washington beef facility, cutting about 3,200 jobs as a 75-year low in cattle supply tightens the market—economists say rerouted processing capacity should soften the hit to grocery prices, but margins are under pressure. Mississippi Gaming: Mississippi casinos pulled in $208.7 million in July, down 1% year over year. Tax Fraud in Mississippi: A Mississippi man, Eric Brian Rosenberg, pleaded guilty to evading $2 million in federal income taxes while spending more than $1 million gambling, using a “check churning” scheme; sentencing is set for Dec. 16. Local Business Deal: North Little Rock HVAC firm Powers sold four territorial divisions in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Oklahoma to Albireo Energy. Workforce & Investment: Solero Technologies plans 86 new jobs in Water Valley with a $14 million investment. Public Safety Oversight: A Jackson Police Department misconduct probe deepened as a dispatcher faces charges tied to alleged misuse of law enforcement resources, with a detective also placed on unpaid leave. Cybersecurity: Medusa ransomware has now hit more than 500 organizations in critical infrastructure, according to a federal advisory. Energy Prices (MS): GasBuddy reports show Mississippi premium gas averaging $4.44 for the week ending Aug. 15, with local lows in counties like Wayne ($4.22).

Southern Miss Stadium Deal: The IHL board approved renaming M.M. Roberts Stadium to Renasant Stadium after a 10-year, $13.7 million naming-rights agreement with Renasant Bank. Workforce & Economic Development: Solero Technologies will invest $14 million in Water Valley, adding 14 manufacturing lines and creating 86 new jobs. Public Safety/EMS: Baptist Oktibbeha County selected a new EMS provider, with MedStat continuing service until the new agreement takes effect. Disaster Relief for Small Business: SBA disaster loans are now available for Pearl River County after Tropical Storm Arthur, with application deadlines set for physical damage and economic injury loans. State Government & Apprenticeships: Gov. Tate Reeves named Dr. Daniel “Deano” Harrison director of the Mississippi Office of Apprenticeship as the state seeks U.S. Department of Labor recognition. Local Business Spotlight: Oxford developer Jack Reed Jr. is behind “The Breakaway,” a mixed-use retail and luxury condo project near the square. Energy Costs Watch: GasBuddy reports Mississippi diesel and premium gas prices easing in mid-August, with several county-level lows recorded for the week ending Aug. 15. Crime Update: Jones County suspects Gregory Bond and Sherri Vanrossum were charged with burglary after a neighbor reported a home break-in and deputies made a felony stop.

Auto Insurance Payouts: State Farm has started sending out part of its record $5B dividend, with Mississippi drivers potentially getting 4%–10% of eligible 2025 premiums (often about $100 per vehicle), paid in waves over months. Energy & Tech Expansion: Albireo Energy says it completed its acquisition of Powers’ regional building controls divisions in Oklahoma and Mississippi/Louisiana, aiming to expand modernization work for commercial and mission-critical facilities. Blue Economy: Gulf Blue Navigator, run through USM’s Gulf Blue Navigator Program, earned TIME recognition as one of America’s best incubators/accelerators, and a Gulfport networking event highlighted hurricane-tracking and autonomous ocean sensing progress. Local Business Disruption: Hastings’ Highway 61 reconstruction planning includes an “Open to Business” effort to help corridor companies prepare with training, signage, and possible financial support. Mississippi Economy & Growth: Madison County denied Amazon’s valuation appeal for Canton data centers, preserving an estimated nearly $6M in tax revenue. Agriculture: The Mississippi Delta harvest is underway despite early planting setbacks, including a mid-March freeze and later drought pressure. Workforce/Community: A Jackson block party pushed for affordable healthcare, pairing screenings and advocacy with local coalition partners. Sports Business: Progressive is boosting exposure this fall with football field logo deals at 13 universities, including Ole Miss.

