Bad, good news for GT’s jobless

Mississippi was one of 11 states in the country that had job growth of less than 1 percent for 2014, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. The state ended the year with employment up by .02 percent from 2013. State economist Darrin Webb has forecast a 1.5 percent growth for 2015-16. If this year's projection is met, Webb says it would be the largest such growth in Mississippi since 1999. But challenges remain. Unemployment ticked up slightly throughout the Golden Triangle in December, reversing a 3-month trend in decreases, according to the Mississippi Department of Employment Security. The good news is that the numbers should not be cause for alarm. December unemployment was up in every county in the state but one. MDSE claims the biggest factor in the uptick in jobless rates is because college students are out of class because the numbers are based on the workforce. Unemployment rates are lower now than a year ago. "That's probably a better indicator of where we are headed," an MDSE spokeswoman said. In Clay, Lowndes and Oktibbeha counties, unemployment rates compared to December 2013 are lower. In Noxubee County, the jobless rate was 0.4 percent higher in December 2014 than 12 months ago. (Source: Columbus Dispatch, 01/29/15) Cental Mississippi Note: A 5-year comparison of unemployment rates show Mississippi is making progress. Unemployment in December 2014 in Clay County is 6 percent lower than in December 2013. It was 5.3 percent lower in Noxubee County, 3.8 percent lower in Lowndes County and 3.5 percent lower in Oktibbeha County.

Columbus JLUS in public eye

Proposed implementations stemming from a Columbus Air Force Base joint land use study (JLUS) was presented to the public Jan. 29 at Caledonia Town Hall. The presentations were to provide the public with an opportunity to see the proposals of the JLUS implementation plan. Joint land use studies are conducted in military base towns to assess the relationship between the base and other local entities. The study is a collaborative planning effort on land use between the Golden Triangle Development LINK, the Columbus AFB, Lowndes County, the city of Columbus and other agencies. The main finding of the study was that someone with experience was needed to review all land uses around the base that could work collaboratively with CAFB and the community to ensure nothing is done that would compromise any of the base's missions. (Source: Columbus Dispatch, 01/27/15) Central Mississippi Note: The Columbus AFB Joint Land Use Study was completed in June 2013. Its implementation program was initiated in February 2014; and implementation is anticipated by mid-2015. Within that period, various tasks, public meetings and other events will take place. Info available at http://www.columbusjlus.com.

Small biz day at Stennis

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. – NASA’s Office of Small Business Programs and the Stennis Space Center (SSC) are hosting a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Industry Day on Feb. 3 from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Infinity Science Center south of I-10 at Mississippi Exit 2 (Hwy 607), near the west Mississippi Welcome Center. The one-day event seeks to identify and build relationships with service-disabled, veteran-owned small businesses throughout Mississippi and Gulf Coast region. Registration opens at 7 a.m. and will be followed by scheduled remarks at 8 a.m. (Source: NASA, 01/2015) For information e-mail SSC-smallbusiness@mail.nasa.gov.

L-3 earns $52M mod contract

L-3 Communications Corp. of Madison, Miss., was awarded a $52,081,320 contract modification to acquire maintenance/modifications for the Army's fleet of C-12/RC-12/UC-35 fixed-wing aircraft. FY 2015 Army operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $52,081,320 were obligated at the time of the award. The estimated completion date is July 31, 2015. Work will be performed in Madison. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 01/29/15)

Contract: Airbus, $25M

Airbus Defense and Space Inc. of Herndon, Va., has gained a 10th year $24,989,250 modification to a previously awarded contract to procure logistic support for the UH-72A Lakota Helicopters. FY 2015 operations and maintenance (Army) funds in the amount of $24,989,250 were obligated at the time of the award. The estimated completion date is Sept. 30, 2015. The work will be performed by Airbus Helicopters Inc. in Columbus, Miss. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity. (Source: DOD, 01/28/15)

GA wins $36.4M Navy contract

General Atomics of San Diego is being awarded a $36,468,962 modification to a previously awarded Navy contract for research and development activities associated with integrated power system power load modules used for electromagnetic railgun pulse power containers; and for fabricating and testing of prototypes. FY 2014 research, development, test and evaluation funding in the amount of $6,216,229 will be obligated at time of award; and will expire Sept. 30, 2015. Naval Sea Systems Command of Washington, DC, is the contracting activity. (DOD 01/26/15) Central Mississippi Note: 70 percent of the work will be performed at GA's Tupelo, Miss., facility. It is expected to be completed by December 2016.

