Growing Jackson’s Entrepreneurship Ecosystem
There's a word for what Jackson has developed for certain industries, especially food, medical-technology, nonprofit and government work, even law—it's an "ecosystem."
Want Change? Get Involved
Some exciting things are happening in technology and entrepreneurship in Jackson this year.
Providing Hope for Kids Is In Our Self-Interest
By identifying kids and their needs when they start getting in trouble, and then interrupting that pattern and getting them "wraparound" services, you give them a better chance at making it through the rough patches and into productive lives.
We’ve Already Given Trump ‘A Chance’
This year, unlike any I remember, many of us—polls suggest it's a majority of Americans—will watch with a new level of trepidation. And we wonder, "What, exactly, should we give Trump a chance to do?"
Think Global, Art Local
December is always an interesting month at the Jackson Free Press. Right after Thanksgiving, we promote local shopping with our Small Business Saturday focus and our local gift guides throughout the month of December; it's also right now that the Best of Jackson finalists ballot is live for readers to give their opinion on the best local, unique people and places that Metro Jackson has to offer.
Looking for Leaders, Equitable Thinking
For years, I figured I'd like to go through Leadership Greater Jackson, but it "wasn't the year" for me—not enough time to commit or money or both—but this year, when I learned someone was willing to nominate me, I asked around and got good feedback from former participants, so I took the plunge.
Jackson Teens Need Mentors, Opportunity
If Reeves and other state GOP officials really want to see crime come down in the capital city, are they ready to allocate resources to both academic education, early-education and after-school programs, and to equitably encourage 21st-century extra-curricular programs such as youth digital media projects?
‘Shift Your Shopping’ During Independents Week
As we pause this week to consider what makes this country great, I'd like to suggest that you think about the small, local, independent businesses that make this region a unique place to live, while building wealth, independence and character in metro Jackson.
Episcopal Bishop: Priests Can Wed Gay Couples Without My OK
Episcopal priests in Mississippi no longer need to seek the bishop's permission to perform weddings for same-sex couples.
Juvenile Crime: Identify the Problem
It may not be your fault, but it is your problem. It's our problem. And so far, solving problems seems to be pretty much our saving grace as a species—which is a good thing considering how many problems we create. Let's get to work.
The Permission to Care Deeply
With the legislative season coming to a close, those of us who spend a lot of time championing progress for Jackson and Mississippi have had a tough go of it.
Phil Bryant and Mississippi GOP: Bad for Business
Gov. Phil Bryant's decision is wrong. It's bad for people, and it's bad for business.
‘Faith-Based’ Economics vs. Actual Math
Cutting franchise taxes is a major priority of ALEC, the ultra-conservative anti-taxation group to which so many conservative legislators swear fealty.
Is the 'Airport Takeover' All About ... A Road?
As the airport "takeover" bill wends its way through the Mississippi Legislature, it's becoming a little more clear that the point of the bill is not to improve airport services as much as it might be designed to grease the wheels of Rankin County development.
What If We Could Fill Potholes ... With Jobs?
Are potholes the worst problem we face in Jackson? No. But they represent a pretty big problem for more than one reason.
Reminding Ourselves How Great Jackson Is
It's worth a moment of reflection to think about how far we've come in the 14 years that the JFP has asked readers who and what they think constitute the "best."
Vote, Shop and Give Thanks ... Locally
Vote with your dollars and your nomination to support local businesses this holiday season.
Do the Anti-42 Politicians Feel No Shame?
Do you ever wake up in the morning and wonder why Mississippi's Republican Leadership seems to hate democracy so much?
Need Solutions? Love The Problem
What Jackson needs, perhaps more than anything else, is more taxpaying people to help shoulder the burden and work on solutions.
Congrats to Staff and Freelancers: It’s Award Season!
Spring weather, barbecue and canned beer on ice mean a little something extra at the Jackson Free Press in the month of May, because it's also the annual announcement era for a few of the key journalism award contests that we are a part of every year.
Why ‘Black Lives Matter’ Matters
It's a very serious assertion that the country needs to value the lives of non-white people as highly as it values those of whites. Likewise, it needs to value the lives of those who live in poverty and work to improve the situation for all Americans.
The Most Vital Word in Eco-Development
If Jackson develops a strong medical technology cluster, we might see a number of different places that could both attract talent and where talent could land when things need to change.
