Source: Jackson County Economic Development Foundation, Inc.
Jackson County, MS (September 21, 2020) – The Jackson County Board of Supervisors voted today to approve the sale of land in Sunplex Light Industrial Park to RespirTek Consulting Laboratory for their new headquarters that will include a state-of-the-art research and testing facility.
RespirTek is an accredited environmental testing and research laboratory, providing services related to consumer product biodegradability certifications, wastewater treatment and toxicity assessments, and optimized bioremediation and natural attenuation strategies. Domestic and international companies desiring certification of their products as biodegradable rely on RespirTek’s expertise and many years of experience, partnering in research and development of product formulations, especially developing biodegradable plastics. The company is investing $1.5 million dollars in this project and will create 25 new jobs in the Sunplex Light Industrial Park.
“Our company is making significant investments in research technology which is creating a need for a new expanded headquarters”, said Jerry Hodges, RespirTek President and CEO. “With its advantageous location and amenities, Sunplex Light Industrial Park is the right choice for our expansion. We appreciate Jackson County Economic Development Foundation (JCEDF) and its partner organizations – Jackson County Board of Supervisors and Jackson County Port Authority – for coming together to understand our needs and execute the necessary approvals.”
JCEDF worked with RespirTek to identify an ideal location within Sunplex Light Industrial Park. Cooperative Energy and Singing River Electric are assisting with the project through the Cooperative Competes grant program.
“Sunplex Light Industrial Park has been an area of growth for our membership for over four decades”, says Singing River Electric General Manager Brian Hughey. “With the new RespirTek facility, we are ready to power yet another state-of-the-art company, and support the creation of career opportunities in Jackson County”.
“RespirTek’s decision to choose Jackson County for its new headquarters and research facility is a testament to the effectiveness of our public-private economic development partnership,” said Randy Bosarge, District 5 Supervisor, who represents this area of Jackson County. “With this project announcement we continue to diversify our economy with high technology job creation and investment. The Sunplex Light Industrial Park was developed with the specific intention of recruiting high-growth, technology-oriented investment such as this.”
“This international research laboratory expansion demonstrates that Jackson County’s business community is growing and becoming more diverse, adding companies positioned to complement our well-established manufacturing assets.”, said George Freeland, JCEDF Executive Director, “This project is yet 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.”
Construction of the new laboratory is slated to be complete in approximately 6 months.
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About RespirTek:
RespirTek Consulting Laboratory is an innovative American based research and testing company, accredited for a host of environmental testing services related to consumer product biodegradability certifications, wastewater treatment and toxicity assessments, optimized bioremediation, and natural attenuation strategies. The company also conducts research and development of product formulations that will biodegrade, especially in the field of plastics. The international client list of the bio environmental laboratory includes DuPont, Proctor & Gamble, Dow Chemical, Unilever, Georgia Pacific, S.C. Johnson, Church & Dwight, and others.
SUNPLEX Light Industrial Park
The Sunplex Light Industrial Park in Jackson County, MS is a premier industrial destination with unique location on a four-lane Highway 57 within one mile of both Interstate 10 and US Hwy 90. The park’s location advantage is enhanced by its inclusion into the Foreign Trade Zone #92. This covenant-protected Park is fully permitted, master planned industrial property with a full range of transportation and infrastructure amenities. The park is home to over 25 companies with over 450 people employed there.
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.