Keaton PetersMississippi is making a major push to attract business investment and improve infrastructure across the state.
The state recently announced more than $110 million in economic development funding that will support site development, workforce training and infrastructure improvements throughout Mississippi.
The bulk of the funding – $97 million – will go toward projects designed to prepare potential industrial sites across the state to ensure they will be ready for new projects. The remaining funds will support tourism and conservation efforts.
The initiative draws from multiple funding sources, including the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA), Appalachian Regional Commission, and Delta Regional Authority.
As manufacturing picks up and states compete to attract major industrial projects, particularly in emerging sectors like electric vehicles and semiconductors, having shovel-ready sites with robust infrastructure is crucial for economic development. The investments announced by Mississippi look to give companies another reason to flock to the state because they can receive financial assistance in getting sites ready for new facilities.
The largest single component is nearly $30 million in site development grants through MDA’s Site Development Grant Program. Created in 2021, the program includes three tiers: Select Sites, Premier Sites and Ready Sites. The Select Sites program, which is invitation-only, received the largest allocations, with 10 sites receiving grants ranging from $486,000 to over $10 million.
The largest grant, $10.48 million, will support crucial wetlands mitigation at the Mississippi River Inland Port Complex site in Warren County, as required by the site’s U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit. At the MS River Energy Complex in Adams County, $3.29 million will fund the clearing and leveling of 140 acres, preparing the site for future development. The Stennis Technology Park in Hancock County received $3 million for comprehensive site improvements, including grubbing and grading work, construction of two building pads, design and construction of access roads, water and sewer line extensions and drainage improvements.
In South Mississippi, $2.43 million will support engineering work at the Eagle One Mega Site spanning Forrest and Lamar Counties, specifically to pursue a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit. The East Metro Center Industrial Park in Rankin County was awarded $2.36 million to extend water and sewer lines, while the Martintown North Industrial Park in Union County received $1.71 million to construct a 300,000-square-foot building pad.
Pearl River County Industrial Park secured $1.44 million for constructing a water tank and relocating power lines, and the Gateway Industrial Park in Pike County was granted $1.11 million for tree clearing, grading improvements to site ingress, adding signage and completing site due diligence.
The funding package also includes significant investments in workforce development and education. Through the RESTORE Act, $7.1 million will support the Mississippi Artificial Intelligence Network Program across 15 counties to develop training programs in AI and technology fields. Another $1.9 million will help establish a career pathway for hydrographic science instruction at Pearl River Community College.
Coastal communities will benefit from over $25 million in funding for various infrastructure and environmental projects. Key allocations include $4 million for water and sewer extensions in Hancock County’s “City Center” district and $2.5 million for marina expansion in D’Iberville.
Photo by Aleksandar Pasaric
