The beginning of a new year also marks a turning point for a prominent in-plant association. Following a vote by members last month, the 36-year-old National Government Publishing Association will merge with the In-plant Printing and Mailing Association effective February 1. Leaders of both in-plant associations feel this will provide better value for all members, allowing for more growth and innovation.
Biloxi
The Government Printing Office (GPO) has been given approval by Congress to establish a secure production facility on the grounds of the Stennis Space Center in Mississippi. GPO employees will produce blank passport books at the new location, which will help meet rising passport demand. This facility also meets the Department of State’s request for a secure production site for blank passports outside of Washington D.C. More than 50 government jobs will be created in the Gulf coast region. The production facility is expected to be operational this spring. The Stennis Space Center is NASA’s primary center for rocket propulsion testing and is located
Hurricane Katrina packed a punch felt around the country. Among those reeling were many Gulf Coast in-plants. The fate of those in New Orleans is as murky as the water that once covered that town. Tulane University's in-plant, like its campus, remains closed. Through the in-plant grapevine I learned that manager Orin Fosberg got his family safely out of town, but the future of his shop, as with many New Orleans' businesses, is unclear. In Biloxi, which lost so many buildings to the storm, two of the in-plants closest to the chaos survived virtually unscathed. Though winds tore off roofs at Mississippi Gulf