< Previous68 M I S S I S S I P P I DE V E L OP M E NT G U I DE oming off a year of solid growth in the timber business, Mississippi ushered in 2021 in style in January when Biewer Lumber announced it would build a new $130 million sawmill and create 150 jobs in Winona. “The growth of companies like Biewer Lumber in Mississippi sends a strong message that our state has a supportive business environment and a skilled workforce,” Gov. Tate Reeves said. “Biewer Lumber’s construction and expansion of the sawmill in Newton and the construction of a new sawmill in Winona and the creation of these jobs is a testament to that fact.” A family-owned fi rm based in St. Clair, Michigan, Biewer operates a total of fi ve sawmills consisting of two in Michigan, two in Wisconsin and one in Newton, Mississippi. “My family’s passion for the lumber industry has prompted this expansion in the South,” said Tim Biewer, president and CEO of the company. “There is no better place to grow the business than the fi ber-rich state of Mississippi.” Biewer is not alone. All around the state, lumber companies are shelling out big bucks to expand their operations and increase the size of their workforce. Agribusiness is Mississippi’s largest employer, as nearly 30% of workers in the state work in this sector. Mississippi forests cover 19.6 million acres, comprising 65% of the state. Forestry-related jobs employ approximately one out of every four factory workers in the state; and the value of production for Mississippi’s No. 3 commodity, timber, tops $1 billion each year. Bud Reaves, division controller for Timber Products Company, spoke for many when he said: “Timber Products Company is very excited about expanding its operations in Corinth. This expansion is providing us with a more diversifi ed product off ering, allowing us to enter new markets, create new jobs and help protect existing jobs.” by RON S TA R N E R Lumbering Along T I M B E R & S A W M I L L S Biewer Lumber announced it would build a new $130-million sawmill and create 150 jobs in Winona in January. PHOTO: TATE NATIONS MISSISSIPPI DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY HOW MISSISSIPPI KEEPS CHURNING OUT NEW SAWMILLS.M I S S I S S I P P I DE V E L OP M E N T G U I DE 69 Timber Products Company is joined by such notable names as Weyerhaeuser, Georgia- Pacifi c and TimberCorp in Mississippi. Last year, the state landed signifi cant corporate facility expansion investments from Idaho Forest Group, Vicksburg Forest Products and Hankins Lumber. Idaho Forest Group announced last December that it would locate sawmill operations in Lumberton in Lamar County. The $120 million investment is expected to create up to 135 jobs. Based in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, IFG currently operates six sawmills and a fi nger-joint plant at locations in Idaho and Montana. IFG has the capacity to produce more than 1 billion board feet per year, making it one of the country’s largest lumber producers. Vicksburg Forest Products, meanwhile, announced last September that it would expand its lumber bill operations in Vicksburg. The $40 million investment creates 60 jobs. VFP fi rst purchased the Vicksburg sawmill in 2018. The plant underwent a large-scale modernization and now produces about 75 million board feet of Southern Yellow Pine lumber per year. The expansion will enable VFP to produce 180 million board feet of lumber annually. Finally, Hankins Lumber announced last November that it would expand its footprint in Grenada County by investing $12.5 million into a new sawmill and hiring 43 new workers. Hankins has operated in Grenada County for nearly half a century. The fi rm employs 140 workers at its existing facility there. The new facility will produce about 40 million board feet of lumber each year. Biewer operates a total of fi ve sawmills consist- ing of two in Michigan, two in Wisconsin and one in Newton, Mississippi. PHOTO COURTESY OF BIEWER LUMBER “My family’s passion for the lumber industry has prompted this expansion in the South. There is no better place to grow the business than the fi ber-rich state of Mississippi.” — Tim Biewer, CEO, B L70 M I S S I S S I P P I DE V E L OP M E NT G U I DE F O OD P R OD U C T ION he company has been operating in the Mississippi Delta for more than four decades, producing the widely recognized “Uncle Ben’s” rice products. But change is in the air, and Mars has listened and learned. After committing to a change that departed from the inequities associated with the name and face of the former brand, in May 2021 it debuted its new line of “Ben’s Original” products. “Ben’s Original™ is not just a name and packaging change — we believe everyone deserves to feel welcome, heard and have access to nutritious food,” said Rafael Narvaez, Global CMO and R&D offi cer, Mars Food. “That’s why we’ve committed to taking actions based on insights from thousands of consumers, as