Governor Tate Reeves today announced the state of Mississippi is investing $993,250 in site development projects throughout the state. Site development grant funds made available through the Mississippi Development Authority are assisting local economic development entities in their efforts to spur economic growth by attracting new industry to competitive, shovel-ready sites.

“Mississippi is attracting record-shattering private sector investment in large part due to our strategic and proactive approach to site development,” said Governor Tate Reeves. “We’ve made wise investments that have yielded tremendous dividends for Mississippi and our people. It’s really important that we continue prioritizing investments in infrastructure and further expand the availability of project-ready sites to win even more private sector investment. Mississippi makes it easy for companies to relocate here, and that’s what we’ll continue to do.”

MDA awarded the grant funds through its Site Development Grant Program for projects in the Ready Sites and Premier Sites categories. Ready Sites require a minimum of 20 highly developable acres, and the site must be work-ready within six months and must be capable of having utilities on site within 12 months. Ready Sites are eligible to receive up to $50,000 in funding. Premier Sites require a minimum of 100 acres and must have attributes that distinguish them from other properties, such as being in high-demand locations, having large-scale, “mega”- acreage or having significant utility infrastructure already in place. They also must have a labor force able to attract the intended market. Premier Sites are eligible to receive up to $250,000 in funding. Those awarded funding include:

Ready Sites

- Hancock County Port and Harbor Commission– $50K for clearing and grubbing 10 acres at Stennis International TechPark

- Hancock County Port and Harbor Commission– $50K for clearing and grubbing 10 acres at Port Bienville Industrial Park

- Leake County Board of Supervisors– $50K for clearing and grubbing 40 acres at Leake County Business Park

- Pearl River County Board of Supervisors– $50K for constructing a road into Pearl River County Technology Park

- Washington County Economic Alliance– $12.5K for updating environmental due diligence at 61 & 82 Leland Industrial Park 

Premier Sites

- Pearl River County Board of Supervisors– $250K for wastewater system improvements and a geotechnical investigation at Pearl River County Industrial Park

- Scott County Board of Supervisors– $118.25K for environmental due diligence at Wooten Industrial Site

- City of Water Valley– $250K to construct a new entrance into W.C. Gardiner Industrial Park

- Winston County Economic Development District Partnership– $162.5K for environmental due diligence at Winston County Industrial Park

“Through our vast offering of available sites, we signal to the world that Mississippi is open for business and takes a proactive stance when it comes to ensuring businesses are up and running in record time,” said MDA Executive Director Bill Cork. “Together with these communities, MDA is facilitating swift and successful launches for companies locating at these shovel-ready locations.”