Browsing: Business

On a lot once home to a shuttered garment factory, Leakesville leaders see a chance to remake their town. The Basila District, a planned hub of businesses and green space, is the centerpiece of a push to keep young people in Greene County and attract new jobs. 

Downtown Wiggins is getting a new look, thanks to $50,000 in grants helping local businesses repair, repaint and revive storefronts. Leaders of the Stone County seat said upgrades are drawing more visitors and energy to the small city’s two-street business district. 

As the Mississippi Gulf Coast marks 20 years since Hurricane Katrina made landfall on Aug. 29, 2005, HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division is recognizing the resilience demonstrated by its workforce and honoring those who played a key role in restoring operations after the storm.

Some places capture your heart long before you realize they’re shaping your dreams. For Jennifer Boone, that place was Natchez. As a little girl growing up in Hattiesburg, she and her mother would slip away for long weekends in the historic river town. They’d walk the shaded streets, peek into grand homes, and linger in the small shops that lined Main Street. Those trips became cherished memories—and they planted a seed that would eventually grow into her life’s dream.

Vardaman, Mississippi, is known as the Sweet Potato Capitol of the World for good reason, with over 100 million pounds of sweet potatoes traveling from the fields of Vardaman to tables around the world each year. 

Will Bradham, owner of Bradham Enterprises, which has businesses located in Cleveland, Oxford, and Starkville, could be considered a serial entrepreneur, but it is in his blood. Bradham’s father was an entrepreneur, owning an automotive and parts supply store. Some of Bradham’s earliest memories are working alongside his dad. 

The Mississippi Main Street Revitalization Grant Program Act (MMSRG) is authorized through MS Senate Bill 2696 (2024) and authorizes the Mississippi Legislature (Legislature), as well as the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) through appropriations by the Legislature, to make grants available to eligible recipients for projects “leading to the revitalization of Mississippi’s downtowns or communities”.

In case you have not figured it out yet, balloon arches are a must-have item for all celebrations and important events. 

Whether it’s a birthday celebration, a baby gender reveal, a wedding shower, a graduation party, or a corporate event, the appropriate balloon arch is the piéce de résistance.

Nothing says summer like ice cream! National Ice Cream Day, celebrated annually on the third Sunday in July, was officially declared by President Ronald Reagan in 1984. He also proclaimed July as National Ice Cream Month. This action aimed to recognize the popularity of ice cream and the importance of the dairy industry. The day is now widely celebrated with various ice cream promotions and events. 

The Hattiesburg Zoo is rolling out three new animal experiences which allow guests the opportunity to get up close and personal with several unique species.  New experiences are the Anteater Feeding Experience, the South America Yard Experience and the Giraffe Experience.  

Integer Technologies and the University of Southern Mississippi announce the Office of Naval Research has awarded their team a $25 million ceiling contract, with a fully funded initial base period of $4.3 million. The applied research contract supports the development of novel software to help the U.S. Navy maintain maritime dominance and increase its seabed warfare capabilities.

Gautier is glowing a little brighter these days — and it’s not just from the stage lights at The Sound Amphitheater. A brand-new hotspot has emerged across the street, bringing a unique blend of charm, culture, and cool to the Coast. We’re thrilled to welcome Voodoo Cigar Lounge, a vibrant new business that’s adding momentum to Gautier’s upward climb.

Mississippi shoppers, mark your calendars! The 2025 Sales Tax Holiday is happening next weekend—from Friday, July 11, through Sunday, July 13—giving you a chance to score some serious savings.

A transformative initiative to create a single, unified organization representing business and industry throughout Mississippi is taking major steps toward becoming a reality, and, if approved, it will do so as the Mississippi Business Alliance.

Yep, I am head over heels in love with The Local Lemon, based out of Saltillo, Mississippi.

Now, I am fully aware that there are other new-fangled drink options, but nothing says “summertime” quite like a big ol’ glass of freshly squeezed lemonade. And I got my first taste of “summertime” this past week when The Local Lemon pulled into the Cadence Bank Arena to offer participants at the AFA Activate Summit some afternoon refreshments.

f you’re in need of a little pick-me-up—or let’s be real, a brain-freezing scoop of happiness—look no further than Chill Sloth Ice Cream & Smoothies in Wiggins, Mississippi. This isn’t your average stop for sweets. It’s a whole vibe—a rainforest escape in the heart of South Mississippi where you’ll find frozen treats, tropical flair, and a surprisingly adorable celebrity resident named Sammy.