A Service of WXXV FOX 25 17 July 2008, Thursday Community Development Entity and New Markets Tax Credit Workshops The Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) will host two Community Development Entity and New Markets Tax Credit Workshops to increase awareness of this program throughout the state. The first workshop will be help on Thursday, July 17, 2008, from 8:30 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. at the Capps Center in Indianola, Miss. A second workshop will be held on Tuesday, July 29, also from 8:30 a.m. until 12:00 p.m., at the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College on the Jefferson Davis Campus in Gulfport, Miss. In January, MDA began an initiative to increase the utilization of New Markets Tax Credits in the state. As part of this initiative, these workshops are intended to provide an overview of the federal program and provide practical information on the usage of these credits as a financing tool for Mississippi projects. The format of the meeting will be a series of case studies followed by a question and answer period. The workshop will also be an excellent venue for participants to interact with Community Development Entities, banks, developers and MDA staff members. More information on the NMTC Program can be found at www.cdfifund.gov. For more information about the workshops, contact Kathy Gelston at 601.359.2150. Economic Forecast Conference Southern Miss to Host Economic Forecast Conference in Biloxi Economic experts will offer assessments on the direction of the economies of the state and nation during a one-day conference in Biloxi that is sponsored by Bureau of Business and Economic Research in the College of Business at The University of Southern Mississippi. "The Economic Outlook: A Mid-Year Assessment for South Mississippi and the Gulf Coast" conference is set for July 17 at the Peoples Bank in downtown Biloxi. This is the second such conference to be hosted by the bureau this year. According to Dr. Ed Ranck, associate director of BBER on the Gulf Coast, the conference will include a range of topics and presenters of particular interest to business leaders, managers, economic developers and government policy makers in South Mississippi. In addition to Gunther and Ranck, speakers will include Mike Chaney, Mississippi insurance commissioner; Leroy Barnidge, vice president of state and local government relations for Air Mobility Systems for Northrop Grumman; and keynote speaker Dr. Martha Saunders, president of The University of Southern Mississippi, who will address the future of Southern Miss on the Gulf Coast Sponsored by The Peoples Bank, the conference will be held from 8:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. A $45 conference registration fee includes coffee breaks, lunch and a copy of "A Mid-Year Assessment for South Mississippi and the Gulf Coast." Conference seating is limited. For more information or to register for the event, access http://www.usm.edu/bber, call 601.266.5854 or send an e-mail to Janis.May@usm.edu. Open House Broaddus & Associates Nearly three years after the devastations of Hurricane Katrina, the Mississippi Gulf Coast continues to rebuild. As part of its firm commitment to help the people of Mississippi, Broaddus & Associates, a building design and construction project management and planning firm, has relocated its Gulf Coast branch office to Gulfport’s downtown business district. An open house will be held at One Hancock Plaza, 2510 14th Street Suite 810, on July 17 from 4:30 p.m. - 7 p.m. City officials, including Mayor Brent Warr, and community leaders are scheduled to attend. After Hurricane Katrina, company founder and president Dr. James "Jim" A. Broaddus opened a branch office in Gulfport to help the rebuilding process. He was stationed in Gulfport during the late ‘70s and early ‘80s while serving with the Seabees, the U.S. Naval Construction Force. Alongside his family, he lived in Long Beach for several years and was involved with Hurricane Camille’s recovery efforts. Over the past two years, Broaddus & Associates has helped the Mississippi Gulf Coast rebuild its infrastructure and coordinate recovery funds. Project management services were provided to rebuild/construct municipal buildings and the small craft harbor for the City of Gulfport. In addition, project administrator services were offered to restore facades on historic downtown buildings and storefronts. The City of Pass Christian also retained Broaddus & Associates to rebuild their major municipal facilities. Projects include: The city hall, police and emergency operations center, fire stations, library, and the historic Randolph Scholl building. Broaddus & Associates has been engaged in expanding the state’s educational grounds. The company conducted site analysis planning for the University of Southern Mississippi. After considering factors such as soil condition, accessibility, and flexibility for growth, Cross Creek property in Long Beach was selected and approved as the site for an additional campus to serve future generations. The firm completed a town center master plan for Tradition, a 4,700-acre urban development north of Biloxi, which will be the largest planned urban community in Mississippi. The 630-acre town center will integrate parks and open spaces with activity centers to create a pedestrian-friendly area. Most recently, the City of Moss Point engaged Broaddus and Associates to rebuild its municipal infrastructure and coordinate recovery funds. With its can-do attitude, Broaddus & Associates has played an important role in helping the people of Mississippi rebuild their communities and construct new facilities. Mississippi has the strong leadership, visionary plans, and resilient residents for full revitalization to take place. Broaddus & Associates is proud to help the state of Mississippi become an even better place to live. For questions regarding this calendar, contact: Deidre Pyron Licensed To: WXXV Fox Television