Mississippi Selected as Site for Lockheed Martin Center
The John C. Stennis Space Center located in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi has been selected as the site for the Lockheed Martin Propulsion Thermal and Metrology Center. Lockheed Martin Space Systems will operate the propulsion and thermal functions at the center; Lockheed Martin Technology Services will be responsible for the metrology portion of the center. The facility will represent the creation of 270 new jobs when the center begins operation in fall of 2001. Lockheed Martin, headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland is a global company involved with research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced-technology systems, products and services.

Southaven Lands Distribution Center
Chicago-based W. W. Grainger is constructing a 250,000 square foot distribution center in Southaven that will create 200 jobs when it opens in 2002. W.W. Grainger, a provider of maintenance, repair and operating supplies, bought 30 acres at DeSoto Center Business Park East for the distribution center.