Jackson Free Press

Thalia Mara Hall Announces $5.5 Million Renovation Plans

Jackson's Thalia Mara Hall will begin a $5.5 million renovation in January, thanks in part to the state Legislature's $1 million appropriation. The hall will use funding from corporations, foundations, stakeholders and individual supporters to leverage and match the grant. The Friends of Thalia Mara Hall Charitable Fund of the Community Foundation of Greater Jackson will raise and manage the funding.

Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr., said in a statement that the renovations will not only boost the visitor experience, but it will have an economic impact on the downtown area and Jackson.

"Visitors will be able to see the differences of Thalia Mara Hall through the lobby, interior, restroom upgrades, and modernization of the concessions and lower lobby," Johnson said. "These renovations will attract more patrons to the facility, increasing revenue in Jackson."

New Hotel and Two Local Businesses Awarded Grants from City

Mayor Johnson will award the High Street Hotel Group with the city's second Special Economic Development Grant in the amount of $50,000.

The High Street Hotel Group will spend up to $2 million to renovate the vacant structure previously occupied by Holiday Inn Express located at 310 Greymont Ave. The grant will provide financial assistance toward facade upgrades.

The SEDG provides grants of up to $50,000 to companies that invest at least $1.5 million in the city and hire 30 or more employees. The High Street Hotel Group plans to hire 25 full-time employees and 20 part-time employees.

The city will also award two Storefront Improvement Grants: State Street BBQ at 906 State St. will receive $2,000; and University Place Bar and Grill on the Jackson State University campus at 1100 J.R. Lynch St. will receive $7,500.

Bowling Alley Set to Open in West Jackson

Jackson State University announced the opening of Metro 24 Bowling Center Arcade & Grill, located near campus at 3003 John R. Lynch St. Formerly the Cotton Bowl Lanes, the refurbished bowling alley's grand opening was today, April 23, at 11 a.m.

The Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership and the Jackson Chamber of Commerce sponsored the ribbon-cutting event, and JSU's Sonic Boom of the South marching band performed.

For more information, call the Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership at 601-948-7575.

Mississippi Improves Film Incentive Program

Gov. Phil Bryant recently signed a bill to improve Mississippi's Motion Picture Incentive Program. The bill establishes higher caps, additional payroll incentives and expands the definition of eligible productions. It is effective immediately.

"This legislation strengthens Mississippi's position in the multi-billion dollar film industry and will help us compete for new economic opportunities in this sector," Bryant said in a statement.

The new legislation raises the per-project rebate limit to $10 million per production and raises the salary cap to include the first $5 million of any individual salary. It establishes a 5 percent bonus on the salary of any honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces. The legislation also adds computer and video games to the list of eligible productions.

The annual rebate cap of $20 million is still in place as well as the $50,000 minimum spend required for incentive program qualification.

Sen. John Horhn, D-Jackson, and Rep. Rita Martinson, R-Madison, introduced the legislation, which received near unanimous support in the state Legislature.

For more information, visit the Mississippi Film Office website, call 601-359-3297 or email [email protected].

SBA and W20 Group Launch Social Media Webinar Series for Small Businesses

The U.S. Small Business Administration and the W20 Group--an entrepreneurial ecosystem of digital communications companies--are launching a free five-topic social media webinar series to help small businesses leverage and grow through social media tools such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, blogs and mobile marketing.

Social media is proving more and more vital in helping small businesses grow and create jobs. It provides the opportunity to build deeper relationships with customers, increases sales and reach new markets in a cost-efficient manner. This webinar series will help small businesses develop a comprehensive social-media plan that is engaging and effective with maximum return on investment.

The first webinar, "Introduction to Social Media: Helping You Get Started," is April 24 at 1 p.m. The webinar includes topics such as:

• What social media is and isn't • Why it's important to get involved • Social media demographics on who is using • Best practices • Getting started

To register, visit SBA's webinar site. Future webinars include: Blogging 101; Creating Content for Facebook, YouTube and Twitter; Identifying and Connecting with your Influencers; and Getting Started with Mobile and Location-based Marketing.

Pay for CEOs in Mississippi Ranks Last in the Nation

A recent report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics revealed that CEO pay in Mississippi is the lowest in the country. Mississippi CEOs make an average of $103,730 a year, compared to the $210,000 per year in top-ranked Connecticut and the $176,000 national average.

Blake Wilson, president and CEO of the Mississippi Economic Council, said in a statement that Mississippi's lack of a Fortune 500 company based in the state plays a large part in the low average.

"If you get one or two Fortune 500 CEOs, they skew the numbers way up," Wilson said.

Wilson noted that the median pay rate provides a more accurate measurement of what a typical CEO makes. Mississippi still ranks last in the nation in median pay, but compares favorably to other low earners such as Montana, Idaho and Wyoming. Mississippi also ranks last in average overall wages at $35,000 per year.