by Phil Hardwick Published: October 2,2011
Tags: MBJ column, Phil Hardwick
When a large company makes it known to the local community that it is considering relocating to another state or closing its facility the local public officials go into action. They figure out ways to offer incentives of every kind to keep the company in town. But what happens when a family decides to move [...] [...]
by Phil Hardwick Published: September 18,2011
Tags: Calisolar, Economic development incentives, Haley Barbour, HCL Cleantech, incentives, MBJ column, Phil Hardwick, Toyota
“Gov. Haley Barbour has asked the Legislature to approve $175 million in incentives for California-based Calisolar and start-up HCL CleanTech to open facilities in Mississippi — projects expected to create direct jobs for 1,800 people.” Clarion-Ledger, Sept. 1, 2011 When this writer read that sentence he immediately got out a calculator and did the math. [...] [...]
by Phil Hardwick Published: September 4,2011
Tags: MBJ column, Phil Hardwick
In today’s real estate market many home sellers who must move are facing some tough choices. They can take a lower price for their property in the hope that it will sell sooner than later, they can wait in the hope that the market will improve or they can rent. For sellers who do not [...] [...]
by Phil Hardwick Published: August 7,2011
Tags: MBJ column, Phil Hardwick, rural libraries, small towns
Recently I had the opportunity to visit eight libraries in rural towns in Mississippi during the course of one week. These libraries ranged from a two-room facility smaller than some master bedrooms to a full-service, modern library that offered a full range of activities for the community. Below are 10 things that I learned about [...] [...]
by Phil Hardwick Published: July 24,2011
Tags: MBJ column, Phil Hardwick
The 2010 census served as a wake-up call for more than a few communities. Many local officials saw the numbers and realized that even though their cities might be growing overall there were parts that were changing in ways that were not anticipated. It became time to learn about neighborhood life cycles. Most things have [...] [...]
by Phil Hardwick Published: June 26,2011
Tags: Phil Hardwick, winery
Winston County, Miss., is on a roll. Sales tax collections are up, there are no vacancies on Main Street, Chamber of Commerce membership is growing, there is a great new restaurant downtown and there is even a new winery in town. Recently, I had the pleasure of attending the annual Chamber of Commerce banquet, which [...] [...]
by Phil Hardwick Published: May 29,2011
Tags: MBJ column, nonprofit, Phil Hardwick
If you have been asked to serve on a nonprofit board of directors it is now more important than ever that you understand what such service involves and that you treat seriously your responsibilities. First, did you know that most nonprofit organizations are now required to file a Form 990 with the Internal Revenue Service [...] [...]
by Phil Hardwick Published: May 1,2011
Tags: civic engagement, MBJ column, Phil Hardwick
When it comes to civic engagement — voting, participation in town meetings, political involvement and the like — apathy is often cited as the primary reason that most people do not get involved. Dave Meslin, a community activist and self-described “rabble-rouser” in Toronto, Canada, says that we need to redefine apathy not as some internal [...] [...]
by Phil Hardwick Published: April 17,2011
Tags: advertising, MBJ column, Phil Hardwick
Advertising is now so ubiquitous that no one in any place is spared from messaging by commercial interests. It is estimated that the typical person will be exposed to 300 to 700 messages per day. And that is for people who do not surf the Internet. Will city hall be the next hallowed ground to [...] [...]
by Phil Hardwick Published: March 20,2011
Tags: MBJ Columns, Phil Hardwick
Communities are constantly changing. Some change relatively slowly, as the decennial census data is revealing. Others change rather rapidly as exemplified by the civil uprisings in the Middle East. Still others change almost instantly because of natural disasters, as evidenced by recent earthquakes and floods. As census data comes out it is apparent that the [...] [...]
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