The Mississippi River continues to play a pivotal role in the development of Mississippi. To maximize the advantages provided by the river, Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) has formed close partnerships with businesses and regional economic development groups to promote growth in the state.
Flowing north to south along the country’s industrial and agricultural heartland, the river allows easy access to the major business centers and the hinterlands of the United States, which is complemented by Mississippi’s extensive road network, reliable rail service, well-serviced airports, and 15 ports, including two deepwater ports on the Gulf of Mexico.
Apart from having one of the lowest corporate tax rates in the country, Mississippi is also very proud of its education system, which includes eight top-ranking universities — four of which are world-class research institutes — and 15 community colleges.
“Universities across our state continue to build on their impressive R&D initiatives, which have a strong focus on economic development. MDA has partnered with each one of these institutions to boost innovation and encourage collaboration, as they further strengthen their individual areas of expertise,” said Deputy Executive Director Laura Hipp.
Another achievement of Mississippi is its enduring partnership with Japanese companies, like Nissan and Toyota. Two decades ago, Nissan opened a manufacturing plant in Canton, which prompted Toyota and Yokohama Tires to do the same a few years after. Recently, Nissan announced a $500 million investment to dedicate part of its Canton plant to the production of electric vehicles for its Nissan and Infiniti brands.
“Mississippi understands each company needs workers with specialized training. With this in mind, the state’s community college system, in partnership with AccelerateMS, customizes its already adaptable training programs to effectively meet the needs of each company for immediate and long-term success,” Hipp said.
“Mississippi’s community colleges are able to quickly assess applicants and provide specialized training so that workers are ready to work as soon as the factory’s ribbon is cut and the doors officially open for business,” she added.