well as our own associates, that are designed to enhance inclusion and equity in service of our new brand purpose to create meals, experiences and opportunities that off er everyone a seat at the table.” “Today is a big moment for Ben’s Original™,” said Denis Yarotskiy, regional president, Mars Food North America. “We recognize we have much more work to do as we bring our new brand purpose to life to off er everyone a seat at the table. We remain committed to delivering this ambition.” Yarotskiy shared his perspective with us, casting further light on the business climate for Mississippi’s food companies and the community’s role as a model location for such meaningful change. Describe the company’s history of operations and continued investment in Mississippi. Denis Yarotskiy: We are very proud of our 40-plus-year history in Greenville, Mississippi. The factory opened in 1978, producing only conventional brown rice. Now, it’s home to hundreds of diff erent products across our Mars Food brands (including Ben’s Original and Seeds of Change) in a variety of formats for dry rice and ready-to-heat rice and grains. Over the years, we have continued to invest in both operations at the site — leading it to be the largest Mars Food factory in the world — and the Greenville community, with much more to come as part of our $2.5 million commitment over the next fi ve years to work toward an equitable future. The site’s location in the heart of the Delta means that we are close to where the majority of our rice is sourced and have built longstanding relationships with farmers, collaborating on critical priorities like developing and implementing more sustainable rice farming practices. It also means that most of our rice products sold in North America pass through the Greenville facility. Our investments in the manufacturing site — more than $200 million over our 40-plus-year history — have allowed us to expand production, including increasing our capacity signifi cantly in the last year following the installation of a state-of-the-art upgrade to our ready-to-heat line. MARS FOOD NORTH AMERICA IS TRANSFORMING. MISSISSIPPI IS THE PLACE THE COMPANY HAS CHOSEN TO TRANSFORM IN THE PROCESS. by A DA M BRU N S T Food for Thought PHOTO COURTESY OF MARS FOOD NORTH AMERICA72 M I S S I S S I P P I DE V E L OP M E NT G U I DE What are the Greenville area’s strengths and challenges in terms of regulatory/permitting environment, talent and skills, cost of doing business, logistics, infrastructure, supplier network, etc.? Yarotskiy: We chose Greenville as the home of our only U.S. Mars Food factory for many reasons — importantly, its proximity to rice farms throughout the Delta and strong support from the community and the city of Greenville. We regularly collaborate with Mayor Errick D. Simmons offi ce on a variety of topics, from infrastructure and site- related projects to pressing community needs and challenges. When we began work on the Ben’s Original rebrand last year, we fi rst engaged with the mayor’s offi ce and key local stakeholders (elected offi cials and community thought leaders) who have been instrumental in helping us develop appropriate plans to evolve our global brand while focusing on the community in which we operate. We will continue to work with the mayor and other partners (nonprofi t and companies) as we solidify our plans to work toward an equitable future by enhancing educational opportunities for area students, as well as furthering access to healthier foods for area residents. You have chosen the Greenville area to be the model for the company’s approach to inclusiveness and equity. Describe the deliberate process you have gone through since your brand change announced last June, and how you hope to roll things out in Mississippi and more broadly within Mars. Yarotskiy: As part of our rebranding and to bring to life the brand purpose of creating opportunities that off er everyone a seat at the table, Mars Food committed to investing $2.5 million over the next fi ve years in the local Greenville community to work toward an equitable future by enhancing educational opportunities for area students, as well as furthering access to healthier foods for area residents. In January of this year, Kyla Washington joined our Corporate Aff airs team as Mars Food’s fi rst-ever Community Engagement Offi cer (based in Greenville). Kyla has deep roots in Greenville, Mississippi. She grew up in Greenville, attended Greenville Weston High School before attaining her bachelor’s degree from Mississippi State University and is currently working on her MBA in Public Administration at Belhaven University. Most recently, Kyla worked as the executive assistant and PR director for the City of Greenville, where she was key in ensuring an ongoing collaborative partnership between the city, Mayor Errick D. Simmons and Mars Food. Since joining us, Kyla has been immersing in conversations and