UAW threatens strike vs 'Big Three'

United Automobile Workers (UAW) union President Shawn Fain said autoworkers are set to strike as soon as Sept. 14. 

UAW's list of demands includes more paid time off, a 32-hour work week, a double-digit pay increase and an end to wage tiers. Fain said if those needs aren't met by Sept. 14, then "we gotta do what we gotta do." 

General Motors, Stellantis and Ford said prior to Friday's announcement in separate statements that they are working with UAW members on solutions and are aware of the economic impact of the jobs in question. 

According to an analysis by Anderson Economic Group, a potential UAW strike could cost the "Big Three" more than $5B in just 10 days. 

UAW says it's ready for the picket lines. The union reportedly has $825M in its strike fund. 

UAW has 150,000 workers at Ford, General Motors and Stellantis. The union said the strike authorization poll passed with 97% of the vote. (Scripps News 08/25/23) UAW votes to authorize a strike against major automakers (katc.com)

Navistar-Miss. to build Army trailers

WEST POINT, Miss. - Vehicle manufacturer Navistar Defense has obtained a subcontract to produce 10,000 truck trailers at its West Point plant. 

Navistar Marketing and Communications Manager Amy McCaskill told The Dispatch the company received the contract with AM General on Aug. 22 and will build the trailers for the Army’s Joint Light Tactical Vehicle A2 program. 

AM General, an Indiana-based company, received an $8.6B contract in February to produce 20,000 new joint light tactical vehicles. (Columbus Dispatch 08/23/23) Navistar to make 10,000 military vehicle trailers - The Dispatch (cdispatch.com)

'Visit Mississippi' earns USTA honor

Visit Mississippi won a top honor from the U.S. Travel Association (USTA) for commercials highlighting the state’s culinary, arts, outdoors and historic attractions. 

The state’s “Wanderers Welcome” campaign earned the 2023 Mercury Award for Broadcast Advertising by the association’s Educational Seminar for Tourism Organizations on Tuesday in Savannah, Ga., during its annual forum. 

ESTO is a national forum for destination marketing professionals. (Govenor's Office 08/26/23) Governor Reeves: Visit Mississippi Named Winner of National ESTO Award | Magee Courier-Simpson County News

Two decades with AHI in Miss.

COLUMBUS, Miss. – Twenty years ago, it was only a dream. Today, it's reality. 

Airbus Helicopters Inc. (AHI) is celebrating 20 years in Columbus while serving first responders, Emergency Management Agency, law enforcement, the U.S. Army and businesses nationwide. 

In Columbus, AHI manufactures 70-90 helicopters annually for the U.S. government, including Lakota helicopters for Army aviation training in SE Alabama. 

Two decades ago, leadership went to Eurocopter in France and made the case that Columbus was the best place in the nation for a new facility. 

On Feb. 1, 2014, American Eurocopter changed its name to Airbus Helicopters Inc. 

Airbus helicopters coming out of the Golden Triangle are making an impact across the globe, but AHI's impact at home is just as important. 

“This provides such good jobs for the people of this area, to grow the jobs, to have the stability that people can come to work every day, with the pride that they come with ... but (that) they can provide for their families here. They can provide not only for Mississippi but this entire nation,” said Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.). (WCBI 08/26/23) Airbus celebrates 20 years in Columbus (wcbi.com)

Pearl KIA returns home to La.

Houma, La., resident Denise Bennett’s emotions held through the 21-gun salute, taps and the careful removal of the American flag that had been draped over the casket at the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Cemetery in Slidell. 

But as the Navy chaplain presented her with the flag, she gave way to the enormity of the moment and wept for a man she had never known. 

A small group gathered at the cemetery to welcome home the remains of Clarence Thompson. Eighty-one years ago, Thompson lost his life aboard the USS Oklahoma when it was bombed by the Japanese military during the attack on Pearl Harbor. (NOLA.com 08/25/23)  Pearl Harbor sailor's body returned to Louisiana | News | nola.com

Climate change: La.'s "'tenderbox'

Sabine Parish, La., resident Aswanya Law got a call at work from her daughter that a wildfire was rolling toward her home. She didn’t believe it. Law, who lost her home this month to one of the hundreds of wildfires that have burned across Louisiana amid summer’s persistent drought. 

