A ribbon cutting for AgLine Distributing & Equipment was held earlier this week with Mississippi's Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson in attendance.

The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians' industrial space in Leake County has received a facelift and a new tenant in the 120,000 square foot facility in Carthage.

Built in the late 1980's, the three 40,000 square foot industrial buildings were once utilized by the Tribe's then-booming automotive wire harness business. However, the passage of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) saw the wire harness contracts move offshore, leaving the business to fold and the buildings vacant.

But the Tribe began the necessary process of updating the buildings' infrastructure in 2022 in hopes of attracting new tenants. Investments were made in new roofs, HVAC upgrades, energy efficient lighting, and resurfaced roads and parking areas.

The Tribes' focus paid off as AgLine signed a lease on one of the buildings and recently signed an option on another for parts storage and future expansion. The company is locating their manufacturing and assembly operations on the site.

“When we were looking for a tenant, Agline was looking for a facility,” said MBCI Tribal Chief Cyrus Ben in a statement. “The timing lined up and it was a win-win.” 

Recently the Tribe implemented a new incentive program that could prove beneficial to AgLine's future growth as well as aid other businesses looking to locate on the site. Choctaw Employment Advantage offers rental discounts to commercial tenants leasing Tribal buildings. According to the Tribe, businesses that lease space on Choctaw Tribal lands are eligible for rental discounts when they employ Choctaw Tribal members. Monthly rental payments will be reduced in increments of $500 for every five Tribal members with at least 90 days of full-time employment by tenants as of the date the monthly rental payment is due.

A ribbon cutting for AgLine Distributing & Equipment was held earlier this week with Mississippi's Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson in attendance.

The post AgLine locates in Leake County thanks to Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians' facility update appeared first on Magnolia Tribune.

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By: Magnolia Tribune
Title: AgLine locates in Leake County thanks to Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians' facility update

Published Date: Thu, 07 Dec 2023 19:39:02 +0000

Five months into the fiscal year, the bright spot for Mississippi revenues continues to be sales tax while individual income tax collections decline. Working Mississippians are sending the state less of their paychecks after the 2022 tax cuts.

Five months into the 2024 Fiscal Year and state revenues continue to exceed revenue estimates by $75.9 million.

According to the November revenue report from the Legislative Budget Office, Mississippi brought in $571,498 or 0.11% above the sine die revenue estimate for the month, making the state $75,930,468 or 2.60% above the sine die revenue estimate for the current fiscal year.

The total Fiscal Year 2024 sine die revenue estimate is $7,523,800,000.

Overall general fund collections in November 2023 were $10.4 million or 2.01% above the prior fiscal year.

The bright spot for Mississippi revenues continues to be sales tax collection. Sales taxes in November were above the same month the prior year by $20.6 million. Sales tax collections thus far this fiscal year are outpacing the prior year by $50 million.

In addition, corporate income tax collections for the month of November were also above the same month prior year by $11.9 million.

However, total revenue collection in Mississippi through November 2023 is $42,121,576 or 1.39% below the prior year's collections.

Revenue collections have been below estimates two of the five months in the current fiscal year.

The reduction in collections is mostly attributable to the state's reduced income tax following the 2022 tax cuts approved by lawmakers and signed into law by Governor Tate Reeves.

Individual income tax collections for the month of November were below the same month prior year by $12 million. As for Fiscal Year-To-Date, income tax collections are down $68.6 million.

The reduction in income tax collections means working Mississippians are keeping more of their money, which lawmakers have said was the goal in passing the historic tax cut package.

Efforts to fully eliminate the income tax are once again being considered by lawmakers ahead of the 2024 legislative session. Full elimination has been at the forefront of Governor Reeves' agenda, both during his first term and during his 2023 re-election campaign.

House leaders have repeatedly backed the move but appropriations leaders in the state Senate have thus far been reluctant to endorse the full elimination of the income tax. The Senate leadership's budgetary approach recently resulted in the lowering of the Fiscal Year 2025 revenue estimate by $113 million.

In November, the Joint Legislative Budget Committee, comprised of Senate and House members as well as the Governor, unexpectedly did not approve the Revenue Estimating Group's proposed total estimate for FY 2025 of $7.6 billion, choosing instead to put forward the same estimate as the current fiscal year. That action caused a disagreement between the committee and Governor Reeves.