listening to the community, stakeholders and our Associates to determine the investment strategies that will positively and sustainably impact Greenville. She will continue to strengthen relationships with existing community partners — including Hearty Helpings Food Pantry, Boys and Girls Club of Washington County, Washington County Economic Alliance — and area junior colleges to upskill local talent, including training programs and job fairs. PROJECT ROUNDUP: FROM CATFISH TO ZOMBIE BRAIN-JUICE There’s no shortage of food companies operating and growing in Mississippi. Go to any of the 11 Penn’s Restaurant locations surrounding Jackson and you can get a fried or grilled catfi sh Dinner #1 featuring fi sh farmed at Superior Catfi sh, a previously 140-job company which recently expanded with a 25-job, $17 million investment in Macon. Oregon–based Asian and ethnic specialty frozen food manufacturer and marketer Ajinomoto North America not long ago made a $27.3 million, 76-job investment in Oakland, in Yalobusha County, raising its head count to 450. Wayne Farms is investing $16.9 million and adding 200 jobs at its poultry production facility in Laurel, bringing employment to 550. Brewery Lazy Magnolia not only shifted to hand sanitizer production during the pandemic (which added jobs instead of subtracting them), but installed a new canning line to boot. The oldest brewery in Mississippi also formed new partnerships. One was with Texas-based Richard’s Rainwater to introduce the company’s line of packaged rainwater in bottles and cans — after all, the Mississippi Coast records around 5 inches of rain a month. Another was with Connecticut-based Avery’s Sodas, which has been making soda for more than 100 years. Lazy Magnolia packages varieties of Avery’s Totally Gross Sodas known for colorful names like Unicorn Yack and Zombie Brain-Juice. Meanwhile, one of Lazy Magnolia’s newest beers has a name just right for 2021: “New Normal.”M I S S I S S I P P I DE V E L OP M E N T G U I DE 73 H E AL T H C AR E or decades, Mississippi has been a strategic stronghold for many life sciences, biotechnology and healthcare firms. Pioneering research conducted in the state has lead to innovations in organ transplants, nanotechnology and more. In addition to the state’s strong business climate, Mississippi’s robust healthcare workforce is bolstered by two medical schools, five four-year institutions with nursing schools, and many healthcare occupational programs. Thanks to the state’s accessibility and deep talent pool, Spectra Laboratories, a wholly owned subsidiary of Fresenius Medical Care North America, is building a new 200,000-sq.-ft. lab in Southaven. The project is expected to create more than 300 new jobs in the first few years, with the new facility expected to become fully operational later this summer. Fresenius Medical Care North America (FMCNA) is a leading provider of kidney care products and services for individuals with chronic renal conditions. Spectra Laboratories offers renal-specific laboratory services, using state-of-the-art equipment, automated specimen processing and reporting applications. At Spectra’s new build-to-suit facility, which will be located in the Stateline Business Park, employees will conduct comprehensive testing, analysis and reporting to ensure the best possible outcomes for patients. “We serve more than 200,000 patients with kidney disease across the U.S, so it was important for us to find a central location, near major transportation hubs like FedEx that could provide the fastest possible results for the Western part of the country,” said Ines Dahne- Steuber, President of Spectra Laboratories, and SVP of Operational Excellence for FMCNA. “The Southaven area is clearly developing rapidly with a strong workforce needed to run our advanced laboratory equipment. Our new Southaven lab will enable us to better accommodate long- term needs by introducing state- of-the-art automation capabilities while expanding our footprint to be closer to some of our higher- volume markets. “Throughout the selection process, we reached out to state and regional leaders in Mississippi. Their excellent support and partnership were key deciding factors in our site selection. We are excited to further invest in providing a state-of-the-art healthcare facility and being an employer of choice in the rapidly growing Southaven area.” The Mississippi Development Authority is assisting with workforce training and site improvements. MDA also is supporting the project through the Advantage Jobs and Healthcare Industry Zone Incentive programs. The city of Southaven is assisting with a new traffic signal, and the city and DeSoto County are providing partial property tax exemptions to Spectra Laboratories. MISSISSIPPI’S STRONG HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY DRAWS NATIONAL LEADERS TO LOCATE IN SOUTHAVEN. by S AVA N N A H K I NG F Hub for Healthcare Ines