Wednesday, March 13, 2019

Grocer Investment Act Goes to Governor

Apparently the grocery industry in Mississippi can't survive without government help.  The legislature passed the "Grocer Investment Act" this week.   Representative Jeff Smith's bill purports to increase "access to retail food outlets that sell fresh fruits, vegetables, and other healthy food."  Some highlights of HB #1132 are:

  * The Mississippi Development Authority will help develop "quality food outlets" that will expand markets for farmers and create jobs.  Gee, where have we heard that one before?

* The program will "provide a dedicated source of financing for healthy food retailers operating in underserved communities in both urban and rural areas...".   Yes, the state is going to finance grocery stores that will compete with Froogells, Kroger, Walmart, and other privately funded grocery stores.

* MDA will be able to provide grants and loans to establish such programs.  It can contract with non-profit organizations.  Here come the sticky fingers.

* Program can provide funding for new construction, store renovations that improve availability or quality of fresh produce, farmers markets, and other projects.   Working capital for "initial inventory" is included. 

* Don't worry, the applicant for our money "shall not locate the project in an area where it would be directly competing against an existing food retailer."  So the applicant gets a state-sanctioned monopoly in an area? Is the state going to fund a second start-up in the same food desert?

The bill has an extended repealer that does not expire until July 1, 2022.  Click here for more information on bill. 
Only Senators Hill, Watson, McDaniel and Seymour voted against the bill while Representatives Bomgar and Criswell did as well. 

27 comments:

Anonymous said...

Looks like Socrates is getting into the grocery business with MAC Construction in charge of site development and, of course, Derick Johnson will become a "product Management" consultant. The Blackmon's will get the legal work and Lee Vance will be in charge of store security.

Can't wait to see the P/L's from this F__K up.

Anonymous said...

Free the land-

Anonymous said...

and this is a Conservative state? this sounds like socialism to me..republican socialists. who knew?

anyway- i’m sure, like all of you, i’ve been to a grocery store. it seems that people with less money load up on frozen food, even when there’s fresh options readily available.

what a waste!

Anonymous said...

We have plenty of money for this ephemeral scheme, but we don't have enough to get a decent teacher pay raise through. When I say teacher pay raise, I don't mean pay raises for "Hinds county school administrators" et al.

Anonymous said...

KF, why would you think this is not merely a corporate welfare subsidy to the already existing "Froogells, Kroger, Walmart, and other privately funded grocery stores" that are already in place? Kroger and WalMart are active political contributors to this bill's author.

Anonymous said...

Next thing you know they'll get involved with the liqueur business. Oh wait... forgot.

Anonymous said...

Will the state provide funding for medical pot dispensaries? Every community must have one and no one should have to drive outside of their extended neighborhood to get some bud from the magical plant. We can't create medical pot deserts. Absolutely not.

Anonymous said...

Wait just a damned second, here: the state is going to finance or co-sign loans for grocery stores that will take "food stamps" [or whatever food stamps and other similar entitlements are called this week]? If they are allowed to sell beer, tobacco and lottery tickets (I mean, let's not go completely nuts with this health shit, OK?), this has all the makings of a world-class trough-assemblage on an epic scale. Basically, the state is going to use taxpayer funds to put up the capital for, ahem, suitable candidates, to open numerous businesses in areas where entitlements are a huge part of the area's expenditures, and then, the state will use taxpayer funds to support the very enterprise that these, ahem, suitable candidates, got the taxpayer dollars to open in the first place. Damn, credit where it is due, it would be a brilliant scheme, except for...well, let's not go there quite yet.

Anonymous said...

Around the bowl and down the hole,,,,,

Anonymous said...

Bill never said anything about where monies for the program are coming from??? No authorization for appropriations...???

Messick said...

1:52 PM,

When I go to a grocery store, it appears that people with less money/gov't-issued EBT cards load up on garbage, even when there are more healthy options readily available.

Anonymous said...

I didn't read the article, didn't have to. I could smell the BS from the title. Big chains would find a way to encroach and monopolize, with their low wage bullshit employees. Why would a uneducated or inexperienced politician from Podunk, Ms think they are going to pull something on the big boys?

Cynical Sam said...

Will the contractor have to be certified?

Anonymous said...

Maybe I just having been paying enough attention, but it seems to me that this is a big deal and I haven't heard any public debate about this initiative. Have I just missed it?

Kingfish said...

My understanding is it is an extension of something already in place.

Anonymous said...

AOC is gonna love this. You know, she’s the China collusionist that can eat an apple through a chain link fence. Y’all better get it done quickly or you will be a racist

Anonymous said...

So who thinks the Gov will sign the bill?

Anonymous said...

Grocers are people too! (Just like lobbyists.)

Anonymous said...

From a hard-headed investor in Kroger, wonder how will this affect the stock?

Anonymous said...

Vote out all swamp dwellers and fake conservatives. Keep government out of business!!!!

Anonymous said...

Politicians picking winners and losers - Mississippi style.

Anonymous said...

This has been in statute since 2014 and this year's bill was simply to extend the repealer. The purpose of the bill is to incentivise small, independent grocers to move into areas of the state where citizens do not have access to healthy food. Unfortunately, the lack of access to healthy foods is a reality in this state.

Anonymous said...

"M" "D" "A" grants incentives to a company one day and the company closes operations the next? WHF?

The following article was authored by The Associated Press.

Posted: Mar. 7, 2019 10:12 AM
Posted By: The Associated Press
SOUTHAVEN, Miss. (AP) — An electronics manufacturer is cutting jobs at a north Mississippi factory.

WREG-TV reports Swiss company ABB will cut 120 jobs at its Southaven facility, consolidating work at other plants in Mexico and the United States.

The news comes a day after ABB announced it would create 50 new jobs and fill 150 previously announced jobs at its factory in Senatobia. The company says the two moves are unrelated.

ABB says it plans to cut jobs in Southaven in phases through July. The company will offer severance pay and possible transfers to facilities in Athens, Tennessee, and Jonesboro, Arkansas.

The company acquired the Southaven facility when it bought Thomas & Betts in 2012 for $3.9 billion.

ABB employs 1,400 in Mississippi, including at facilities in Byhalia, Columbus, Crystal Springs and Senatobia.

Anonymous said...

How long are taxpayers expected to support these people? We already pay for their homes, their food, and even their dang cell phones. Now we are going to pay for the stores where they use our money to buy their junk food?

Anonymous said...

"...to move into areas of the state where citizens do not have access to healthy food. Unfortunately, the lack of access to healthy foods is a reality in this state."

And what areas of Mississippi are such a barren wasteland that "healthy foods," both animal and vegetable, and sufficient to feed a family, cannot be produced? Hell, some of the newest and most expensive "seen and be seen" restaurants in the state are "farm to table" and brag all over the menu about where in the state the ingredients came from. I realize that Doritos, Pepsi and Moon Pies are among the more difficult crops to grow, but surprisingly, many vegetables readily lend themselves to cultivation.

Anonymous said...

@12:43 that would require work, the people on the govt tit are scared of work. Hence why we have to support every aspect of their lives.

Anonymous said...

Mississippi is a socialist state, plain and simple. Feel, Feel and Tater approve this message.



Recent Comments

Search Jackson Jambalaya

Subscribe to JJ's Youtube channel

Archives

Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


Note: Security provided by INS.

Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

Note: Security provided by INS
.