Golden Triangle, Columbus, Mississippi--Over 120 guests participated in the grand opening of Terberg Taylor Americas May 8 at their beautiful new world-class facility in Lowndes County, which was an event that saw two family-owned companies seeing their business ideas come to reality and achievement. At the front of this beautiful new building the event commenced with a ribbon-cutting ceremony conducted by the 4th and 5th generations of the Terberg and Taylor families. Pastor Heath Hillman delivered the building dedication mentioning Taylor’s Watch Words, “Faith • Vision • Work” is not just a slogan, but a lifestyle and a legacy for these families. It is the hard work and dedication of the men and women throughout the history of both companies that brought this event into existence. It was just a little over a year ago that the first shovel of dirt was dug for the groundbreaking of this state-of-the-art Terberg Taylor Americas manufacturing facility. This facility was developed to mirror the exact proven production process of the Benschop Netherlands facility to reach the highest production capacity possible. The ceremony continued inside the production area, where Robert Taylor, President of Terberg Taylor Americas, thanked all the companies involved, from the dirt work to the building contractor, Rozier Construction. “What a great day to celebrate our teammates and the people who constructed this great facility. We thank everyone that was involved in making this a reality”, stated Robert Taylor. The ceremony continued with Godfried Terberg, Chairman of the Board of Royal Terberg group, expressing his pleasure in the opening of this facility as it is the second Terberg manufacturing facility to be in the United States. Godfried Terberg said, “I am proud of the huge effort made by the committed workers to build this plant within one year and we look forward to serving our USA clients together with the Taylor family.” Also, a statue was unveiled as Godfried Terberg shared with the onlooking guest the Terberg custom to gift a bronze statue to each opening facility for the enjoyment of their employees and future guests. Guests then had the opportunity to tour the entire facility where the production team eagerly answered questions and shared the production line process. The meeting was concluded with an informal lunch of traditional Southern barbeque. The Terberg and Taylor families, along with the Terberg Taylor Americas team of employees are excited to be a part of the history in the making with start-up of this new Mississippi-based company and the impact it will have not only on our state but also customers throughout the world.

Meryl Fisackerly, CEcD

About Owl’s Head Alloys Owl’s Head Alloys is an aluminum recycling plant founded with a vision to promote sustainable practices and a commitment to quality and integrity. Starting with a single furnace and 20 employees in 2002, it has grown to five furnaces and 150 employees who are included in the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). The ESOP grants 100% ownership to the employees, who receive stock and comprehensive benefits. All of this reflects Owl’s Head Alloys’ closely held core values: quality, environment, and people. For more information, visit www.ohaky.com.

