INVESTOR’S REPORT

Chamber of Commerce2013 ADP Board of Directors Chair – Tommy Thornton

General•   Continued coordination and invol-

vement in outreach programs in the region’s outlying communities including a Perry County Small Business Seminar.

•   Actively marketed and promoted SEMCIC and worked with member banks to increase its effectiveness in helping

start and expand local businesses.•   Gathered information and updated 

business leaders regarding Greater Hattiesburg’s interest in various transportation projects including the Kansas City Southern Railroad upgrades and the Port of Gulfport Expansion.

Governmental Affairs•   Facilitated work sessions and programs 

with the Forrest County Leadership Council, the Perry County Leadership Council, and the Lamar County Council of Governments.

•   Developed and maintained strong relationships with local, state and federal   elected officials. ADP President led local delegation in our annual Washington Fly-In with Congressional leaders.

•   Hosted the annual Legislative Forum, which gave ADP members the opportunity to interact with state legislators regarding issues related to the 2013 Legislative Session.

Education•   Worked with area school district 

representatives and the Post Graduate Success Initiative Taskforce to develop innovative ways to connect students and parents to opportunities and continue quality improvements made in the regional workforce of the future.

•   Partnered with The University of Southern   Mississippi, William Carey University, Pearl River Community College, and Jones

County Junior College in numerous initiatives to enhance our economic development efforts.

Community Development

2 013 has been outstanding for the Area Development Partnership (ADP). It was my privilege to lead the board this year, and to see firsthand the contributions the Area Development Partnership brings to our community. Your support through membership investment, Partnership Foundation contributions, sponsorships and participation provided the resources for the organization to further our mission of economic development and improved quality of life in our area. This Annual Investor’s Report is a brief overview of the ADP’s many accomplishments in the past year. As always, if you would like to learn more about the Area Development Partnership and its programs, events and initiatives, visit our website at www.theADP.com.

Sincerely,

Membership•   87 New Members joined during 2013.•  743 Renewals.•   45 Ribbon Cuttings & 5 Ground Breakings.•   Published Greater Hattiesburg Membership Directory & Business Guide, a full color magazine style publication which lists the membership alphabetically & categorically and highlights the region.

•   Hosted Membership Appreciation Week “Get in the Game” which included

Warm Welcome Member Reception and hand delivery of Business Guides to each member.

ProgramsLeadership Pinebelt•   Celebrated 25th graduating class of 20 

emerging leaders.

Pine Belt Young Professionals•   Increased Pinebelt Young Professionals (PBYP) membership to 78.

•   PBYP hosted BarbeCAUSE event and raised money for Habitat for Humanity.

•   Rebuilt the Born Learning Trail in Town Square Park in conjunction with United Way of Southeast Mississippi.

Education•   Launched Pilot Program “Mission Possible,”   in conjunction with the Governor’s Job Fair & Hattiesburg High School.

•   Enlisted Education Taskforce to identify opportunities for post graduate success for students in K-12.

Retirement•   Advertised in January/February issue of 

Where to Retire magazine.•   Participated in Live South Trade Show, 

Pittsburgh, PA.•   Hattiesburg and Area Development   Partnership (ADP) featured in Ideal Living

magazine, Best Places to Retire Issue.•   Partnered with OLLI to host annual 

Retiree Tailgate. •   Participated in American Association 

of Retirement Communities Annual Conference in Hilton Head, SC.

•   Hosted roundtable discussion with Retirees.

Military•   Hosted welcome receptions for 155th 

Armored Brigade Combat Team and 278th Armored Calvary Regiment.

Monthly Networking Events•   First Friday hosted a plethora of high-

caliber speakers and averaged an attendance of 250.

•   Quarterly Business After Hours were hosted at various member locations.

•   Held Legislative Forum, a two session series panel discussion with State Senators & Representatives from the region.

•   Hosted a series of roundtable discussions with various groups to include young entrepreneurs & retirees.

Signature Events•   HUBFEST boasted 11 musical acts on 

5 stages with 182 vendors and larger crowds than ever before.

•   The Pine Belt Business Expo included Taste of the Pine Belt and over 60 local vendors and restaurants.

•   The ADP Corporate Golf Challenge hosted 118 players at Hattiesburg Country Club with 33 event sponsors.

Communications•   Provided quarterly newsletter, The Navigator, highlighting local businesses, community and economic development updates, and ADP events.•   Sent weekly email blasts that provided con sistent communication with membership.•   Maintained the ADP website with up-to-

date information including events, press releases, and publications.

•   Increased the ADP’s social media presence through increased Facebook and Twitter activity.

•   Implemented comprehensive local media strategy.

•   Distributed a member survey to collect valuable feedback from ADP members about member benefits, events, communications, and more.