Like many in Louisiana, Law had seen images of large wildfires in faraway places like Colorado, but couldn’t imagine it playing out in her rainy, swampy state. 

Over the past three weeks, wildfires have burned more than 20,000 acres in Louisiana that adds up to more land burned in less than 30 days compared to 2022, and six times as much as 2020. 

Louisiana averages about 770 wildfires per year, but August alone has already produced almost 400. 

An evacuation was called for Merryville, La., this week. Dozens of homes burned, firefighters have been injured and at least one person died. 

While this year is bad, consider it “a sneak peek” of what’s to come, said Barry Keim, a Louisiana state climatologist. Climate change is turning one of the country’s wettest states into a tinderbox," (NOLA.com 08/26/23) Wildfire explosion offers 'sneak peak' of future challenges | Environment | nola.com

Aircraft tech at AHI Columbus

Aircraft Technician A - Composite Repair (FAL) Airbus · Columbus, Miss. (22) Aircraft Technician A - Composite Repair (FAL) | Airbus | LinkedIn

Fishery council seeks applicants

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council is seeking applicants for an Ad Hoc Charter For-Hire Data Collection Advisory Panel. 

The panel is charged with providing Gulf-wide stakeholder insight on the development of a new electronic data collection program - Southeast For-Hire Integrated Electronic Reporting (SEFHIER) - for the charter for-hire and headboat fishing industry.  

Panel members will be appointed to serve until work on the issue is complete. Members of the panel will be appointed at the Council’s discretion. The Council will perform fishery violations background checks on applicants and is expected to populate the Panel during its October 2023 meeting.

Application Deadline: 5 PM, CDT on September 8: To apply visit: https://forms.gle/uywFouUoDvNquXCg9 

If you have any questions, contact the Council office at 813-348-1630. (LDWF 08/25/23)

CG rescues adrift boaters

NEW ORLEANS - The Coast Guard rescued three boaters on Aug. 24 from a disabled vessel near Southwest Pass, La. 

The CG received a call about 11:55 a.m. from a passenger aboard the disabled 24-foot vessel.

The CG launched a Venice-based Response Boat-Medium boatcrew and a New Orleans-based MH-60 Jayhawk aircrew to assist. 

The aircrew located the disabled vessel adrift; lowered a radio and vectored in the boatcrew to assist. The boatcrew then put the vessel into tow and transported it to Cypress Cove Marina in Venice. No injuries were reported. (Coast Guard 08/25/23)

DoD regional contracts Aug. 25

Dynamic Construction Group LLC, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was awarded a $38,930,870 firm-fixed-price contract for the West Shore Lake Pontchartrain Hurricane and Storm Damage Risk Reduction Project. Bids were solicited via the internet with four received. Work will be performed in Laplace, Louisiana, with an estimated completion date of Aug. 25, 2027. Fiscal 2023 civil construction funds in the amount of $38,930,870 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans, Louisiana, is the contracting activity. 

* McMillen Inc., Boise, Idaho, was awarded a $34,264,126 firm-fixed-price contract for river control structures. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Vidalia, Louisiana, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 4, 2026. Fiscal 2023 civil construction funds in the amount of $34,264,126 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans, Louisiana, is the contracting activity. 

* EVCO Development LLC, Lafayette, Louisiana, was awarded a $22,396,108 firm-fixed-price contract for the West Shore Lake Pontchartrain Hurricane and Storm Damage Risk Reduction Project. Bids were solicited via the internet with five received. Work will be performed in Laplace, Louisiana, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 29, 2025. Fiscal 2023 civil construction funds in the amount of $22,396,108 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans, Louisiana, is the contracting activity. (DoD 08/25/23) 

* Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services, Madison, Mississippi, has been awarded an $8,323,527 modification (P00037) to previously awarded contract FA3010-18-C-0007 for full food services. Work will be performed at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, and is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2024. Fiscal 2024 operation and maintenance funds in the amount of $8,323,527 will be obligated at time of award. The 81st Contracting Squadron, Keesler AFB, Mississippi, is the contracting activity. (Awarded Aug. 23, 2023)

Danos expands portfolio

GRAY, La. – Danos has expanded its portfolio to offer coastal restoration services to customers throughout the Gulf South. 

In addition to providing the materials and workforce to restore or replace barriers in marine environments, the company is producing and installing artificial reefs tailored to the local habitat. 

