Business Gets the Competitive Edge in Mississippi

With Nissan, Mississippi officials turned the South's
"Deal of the Year" in 2000. Pictured here is Carlos Ghosn,
president of Nissan (left) and Mississippi Gov. Ronnie
Musgrove at the company's announcement. Nissan is building
a $930 million, 4,000-employee automotive plant in Canton, Miss.

Mississippi's available workforce, incentive and training programs, solid infrastructure and low cost of living have benefited all types of industries. Their success stories can be witnessed throughout the state and across sectors.

In 2000, Canton, Mississippi was selected as the official site for a Nissan automotive manufacturing facility. The original $930 million investment by Nissan garnered national and international attention. Mississippi was recognized as a strong global competitor.

Nissan, after continued success with the project, announced in June 2002 that it would make an additional $500 million investment to expand Nissan Canton. This new investment will increase the plant's annual production capacity from 250,000 vehicles to 400,000 vehicles, cover more than 3.4 million square feet and add approximately 1,300 new jobs.

In total, Nissan Canton is a $1.4 billion project, expected to provide more than 5,000 jobs. The facility will be the international automaker's largest North American development. The first car is expected to roll out in Summer 2003.

Nissan Canton is a major accomplishment for Mississippi, but the state's efforts to become a key player in the economic development market has resulted in other business startups and expansions worthy of mention.

Future Pipe Industries, a leading manufacturer of high performance, anti-corrosive pipe systems, will locate a $7.5 million plant in Gulfport, the company's first United States operation. The project will create up to 300 jobs over a five-year period. The Gulfport facility will be a specialized high-pressure fiberglass pipe manufacturing plant, which will initially create 75 jobs and generate estimated annual sales of $5 to $7 million during phase one.

Northrop Grumman Ship Systems in Pascagoula was awarded part of a $17 billion 30-year contract with the Coast Guard to upgrade its deepwater cutter fleet. The project will create over 2,000 new job opportunities to add to the existing staff of 11,000.

Japanese auto parts maker USUI International Corp. is opening a manufacturing plant in Olive Branch to supply parts to Nissan Canton. USUI is among the already 15 suppliers investing a total of $260 million and over 2,000 jobs in the state.

La-Z-Boy Furniture Company's $4 million investment in its three plants in Newton will produce 100 new jobs. The company currently employs more than 1,400 workers.

Ashley Furniture, an Arcadia-based furniture maker, is expanding its facility in Ecru. The company is investing $6 million and creating 500 jobs.

Lockheed Martin announced a new 222,000 square-foot facility to provide specialized training required for the 270 people hired to work at Lockheed Martin's Propulsion Thermal and Meteorology Center. The center will produce propulsion systems, such as thrusters used for satellites and other spacecraft produced by Lockheed Martin Space Systems. The thermal control systems produced at the facility, such as thermal "blankets," heat pipes, radiators and engine heat shields, will protect space vehicles from the extreme temperatures of the space environment.

Alcoa invested $16 million to expand its Hernando soft-alloy extrusion facility. The decision to remain and expand their facility in Hernando was influenced by efforts from the Mississippi Development Authority.

Whirlpool Corporation will expand its Oxford plant with a $10 million investment, and 150 additional jobs.

Mississippi's desire to see businesses grow and profit fuels innovation. It also fuels the state's sense of urgency to maximize all of its resources to meet the needs of business and industry.

The Mississippi Development Authority is ready to assist companies looking to expand or relocate. For further details contact us at 1-800-340-3323 or log on to www.mississippi.org

For More Information, contact Sherry Vance, Director of Communications, Mississippi Development Authority at (601) 359.3593 (email: svance@mississippi.org).