JACKSON — Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves announced more than $100 million in investment in economic development in the state, including $1.77 million for Adams County.
The Mississippi River Energy Complex, which is what the county is calling the old International Paper Co. site, is receiving $1,777,500 for clearing the site, concrete removal, and leveling of the remaining 106 acres.
“We are thankful for MDA for continuing to invest in our industrial sites, that’s on top of the recent award of $3.5 million. These last monies will finish all the necessary clean-up of construction debris and improvements. Since we started the project, we have seen some cost escalation on concrete removal, and these last dollars will complete the former International Paper site and return the entire footprint to shovel,” said Chandler Russ, executive director of Natchez Inc., the area’s economic development agency.
At a press conference in Jackson Thursday afternoon, Reeves said, in addition to economic development, the investment includes infrastructure improvements, workforce training, tourism, and conservation initiatives across the state.
The majority of grant approvals, a press release from the governor’s office said, will fund projects aimed at strengthening Mississippi’s economy through site development, infrastructure improvements, and workforce training support. The investment will expand infrastructure at sites statewide and position Mississippi to attract additional record-breaking private sector investment.
The funding for the projects comes from the Mississippi Development Authority, Appalachian Regional Commission, Delta Regional Authority, RESTORE Act, GOMESA, and Southeast Crescent Regional Commission.
“Whether it’s $49 billion in new private sector investment or finalizing the five largest economic development projects in state history, Mississippi is breaking records that were once thought to be unbreakable,” Reeves said. “The over $100 million investment I announced today will help Mississippi continue its record-shattering economic development efforts, attract billions in future capital investment, and strengthen our entire state. It’s another great day for Mississippi and her people.”
MDA is committing $28,635,216 through its Site Development Grant Program, which offers funding in three categories: Select Sites, Premier Sites, and Ready Sites. Established in 2021 as an invitation-only initiative, the Select Sites program was created to expand the number of highly competitive industrial sites available to meet the needs of prospective companies. The Premier Sites program targets properties with at least 100 acres and distinctive location advantages, such as high-demand areas and access to intermodal facilities or ports. The Ready Sites program focuses on properties with a minimum of 20 highly developable acres that can be site-work ready within six months or have utilities in place within 12 months. Grants awarded include:
Site Development Grant Program — Select Site Grants
• Springs BNSF Certified Site – Marshall County – $8,528,000 for site acquisition to purchase 1,110 acres, bringing publicly owned acreage to 1,200 acres.
• Coldwater Industrial Site – Tate County – $429,286 for access road improvements, utility line relocation, and demolition of an existing structure on the site.
• Tupelo Lee Industrial Park South – Site M – Lee County – $2,000,000 for site grading to construct an elevated building pad and stormwater detention pond, plus updated site due diligence.
• Marion County Regional Airplex/IndustryPlex – Marion County – $900,000 for clearing and grubbing, a wastewater system capacity study, and master planning for the remainder of the site.
• West Rankin Industrial Park – Rankin County – $4,846,750 for clearing and grubbing, grading, drainage improvements, wetlands mitigation, and access road construction.
• North Ripley Industrial Park – Tippah County – $4,210,170 to construct an access road and grading a building pad.
• Mississippi River Inland Port Complex Megasite – Warren County – $2,920,698 for design and construction of an access road with Hwy 61 improvements to accommodate ingress/egress.
• Mississippi River Energy Complex – Paper Site – Adams County – $1,777,500 for clearing, concrete removal, and leveling of the remaining 106 acres of the site.
• Port Bienville Industrial Park – Site #1 – Hancock County – $1,353,712 for wetlands mitigation.
• Pearl River County Industrial Park – Pearl River County – $110,000 for site due diligence on the newly acquired 240 acres.
Article courtesy of Jan Griffey of The Natchez Democrat