Congress approves Hills heritage area

From Congressman Travis Childers:

Washington, DC – Congressman Travis Childers (D-MS) today voted for the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (H.R. 146), which establishes the Mississippi Hills National Heritage Area, as well the Mississippi Delta National Heritage Area. This language originated in the House from legislation cosponsored by Congressman Childers. The Omnibus Public Lands bill passed with overwhelming bipartisan support by a vote of 285 to 140.

“The Mississippi Hills Region is a unique area that contributes significantly to the state’s tourism industry, culture, and history,” said Congressman Childers. “Designating the Hills as a National Heritage Area will help bolster economic development in North Mississippi and throughout the state by preserving and promoting the Hill’s rich cultural landscape and traditions.”

The National Park Service began designating National Heritage Areas in 1984 to encourage economic growth through tourism, preserve and promote cultural and natural resources, and provide educational opportunities about a region’s cultural and physical landscape. There are currently only 37 National Heritage Areas in the country.

And here’s another spin from Noxubee County:

Cheapest gas: New Albany 3/20

Gas went up 10 cents yesterday in Tupelo. Yowza. The state average only went up one cent to $1.82.

Cheapest gas this week is in New Albany for $1.76 for a gallon of regular. It’s $1.79 in Amory, Booneville, Corinth and Sherman.

In Tupelo, gas is $1.83 at Travel Store USA, $1.87 at Kroger at Crosstown at $1.78 for members at Sam’s.

Most expensive gas today: Oxford $1.92

Other prices:
Fulton $1.86
Pontotoc $1.81
Ripley $1.86
Starkville $1.84

For more gas prices, go to mississippigasprices.com.

Cheapest gas: Corinth-New Albany 3/13

The cheapest gas this week is in New Albany ($1.69) and Corinth ($1.69). We were complaining at the Journal about how high prices were getting, until we looked at where they were a year ago – $3.17.

The cheapest gas in the state right now is in Gulfport ($1.63), according to mississippigasprices.

Regular gas is $1.77 at Kroger at Crosstown (take off 3 cents if you are a cardholder), $1.78 at Travel Store USA and $1.74 for members at Sam’s Club.

Most expensive gas: Starkville, $1.89

Other prices:

Cheapest gas: New Albany 3/6

As of 2 p.m. on Friday, March 6, New Albany had the lowest gas price in the area at $1.73. Corinth wasn’t far behind at $1.75.

In Tupelo, most prices were around $1.88, although Kroger was at $1.84 (take off 3 cents if you have a Kroger card). Sam’s was at $1.79 for club members.

With oil prices staying above $40 all week and closing above $45 on Friday, it looks like the days of “cheaper” gas are over.

The most expensive gas this week: Starkville, $1.90.

Other prices:
Booneville $1.79
Fulton $1.88
Oxford $1.81
Pontotoc $1.81
Ripley $1.84

Cuneo: Toyota’s still coming

From today’s Daily Journal:

FULTON – Pardon Dennis Cuneo when he scoffs at talk that Toyota plans to abandon its Blue Springs assembly plant.

The former senior vice president for Toyota Motor North America said Monday the automaker will open the plant when the economy gets better.

“The rumor that Toyota is trying to renegotiate its deal – there’s no truth to it at all,” said Cuneo, who spoke to students, school officials and business leaders at Itawamba Community College on Wednesday.

Cheapest gas: Sam’s Club-Sherman 2/27

Gas prices are a little wonky this week because the stations changed them during our information roundup. As far as we can tell, the cheapest gas this week is at Sherman ($1.69) or Sam’s Club in Tupelo ($1.69 for members).

New Albany was in the running for the cheapest gas ($1.65 for regular), but the price went up to $1.79 this afternoon. However, according to mississippigasprices, the cheapest gas in the state is in New Albany for $1.57. The price was reported Thursday.

