Ashley Furniture Industries will hire 60 people at a new plant in Verona.

Gov. Phil Bryant made the announcement Tuesday during his State of the State speech, with Ashley CEO Todd Wanek attending.

Based in Arcadia, Wis., Ashley employs more than 3,000 people in the northeast Mississippi towns of Ecru and Ripley.

The

Home-improvement retailer Lowe's Cos. said Tuesday that it plans to hire 45,000 seasonal workers ahead of its busy spring season, a sign that the nascent housing recovery is creating jobs.

Lowe's, based in Mooresville, N.C., also plans to add 9,000 part-time employees on a permanent basis.

On average,

Marvin Hill has spent the last 35 years of his life serving his country in the United States Army. He came from the Walker Homes area in South Memphis, graduated from Mitchell High School and joined the Army.

He went from Private to Command Sergeant Major, the highest-ranking enlisted grade in the Army. He has