Of the top 10 most valuable economic development projects announced in Mississippi since 2018, four are in or near the Golden Triangle.
Of them, two are expansions to existing industries.
Aluminum Dynamics Inc. in Lowndes County, the largest industrial capital investment in the state’s history, announced in October 2022, tops the list, while the Huber Engineered Woods plant in Noxubee County, announced in June, takes the third spot.
A PACCAR Engine Company expansion announced Monday ranks seventh, while a Steel Dynamics Inc. expansion takes the ninth spot. Both are in Lowndes County.
The Big 4
Aluminum Dynamics plans to invest $2.5 billion to build an aluminum flat-rolled mill on 2,100 acres off Charleigh D. Ford Jr. Drive and a biocarbon facility on Artesia Road.
Construction began in March and is expected to be complete in early 2025. Once operational, the two facilities will create 1,000 jobs.
Huber Engineered Woods is investing $418 million to build an OSB wood panel manufacturing mill on 551 acres off Highway 145 in Shuqualak. Construction began in September and is expected to be complete by late 2025. Once finished, the mill will hire about 158 people.
PACCAR, a diesel engine manufacturer that first located at 1000 PACCAR Drive near the Golden Triangle Regional Airport in 2010, announced a $209.4 million expansion to build a 50,000-square foot facility to start remanufacturing used engines.
The company will also upgrade its production line in the main plant area to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of its engines. The project is expected to be completed in 2025 and create 100 additional jobs.
Steel Dynamics, which operates a steel mill on Airport Road, announced a $200 million expansion in 2018 to add a third galvanizing line to the facility, which produces flat-roll steel products. The project was completed in 2019 and added 45 jobs.
Golden Triangle Development LINK CEO Joe Max Higgins told The Dispatch one of the key factors setting the region apart from others’ recruiting efforts is the LINK’s ability, in partnership with local municipalities and counties, to prepare sites for development before companies sign on.
“If someone pointed a gun to my head and said, ‘Why do you think you won the aluminum mill over the other two finalists in the competition that was in Louisiana,’ I will tell you … we had our work done and we had shovel ready sites. Water and sewer (infrastructure) were already there, as well as the utilities ready to go.”
Higgins added that as companies continue operations in the region, it becomes important to expand production and facilities to remain competitive.
“If (companies) go two, three, four, five or six years and don’t reinvest in their manufacturing facility, that’s a big red flag,” he said.
“We’ve got one, and I’m not going to name the company, but if every three years comes and they haven’t reinvested $100 million, I’m going to be knocking on the door going, ‘Hey, let’s talk. How you doing?’”
Investment throughout the state
According to data provided by the Mississippi Development Authority, there have been 28 announced projects valued at $60 million or greater since 2018. Five of those have been in the four-county region of Lowndes, Oktibbeha, Clay and Noxubee.
Each of the top 10 developments in that span came with a capital investment of at least $185 million. Seven are expansion projects.
MDA Deputy Executive Director Laura Hipp said companies are continuing to locate in Mississippi because of the network of businesses already located here, low costs of doing business and available workforce.
“We have one of the lowest costs of doing business in the nation, a quality of life that is truly hard to beat, a diverse mix of industries, a capable workforce and a strategic location that is ideal for companies that prioritize speed to market,” she said.
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You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 37 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
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