Source: Mississippi Development Authority
Jackson, Miss — July 19, 2019 — The Middleby Corporation, a global leader in the foodservice equipment industry, is relocating Lynx Grills’ headquarters and manufacturing operations to the Viking Range facility in Greenwood.
The project is a $5-million corporate investment and will create 200 jobs, 100 of which will be added immediately. The remaining 100 will be added over the next five years.
Viking Range and Lynx are brands in Middleby’s extensive portfolio of residential, commercial and outdoor equipment manufacturers.
“The Mississippi Delta is full of driven, motivated workers who will work hard to ensure Lynx Grills has a seamless transition into the business community while producing the top-quality outdoor appliances Lynx is known for here in the U.S. and around the world,” Governor Phil Bryant said.
Lynx Grills’ new employees will be located in Viking Range’s facility on Front Street in Greenwood. The Middleby Corporation is moving Lynx Grills’ headquarters and manufacturing operations from Downey, California, to Greenwood due to the expertise and ability demonstrated over the years by the Viking Range team.
“The Middleby leadership team is confident in the proven manufacturing expertise of the local Mississippi Delta workforce,“ said Viking President Kevin Brown. “With the addition of Lynx Grills to our existing Viking operations, we are proud to have expanded local production with two of the finest and most highly recognized, luxury appliance brands now headquartered in our state.“
The Mississippi Development Authority is providing assistance for workforce training, building improvements and relocating equipment. The company also qualifies for the Advantage Jobs Rebate program, which provides a cash rebate to eligible businesses that create jobs that meet or exceed the average annual wage of the state or county in which the company locates. Cooperative Energy and Delta Electric are providing assistance for workforce training. In addition to local tax abatements, the city of Greenwood, Leflore County and the Greenwood-Leflore-Carroll Economic Development Foundation have committed $500,000 in local incentives for the new location.
“The success of Mississippi-based Viking Range Corporation and the productive teamwork by the company’s employees were instrumenal in The Middleby Corporation’s decision to relocate Lynx Grills’ headquarters to Greenwood, bringing 200 new career opportunities to the people of the Mississippi Delta,” said MDA Executive Director Glenn McCullough, Jr. “We salute the leaders at the Greenwood-Leflore Economic Development Foundation, Cooperative Energy, the city of Greenwood and Leflore County for working with MDA to bring this exciting economic development win to our great state.”
Lynx Grills began production earlier this year. The company currently is hiring for the new positions, including engineers, accountants, metal finishers, welders, warehouse supervisors, machine operators and maintenance mechanics.
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 approximately 56,700 miles of distribution lines and provide service to approximately 427,000 homes and businesses throughout 55 counties.