Lowndes unemployment hovers at 9.5 percent

Lowndes County’s unemployment rate in August was 9.3 percent — two tenths of a point up from August 2012, but the second lowest monthly showing in 2013 overall.

That percentage represents an estimated 2,530 people actively looking for a job, according to statistics from the Mississippi Department of Employment Security.

Oktibbeha unemployment drops nearly one percent

Oktibbeha County’s unemployment rate in August was nearly 1 percent lower than July’s estimate of 9.7.

August’s rate came in at 8.8 percent.

That percentage represents an estimated 1,760 people actively looking for a job, according to statistics from the Mississippi Department of Employment Security.

LINK holds seminars, explains market changes

As construction begins on the Yokohama tire plant in West Point, the Golden Triangle will see an increase in both executive and transient businessmen.

Some will be from around here. Some will not.

Regardless, it’s important to make them feel at home, Columbus Lowndes Chamber of Commerce vice president Macaulay Whitaker said Tuesday.

Officials celebrate start of Yokohama construction

“Some people say Mississippi’s a club,” Joe Max Higgins said Monday. “Mississippi is a family, and we’ve got new family members in the house today, folks.”

Higgins, the Golden Triangle Development Link CEO, was referring to Yokohama Tire Manufacturing Mississippi. Company, state and local officials broke ground on what will be one of the largest tire plants in the country during a ceremony at the Prairie Belt Powersite in Clay County.

Downtown bus stops removed

City officials have confirmed that the planned bus stops at the corners of Fifth and Main streets have been deleted from Lawrence Transit’s route.

Other areas close to the intersection but not in the city’s historic district are being considered as alternatives by LTS director of Columbus operations Dorothy Dowdell.

Yokohama gives $250K to both MSU, EMCC

On the eve of breaking ground on their new plant in Clay County, Yokohama Tire Company made another statement of commitment to the Golden Triangle area.

The global tire manufacturing giant announced plans to give $250,000 each to Mississippi State University and East Mississippi Community College Sunday.

Eurocopter plant to add assembly line

Eurocopter officials announced Friday that the partial assembly line for AS350 helicopters produced at the Columbus plant will be upgraded into a full assembly line.

Resident files complaint to state auditor

A Lowndes County resident has filed a complaint with the Mississippi Office of the State Auditor alleging a Noxubee County employee spread slag on a private road.

Sales tax collections down $150K from last year

A roller coaster year for sales tax collections in Columbus ended on a high note this month.

The city collected $685,376.78 in non-food, beverage and hotel taxes in July, a $26,442.01 increase over $658,934.77 in July 2012. But all together, the city ended up with $152,187.55 less for 2012-13 than 2011-12.

County could purchase new election equipment

Lowndes County voters will likely be casting paper ballots again when they go to the polls either next year or in 2015.

When county supervisors passed next year’s budget last week, they allocated $248,300 for circuit elections — $89,350 more than was budgeted last year.

MDA awards grants to local festivals

The Mississippi Development Authority has awarded five Columbus and Lowndes County festivals a combined $16,000 through its Tourism Grant Program for the 2013-14 fiscal year.

LINK to seek tax incentive deal for retail development

Golden Triangle Development Link officials will be on the agenda for the next county and city board meetings seeking a tax increment financing agreement associated with a potential retail development in Columbus.

Brooks pays county for travel expense

A day after Lowndes County received a Mississippi attorney general opinion stating a supervisor owing money to the county could not receive his salary until he paid up, Leroy Brooks cut the county a check. For $199.

A big day for Clay County: Yokohama groundbreaking set for Monday

As Yokohama officials prepare to break ground on a Clay County tire manufacturing plant next Monday, behind-the-scenes work has been taking place to get the project started on the right foot, Golden Triangle Development Link and West Point officials said.

Council tables proposal for travel request policy

Columbus councilman Bill Gavin’s motion to require any city employee or official wishing to travel on taxpayer money to submit a written request and cost estimate will be reviewed in a future meeting.

Council authorizes MDB loan for Trotter

The Columbus city council approved a loan from Mississippi Development Bank to finance the cost of Trotter Convention Center renovations Tuesday.

CVB will continue meeting monthly

Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau board meetings will continue to be monthly events.

A motion to change CVB by-laws to require bi-monthly rather than monthly meetings failed in a 4-4 deadlock.

Box to ask for change of agenda deadline policy

Columbus councilman Charlie Box is expected to request that his colleagues adjust the final deadline for items to be added to an agenda during today’s recess meeting.

CVB board meetings may become bi-monthly

The Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau Board of Directors’ monthly meetings could become bi-monthly.

A recommendation to amend the organization’s by-laws ordering directors to meet every other month will be on the table during today’s meeting.

County fire service exploring co-op for Mayhew

The Lowndes County Board of Supervisors authorized county fire services coordinator Sammy Fondren to explore a co-op with volunteer fire departments in eastern Oktibbeha and Clay counties that would provide fire services in Mayhew.