1st black naval aviator remembered

Ensign Jesse Brown died on a mountainside in North Korea, a long way from his hometown of Hattiesburg, Miss., where he realized that he wanted to be a pilot. Brown ended up making history. It was the first African-American naval aviator. His assignment with Fighter Squadron 32, aboard the aircraft carrier USS Leyte, 65 years ago this month was a milestone in the struggle for civil rights. "He didn't set out to be a hero, but that's what he was,” said Brown’s daughter Pamela Knight. “He had the fortitude to go out and do what he wanted to do, and he didn't let anything stop him." As a child, he would watch “enthralled” from the family’s sharecropper farm as pilots training for WWII would glide over the fields suddenly firing up the engines while directly overhead and "scare the hell out of us," said brother, Fletcher Brown, 83. Jesse would say: “He was going to do that one day." On his 20th combat mission in Korea, the plane fuel line and oil tank were compromised by small arms near the Chosin Reservoir. He crash-landed the aircraft on a mountain top and pinned in the wreckage. Wingman Lt. Thomas Hudner could tell from the air Brown was alive. He also crash-landed his plane to try and save Brown. Hudner and a helicopter crew were unable to save Brown. But the wing man’s action garnered him the Medal of Honor. "I want the world to know that he was indeed a … great man," Fletcher Brown said. "Had he not been, he couldn't have accomplished what he accomplished. It took a lot of chutzpah to do what he did." The legacy lives. Today, the military is one of the most progressive institutions in the country when it comes to racial diversity. Jesse Brown's name is well known by aviation and military enthusiasts. (Source: Clarion Ledger, 01/24/15)

EMCC’s Young to retire

The customer is always right. That’s what Dr. Rick Young, president of East Mississippi Community College, thinks. He has taught and administered those customer-students for 40 years at EMCC. Like a good businessman, Young worked to keep them happy. "We try to tailor whatever we do to what the people want," Young said. The “driving force” is to create opportunity for people to get higher education or go work. Young's 11-year tenure as EMCC’s president ends June 30. In 1998, he helped develop EMCC’s Center for Manufacturing Technology Excellence. It’s something he credits with establishing the college's tradition of attracting business to the region by developing relationships. (Source: Columbus Dispatch, 01/24/15) Central Mississippi Note: EMCC’s Workforce Services have worked and listened to regional companies to determine what skills are needed in existing and new manufacturing. Using that knowledge, EMCC introduced its Manufacturing Skills Certification courses. The classes begin with Manufacturing Skills Basic followed by Advanced Manufacturing classes that provide skills in aircraft manufacture as well as assembly and fabrication.

Industry key to GT’s growth

Industry key to GT’s growth Mississippi’ Golden Triangle business and community leaders met at Mayhew’s East Mississippi Community College on Jan. 22 for Mississippi Economic Council's annual Regional Round-Up to discuss the economic strengths and weaknesses of the state. A majority of the 175 attendees said industry is the Golden Triangle's greatest economic strength, though infrastructure, diversity, people and community were also noted as being strong. The biggest weakness, they said: education and workforce development, according to participants’ electronic voting of issues. Sixty-four percent also voted that the best way to strengthen regional competitiveness was to improve the workforce rather than regional partnerships and business climates. What specifically did attendees decide was the Golden Triangle’s greatest opportunity for economic growth? Seventy-one percent said advanced manufacturing. Education was also a key topic for discussion related to the economy. (Source: Columbus Dispatch, 01/23/15) Central Mississippi Note: Upcoming MEC’s regional meetings are scheduled Feb. 26 in Meridian at Mississippi State University’s Riley Center; and March 6 in Hattiesburg at Southern Oaks House and Gardens.

L3 earns $15.6M mod contract

L3 Communications Vertex Aerospace of Madison, Miss., was awarded a $15,634,434 Ar,my modification contract for a six month extension at Corpus Christi (Texas) Army Depot to provide highly specialized aircraft production indirect labor services that augment the civilian workforce. The estimated completion date is July 28, 2015. (Source: DOD, 01/24/15)

Miss. low in union members

The percent of wage and salary workers who were members of unions in 2014 was 11.1 percent, - down 0.2 percent from 2013, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The number of union members (14.6 million) was about the same as 2013. But the drop from 1983, the first year for which comparable union data was available, was significant. In that year, the union membership rate was 20.1 percent - and 17.7 million union workers. In the four states that are part of the I-10 aerospace corridor, the 2014 rate went up slightly in three of the four; and remained the same in the other. Mississippi had the lowest membership (3.7 percent, same as in 2013). Louisiana had a union membership rate of 5.2 percent, up from 4.3 in 2013; Florida had a union membership rate of 5.7 percent, up from 5.4 in 2013; and Alabama's rate was 10.8 percent in 2014, up from 10.7 in 2013. (Source: GCAC, 01/23/15)

