Hattiesburg, Miss. (June 16, 2020) – The Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) recently awarded a third round of Mississippi Site Development Program grants. The Brookhaven-Lincoln County Economic Development Alliance and the Marion County Economic Development District were among the latest recipients.
The Brookhaven-Lincoln County Economic Development Alliance was awarded $50,000 to assist with the planning and site work construction of a second speculative facility within Linbrook Industrial Park. Keystone Electrical Manufacturing announced occupancy of the first speculative facility on February 25, 2020.
“Brookhaven and Lincoln County are business-friendly communities, and the proximity of Linbrook to Interstate 55 makes it even more appealing to companies ready to move business to Mississippi,” said Garrick Combs, executive director of the Brookhaven-Lincoln Economic Development Alliance. “We appreciate MDA support and the proactive approach our state has taken towards Economic Development”.
The Marion County Economic Development District was awarded $50,000 to assist with construction of an access road entrance to the Marion Regional Airplex industrial property. The Airplex is a 490-acre site near the Columbia Airport, which is currently being improved and expanded.
Lori Watts, executive director of the Marion County Economic Development District, is excited to see the benefits the funding will provide for her region. “The entrance to the Airplex is the first impression to those travelling from our airport. Funding for these improvements will allow us to present the property in a manner which represents the readiness of the site and the community for development,” said Watts.
In 2017, the state Legislature created the Mississippi Site Development Program to assist public or private non-profit economic development organizations or local governments with preparing site-ready locations to attract new industry and private capital investment to the state.
Properties within Cooperative Energy’s Members’ service territories have received nearly $1,000,000 in Mississippi Site Development Program grants since the program’s inception. Previous recipients include:
- Hancock County Port and Harbor Commission (2019) – $250,000 to develop a technical plan for development of 846-acres near the Stennis International Airport
- Hattiesburg-Laurel Regional Airport Authority (2019) – $250,000 for clearing and grubbing 166 acres at the Hattiesburg-Laurel Regional Airport and grading a road bed leading into the site
- Economic Development Authority of Jones County (2019) – $8,350 to update due diligence on the I-59 South Industrial Site
- Natchez, Inc. (2018) – $250,000 for debris removal and site work at the Mississippi River Energy Complex
- Jackson County Economic Development Foundation (2018) – $8,250 for due diligence on a 20-acre site in the Port of Pascagoula
- Pike County Economic Development District (2018) – $50,000 for environmental due diligence and water and sewer at Gateway Industrial Park
- Hancock County Port and Harbor Commission (2018) – $50,000 for wetlands mitigation and site work in Port Bienville Industrial Park
Both communities received Cooperative Competes grants as a portion of the local match funds required for the Mississippi Site Development Program. “Our intent is to help our communities pool funds from various sources to make a more impactful and competitive difference in site development,” said Mitch Stringer, director of economic development for Cooperative Energy. Stringer is confident the proactive site development will pay off for Mississippi. “The commitment to shovel ready properties is making Mississippi more attractive for businesses across the world.”
For more information about Linbrook Industrial Park, the Marion Regional Airplex, or other industrial properties available in Mississippi, 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.