Weekly Roundup: Jackson County Economic Development Foundation News Clips July 1-15, 2023
HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding Hosts “Signing Day” for 2024 Graduates of Shipbuilder Academy
GlobeNewsWire
PASCAGOULA, Miss., May 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — HII’s (NYSE: HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division hosted a “signing day” for the 2024 graduates of its Shipbuilder Academy today at the shipyard. This year, 25 talented high school students were offered full-time positions at Ingalls, where they will begin their shipbuilding career following the completion of their education. Through hands-on training, mentorship, and classroom instruction, participants in the Ingalls Shipbuilding Academy (ISA) gain invaluable experience that prepares them with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in a shipbuilding career.
Related: WLOX “Signing Day” story
WLOX
25 students who pursued the year-long Shipbuilder Academy signed their hiring contracts on Wednesday.
Anchor Square to be redeveloped into residential cottages
WLOX
PASCAGOULA, Miss. (WLOX) – Anchor Square in Pascagoula was once a hub for small businesses, who could rent a unit and sell their merchandise. After being vacant for nearly two years, a new owner has different plans for the property. Six months ago, Joe Cloyd became the owner of the cluster of small buildings. The first change? A new name: Cottages at the Depot. “I plan to put a pool in, and to have 16 great new units to add to all the great commercial development that’s going on in downtown Pascagoula,” property owner Joe Cloyd says.
Hotel Whiskey, Uncle Joe’s both now open for business in Pascagoula
WLOX
PASCAGOULA, Miss. (WLOX) – If you’re looking for a neat weekend getaway, Hotel Whiskey might be the spot for you. The family-owned company has a few other locations on the coast. Stacia Diamond, the general manager of Uncle Joe’s, says the development has already provided jobs in the community.
New upscale apartment complex ‘The District Flats’ now leasing in Pascagoula
WLOX
PASCAGOULA, Miss. (WLOX) – A new apartment complex has emerged in Pascagoula’s historic district — but this one is not like the others. The 70s-era law firm was renovated by Allison and Pat Buchanan. Allison’s father had a hand in the original construction, and Pat was a managing partner at the firm from the late 90s to the 2000s. The new District Flats features eight upscale rental units, with one acting as a short-term rental.
Chevron Pascagoula donates Mobile Command Vehicle to Jackson County Sheriff’s Department
WLOX
JACKSON COUNTY, Miss. (WLOX) – The Chevron Pascagoula Refinery is helping Jackson County prepare for emergencies. The Pascagoula Refinery has donated a Mobile Command Vehicle to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department. The MCV is a specially equipped vehicle that can serve as a mobile command center in emergency situations. The MCV was donated in April to representatives from the Sheriff’s Department, who expressed their excitement for the new resource.
Ocean Springs Mayor Kenny Holloway delivers annual Ocean State of the City address
WLOX
OCEAN SPRINGS, Miss. (WLOX) – On Wednesday night, Ocean Springs Mayor Kenny Holloway delivered the annual State of the City Address. Topics ranged from past development projects to current. This event gives the opportunity for the community to hear the vision of the future. City officials, community leaders, and residents filled the Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Center to listen to the latest developments in the City of Discovery.
Moss Point student pilots cruising the skies
WXXV 25
Following up on a story we first brought you in January, Moss Point High students are soaring to new heights through the school district’s new aviation academy. If you spot a small airplane in Jackson County, you may have caught a glimpse of two Moss Point High student pilots surfing the clouds on their way to gaining their wings. Chief Pilot Quintin Duper said, “They’re already at their fifth sixth seventh flight and they’re able to make radio calls with the air traffic control they’re able to do a takeoff unassisted.” James Spain II and Linal Tickles Jr. are pioneers in the state of Mississippi. Moss Point is the first public school district in Mississippi to offer flight classes. The students work through Aspire Aviation at Trent Lott International Airport. Tickles says his first experience was his first flight. “I was kind of nervous because he told me I could fly. I was like you for real ‘he was like yea.’ I was having fun because all we were doing was just turning and stuff. I had fun doing it.”
Pilot Travel Center celebrates remodel by donating $10,000 to Moss Point School District
WLOX
MOSS POINT, Miss. (WLOX) – On Wednesday, a $10,000 check was donated to the Moss Point School District in celebration of the complete remodel of the River City’s Pilot Travel Center. “[We’re] extremely appreciative of our partnership with Pilot,” said Dr. Oswago Harper, superintendent of Moss Point School District. “Grateful that they reached out to us and thought about the Moss Point School District, and again, we value our partnerships in our areas in the city of Moss Point and are extremely excited to make those partnerships again, more robust and just excited about the future of the city and the school district.” The remodel and donation are part of the company’s store modernization initiative, New Horizons, a multi-year, $1 billion initiative to modernize more than 400 Pilot, Flying J, and One9 Travel Center locations across the United States and Canada.
Moss Point native Devin Booker to represent Team USA in 2024 Olympics
SuperTalk
Mississippi will be on the map during the 2024 Olympics in Paris, France when the U.S. basketball team takes the court to face opponents from around the globe. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Moss Point native and Phoenix Suns star guard Devin Booker made the cut to represent the stars and stripes in the world’s most popular collection of sporting events. Booker will be suiting up with Team USA for the second consecutive Olympic games. In 2020, the four-time NBA All-Star won a gold medal alongside his teammates in Tokyo, Japan, averaging 9.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game and starting in five of the six matchups.
HII REPORTS FIRST QUARTER 2024 RESULTS
HII
- Record first quarter revenues of $2.8 billion, up 4.9% compared to first quarter 2023
- Operating income of $154 million, up 9.2% compared to first quarter 2023
- Net earnings of $153 million or $3.87 diluted earnings per share
- New contract awards of $3.1 billion, resulting in backlog of $48.4 billion
- Company reaffirms previously issued financial guidance