Most recently, Danos partnered with the Coastal Conservation Association to develop 128 3D-printed concrete modules installed at South Marsh Island 235 south of Cypremort Point. 

A major driver of Danos’ investment in coastal restoration services is its partnership with Natrx, a Raleigh, N.C.-based technology firm developing bioengineering solutions for wetland conservation. 

Danos - an energy services provider - is fabricating two Natrx innovations: the patented Oysterbreak pre-cast concrete modules and the 3D-printed ExoForm (nicknamed “Cajun Coral”) tailored concrete units. The companies said both products represent significant improvements over existing options, such as riprap or bulkheading. (Danos 08/23/23)

Expanded NOPB project completed

NEW ORLEANS - The New Orleans Public Belt Railroad celebrated the completion of its France Road Railway expansion project that will increase throughput in the New Orleans rail gateway. 

Located along the Industrial Canal, the new railyard is designed to improve efficiencies and increase NOPB’s capacity to switch, interchange and store rail cars.

“Increasing our storage capacity through the New Orleans freight gateway serves the dual benefit of relieving rail congestion and offering customers, railroad partners and the Port of New Orleans a significant competitive edge,” said NOPB General Manager Tomeka Watson Bryant. 

The railyard construction is part of the $18.2M New Orleans Gateway Rail Fluidity and Capacity Improvements Project. 

NOPB is expanding its Claiborne Yard near the St. Claude area, which is projected to be finished in June 2024. 

Since the strategic alignment of the Port of New Orleans and NOPB in 2018, the railroad said switching revenues have increased over 20%.

NOPB’s operating income has increased nearly 300%. Increased storage revenues have risen to more than $3M annually. 

“Louisiana is fortunate to be a hub for global commerce," said U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, (R-La). "We can move goods by the Mississippi River, rail and road – and our ports are at the epicenter of these logistics and our regional economy." 

The NOPB Railroad is a major artery for Port NOLA, and this completed project, and resulting additional capacity, will pay dividends for the entire port ecosystem,” U.S. Rep. Garret Graves (R-La), said.

NOPB railroad is a key connector to six class I railroads. 

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) will announce more projects and funding opportunities this year, positioning rail as a central player in the state's transportation and economic future, according to Graves.

NOPB is a Class III railroad on the nation’s fourth-largest rail gateway that serves the Port NOLA and various industries. It connects directly with six class I railroads that tie Port NOLA and the supply chain directly to every U.S. market and Canada. (Biz new Orleans 08/24/23) NO Public Belt Railroad Completes Railyard Expansion - Biz New Orleans

COVID cases on rise in Miss.

Coronavirus cases appear to be on the rise in Mississippi. There were 121 hospital admissions for COVID-19 in the state during the week ending on Aug. 12, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a 21% increase from the previous week.

That same week,1,413 Mississippians reported coronavirus-like illnesses, according to the state Health Department. 

The number of COVID-19-like illness visits has been on the rise since June. (Mississippi Today 08/25/23) Increasing number of Mississippians hospitalized for COVID-19 - Mississippi Today

Aug. 26 history: Sen. McCain died

Aug. 26 in history 

In 2018, Sen. John McCain of Arizona, who had spent years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam before a 35-year political career that took him to the Republican presidential nomination, died at the age of 81 after battling brain cancer for more than a year. 

In 1718, hundreds of French colonists arrived in Louisiana, with some settling in present-day New Orleans.

In 1928, an expedition led by Richard E. Byrd set sail from Hoboken, N.J., on its journey to Antarctica.

In 1944, during WWII, Paris was liberated by Allied forces after four years of Nazi occupation.

In 1967, FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover issued directives to spy on and discredit Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and others in the civil rights movement. 1967: J. Edgar Hoover ordered spyung on Martin Luther King Jr. - Mississippi Today

In 2009, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy died at age 77 in Hyannis Port, Mass., after a battle with a brain tumor.

In 2014, a funeral was held in St. Louis for Michael Brown, the Black 18-year-old who was shot to death by a police officer in suburban Ferguson.

Growing goat meat in Miss.

Most goat meat sold in the U.S. is imported, but a group of Mississippi meat goat producers wants to see that change.  

A first-of-its-kind test in the state is underway at a Leakesville commercial goat farm to help meet that goal. 