Amazon Tax Fight: Madison County denied Amazon’s appeal to lower the assessed value of Canton data centers, preserving an estimated ~$5.8M in tax revenue for the county’s budget. EV Policy Push: States are moving ahead with their own zero-emission vehicle incentives as federal support wobbles, including California’s MyFirstEV rebate plan pairing state and automaker dollars. Food Safety Watch: The FDA flagged major 2026 recalls tied to outbreaks, including Taylor Farms lettuce and egg-related salmonella alerts, underscoring ongoing supply-chain risk for retailers and consumers. Delta Harvest Reality: Mississippi Delta farmers are starting harvest amid early planting disruptions, a mid-March freeze, heavy spring rain, and now drought pressure in parts of the region. Gas Prices Snapshot: GasBuddy reports show some of the lowest regular prices in Mississippi counties hovering around the high $3s to low $4s for the week ending Aug. 8, with diesel and premium pricing tracking higher volatility. Public Safety Politics: Mississippi Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell launched his campaign for state attorney general, pitching his justice-system experience as he seeks statewide office.

Data Centers & Power Demand: A major Clean Air Act fight is set for Aug. 24 in federal court over SpaceXAI’s Southaven, Miss. power plant, with a preliminary injunction hearing tied to alleged air violations. Port & Logistics: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers cleared the Louisiana International Terminal with a federal permit, moving the Violet, La. container project into construction planning and aiming to serve larger ships that can’t pass upriver bridge limits. Small Business Disaster Relief (Mississippi): The SBA is offering low-interest disaster loans for Mississippi businesses, nonprofits and residents hit by Tropical Storm Arthur, including up to $2 million for physical damage and economic impact, plus long repayment terms. Housing Affordability: A new national analysis says home prices rose faster than household incomes in every state from 2015-2024, widening an average 42.67% affordability gap. Local Community & Arts: The Walter Anderson Museum of Art partners with Moss Point to launch the free Levitt AMP Moss Point Music Series, with seven Saturdays of live music starting Aug. 22. Education & Literacy: Mississippi’s neighbors are pushing rural tutoring spending—Arkansas advanced a nearly $12.4M contract for first-grade tutoring via a California-based firm under a federal grant. Public Finance (Biloxi): Biloxi will hold a Sept. 1 public hearing on a proposed 1-mill ad valorem tax increase to fund its 2026-2027 budget.

Energy & Costs: Gas prices are rising again, with the national regular average climbing to $4.07 a gallon and crude oil strength tied to Middle East tensions and the Strait of Hormuz. Local Housing: Laurel Housing Authority says it’s making progress on property improvements and is planning expansion to grow affordable housing options in Laurel and Jones County. Public Safety Investment: Southaven is moving ahead with a land-swap deal tied to SpaceXAI affiliates to build a new police and fire training center, including $40 million for new facilities. Food Safety: Kettle Cuisine recalled its Marketside Tomato Bisque Soup Kit sold at Walmart in Mississippi and 28 other states due to possible listeria contamination. Workforce & Education: TVA and Bicentennial Volunteers awarded $700,000 for robotics education across seven states, including Mississippi-area schools and nonprofits. Courts & Governance: Mississippi’s Supreme Court now has three women justices—the highest share in state history—after Gov. Tate Reeves filled two vacancies. Business Growth: Birdcall opened its first franchise location in Starkville, bringing a new downtown dining option to the Magnolia State.

Mississippi Business & Jobs: Madison County leaders used a quarterly meeting in Ridgeland to tout momentum tied to major data-center investment, including Amazon Web Services’ expansion—citing $21 billion invested and 1,700 jobs, with 700 already filled by Mississippians. AI & Power Infrastructure: A new national push for electricity is reshaping the economy as data centers and industrial loads drive grid upgrades and workforce demand, with the U.S. Department of Energy pointing to transmission needs and funding for modernization. Ports & Trade: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers cleared the Louisiana International Terminal on the Lower Mississippi River, a greenfield container port project aimed at boosting Gulf access and U.S. export capacity. Housing Watch: Cash home sales keep slipping nationally, though a few cities show surprising gains—an affordability and interest-rate squeeze that’s still leaving room for buyers with liquidity. Community Giving: Flowood’s Mayor’s Cup Golf Tournament and silent auction returns to benefit Children’s Advocacy Centers of Mississippi, with sponsorship and donation deadlines set for early/mid September.