READ MORE: Legislative Budget Committee adjourns without adopting FY 2025 budget recommendation

Reeves expressed concerns that lowering the revenue estimate would limit the Legislature's ability to provide continued tax relief to Mississippians.

“Arbitrarily lowering the number for no apparent reason hurts our ability to justify tax cuts,” said Governor Reeves in the November meeting. “I'm a very strong proponent of cutting taxes in this legislative session, regardless of what this number is.”

The committee met again this week, yet a FY 2025 budget recommendation was not adopted, as has been the norm in the weeks leading up to the start of a new legislative session. The committee's estimate is the number the Governor is to base his annual Executive Budget Recommendation which is due January 31st.

The post Mississippi revenue collections continue to outpace estimates by $75.9 million appeared first on Magnolia Tribune.

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By: Frank Corder
Title: Mississippi revenue collections continue to outpace estimates by $75.9 million

Published Date: Thu, 07 Dec 2023 19:07:29 +0000

Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.biloxinewsevents.com/tradition-elegance-make-weidmanns-worth-the-trip-to-meridian/

With Weidmann's white tablecloths, exposed brick walls, hardwood floors and elegant mirrors, you'll feel that you have been transported back to a more elegant time.

For a restaurant to be in business for ten, twenty, even thirty years is quite an achievement in our fickle environment. Imagine a restaurant that has been in business since 1870, and for the past 100 years in the same location. Just cross the 22^nd Avenue bridge into downtown Meridian and look for the iconic neon sign that says Weidmann's.

Felix Weidmann was a Swiss immigrant who served as a chef on a transatlantic steamship. He opened a simple restaurant in the Union Hotel in 1870, with a counter and four stools. In 1923 the restaurant moved to its present location under the ownership of Henry Weidmann, grandson of the founder.

During the 1940s, '50s and ‘60s, the restaurant garnered national recognition and became a mainstay for Meridian and surrounding communities. During those years, the restaurant was open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, closing only for Christmas Day. In the 1960s the ownership of the restaurant was passed to Shorty McWilliams and his wife Gloria (Weidmann). Shorty was a football standout at Mississippi State and West Point, finishing twice in the top ten for the Heisman Trophy. In the 1980s, ownership was passed to Poo Chancellor and his wife Gloria (McWilliams).

A group of 54 investors purchased the building and restaurant in 1999, completely renovating the site. Weidmann's reopened in 2000 under new ownership. In 2010, the restaurant closed briefly and was reopened by Charles Frazier, with the goal of providing outstanding and affordable Southern cuisine in an historic setting. Frazier remains the proprietor of the restaurant to this day. Molly Robin serves as the restaurant's manager.

With its white tablecloths, exposed brick walls, hardwood floors and elegant mirrors, you'll feel that you have been transported back to a more elegant time. The bar is located upstairs, and diners can enjoy eating outdoors on a balcony overlooking downtown. Weidmann's also has a few private dining rooms upstairs, one of which is said to be haunted.

The menu at Weidmann's is extensive. Many of the recipes of the original Weidmann's have been revived as well as new classics which are enjoying local popularity. Daily specials are served up daily as well. From steaks and seafood to pasta and other dishes, it's no joke that the restaurant serves something for everyone. There are plenty of dessert options as well, but this writer believes none are better than the black bottomed pie.

Weidmann's has gained a good bit of notoriety over the years. The restaurant has been featured in many books, magazines, cookbooks, and television shows. Weidmann's has a tradition of displaying a vast collection of photographs of celebrities, employees, and local guests. Original artwork by local artists is on display throughout the restaurant, most for sale, with 100% of the sales price going to the artist.

Another Weidmann tradition is the famous peanut butter crocks. Each table at Weidmann's is set with a handmade peanut butter crock and an assortment of crackers.  This tradition dates back to the 1940s, when legend has it there was a shortage of butter during World War II. 

A guest mentioned to Henry Weidmann that peanut butter would be a good replacement to accompany the crackers. Henry embraced the concept and eventually found a potter in Louisville, Mississippi to make the crocks. Now the crocks are hand made by a local potter in Meridian. If you'd like to take one home, there are crocks available for sale. Just ask your server.

The post Tradition, elegance make Weidmann's worth the trip to Meridian appeared first on Magnolia Tribune.

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By: Susan Marquez
Title: Tradition, elegance make Weidmann's worth the trip to Meridian

Published Date: Thu, 07 Dec 2023 16:00:00 +0000

Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.biloxinewsevents.com/anything-but-ordinary/