Jackson Needs Talent, Technology and Tolerance
There's significant opportunity for Jackson to be a hub of creativity and productivity by connecting some important dots.
Acknowledging Our ‘Best’ Once Again
You hold in your hands (or you're viewing online) the culmination of many months' worth of planning and effort—the 2015 Best of Jackson issue.
A Media Outlet with a Mission
We can work together—even through our shopping and end-of-year purchases—to create a prosperous new year for Jackson.
10 Years Ago: Debating the Convention Center
Convention business in the U.S. is indeed tough, most convention centers lose money, and the economic benefit of a convention center can vary dramatically.
The Difference Between Leadership and Authority
People who have authority over you can tell you what to do; people who offer leadership make you want to follow them, and they tend to make you feel safe.
Hobby Lobby Ruling Could Spell Corporate Trouble
One of the basic problems that we have in this country is the structure of the modern corporation—particularly large, multi-national corporations.
On Beer, Progress and Summer
Every time we choose a local business, we’re making a choice to help enrich our local area.
AFA Bearing False Witness Against Businesses?
This past week, the American Family Association put out an "action item" that accuses the "We Don't Discriminate" campaign of being ... discriminatory.
I Was Wrong About Farish
Design your neighborhood for locals ... and you'll entice the tourists as well.
The View From 2013
In cities around the country, the focus for downtowns is on small business—not big projects.
Movin' On Up ... to Downtown
This week, soon after we ship this issue to the printer, we're packing up our office and moving to downtown Jackson—our first move in almost a decade.
Jackson Market Hall, Anyone?
In Jackson, enthusiasm for a downtown arena resulted in an initial phase of feasibility studies and an attempt at fundraising spearheaded by Downtown Jackson Partners.
The JFP Urban Development Manifesto
Both the day-to-day occurrences and the dramatic events not only shape our individual lives, but remind us that we're all together in the tempest that is our all-too-brief time here on the planet.
Want a Better Jackson? Work With the Best
If you want to talk about "loyalty" in business, then you need to talk about more than price.
Breaking: A Serious Discussion in D.C.
Donna Ladd and I had the good fortune to attend a meeting a few weeks ago at the White House as part of their initiative to reach out to small businesses around the country.
Romney's Real Record as a 'Job Creator'
Mitt Romney detractors have jumped on the videos and stories coming from Sensata employees, saying it paints Romney and his old firm in a bad light.
Getting Political on the Web
With the RNC's convention just over and the DNC's rolling on as we go to press, I thought it would be interesting to take a look at where the campaigns are with their technology and offer up the websites and apps (in addition to jfp.ms, naturally) that you'll need to track this crazy election to its conclusion in November.
Techy Tools and Apps for Students
Headed to college—or back to college —and want to take some tech with you?
On Milestones and Missions
As we push into August 2012, the Jackson Free Press has a couple of milestones to celebrate and a few to look forward to.
Spotify: Disrupting the Disruptions
It's amazing how quickly the technology "disruptions" come these days.
Biz Federation Needs Context
It seems like the releases from the National Federation of Independent Businesses (nfib.com) are coming fast and furious these days.
What's the Deal with Google+?
For Google+, the question on many people's minds—if they think of Google+ at all—is "Why should I spend time on Google+?" And for many people, they haven't gotten a good enough answer.
Managing Projects, Tasks and Info
The recent wholesale upgrade to the Jackson Free Press website was quite an undertaking. For the first time since 2002, we have completely changed not just to a new design, but to an entire new "backend" as well, switching to a different Content Management System, or CMS, for our stories, events, restaurant listings and so on.
Working in Groups
My problem is a simple one that may be familiar: In the nonprofit I'm part of, too much "group stuff" happens in long email exchanges. Like a lot of volunteer organizations, we get a bunch of work done in committee, department and board meetings, when everyone is on the same page and focused. But outside those meetings, real life often gets in the way. Things don't happen between meetings—or people just can't connect to get things done—with the result that some projects take longer than you'd hope.
Create a ‘Club Newsletter' for your Biz or Group
I am surprised when I find a local business or organization—restaurant, retailer, non-profit—that isn't using an email newsletter service to reach their loyal customers and clients. Email newsletters offer a wonderful opportunity to follow up with clients, reminding them of sales, trunk shows, happy hours, bands, giving opportunities and more.