Energy & Prices: GasBuddy reports show midgrade gas deals in Mississippi’s counties, including Wayne ($3.78) and Clay ($4.28) in the week ending Aug. 8, with statewide midgrade averaging $4.07. Public Health & Food Safety: The FDA expanded scrutiny of grocery items, including a Walmart Marketside Tomato Bisque Soup Kit recall in 29 states over possible Listeria, and a major egg recall that’s now classified at the FDA’s highest risk level after a Salmonella outbreak. Legal & Taxes: The Fifth Circuit reversed course on who qualifies as a “limited partner” for the self-employment tax exception, tightening the definition around whether a partner plays “no significant role” in running a business. Local Government & Infrastructure: Jackson council members are pushing to lock in a downtown library plan before HUD grant funds must be returned, while Madison County in Canton cleared a key federal step for the Bear Creek flood project’s design phase. Workforce & Economic Development: Mississippi Business Alliance leaders met with Starkville-area partners to discuss how to grow the state’s workforce and share what’s working on the ground. Business & Growth: OpenAI is set to lease a massive Ohio data center for 20 years, backed by Nvidia financing, underscoring the region’s power-and-infrastructure race. Public Safety: Mississippi DPS Commissioner Sean Tindell says he’ll run for attorney general and plans to step down to focus on the campaign.

Constitutional Law & Tech: U.S. District Judge Carlton W. Reeves ruled in a Mississippi case that “tower dump” warrants—bulk cell-tower location data—are per se unconstitutional under the Fourth Amendment, rejecting the government’s bid to overturn a magistrate’s denial. Disaster Recovery: Mississippi Emergency Management Agency will open five Disaster Service Centers for Tropical Storm Arthur damage on Aug. 18 (noon–6 p.m.), with FEMA help, MEMA referrals, and SBA disaster loan specialists; sites include Kiln, Biloxi, Saucier, Poplarville, and Stone County locations. Local Government & Housing: Biloxi Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich says the city faces a budget gap driven by inflation and is asking council to consider a three-mill tax increase. Public Finance & Real Estate: Baptist Health bought 12.41 acres near North Little Rock for $2.25 million, saying it’s keeping options open for future needs. Energy & Defense: The U.S. Army opened missile test ranges to private firms, including Camp Shelby in Mississippi, aiming to cut delays for allied companies. Workforce & Regulation: A new push to reform occupational licensure highlights how licensing rules can limit job mobility and raise costs for workers and consumers.

AI & Politics: AI-focused super PACs are pouring money into state and federal races as lawmakers fight over how much regulation the technology should face, with big spending tied to Meta and Google and hundreds of ads already cataloged. Public Safety & Recovery: Mississippi Emergency Management Agency will open five Disaster Service Centers for Tropical Storm Arthur victims Aug. 18 (noon–6 p.m.), with FEMA, MEMA and SBA disaster loan specialists on site in Hancock, Harrison, Pearl River and Stone counties. Local Government: Biloxi Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich says the city faces a budget gap driven by inflation and is asking council to consider a three-mill tax increase to close it. Energy Prices: GasBuddy reports Mississippi regular gas averaging $3.60 for the week ending Aug. 8, with local lows like $3.36 in Jasper County and $3.44 in Tippah County. Housing Economics: New HUD data shows public housing household income in 2025 ranged from $12,785 in Prentiss County to $23,234 in Hinds County, with rents typically around a quarter of income. Courts & Privacy: A federal judge in a Mississippi case ruled “tower dump” warrants are per se unconstitutional under the Fourth Amendment, challenging broad cell-tower data requests.

Constitutional Ruling: A Mississippi federal judge said “tower dump” warrants that pull cell-tower location data for everyone near a site are per se unconstitutional under the Fourth Amendment, tightening limits on broad digital searches. Food Safety: Walmart recalled more than 3,000 Marketside Tomato Bisque soup kits in 29 states, including Mississippi, after possible Listeria contamination; no illnesses were confirmed. Public Health/Ag: The FDA upgraded a massive egg recall tied to salmonella to its highest risk level, with last “best-by” dates approaching for some cartons. Local Business: A Copiah County cattle operation, LAN Farms, is delivering locally raised and processed beef to Jackson-area customers in bulk boxes. Small Business Help: Newbern will host a free small-business support session Aug. 20 with one-on-one planning and ongoing assistance. Housing & Fraud Watch: BBB Scam Tracker shows Byram logged two scam reports in July 2026, while multiple Mississippi counties reported high public housing occupancy rates in 2025. Transportation & Safety: Amtrak’s Gulf Coast Mardi Gras route marked a strong first year on ridership and tourism, even as deadly rail-crossing crashes keep safety in focus.

