Hattiesburg, Miss. (October 21, 2019) — An industrial park in South Mississippi will welcome a new tenant and job growth over the next few months. The Jackson County Board of Supervisors has voted to approve the sale of land in Sunplex Light Industrial Park to American Baitworks Co. for the company’s national headquarters, new state-of-the-art manufacturing plant and distribution center. The project represents a corporate investment of $9.5million and will create 70 jobs.
American Baitworks Co. is a manufacturer of fishing tackle, lures and bait. The project includes a 75,000-square-foot production, packaging and distribution facility.
American Baitworks Co. designs and manufactures an extensive portfolio of fishing lures, tackle and rods. The company is making significant investments in manufacturing technology which is creating new manufacturing opportunities for the company.
Jackson County Economic Development Foundation (JCEDF) worked with American Baitworks to identify an ideal location within Sunplex Light Industrial Park. This project represents the single largest initial private investment in Sunplex Light Industrial Park. The project is supported by Singing River Electric and Cooperative Energy through a Cooperative Competes grant to the JCEDF for site preparation assistance.
“As the electric provider at Sunplex Industrial Park, we are ready to support the growth of American Baitworks in Jackson County,” said Brian Hughey, Singing River Electric Cooperative General Manager. “We have long-supported the work of JCEDF to maintain a business environment that allows companies to start-up, expand, and grow in our territory, all towards the betterment of the community we serve.”
“This project demonstrates that Jackson County, MS is a place where companies can achieve sustainable growth and success”, said George Freeland, Jackson County Economic Development Foundation executive director, “It is another example of multi-level partnerships that JCEDF adopted as its approach to Economic Development and that has proven to be successful over the years. JCEDF is proud of its partnership with Cooperative Energy and the Singing River Electric Cooperative and appreciates their contribution and support of opportunities and development in Jackson County.”
American Baitworks Co. expects to break ground on the new facility in a few weeks. Construction of the new facility is slated to be complete in approximately 12 months.
“The American Baitworks project is yet another example of the Cooperative Competes initiative at work,” said Jeff Bowman, Cooperative Energy president. “Cooperative Competes aims to increase competitiveness and foster economic growth, and providing grant support for the creation of new jobs in Jackson County is exactly that”.
For more information about the American Baitworks Co. project or the Cooperative Competes initiative, visit www.cooperativeenergy.com/economic-development
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About Cooperative Energy
Cooperative Energy generates and transmits electricity to 11 Member-owned electric distribution cooperatives. Known as the Power of 12, Cooperative Energy and its Member cooperatives work together to provide safe, reliable and affordable power from the Mississippi Delta to the Coast. The 11 electric cooperatives own and maintain more than 57,000 miles of distribution lines and provide service to approximately 432,000 homes and businesses throughout 55 counties.
About American Baitworks:
American Baitworks Co. is an innovative American based fishing tackle company that provides custom manufacturing of fishing lures and products for our customer’s specifications. American Baitworks brands include:
• NetBait®
• Halo Fishing®
• Snag Proof®
• Scum Frog®
• Freedom Tackle Corp.®
• STH Bait Co.
Our passion for fishing runs deep at American Baitworks Co. where our focus on innovation and advancing the sport of fishing never ends. From our manufacturing and distribution center on the coast of Mississippi, USA and around the world, we want anglers of every level to have the best experience every time they’re on the water. Contact us to see how we can apply our passion and experience to manufacture your fishing products.