Kroger at Crosstown did have a decent price ($1.72), but our hunch is it has gone up. Not sure what it is right now. If you see it this afternoon, post and tell us.

Most expensive gas: Starkville, $1.92

Other prices:
Booneville $1.89
Corinth $1.76
Fulton $1.89
Oxford $1.82
Pontotoc $1.87
Ripley $1.75

Cheapest gas: Sam’s 2/6

It’s quite a day. It’s 67 degrees in Tupelo in the middle of winter and our gas is one of the cheapest in NeMiss. It’s $1.71 for members at Sam’s and $1.74 at Kroger at Crosstown.

Regular cheapies came in a bit higher this week. Gas is $1.79 in New Albany, $1.79 in Sherman, $1.82 in Pontotoc and $1.81 in Ripley. Corinth has it for $1.76 and Fulton has it for $1.85. It’s $1.79 in Oxford and $1.83 in Starkville.

For more gas prices, check out mississippigasprices.com.

Cheapest gas: Fulton 1/16

We have a new entry for this week’s cheapest gas – Fulton at $1.53 for a gallon of regular.

It’s $1.59 in Sherman, $1.69 in New Albany, $1.71 in Ripley and $1.74 in Pontotoc. It’s $1.79 in Starkville and $1.79 in Oxford.

In Tupelo, gas is $1.78 at Travel Center USA on Eason, $1.71 for members at Sam’s and $1.77 at Kroger at Crosstown.

Most expensive gas: all the ones at $1.79 (Aberdeen, Calhoun City, Oxford, Starkville)

State gas average, according to the AAA Daily Fuel Gauge, is $1.70. National average is $1.81.

The Biz collects its gas prices Friday morning and mid afternoon.

More info on the Toyota plant delay

Updates from Wednesday’s paper:

Blue Springs plant delay prompts ‘wait and see’ mindset in region
Toyota’s announced indefinite delay of its Blue Springs plant on Monday created a “wait and see” attitude for many businesses and projects related to the automaker’s arrival.

From the pages of the Daily Journal today (Dec. 16):

Prius: ‘A question of when’
Nobody is sure when the first Mississippi-produced Toyota Prius will roll off the production line, but many are sure that Toyota won’t simply walk away from the project.

State, Toyota talk about what the delay will cost
Barbour said the state has spent about $200 million on infrastructure needs for the plant and local governments have kicked in about $35 million.

Suppliers call delay ‘disappointing’
At least two of the automotive company’s suppliers Monday said they will continue to build their factories, but after that, they don’t know what will happen.

Read previous Biz Buzz coverage about the indefinite delay.

Toyota’s full statement on the delay:

2008 Christmas Windows

Window shoppers get a visual treat come the holidays and now the Biz is bringing Northeast Mississippi’s windows to the Web. We featured a few stores in Sunday’s paper (full story), and we know there are plenty more beautiful windows out there. So, send us your pictures. Both customers and retailers are welcome to submit. Send them to carlie.kollath@djournal.com. Tell us the name and location of the store in the e-mail. And, if you want credit for the photo, tell us your name.

Here are a few to get us started. Take a good look and vote for your favorite by leaving a comment.

Bella Vita (Tupelo)

Classy Creations (Oxford)

The Gift Shop (Pontotoc)

Hinton & Hinton (Oxford)

Kaleidoscope (Oxford)

MLM Clothiers (Tupelo)

The Red Door (Pontotoc)

The Red Door (Pontotoc)

Square Books Jr (Oxford)

Waldron St. Market (Corinth)

Waldron St. Market (Corinth)

Weather Vane (Oxford)

Weather Vane (Oxford)

Main Attraction (Tupelo)

Main Attraction (Tupelo)

Neilson’s (Oxford)

Neilson’s (Oxford)

Square Books Jr. (Oxford)

Beauty Motif (Tupelo)

Omi (Tupelo)

Kate’s & Co. (Corinth)

Artifacts (Bruce)

Upclose of Artifacts (Bruce)