The 283,383 small businesses in Mississippi represent 99.3% of all Mississippi businesses and employ 430,256 people — 46.2% of all Mississippi business employees.
Moreover, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration, of the 17,389 net new jobs added by opening and expanding Mississippi establishments between March 2022 and March 2023 jobs, small businesses (fewer than 500 employees) contributed a net increase of 11,774 jobs, or 67.7%.
Hidden inside each one of those 283,383 companies is a story of entrepreneurship, opportunity, innovation and perseverance. Here are two of them.
Superior Optical Lab, Ocean Springs
Founded in 1991 and based in Ocean Springs next door to Biloxi on the Gulf Coast, Superior Optical Lab is service-disabled veteran-owned small business owned by a U.S. Navy veteran with a history of partnering with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to provide affordable, high-quality eyewear to veterans and their families.
“Based in Ocean Springs, Superior Optical Lab operates one of the most technologically advanced wholesale optical laboratories in the United States,” said the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) in October 2024 when it announced a $12.4 million, 188-job expansion in Jackson County that adds 45,000 sq. ft. of production space. The county and MDA both are providing assistance for the building improvements.
“On behalf of all of our employees at Superior Optical Lab, I am extremely excited to be partnering with MDA and Jackson County to expand our business along Mississippi’s Gulf Coast,” said Superior Optical Lab President and CEO Derek Bodart. “I want to thank Governor Reeves and all of our senators and state representatives for their continued support. Superior looks forward to being able to offer employment opportunities to those in our community and further advancing our mission of providing high-quality eyewear to our many customers throughout the country.”
Asked how the company approached the investment decision, Tony Jones, the company’s vice president and COO, says by email, “At Superior Optical we have always worked diligently to ensure that we prepared to capitalize on any opportunities that are presented to us. As a result, we have expanded our lab production facilities and increased our capacity by adding the most technologically advanced eyeglass manufacturing equipment available on the market today. Our customers, which include the Veterans Administration (VA), Eyecare Professionals (ECPs) and various large corporations, can always count on Superior knowing that as their eyewear needs increase, we will be there to serve them.
“Both Jackson County and the state of Mississippi have been very supportive of our company which has allowed us to grow and hire employees in a way that may not have been possible in other states,” Jones says. “Prior to our expansion we had explored other locations including Florida, where Derek and I are both from, but we have grown to love Ocean Springs, its people and its business-friendly environment. We are in Mississippi to stay and look forward to contributing to the Mississippi economy for many years to come.”
Greenville Kearns Aerospace Maintenance, Greenville
In September 2024, Greenville Kearns Aerospace Maintenance announced it is investing $11.75 million and creating 31 new jobs at its aircraft maintenance operations in Greenville, located in the northern half of the state along the Mississippi River that forms the state line with Arkansas.
“GKAM specializes in aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul, as well as avionics/structure modifications, manufacturing, inspection and kitting for military and civilian aircraft,” MDA announced. “Since 2022, the company has leased a hangar at Mid Delta Regional Airport, where it previously committed to creating 250 jobs.”
Superior Optical Lab is expanding in Ocean Springs.
Photo courtesy of Superior Optical Lab, Inc.
That lease was signed for 20 years that year with the city of Greenville. In addition, the Greenville City Council approved a $15 million industrial revenue bond to renovate Hangar 450 to Department of Defense specifications.
The new project involves retrofitting two existing aircraft hangars to be used for aircraft painting, paint striping, hazmat capture and hazmat storage and containment. MDA said the new capabilities will make GKAM one of the largest aircraft depots in the U.S. and the largest veteran-owned small business in the U.S. The project is receiving assistance and support from MDA and its Mississippi Flexible Tax Incentive, or MFLEX, program; AccelerateMS and Washington County.
“By adding 31 new positions and working with Mississippi Delta Community College and South Delta Planning and Development District to develop a new Aviation Maintenance training program, the company is not only enhancing its own capabilities but also providing valuable career opportunities that will help drive economic growth in Greenville,” said AccelerateMS Executive Director Courtney Taylor.
GKAM President and CEO Ronnie Kearns said the expansion marks the start of an exciting chapter in the company’s history.
“Adding the strip and paint to our modification and maintenance capability will establish GKAM as one of the largest maintenance and depot facilities in the Southeast,” Kearns said last September. “Having the capacity to work up to six C-130 aircraft under roof simultaneously and now adding strip and paint to our capabilities make us a true competitor in the DoD aircraft maintenance space.”
Small Business Programs at the Ready
TThe Mississippi CDFI Small Business Loan Fund has been allocated $45 million to provide funds in the form of a loan to non-depository community development financial institutions to support lending to Mississippi small businesses and startups. In 2023 the U.S. Treasury Department and the Mississippi Development Authority announced the approval of Mississippi’s state plan for up to $86 million in funding under the American Rescue Plan’s State Small Business Credit Initiative. Mississippi operates four SSBCI programs to support small businesses and startups, including the loan fund, a loan guarantee program and two equity/venture capital programs. “Mississippi has tremendous momentum, and we are blessed with fantastic small businesses in every part of our state,” said Gov. Tate Reeves in 2024. “I look forward to seeing how these funds will help to build upon Mississippi’s record-breaking economic development success.”
The State of Mississippi’s Certified Minority Business Directory includes 621 records. Among the biggest employers are infrastructure contractor W&T Contracting Corporation in Olive Branch and Southaven; NVision Solutions in Diamondhead in Hancock County; and Golden Years Home and Adult Care in Marks in Quitman County. For more information, visit mississippi.org/minority-small-business/.
