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PSC
responds to consumer complaints
I've often wondered how a telemarketer can
expect me to be receptive to his sales pitch when his call
interrupts my dinner. I'm not alone. Other Mississippians
have complained to the Public Service Commission about just
that. And the PSC has responded with a plan.
Beginning this month, a new law goes into effect that gives
the PSC the power to reduce the number of telemarketing calls
an individual receives. All the individual has to do is request
that his or her phone number be listed in a "no-call"
database maintained by the PSC.
We
applaud this effort by PSC Chairman Michael Callahan, Southern
District commissioner; Nielsen Cochran, Central District commissioner;
and Bo Robinson, Northern District commissioner. The commissioners
acted on consumers' telemarketing complaints when they proposed
no-call legislation four years ago. Working with the legislature,
the PSC hammered out a plan that will benefit every Mississippian
who requests it.
There
is other good news to report: Mississippi's first automotive
production plant began operations in Canton this spring. Nissan
North America's $1.4 billion plant opened in May to much fanfare.
There's good reason to celebrate. The plant employs more than
1,900 workers from 72 of Mississippi's 82 counties. And it's
still hiring.
The
plant represents a few firsts for Nissan too. It will produce
the company's first Nissan-produced minivan, its first full-size
pickup and the first U.S.-built vehicle for Nissan's Infiniti
division.
The
2.5 million-square-foot plant will grow to 3.5 million by
the end of 2004, when it will be producing about 1,600 vehicles
every work day. By then, employment is expected to reach 5,300.
A bonus is the dozens of companies that established operations
to the state to provide parts and other supplies to Nissan.
The Nissan plant has been described as an "economic driver"
for Mississippi. Officials expect big payoffs from the project,
in terms of future employment at both the plant and its suppliers.
Also, the state's ability to attract Nissan sends a message
to the world that Mississippians are serious about economic
development.
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