The Southeastern Buck Performance Test aims to improve the profitability of the meat goat industry in the region by improving meat goat genetics.  The test is being supervised by the Mississippi State University Extension Service and led by Kiko meat goat producers across the country. 

Although the test is open to any meat goat breed, Kiko is the predominant breed among southeastern U.S. producers because of its performance in the climate. (Magnolia State Live 08/25/23)

1st electric truck launched in Miss.

Mullen Automotive, a California-based company, launched its first electric commercial truck off the production line at a Tunica, Miss., plant this week. L

Local officials hope it can help shift Tunica’s narrative and show the area can offer a wider variety of job opportunities for residents. Tunica is about 30 miles from Memphis.

Mullen Automotive introduced its Mullen 3, a Class 3 EV commercial truck. 

John Schwegman, Mullen’s COO said the area’s central location is great for the company to get supplies into the facility and ship anywhere around the country, while also praising the area’s workforce. (Clarion Ledger 08/24/23) EV company Mullen Automotive launches first commercial truck in MS (clarionledger.com)

Refinery fire and mandatory evacs

GARYVILLE, La. - A fire and chemical leak was reported at Marathon's oil plant refinery in Garyville - in St. John the Baptist Parish - during the morning of Aug. 24. Video shows heavy smoke and flames shooting from a tank on the refinery's site. Mandatory evacuations have been ordered near the site and crews are working to contain the fire. For more information, click here. (WDSU 08/24/23) Garyville is about 30 miles northwest of New Orleans.

Parish officials said at this point the evacuation is precautionary, but it affects several thousand people. (NOLA.com)

Best large companies in Miss.

Employees of NASA in Mississippi say the company is the best one to work for in all of Mississippi. Mississippi State University came in second on the list of Forbes Magazine’s best employers by state.

Forbes partnered with a market research firm to survey workers at companies with more than 500 employees.

Not all companies were entirely local. Some are out-of-state companies with businesses or factories in Mississippi.

Mississippi’s Top 15 list is as follows.

1. NASA (Aerospace and Defense)
2. Mississippi State University (Education)
3. Hill (Aerospace and Defense)
4. MGM Resorts (Travel and Leisure)
5. Caterpillar (Engineering and Manufacturing)
6. University of Southern Mississippi (Education)
7. University of Mississippi Medical Center (Healthcare)
8. Nissan Motor (Automotive)
9. Entergy (Utilities)
10. Desoto County School District (Education)
11. Target (Retail and Wholesale)
12. United States Department of Defense (Government Services)
13. University of Mississippi Main Campus (Education)
14. St. Dominic Hospital (Healthcare)
15. North Mississippi Medical Center (Healthcare)

(Dark Horse Press 08/23/23) NASA, MSU top Forbes' list of best employers in Mississippi - Darkhorse Press (darkhorsepressnow.com)

Entergy adds duo to econ team

JACKSON, Miss. – Entergy Mississippi added two new members to its economic development team. Stacy Lester and Lauren Gurtowski have joined the team’s effort to assist Mississippi communities expand and attract new business. 

Lester serves as senior project manager, focusing on industrial recruitment and site development. She has 16+ years of experience in state, local and utility economic development. She earned a bachelor’s degree in polymer science and master’s degree in economic development from the University of Southern Mississippi. 

Gurtowski is a business retention and expansion representative tasked with assisting companies with navigating expansions. She previously served as the COO at the Madison County Economic Development Authority. Gurtowski obtained a degree in international business from Mississippi State University and is a certified economic developer. (Entergy 08/24/23)

GoM O&G lease rules; lawsuit

While the oil and gas sector isn't as large to the south Louisiana economy as it once was, it's still a major economic activity across the region, which is why a lot of people in the industry have been waiting for the rules around an upcoming lease sale in the Gulf of Mexico. Those rules came out and both pro-industry and environmental groups are complaining. (NOLA.com 08/24/23) BOEM releases final rules for next Gulf of Mexico lease sale | Business News | nola.com 

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry has teamed up with the American Petroleum Institute and Chevron U.S.A. Inc. to sue the Biden administration over changes to the scope of a Gulf of Mexico oil and gas lease sale scheduled for the end of September. Jeff Landry, API sue Biden over Gulf of Mexico lease sale | Business News | nola.com