Mississippi Business Journal » Gulf Coast

SouthGroup builds on legacy as state’s largest private insurance agency

Lisa Monti — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 05:01:20 +0000

The folks at SouthGroup Insurance Services are fond of a saying that sums up the company’s complex beginnings. “We like to say we’re an 11-year-old company with a 115-year history,” said Ronnie Tubertini, president and CEO. Tubertini was one of the founders of SouthGroup, which was formed Jan. 1, 2002, when 12 “successful, old and [...]

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Insurance costs contribute to slow residential growth on Gulf Coast

Lynn Lofton — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 05:01:09 +0000

A drive along coastal U.S. 90 reveals many vacant lots where homes and businesses sat before Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Eight years after the devastating storm, rebuilding is scarce along the beach and on nearby streets. While reasons vary, the high cost of insurance is heard more than any other reason. For full coverage, property [...]

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Singing River Mall going open air with new multi-million facelift

Lynn Lofton — Fri, 31 May 2013 05:01:02 +0000

Change is coming to Singing River Mall in Gautier. Elements are being put in place to turn the aging traditional enclosed mall into an open air lifestyle shopping center in this city of 19,000 which draws shoppers from surrounding Jackson County. No construction start date has been named for the multi-million-dollar project. “There’s no definite [...]

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Hancock Bank to close up to 45 branches, only 1 from Mississippi

Ted Carter — Fri, 17 May 2013 19:42:49 +0000

Hancock Holding Co. has confirmed that the $20-billion regional bank plans to close up to 45 branch offices by the end of the year, but has targeted only one branch in Mississippi for closing. Closings in Louisiana will be few, as well, with just two branches to be shut down in the New Orleans market. [...]

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Casinos on the watch for thieves, cheats and scams

Lisa Monti — Fri, 17 May 2013 19:28:10 +0000

The side of a casino operation familiar to most people is the one that aims to keep customers playing, entertained and well fed. On the other, less visible side is a full out effort to protect the casino’s bottom line by catching cheaters and fighting against fraud. Panelists at last week’s Southern Gaming Summit session [...]

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Social media marketing allows casinos to give, take

Frank Brown — Fri, 17 May 2013 19:22:26 +0000

You can be sure the casino industry knows a good bet when it sees one. And perhaps the most valuable tool to help revive a sluggish gaming industry in Mississippi is marketing through social media. “We look at social media, and there are a lot of different ways to approach it,” Brian Best, corporate president [...]

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Marine Resources brings in Kelly Lucas

MBJ Staff — Fri, 17 May 2013 16:00:59 +0000

Kelly Lucas, Ph.D., has joined the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources (MDMR) as chief scientific officer. Lucas is a Mississippi Gulf Coast native and holds a doctorate degree in coastal science from the University of Southern Mississippi, a MBA from University of Alabama Birmingham and a bachelor of science degree in microbiology from Mississippi State [...]

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Casino survey reveals national, Mississippi data

Frank Brown — Mon, 06 May 2013 18:50:34 +0000

The U.S. commercial casino industry realized its second-largest year in gross gaming revenues ever in 2012, according to a economic impact study released today by the American Gaming Association. The annual State of the States: The AGA Survey of Casino Entertainment shows an industry that has now seen three consecutive years of escalating growth — [...]

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OUR VIEW: Jeopardizing a visitor industry for little in return

MBJ Staff — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 21:05:33 +0000

The Mississippi Business Journal over the years has chronicled the exodus of Mississippi corporations, trade associations and non-profit groups to Alabama’s Orange Beach and Gulf Shores and Florida’s Panhandle for their conventions and trade shows. While we lamented the loss of hospitality dollars to our state, we conceded the lure of the sparkling sand beaches [...]

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Ingalls gives awards

MBJ Staff — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 20:59:01 +0000

Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Ingalls Shipbuilding division has honored five teams and three individuals with “President’s Awards for Excellence” for their outstanding and innovative work on shipbuilding projects. Donny Dorsey is head of operations at the Gulfport Composite Center of Excellence, and led the facility through manufacturing innovation and the successful delivery of two large composite [...]

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