Economic Dev

Hattiesburg – Cooperative Energy, together with its 11 Member electric distribution cooperatives it serves, awarded $135,000 in Cooperative Competes grants in 2025 to support strategic community and economic development efforts across Mississippi. The grants were awarded through Cooperative Energy’s Cooperative Competes program, which provides funding for proactive site development, workforce analysis, marketing initiatives, and other […]

  Cooperative Energy, together with the 11 Member distribution cooperatives it serves, announced today the award of two Cooperative Competes grants to the Hancock County Port and Harbor Commission to assist with the production of marketing videos for Port Bienville Site #1 and Ignition Park. Port Bienville Site #1 will be a prime, pad-ready parcel

Cooperative Energy, together with the 11 Member distribution cooperatives it serves, announced the award of a Cooperative Competes grant to the Cleveland-Bolivar County Chamber of Commerce for site work at the Cleveland Airport North Industrial Site.  The North Industrial Site is approximately 20 acres on the northern runway of the Cleveland Municipal Airport. The airport is designated

  Cooperative Energy, together with the 11 Member distribution cooperatives it serves, announced today the award of a Cooperative Competes grant to the Lamar County Board of Supervisors for the proactive site readiness of the Lamar County Industrial Park. The Lamar County Industrial Park is located within the city of Purvis and is less than

Top: Thomas McElroy, economic representative Cooperative Energy Bottom left from left to right: Thomas McElroy, Economic Development Representative Cooperative Energy, Guy Johnson, Vice President Economic Development and Sustainability, Coast Electric, Obie McClure, Aerospace Development Hancock County Port and Harbor Commission, Ron Barnes, President and CEO, Coast Electric and Coast Connect, Mitch Stringer, Director of Economic

Pictured left to right: Brandi Hough, deputy director Harrison County Development Commission, Ron Barnes, President and CEO, Coast Electric and Coast Connect, Bill Lavers, executive director Harrison County Development Commission, Guy Johnson, Vice President Economic Development and Sustainability, Coast Electric, Frankie Castiglia, Commissioner Harrison County Development Commission, Stevie Phillips, Senior Economic Development Representative, Cooperative Energy

    Hood Industries, Inc., manufacturer and distributor of structural wood products, is expanding its sawmill operations in Wayne County. The project is a $245 million corporate investment.   The company’s strategic expansion involves the construction of a new advanced sawmill in Waynesboro. The mill will be built in multiple phases on a site adjacent

Hattiesburg, Miss. (May 7, 2025) — Cooperative Energy, together with the 11 Member distribution cooperatives it serves, announced today the award of a Cooperative Competes grant to the Scott County Board of Supervisors for the proactive site readiness of a newly identified industrial site along Interstate 20 near the Town of Lake, Mississippi. The $50,000

Poplarville, Miss. (April 23, 2025) — Economic development efforts in Pearl River County are poised for success with the completion of a specialized strategic plan and a recently awarded Cooperative Competes grant. In late 2024, the Pearl River County economic development division initiated a Comprehensive Incentives Study with partners at VisionFirst Advisors. The study outcome

  Economic development efforts in Greenwood and Leflore County are poised for success with a new brand name, tagline, and a recently awarded Cooperative Competes grant.   In late 2024, the Greenwood-Leflore-Carroll County Economic Development Foundation (EDF) announced the new brand, website, and comprehensive marketing campaign. The collaborative marketing and new website are a result