Locating in Mississippi

All varieties of commerce thrive in the Magnolia State, from minority-owned businesses with a community focus to large manufacturing companies serving global markets.

Year after year, Mississippi has been singled out for sustaining an environment that’s conducive to business and industry. From the inception of the Grant Thornton study in 1979, Mississippi has consistently ranked among the top ten states having the most favorable business climates. And Whirlpool Corporation, a world leader in manufacturing and marketing major home appliances, awarded Mississippi top honors for its relative low business costs and high quality of life.

Here are more attractive facts about locating in Mississippi. For detailed information on a particular area, just click on the bullet point of interest.

Tax Credits: The Economic Development Reform Act includes a number of tax credit packages and tax exemptions for new businesses or existing businesses that expand. Mississippi’s business taxes run 26% lower than the national average.

Innovative Financing: The Mississippi Business Finance Corporation administers a variety of finance programs designed to assist businesses in locating or expanding in the state.

Skilled Work Force: Mississippi's economy has shifted from an agricultural base to one of the nation’s top manufacturing producers. The state’s labor force has increased 12% over the last ten years.

Industrial Property: Mississippi has a variety of affordable public and private industrial property available for lease or purchase. Sites range from less than one acre in fully developed industrial parks to several thousand acres in undeveloped greenfield sites.

Accessible Markets: Mississippi's transportation network provides excellent access to regional, national and international markets by highway, rail, air, and water.

Abundant Utilities: The state can assure its businesses that they have reliable and reasonably priced supplies of electricity, natural gas, propane and crude oil. And our energy costs are up to 20% below the national average.

More for Your Money: It simply costs less to do business in Mississippi. Industries that locate here can take advantage of lower real estate and construction prices as compared to other U.S. markets. Construction prices are 27% below the national average.

Customized and Technical Training Programs: The State of Mississippi provides custom-designed pre-employment training, post-employment training, and upgrade/retraining services for new, expanding, or existing industries. Technical and vocational training is available at 82 vocational/technical secondary schools statewide and at 36 vocational/technical locations of the community college system.

Education: Over half of Mississippi’s budget targets educational initiatives aimed at improving the learning environment at all levels, from preschool to graduate school; and the state includes some of the world’s leading scientific research facilities.

Recreation: Mississippi takes great pride in its unique beauty, history and cultural heritage, and offers a diverse assortment of recreational activities for people of all ages and interests.