Contract: L-3, $16.4M

L-3 Communications Vertex Aerospace LLC, Madison, Miss., was awarded a $16,445,946 modification (P00001) to contract W912NW-15-F-0001 for a six month extension of the current bridge contract at Corpus Christi Army Depot to provide highly specialized aircraft production direct labor services, which augment the CCAD civilian workforce. Fiscal 2015 other procurement funds in the amount of $16,445,946 were obligated at the time of the award. The estimated completion date is July 28, 2015. Work will be performed at the Corpus Christi Army Depot, Corpus Christi, Texas. Army Contracting Command, Corpus Christi Army Depot, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 01/22/15)

Columbus UAS claims flight record

MANASSAS, Va. - Aurora Flight Sciences announced Jan. 22 that it has filed for an official world endurance record following an 80-hour flight of its Orion unmanned aircraft system (UAS). Observers from the National Aeronautic Association (NAA) were on hand to inspect the aircraft and witness the takeoff Dec. 5, 2014. They supervised the entire flight and witnessed the landing on Dec. 8. The previous official record of 30.5 hours was set in 2001 by the Global Hawk UAS. Orion is managed by the Air Force. The program began in 2007. Orion made its first flight on Aug. 23, 2013. The record attempt was the 18th flight in the test effort. Pilots of record for the flight were Peter Lehew, Cody Allee, Joel Walker and Dave Gerhardt. (Source: Aurora Flight Sciences, 01/22/15) Central Mississippi Note: The Orion UAS was designed by Aurora in Virginia. It was built by Aurora at its Columbus, Miss., plant.

Aerospace industry in 50 years

Aerospace is often viewed as an important industry. A new book, “The Political Economy of Aerospace Industries: A Key Driver of Grown and International Competitivemess?,” examines the industry’s importance; and whether there is an economic case for government support of the industry. The aerospace industry is a relatively new. It didn’t exist in 1900, but by 2014 had been transformed from an aircraft to aerospace industry. It has moved from the Earth’s atmosphere into space; and replaced manned aircraft with missiles, rockets and UAVs. Governments have been central to its development and transformation through military funding. The importance of government means the industry can be analyzed using both conventional economics and the economics of politics and public choice analysis. The book concludes with a review of the industry’s future prospects. What might it look like in 50 years? The book is written by Keith Harley, a defence economist of the aerospace industry. He is Professor Emeritus of Economics at the University of York (England) where he was director of the Centre for Defence Economics and founding editor of the journal Defence and Peace Economics. (Source: ElGar Blog, 11/2014)

MEC road show at Mayhew

JACKSON, Miss. – Mississippi Economic Council’s “Regional Round-Up” is stopping Jan. 22 at East Mississippi Community College’s Golden Triangle Campus in Mayhew. The event will highlight the strengths and goals of regions. The Golden Triangle stop will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. It is to be co-hosted by Columbus-Lowndes Convention & Visitors Bureau, Columbus Main Street, Golden Triangle Development LINK, Greater Starkville Development Partnership, The Growth Alliance and North Mississippi Industrial Development Association. MEC is traveling to about 30 communities throughout the state to discuss economic competitive opportunities. MEC’s Regional Round-Up will look at region-specific economic drivers, as well as state-wide issues like transportation, healthcare, workforce, education and healthy communities. Among Blue Print Mississippi’s goals is Technology Commercialization. The event is open to the public, however, pre-registration is required. (Source: MEC, 01/20/15) Central Mississippi Note: The round-up will be at the Riley Center in Meridian on Feb. 26; Columbia on March 4; and Hattiesburg at Southern Oaks House and Gardens on March 6.