Food Safety & Retail: Walmart is recalling 3,240 Marketside Tomato Bisque Soup Kits (Kettle Cuisine) sold in 29 states, including Mississippi, after presumptive Listeria monocytogenes results; no illnesses confirmed yet, but customers should check use-by dates (Aug. 22, 2026). Public Health & Supply Chain: The FDA upgraded a large egg recall tied to salmonella to Class I, the highest risk level, affecting about 19 million eggs with sell-by/best-by dates running through mid-August—meaning households have a tight window to verify codes. Legal & Privacy: A federal judge in Mississippi ruled “tower dump” warrants are per se unconstitutional under the Fourth Amendment in a case involving DOJ requests for cell tower data in a gang investigation. Local Government & Public Safety: Water Valley’s police budget dispute is heating up ahead of an Aug. 18 meeting, with a proposed 35% cut raising alarms about staffing, pay, response times, and retention. Consumer Costs: GasBuddy reports show midgrade prices easing in parts of Mississippi, with Clay County’s lowest midgrade at $3.88/gallon for the week ending Aug. 8. Housing Snapshot: Lee County, Miss. reported 434 public housing units with 95% occupancy in 2025, while Lauderdale County’s public housing occupancy fell to 77% (1,053 units) in 2025.

Mississippi Economic Development: The Lumber Manufactory is opening a new sawmill in New Albany, a $15M-plus investment expected to create more than 50 jobs, with support from the Mississippi Development Authority’s MFLEX program and local partners. Food Safety: The FDA upgraded a large egg recall tied to Salmonella to its highest risk level, and Mississippi retailers are among the distribution points; separately, Walmart Marketside tomato bisque soup kits were recalled in 29 states over possible Listeria contamination, including Mississippi. Local Business & Jobs: Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College moved quickly after Hood Industries’ closure tied to Tropical Storm Arthur, hosting a two-day job fair with 30+ employers for displaced workers. Workforce & Education: Moss Point CTE’s Business, Marketing and Finance program was ranked No. 1 in the state by the Mississippi Department of Education after just three years. Public Finance: Biloxi Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich is asking for a three-mill increase to help close a widening gap between rising operating costs and revenues. Courts: The Mississippi Supreme Court upheld dismissal of a lawsuit involving healthcare tech company Health Wallet in Harrison County. Community Impact: The Humane Society of South Mississippi is staging its biggest fundraiser of the year, aiming to raise $165K to support animal care statewide.

Food Safety Recall: Walmart shoppers in Mississippi are affected by a recall of Marketside Tomato Bisque Soup Kits after Listeria concerns; the 14-ounce kits (best-by Aug. 22, 2026) were sold in 29 states, with no confirmed illnesses reported. Public Health: The FDA also upgraded a multi-state shell-egg Salmonella recall to its highest risk level (Class 1), with eggs distributed into Mississippi and other states; consumers are told not to eat recalled eggs. Workforce & Local Economy: Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College hosted a job fair for displaced Hood Industries workers after storm damage forced the plywood mill to close, with 30+ employers attending. Housing & Accountability: Delta Towers residents in Greenville are speaking out about mold, infestations, and maintenance failures, saying repairs and fixes have lagged. Education & Career Pathways: Moss Point CTE Center’s Business, Marketing and Finance program was ranked No. 1 in Mississippi by the state Department of Education. Energy Infrastructure: Entergy Louisiana kicked off a $270M grid resilience project in Jefferson Parish, replacing or hardening thousands of poles to cut storm outages. Agriculture: Mississippi farmers are leaning into soil health to manage weather shocks and pests, aiming to lower input costs and improve resilience.