News

WASHINGTON, D.C. – September 10, 2025 – Today, a coalition of leading energy and industrial executives launched the Gulf South Business Roundtable (GSBR). The effort is dedicated to advancing economic competitiveness, infrastructure development, and industrial growth across Alabama (AL), Arkansas (AR), Louisiana (LA), Mississippi (MS), and Texas (TX).

JACKSON (Mississippi Development Authority) – Hood Industries, Inc., manufacturer and distributor of structural wood products, is expanding its sawmill operations in Wayne County. The project is a $245 million corporate investment.

JACKSON, Miss.  – AccelerateMS has officially announced the relaunch of the Mississippi Reconnect Program 2.0, a bold initiative designed to re-engage unemployed and significantly underemployed Mississippians through accelerated training and career-connected learning in high-demand industries. The program will begin accepting applications in October for early January program start dates.

JACKSON, Miss. –  AccelerateMS is excited to introduce EnCORE, an innovative program aimed at connecting Mississippi’s highly experienced professionals with instructor, trainer, and mentor opportunities within the state’s workforce development framework.

JACKSON - State Supreme Court Justice James Maxwell (District 3, Place 3) and Supreme Court Justice Bobby Chamberlin (District 3, Place 1) were both nominated to serve on the United States District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi.

JACKSON (Mississippi Development Authority) – International chemical manufacturer Mancuso Chemicals Limited is establishing operations in Pachuta. The project is a $5.52 million investment and will create 17 jobs.

WEST POINT, Miss. - Ramp-ups in the target production volume at Yokohama Tire resulted in growing pains as the company worked to make the necessary process adjustments to reach those targets. Making these incremental changes throughout the one million square-foot facility upset the delicate balance of scheduling and maintaining batches of perishable rubber compound. Even small disruptions in the complex and inter-dependent processes caused a variability ripple effect that made it difficult to consistently hit the new targets. Yokohama looked to Mississippi State University CAVS Extension (CAVS-E) for support in finding and addressing bottlenecks through Six Sigma methodology and simulation modeling.

OXFORD - Byron Swetman recently graduated from the University of Mississippi Center for Manufacturing Excellence as a computer science major.

OXFORD - Ole Miss rising senior Camille Newman is an MMA Endowed Scholarship recipient. Camille is developing a 3D printer and recycling center to recycle plastic on the moon, and her prototype will be manufactured on the floor of the Haley Barbour Center for Manufacturing Excellence at The University of Mississippi.

JACKSON (Mississippi Development Authority) – Electrical distribution transformer and technology products manufacturer Howard Industries is expanding operations across its Mississippi facilities in Clarke, Jones and Simpson counties. The project is a $236.95 million investment and will create a total of 450 jobs.