Workforce

"Today, employers are not looking for simply labor; they are looking for skills."

Mississippi is a "Right to Work State"

Workforce Statistics

• Lauderdale County Population: 78,161
• Within a 45 Mile Radius: 232,900
• Median Age: 36
• Employed: 30,900
• Unemployed: 3,030
• Unemployment: 8,9%
• Aug 2009: MDES

Labor Study	45 Mile Radius	65 Mile Radius
Population	232,900	526,500
Civilian Labor Force	104,600	234,200
Labor Shed Unemployed	6,100	12,700
Under-Employed	5,200	13,300
Not working, but may re-enter the workforce	1,400	3,400
Available Workers	12,700	29,400

Commuting Patterns

According to recent independent labor survey, 80% of employees working in Lauderdale County reside in the county while 90% of the workforce live within 45 miles.

Major Employers in Lauderdale County

Employer	Number Employed	Focus
Meridian Naval Air Station	3000	Military and Civilian Contractors
Rush Hospital	2610	Healthcare
East Mississippi State Hospital	1500	Healthcare
Meridian Public School District	1050	Education
Anderson Hospital	1475	Healthcare
Peavey Electronics	1000	Mfg. of Amplifiers, Guitars and Sound Equipment
Lauderdale County Schools	958	Education
Riley Hospital	915	Healthcare
City of Meridian	570	Municipal Government
Air National Guard (F/T)	420	Military
Alliance Health Center	385	Healthcare
Structural Steel Services	350	Structural Steel
Meridian Community College	327	Education
Avery Dennison	300	Office Products
National Electronic Warranty	293	InBound Customer Contact Center

Major Industrial Employers

Employer	Number Employed	Purpose
Peavey Electronics	1000	Mfg. of Amplifiers, Guitars and Sound Equipment
Structural Steel Services	350	Structural Steel
Avery Dennison	300	Office Products and Distribution
National Electronic Warranty	293	Inbound Customer Contact Center
Van Zyverden, Inc.	250	Flower Bulbs Distribution
Lockheed Martin	228	Aircraft Parts and Sub Assembly
Atlas Roofing	215	Mfg. Roofing Materials
Newell Paper	215	Wholesale Office Supplies
Southern Cast Products	165	Custom Pour Foundry
Magnolia Steel	160	Mfg. Rebar
Sara Lee Bakery	150	Bread Bakery
Tower Automotive	125	Automotive Metal Stamping
Mitchell Distributing	120	Beverage Distribution
Southern Pipe and Supply	100	Pluming Products Distribution
Meridian Coca-Cola Bottling	96	Beverage Distribution

Independent Labor Studies

In November of 2007, Mississippi Power Company and the East Mississippi Business Development Corporation contracted with The Pathfinders out of Dallas, TX to conduct an under-employment study. With other independent labor studies on hand the desire was to identify those potential employees that were willing to change jobs that better met their skill level, education and experience along with desired wage rate. Two studies were conducted, one for a 45 mile radius of Meridian and another for a 65 mile radius. The reports were completed in late January 2008.

With experience in over 600 communities across the county, The Pathfinders consulting group was identified and asked to conduct its research. In addition to standard government statistics, the firm conducted telephone interviews throughout the region to complete its scientific study.

Results from the 65 mile radius concluded the following:

Labor Study	45 Mile Radius	65 Mile Radius
Population	232,900	526,500
Civilian Labor Force	104,600	234,200
Labor Shed Unemployed	6,100	12,700
Under-Employed	5,200	13,300
Not working, but may re-enter the workforce	1,400	3,400
Available Workers	12,700	29,400

Within the 45 mile radius, about 25% of the underemployed workers (1,300) would take a new job for $10.67 per hour or less while within the 65 mile radius 25% (3,325) would take a new job for $11.25 per hour or less.

In 2002 and updated in 2005, the Wadley-Donovan Group completed a labor market analysis for Meridian and Lauderdale County. General findings of the study concluded:

• Lauderdale County can easily support new and expanding manufacturing, distribution, and back office operations.
• Entry, mid-level and skilled employees are readily available to new and expanding industries.
• Employees in Meridian/Lauderdale County were found to be loyal, dedicated, and productive.
• Companies should find no difficulty in recruiting and training a top notch workforce.
• Production, distribution, and clerical workers are in good supply, and most firms fill job openings through walk-ins, referrals and word of mouth.
• Managerial, professional, and technical staff is generally recruited locally with little need for external recruitment.
• The County's extensive manufacturing base and training institutions generally provide sufficient skilled workers to fuel the growth of area manufacturing and distribution companies.
• Lauderdale County employers indicate the area's high quality of life, reasonable living costs, and low crime rate make it an attractive business location.

Also in 2005 Angelou Economics out of Austin, TX completed an analysis of the regional workforce within a 75 mile radius of Meridian and concluded:

• Wages rates 23% less than national average.
• Laborshed exceeds threshold criteria for a plant requiring 2000 employees.

Workforce Training

Training programs are coordinated by Mississippi's network of Community and Junior Colleges. Within 60 miles of Meridian, there are 4 community colleges that help provided the trained workforce for the region.

Customized Training Programs are offered to both new and existing employers at little to no expense. Funding for the programs is provided through the state's unemployment tax. Examples of recent training include:

• Pre Employment Training
• Post Employment Training
• Occupational Classes
• Advanced Technology Training
• Job Analysis, Assessment and Curriculum Development
• Management Training
• Computer Classes
• Distribution Training
• Lean Manufacturing

Public Education

Local Community Support for Public Education

Meridian Public Schools Supplemental Salary Initiative

• $20,000 Annual Stipend to Meridian Public School Superintendent
• Initiated and Funded by the Private Sector

May 2007 MPS $19.5 Million School Bond Issue

• Passed with 71% of the Vote
• New 9th Grade Building
• District Wide Renovations
• Creation of "Small Learning Communities"
• Healthcare
• Arts/Culture
• Business/Industrial Technology
• Honors Program

Meridian Community College Tuition Guarantee

• Guaranteed Tuition
• Lauderdale County Graduates Only Eligible
• Minimum 12 Hour Academic Credits/Semester
• Vocational or Transfer Studies
• Maintain "C" Average
• Average 350 students/participants per year