State sends drone site proposal to FAA

JACKSON — Mississippi is bidding for one of six sites nationwide to test unmanned aerial vehicles. A Mississippi Development Authority spokeswoman says the state submitted its proposal to the Federal Aviation Administration on Monday. State officials say the FAA should choose Mississippi because it has three manufacturers of unmanned aerial vehicles, as well as a…

• NVision expands through new agreement with QinetiQ
• The Accelerator adds three new tenants, including GE Aviation
• Newspaper recognizes tech company for excellent workplace
• New plant means more active partnership with university
• Senator quizzes NASA administrator about test stand
• Economic developer: 4G network will boost county

Bank earns five stars for 94th consecutive quarter

GULFPORT — BauerFinancial Inc. has awarded Hancock Bank a 5-Star Superior rating for the quarter ending Dec. 31, 2012. Hancock Bank has received BauerFinancial recommendations (4-Star or 5-Star ratings) for 94 consecutive quarters — or more than 23 years. “By making common-sense business decisions, proactively managing risk, and understanding how people prefer to do business,…

• Deadline approaching for post-tornado loans from SBA
• Bank opens new Texas office, expands Houston footprint
• Check-cashing firm buys 10 more stores across Miss.
• Bank prices initial public offering at $24 per share

Foreign workers sue shipyard over work conditions, treatment

PASCAGOULA — Dozens of Indian guest workers are suing an Alabama-based marine and fabrication company, claiming it financially exploited them and forced them to live in squalid conditions after bringing them to work at Gulf Coast shipyards after Hurricane Katrina. Three federal lawsuits backed by the Southern Poverty Law Center were filed in Mississippi and…

• First students in maritime training academy expected this summer
• Study says Nissan subsidies total $1.33B; MDA says overestimated
• Shipbuilder gets massive floating dock as part of expansion
• Meat-slicing facility laying off 100 workers

Genesis Energy doubling capacity, adding workers

NATCHEZ — Genesis Energy plans to more than double its railcar capacity at its terminal in the Natchez-Adams County Port. The Natchez Democrat reports the expansion will create approximately 20 new jobs, including 15 equipment operators and five professional staff. The announcement comes as the company finalized its first phase — which includes 40 railcar…

• LNG facility hoping to begin exporting natural gas
• Mississippi Power CEO’s departure due to withholding Kemper information from regulators
• Senator claims Obama has cost TVA hundreds of millions of dollars
• Panel rejects appeal in global warming/Katrina lawsuit

Supervisors to talk with trustees about selling hospital

NATCHEZ — Natchez Regional Medical Center could soon go on the market, with the Adams County Board of Supervisors saying they want to meet with NRMC’s board of trustees to discuss selling the hospital. At least three parties have expressed interest in the county-owned property. Supervisor Mike Lazarus made the suggestion at the supervisors’ meeting,…

• Doctor’s murder-for-hire case postponed, mental evaluation pending
• Tenn. company makes unspecified offer to lease hospital
• Court rules in clinic dispute involving St. Dominic, HMA
• Budget writer: Medicaid taking away from education funding

Mayor wants ‘trial run’ of hotel/restaurant tax next month

GAUTIER — At the end of the this week’s Gautier City Council meeting, Mayor Tommy Fortenberry made a motion to use the June 4 ballot as a “trial run” for the 2 percent tax-levy issue. Fortenberry said he was concerned at the low turnout of the primary election and wants to make sure residents are…

• Defunct casino to be moved; cost could rise depending on ‘crud’
• Casinos on the watch for thieves, cheats and scams
• Browse through the May 10th digital edition
• Social media marketing allows casinos to give – and take

Developers converting historic buildings into mixed-use facilities

HATTIESBURG — If Daniel Jussely and Rob Tatum have their way, downtown Hattiesburg soon will be a cultural hub of “urbanite lifestyle” in Mississippi. As co-owners of Hub City Lofts, Jussely and Tatum are rejuvenating two of the Hub City’s oldest buildings, converting them into more than 50 loft-style apartments and more than 14,000 square…

• Commission eyeing unauthorized changes to historic structures
• FNC index: Housing sees 13th consecutive price increase
• City, state to hold second sale of tax-forfeited property
• Commission wants home to be national landmark

Tornado relief drive at USM goes quiet in wake of Oklahoma disaster

HATTIESBURG — The University of Southern Mississippi Foundation reports its tornado relief and campus beautification campaigns were “entering a quiet phase” as the nation focuses its attention on tornado victims in Oklahoma. During this time the Foundation will refrain from publicly soliciting donors for the campaigns. The Foundation launched the tornado relief effort immediately following…

• First students in maritime training academy expected this summer
• With no interim, board begins hunt for MVSU president
• Board could name state education superintendent by fall
• Board to ask lawmakers for additional $30M for 2015 budget

Bill exempting small farms from fuel storage regs passes Senate

WASHINGTON — Legislation to exempt small farms from Environmental Protection Agency fuel storage requirements has been incorporated into the Senate-passed Water Resources Development Act of 2013 (WRDA), according to a release from U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.). The Senate passed WRDA legislation (S.601), and with it also approved all the provisions included in the Farmers…

• Ag officials say late planting reaching historical proportions
• Undersecretary: ‘I understand the frustration’ over catfish inspections
• Federation president praises lawmakers for Farm Bill effort
• Port lets dredging contract, clearing way for wood pellets