Economic DevelopmentGeneral•   Throughout 2013, the economic development team has consistently been engaged and participated in projects and initiatives with the Mississippi Development Authority   (MDA), Mississippi Economic Development Council   (MEDC), Southern Mississippi Planning and Development  District (SMPDD), Mississippi Military Communities Council  (MMCC), Mississippi Economic Council (MEC), etc.•   ADP President currently serving on Executive 

Committee tasked with selecting consultant and guiding process to develop a Mississippi Economic Development Competitiveness Study.

Business Retention and Expansion•   Worked with 34 local companies to assist with their 

needs regarding expansion plans involving taxes, real estate, workforce, infrastructure, and a

variety of other issues imperative to successful operations.•   Facilitated tax abatements for nine existing companies 

throughout Greater Hattiesburg that collectively invested nearly $30,000,000 in 2012 and have a total employment base exceeding 1,000.

•   Successfully planned and implemented quarterly Greater Hattiesburg Local Industry Luncheons which showcased different topics and issues for local companies’ executives and management teams. These programs covered areas such as existing industry incentives for expansion, Mississippi Manufacturers Association’s (MMA) legislative agenda and updates, and workforce training incentives.

•   Supported the military presence in the region and throughout the state by taking part in the Mississippi Military Communities Council and AUVSI Mississippi Chapter meeting to be an advocate on behalf of the business community. Also, met regularly with Camp

Shelby leaders to understand and assist with their needs.•   Sponsored and helped coordinate the Governor’s Job 

Fair, which included 44 companies, 1,200 attendees and approximately 250 jobs offered on-site. 

•   Actively working with South Mississippi Planning and Development District in promoting new workforce funding and recruitment opportunities available to local companies.

•   Met with Kohler executives in Wisconsin to thank them for their longstanding presence in Greater Hattiesburg.

Workforce Development•   Provided support and promotion for over 10 General 

Dynamics Information Technology Job Fairs which led to the hiring of over 1,200 employees for the two Hattiesburg customer service facilities.

•   Hosted the first “Mission Possible” event for high school students in conjunction with the Governor’s Job Fair as part of the ADP’s Education Initiative. The event educated high school juniors and seniors in workplace etiquette, life skills, cover letter and resumé writing, etc.

Business Recruitment•   General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT) 

selected Greater Hattiesburg for their Federal Student Aid Information Technology Support Center and Medicare/Medicaid Technical Assistance Center. GDIT created more than 1,200 jobs in the region during 2013.

The ADP Economic

Development team

proactively called on

site selection consultants

and other businesses

around the U.S. and abroad.

2013 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT VISITS

2013 Announced New and Expanding BusinessesBUSINESS INVESTMENT JOBS180 Fitness Petal* $790,000 15

AAA Dispatch Center $780,000 0

Aurora Casket Company n/a 6

Berry Plastics $4,302,543 0

Big Boyz Custom Paint and Autobody $1,400,000 7

Big Boyz Custom Service and Accessories $1,000,000 6

Boardwalk Pipeline Project $100,000,000 n/a

Camp Shelby $65,659,000 0

Coca Cola Company $873,146 0

Dairy Queen – West Hattiesburg*  $500,000   55

EMR Recycling n/a 8

Excel Injection Molding $386,793 n/a

First South Farm Credit* $469,239 0

Forrest Health $16,000,000 0

Garden Ridge* $1,200,000 14

General Dynamics Information Technology $7,000,000+ 1,250

Golden Corral $1,500,000 90

Golden Eagle Express* $730,000 n/a

Hattiesburg Area Associations of Realtors $700,000 0

Hattiesburg Clinic $14,400,000 40

Hattiesburg Housing Authority – Briarfield Apts.  $1,337,000   0

Kohler Company $2,725,518 0

Lamar Country School District $18,500,000 40+

LaQuinta Inn*  $2,500,000   n/a

Mississippi Tank $638,131 30

Petco* $939,501 15

Purple Parrot/Branch $1,600,000 n/a

Rainforest Express* $800,000 6

Resinall $1,714,161 2

Safeguard $106,554 3

Southeast Mississippi Rural Health Initiative $1,927,000 0

Stokes Distributing $1,000,000 1

Toyota of Hattiesburg $12,500,000 25

University of Southern Mississippi  $88,000,000   112

USA Yeast*  $953,500   0

Wesley Medical Center $4,480,000 0

Western Container $7,147,318 0

William Carey University  $8,838,968   41

Zeon Chemicals $835,187 0

$374,233,559 1,766*Building Permit Figures Only

Many numbers contained herein are estimates.(continued on back)

OFFICERSChair – Tommy Thornton, Hattiesburg ClinicVice-Chair – Jim Compton, South Mississippi Electric

Power AssociationTreasurer – Gary Carmichael, PrideStaffImmediate Past Chair – Lou Ann PoynterPresident – Chad Newell, Area Development Partnership

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEEChamber of Commerce Division Chair – Jan Lacy,

