ABC recognizes USM students, Smith Painting

Associated Builders and Contractors’ educational affiliate, the Trimmer Education Foundation, recently named students from the University of Southern Mississippi as 2007 Student Essay Winners.

“Locating the Missing Link with Regard to Working Groups - Building an Authentic Community” was written by Jessica Fly, Jesse Golden, Jabari Mapp and Greg Miller, all USM students.

The award-winning team was one of only three recognized at a ceremony held during the ABC 2007 National Convention in Nashville, Tenn.

In addition to researching, writing and editing the essays, each team was required to deliver a group presentation of their paper during the convention. Award-winning teams received cash prizes.

Also in Hattiesburg, ABC recognized Joel Smith of Smith Painting & Contracting Inc. for his firm’s dedication to advancing careers in construction.

Smith, a member of ABC’s Mississippi chapter, was recognized for his work supporting the ABC Student Chapter at USM. In addition to his work with the student chapter, Smith’s company provides two annual scholarships to construction engineering students in USM’s College of Science and Technology.   

Corrections Corp. of America to expand Tutwiler, Miss., facility

Corrections Corp. of America, a provider of corrections management services to government agencies, announced that it will expand Tutwiler County Correctional Facility in Tutwiler, Miss.

The company will expand the 1,104-bed facility by 360 beds, which is expected to be completed during the fourth quarter of 2007.

Based on expected demand from a number of state and federal customers, the company expects to complete an additional 360-bed expansion. The second expansion is expected to be completed during the first quarter of 2008 at a total cost of approximately $17 million.