On Monday, BETA Technologies flew its all-electric ALIA aircraft into Golden Triangle Regional Airport, conducting the inaugural charge on the newly commissioned airside charger. Golden Triangle Regional Airport (GTR) has partnered with BETA, an electric aerospace company based in Burlington, Vermont, and Avflight, a global fixed-base operator, to install and commission the first-ever electric aviation charging station in the state of Mississippi. 4-County Electric Power Association served as the utility partner in bringing these chargers online for public access at the regional airport. BETA’s charging stations are multimodal and interoperable, capable of powering electric aircraft and ground vehicles alike. The chargers are designed with the combined charging system standard to prioritize vehicle compatibility — offering universal utility to benefit the varied patrons of Avflight and GTR. “The Golden Triangle Regional Airport is excited to announce the opening of Mississippi's first electric aircraft charger,” says Executive Director Matt Dowell. “This new installation is a significant step toward advancing the airport and region's aviation infrastructure and supporting the growth of electric aircraft technology.” Executive Director of the Golden Triangle Development LINK, Joe Max Higgins, adds, “The Golden Triangle region is at the forefront of economic development in the Southeast. BETA’s decision to place the state’s first electric charging station for aircraft at the Golden Triangle Regional Airport is an indication that we are bringing leading technology to our state.” GTR has installed one Level 3 Fast-Charger located inside the fence (air side), which will primarily be used by electric aircraft, and one Level 2 Charger located outside the fence (car side), which will primarily be used by members of the public who drive electric vehicles. With this new infrastructure, the airport is well-positioned to support the electric transportation future. “As electric transportation continues to grow, and electric aviation specifically moves closer to market operations, charging infrastructure will only become more and more important,” states Nate Ward, BETA’s Head of Network Development. “We’re excited to have partners like Golden Triangle Regional and Avflight, whose foresight and innovative approach are leading the entire state of Mississippi forward. As we continue to deploy our chargers in key markets, and as the entire industry continues to grow, these chargers will help accelerate connectivity across the country." “We are proud to have collaborated with airport leadership and BETA Technologies to bring the latest in sustainable energy to GTR,” says Garrett Hain, Avflight’s Vice President of Finance and Treasurer. “By offering a fast commercial charging station on the Avflight ramp, along with a dual port electric vehicle charger for the parking lot, we’re able to host an array of sustainably-powered vehicles, including industry-leading options, like BETA’s ALIA-250 Aircraft. It’s not only an investment in our FBO and airport, but also an investment in our community and environment.” To celebrate this milestone, GTR held a commissioning event on February 9, with representatives from GTR, BETA, and Avflight in attendance. BETA also flew its all-electric ALIA aircraft into GTR to receive the inaugural airside charge. The aircraft — one of two configurations BETA is currently developing and certifying with the FAA — arrived in Mississippi following a demonstration in Houma, Louisiana, with partners at Bristow, and a months-long deployment with the U.S. Air Force at Duke Field in Florida. “This project marks an exciting advancement in aviation, and we're proud Neel-Schaffer contributed to bringing Mississippi its first electric aircraft charging station,” shares Joshua P. Stump, P.E., Senior Project Manager at Neel-Schaffer, Inc. “Our team was honored to conduct plan reviews to optimize for future development and create a safety action plan for the project. We're excited to see the project used by the aviation community, as it truly represents innovation and the future of aviation engineering.” This effort was a collaboration among many entities including Mississippi State University. Rob Premo, Director of MSU’s Raspet Flight Research Laboratory, notes, “Raspet shares BETA’s future – a focused approach to redefine the limits of modern aviation. The location of BETA’s new charging facility at GTR promises to create expanded opportunities for us to work together to further advance aviation research as we continue to explore safe integration of our national airspace.” “We are thrilled that BETA Technologies has chosen to lease land to operate an aircraft electrical charging facility near Mississippi State University, home to the Federal Aviation Administration’s Center of Excellence for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (ASSURE) and the Raspet Flight Research Laboratory,” adds Stephen P. Luxion, Executive Director of ASSURE. “Previous collaboration with BETA in surveying and forecasting the AAM industry for the FAA has laid the groundwork for safely integrating this this emerging technology into the nation’s airspace. With BETA right next door, we eagerly anticipate future opportunities to join forces and propel this new technology to new heights.” This new charge site in Mississippi is part of a growing national network of electric infrastructure that BETA is building out across the U.S. Over the past several months, BETA has commissioned five chargers in five states and has sold chargers to the Department of Defense, Atlantic Aviation and Archer Aviation. Currently, BETA has chargers online at 18 site locations from Vermont to Arkansas, Alabama and Florida — with more than 55 additional sites in development for public and private use by commercial, military and medical entities.

Golden Triangle, Mississippi-The Golden Triangle Development LINK is thrilled to announce the graduation of Leah Upton, Director of Finance, from the 2023 Emerging Leaders Fellows program, organized by the Mississippi Economic Development Council (MEDC). Upton's successful completion of this rigorous year-long course is a testament to her dedication and leadership within our organization. The Emerging Leaders Fellows program, initiated by MEDC in 2019, serves as a platform to nurture the talents of emerging professionals in economic development. Through a series of statewide regional training sessions and immersive experiences, fellows like Upton gain invaluable insights and forge meaningful connections with peers and industry leaders. Upton's achievement was celebrated during the prestigious 2024 MEDC Awards Luncheon held on February 8th at the Westin in Jackson, where she joined fellow graduates from across Mississippi in being recognized for their accomplishments. As an organization committed to fostering talent and driving economic growth in the Golden Triangle region, The LINK congratulates Leah on this significant milestone. We encourage others to follow in her footsteps and explore the opportunities offered by the Emerging Leaders Fellows program. For those interested in joining the next cohort of emerging leaders, MEDC is currently accepting applications for the 2024 program until February 29th at 5 PM. To learn more about this initiative, please visit https://medc.ms/emerging-leaders-fellows .