Meridian awarded jet fuel contract

Meridian (Miss.) Aviation has been awarded a maximum $24,947,557 fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment, into-plane-requirements contract for jet fuel. This was a sole-source acquisition. This is a 4-year contract with no option year periods. The location of performance is Mississippi, with a March 31, 2019 performance completion date. Using military services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and federal civilian agencies. The type of appropriation is fiscal year 2015 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Energy, Fort Belvoir, Virginia (SP0600-15-D-0011). (Source: DOD, 01/20/15)

NASM celebrates MLK legacy

About 200 people attended Naval Air Station Meridian’s annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Service in the base chapel Jan. 16. "It's a national day of service," said base commander, Capt. Scott Bunnay. "This is something we in the Navy support, in addition to honoring a great American whose example we need to emulate." The Multicultural Choir, consisting of sailors, Marines and civilians sang "Lift Every Voice and Sing." Sailors and Marines from NASM contributed more than 9,000 hours of community service in 2014. "I encourage everyone to follow the example set by Dr. King and volunteer," Bunnay said. "Never look down on a dream," Meridian Mayor Percy Bland said. "God used dreams. Dreams can be a powerful tool, stirring the mind to action. Dr. King didn't just have a dream, get up, wash his face and go about his day. He worked for it." (Source: Meridian Star, 01/17/15)

Lowndes OKs GTRA funds

The Lowndes County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Jan. 15 to commit $125,000 toward an incentive package to help secure westbound air service from the Golden Triangle Regional Airport. Lowndes’ commitment is part of a $1.5 million revenue-guarantee that GTRA Director Mike Hainsey is to present to airlines. Hainsey is asking for a total of $500,000 ($125K from Lowndes and Columbus; $100K each from Oktibbeha County and Starkville; and $25K each from Clay County and West Point). The remainder of the funding will come from a $750,000 Small Community Air Service Development grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation, along with $200,000 in gate-fee waivers and $50,000 of marketing expenses the airport will provide the carrier. GTRA's primary focus is on flights to Dallas with American Airlines. However, if all of the entities do not meet the funding pledge, the deal would be void, Hainsey confirmed. (Source: Columbus Dispatch, 01/15/15)

L-3 wins $60M mod contract

L-3 Communications Corp. of Madison, Miss., was awarded a $60,320,578 modification to contract W58RGZ-10-C-0107 to support maintenance for the Army’s fleet of C-12/RC-12/UC-35 fixed wing aircraft. FY 2015 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $60,320,578 were obligated at the time of the award. Estimated completion date is July 31, 2015. Work will be performed in Madison, Miss. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama is the contracting activity. (Source: DOD 01/15/15)

Feds fund $4.4M to small business

The U.S. Treasury has awarded Mississippi more than $4.4 million in State Small Business Credit Initiative funds designed to assist the small businesses with accessing capital needed to grow and create jobs. The Mississippi Development Authority will distribute funds. To date, more than $13 million in the federal funds have been allotted to MDA to support small businesses and local economies. "Mississippi small businesses comprise the backbone of the state's economy," said MDA Executive Director Brent Christensen. The amount awarded to each state is based on a formula set by the Small Business Jobs Act and considers a state's population and unemployment levels. (Source: Hattiesburg American, 01/13/15)

Ex-Eaton sub's avionics system

The Air Force Materiel Command’s Services Management Office at Eglin AFB, Fla., has prepared a synopsis of information that may result in the awarding of a five-year sole source contract to Exelis Inc. of Herndon, Va. The intended contract is to provide sustaining engineering services (SES) in support of the B-1 and B-52 mission data test labs and the 53rd Electronic Warfare Group’s special test equipment unit at Eglin. Taskings directly support maintenance, operation and technical capabilities of the AN/ALQ-161 Defensive Avionics System on B-1Bs that identifies, acquires and denies enemy radars and missiles; and the AN/ALQ-172 Countermeasures System radar warning system for B-52H, AC-130U, MC-130H and others with electronic countermeasures against airborne and ground based fire control radar systems and associated missiles. It is anticipated that the contract will be awarded on or before July 2015. (Source: Fed Biz Ops, 01/05/15) Central Mississippi: The AN/ALQ-161 was developed by AIL Systems Inc. – a former subsidiary of Eaton Corp. Eaton operates an Aerospace Group's Fuel and Motion Control Systems Division manufacturing facility at Jackson, Miss.

Aurora, VTOL top R&D story

One of the Top 10 storylines of 2014 out of the Pentagon’s Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) was the Phase I contract award for the VTOL X-Plane – a new design for vertical takeoff and landing aircraft. DARPA’s VTOL Experimental Plane program that seeks to overcome these challenges between the fixed-wing and rotary-wing worlds to make radical improvements in vertical and cruise flight capabilities. In an important step toward that goal, DARPA awarded four prime contract designs for Phase 1 that included Aurora Flight Services. The VTOL X-Plane program was scheduled for three phases over 52 months - from October 2013 and February 2018 - with the first demonstration flight slated for 42 months after the initial award last February. (Source: DARPA, 12/29/14) Central Mississippi Note: AFS will build its version of the VTOL at its Columbus, Miss., plant.