Copy Cats Printing Economic Development Division Chair – Andy Mercier,

Merchants FoodserviceCommunity Development Division Chair – Sheila Varnado,

R3SMMember-at-Large – Evan Dillard, Forrest HealthMember-at-Large – Frank McWhorter, Nicholson &

Company, PLLCMember-at-Large – Abb Payne, Camellia Healthcare

BOARD OF DIRECTORSRic Corts, REMAX Real Estate PartnersDonnie Doleac, Doleac Electric Company, Inc.Chad Driskell, University of Southern MississippiRoman Galey, SouthGroup Insurance ServicesBernard Green, Bernard Green Insurance, Inc.Russ Hendley, Hattiesburg Coca-Cola Bottling CompanyDr. Tommy King, William Carey UniversityJason Lee, Mississippi Power CompanyMickey Ryan, Ryan Motors, Inc.Kyle Wallace, Shows, Dearman & Waits, Inc.

EX-OFFICIOMarshall Bell, Hattiesburg Tourism CommissionJoe Bounds, Lamar County Board of SupervisorsJames K. Dukes, Forrest County Industrial Park CommissionJohnny DuPree, Mayor, City of HattiesburgDavid Hogan, Forrest County Board of SupervisorsHal Marx, Mayor, City of PetalAndy Stetelman, Hattiesburg Convention CommissionJoe Stevens, Wise, Carter, Child & Carraway, PATommy Walley, Perry County Board of Supervisors

The Area Development Partnership serves as the Chamber of Commerce, Community and Economic Development organization for Forrest, Lamar, and Perry Counties, the City of Hattiesburg and the City of Petal. The ADP employs 11 and serves a membership of approximately 850. The ADP operates on an annual budget of approximately $1.3 million with 30% public and 70% private funds.

One Convention Center PlazaHattiesburg, MS 39401601.296.7500adp@theADP.com | www.theadp.com

2013 ADP Board Of Directors

Recent Accolades•   Greater Hattiesburg Named Among Nation’s 50 Fastest Growing MSA’s (Greater (U.S. Census Bureau)

•   Lamar County named 10th Fastest Growing Housing Market in America (U.S. Census Bureau) 

•   Hattiesburg in the Top 100 Leading Locations (Area Development Magazine)

•   Top 10 Tax Friendly States for Retirement (Kiplinger)

•   Greater Hattiesburg in the Top 20 locations in the Nation Restaurant Growth Index (Nielsen)

•   Hattiesburg Named One of the Best Small Places for Business and Careers (Forbes)

•   Forrest General named as one of the Top 100 Hospitals in America (iVantage Health)

•   Oak Grove High School and Petal High School Named 2 of the Top 3 High Schools in MS (U.S. News & World Report)

•   William Carey University Named #1 Value Among Regional Universities in South (U.S. News & World Report)

•   PRCC Named the 28th Best Community College in America (Aspen Institute)

•   Southern Miss – 43rd Most Popular   University in the Nation and One   of the Nation’s Top 200 Under-

graduate Business Programs (U.S. News and World Report)

Economic Development (continued from inside)

•   Economic development team assisted other companies selecting our market for projects including Aurora Casket and Golden Corral. From retail to manufacturing/distribution to office facilities, the ADP Economic Development Division has a laser focus on new capital expenditures in our region.

•   Assisted the Mississippi Polymer Institute hosting WinTech group delegates (a collaboration of 8 leading world-class European clusters belonging to the chemical and materials sector) on a familiarization tour of Greater Hattiesburg.

•   Hosted site selection consultants and company executives for the Polymer Exploration Event in conjunction with Mississippi Power, Mississippi Polymer Institute, The University of Southern Mississippi, and other regional allies.

•   Hosted Mississippi Development Authority for a familiarization tour in conjunction with Mississippi Power Company.

•   Attended the Annual meeting for Southeast U.S. – Japan (SEUS – Japan), held for the first time in Mississippi since the State become affiliated with the organization. 

•   Traveled nationally marketing the many assets held in the region to site selection consultants, company executives, and developers in various sectors including industrial development, hospitality and retail development, and national retailers interested in Greater Hattiesburg.

•   Responded to and submitted on 35 Request for Proposals (RFP’s) for various types of investment opportunities. 

•   Working collectively with MS Power, Forrest General, Hattiesburg Clinic, and The University of Southern Mississippi to promote Midtown Hattiesburg.

Site/Infrastructure Development•   Facilitated the completion of Eagle One Forrest-Lamar

Mega Site master plans, marketing video, and environmental/engineering due diligence materials.

•   Actively marketing Eagle One Forrest-Lamar Mega Site, South Mississippi’s first mega site, to site selection consultants and companies looking to make investment decisions.

•   Cleared 40 acres in the Hattiesburg/Forrest County Industrial Park to aid in marketing and recruitment efforts.