Meryl Fisackerly, Chief Operating Officer of the Golden Triangle Development LINK recently completed the Advanced Economic Development Leadership executive education program and was awarded the Economic Development Master Practitioner (EcDMP) certificate. She has been in economic development for 6 years. Fisackerly stated, "AEDL proved to be among the most all-encompassing leadership programs I've encountered. The material and speakers, experts in their respective fields, delivered pertinent and relatable content. I'm grateful for the chance to attain this designation and I gained a wealth of knowledge throughout this journey." AEDL is a collaboration of four universities – Valdosta State University, The University of Southern Mississippi, Texas Christian University, and the University of New Mexico. These four universities are committed to excellence in economic development and advancing the knowledge, skills, and application of key job creation strategies in America’s cities, communities, and counties. It is an immersive and challenging program. The experiential curriculum enhances key skills necessary for leading successful community and economic development strategies. Led by experienced world-class faculty, program topics include negotiation; retail and commercial development; personal and professional leadership; navigating the new normal in the world of COVID; communications and media relations; marketing in a social media environment; strategic planning and application; successful teamwork; attracting new industry and entrepreneurship. The Advanced Economic Development Leadership course accepts mid and senior-level practitioners from across the U.S.

A new Amazon location for a "last mile" facility within the NorthStar Industrial Park's speculative building has been confirmed today. The decision is the result of a collaborative effort between Agracel, The LINK, and the Oktibbeha County Economic Development Authority, solidifying agreements with Amazon for the building. The 50,000-square-foot facility will house "last mile" operations that facilitate the delivery to customers' doorsteps. The project is slated to create 90 full time and part time jobs. Locating the project was a team effort between The Golden Triangle Development LINK, the Oktibbeha County Economic Development Authority and Agracel, Inc. Lynn Spruill, President of OCEDA and Mayor of Starkville, expressed immense enthusiasm about the partnership's outcome. “As OCEDA president and as the Mayor of Starkville, I couldn't be more excited to have the partnership with the LINK result in a project that brings jobs and activity to NorthStar Park. She noted, “It is especially exciting to have an international, high profile company like Amazon show their belief in the benefits of having a new and substantial presence in Starkville. I have always believed that our partnership with Oktibbeha County and OCEDA would yield long term economic development to our community and the region. When we partner we create the best chances for our mutual success." Clayton McKinnon, Regional Development Director at Agracel, expressed gratitude for the growing collaboration with Starkville and the Golden Triangle. "We are thrilled to join forces with Amazon, fostering a promising and enduring relationship. Amazon's global presence in Starkville promises a significant boost to the local economy. Our commitment to the region remains steadfast," McKinnon affirmed. Joe Max Higgins, CEO of The LINK equally expressed the same enthusiasm as his partners. “Amazon joining the Northstar Industrial Park epitomizes the caliber of companies we've always aimed for in this cutting-edge industrial hub. As this speculative building finds its tenant, we shift focus to our newly constructed pad next door, ready for the next major success at the park" Launch plans for this facility are in the early stages, with internal construction slated to begin in the coming weeks and progress over the next year.

Golden Triangle, Mississippi- Betsy Young, Vice President of Economic Development for the Golden Triangle Development LINK graduated from the University of Oklahoma Economic Development Institute (OU EDI) on November 9, 2023 at the OU Fall session. OU EDI is an intensive 117-hour certificate program which provides a broad spectrum of advanced education for the economic development professional. Barry Matherly, CEcD and Dean for OU EDI, said, “OU Economic Development Institute is the premier organization dedicated to training economic development professionals. These graduates have invested in improving their professional capabilities to support their local communities. Congratulations to all.” OU EDI began in 1962 and is celebrating its 61st year of service to the economic development community. Fully accredited by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), the program has trained 6,000 professionals and remains the world’s leading economic development teacher. OU EDI provides economic developers with up-to-date knowledge and tools necessary to succeed in today’s constantly changing environment. In addition to classwork, students receive the benefit of a strong mentoring program and opportunities to expand their professional network. Students typically take 1-2 years to complete the program through a series of intensive in-person or online courses. For more information about the OU Economic Development Institute, its courses and internationally recognized certificate program, visit edi@ou.edu .