Dahne-Steuber PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES74 M I S S I S S I P P I DE V E L OP M E NT G U I DE “The local economic development team and government offi cials have been tremendous partners and helpful throughout the process,” said Dahne-Steuber. “Southaven is growing and provides an exciting area for business with access to a major metro area with great transportation options and a talented workforce. We are excited to become part of this growing business community.” STRATEGIC DISTRIBUTION IN NORTH MISSISSIPPI Also in Southaven, Medline Industries Inc., a healthcare business specializing in manufacturing and distributing medical supplies, recently opened its new distribution operation. The $46-million investment also brings 450 new jobs in the North Mississippi region. Southaven has several ideal attributes for the company’s new, larger warehouse facility that will accommodate continued growth, including convenient access to the Southeastern U.S. market, a quality local workforce and high quality of life. Medline’s existing employees in Memphis will fi ll a portion of the new jobs at its new Southaven location, with a large number of jobs being created for Mississippi residents. “We are looking forward to being an active part of the new Southaven community,“ said Dmitry Dukhan, vice president of Real Estate Operations for Medline. “It‘s an ideal location for a distribution hub for our larger mid- south distribution territory and enables us to expand our presence as a local employer. We are grateful to all of the people and offi cials in Southaven, the county of DeSoto and the state of Mississippi who have recognized the potential of this project for both local residents and healthcare throughout the region.“ The Mississippi Development Authority is assisting with equipment relocation and infrastructure needs, including the extensions of a potable water line and an access road. The city of Southaven and DeSoto County is helping with the project, as well. ZIMMER BIOMET GROWS IN OLIVE BRANCH In October 2019, leading medical device manufacturer and supplier Zimmer Biomet announced it would locate a new facility in Olive Branch and create 100 new jobs. The Indiana-based company leased a 120,000 sq. ft. facility from where it will distribute its products to medical facilities worldwide. “Zimmer Biomet is excited to locate this important distribution facility in Olive Branch where we can leverage great shipping logistics and a highly qualifi ed local workforce,” said Zimmer Biomet Director of Operations Josh Stapleton. “We appreciate the support of the Mississippi Development Authority and local leaders to encourage this expansion.” HEALTHCARE ECOSYSTEM SPURS GROWTH Louisiana-based Westport Linen began operations in Greenville in December, representing a $5.8 million corporate investment expected to create 75 jobs and retain another 75 existing jobs. Headquartered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Westport Linen purchased Broadway Linen Services in Greenville and will modernize the facility with three new manufacturing lines, allowing the company to process larger volumes of healthcare linens. The Greenville location also allows for greater optimization of Westport Linen’s supply chain network, reaching Arkansas, northern Alabama and southwest Tennessee. Westport Linen currently serves the healthcare industries in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas through three modern plants, which combined are capable of processing more than 82 million pounds of healthcare linens per year. “We are extremely excited and fortunate to work with the city of Greenville, Washington County and the Mississippi Development Authority. Our commitment is in creating a consistent job base that allows the employees to grow and excel in all facets of their careers,” said Westport Linen CEO and Founding Member Eddie Lefeaux. “Our investment in technology and the latest equipment will ensure that we are here for the long term. Our clients will soon see that reliability and dependability with our products and services.” MDA is providing assistance for workforce training. Westport Linen also qualifi es for the Growth and Prosperity Program, which designates specifi c counties as GAP counties and provides income, franchise, sales and property tax incentives to companies that locate or expand in these areas of Mississippi. The program is designed to encourage development in economically challenged areas of the state.M I S S I S S I P P I DE V E L OP M E N T G U I DE 75 T OU R I S M hile Mississippi — like many other states — experienced a slow in tourism as one of the many impacts of COVID-19, the tri-county area of Coastal Mississippi has seen successes and growth in the past year. It’s one of the highest-performing destinations in the nation in 2020. While nationally, room demand was down 35% between December 2020 and February 2021, Coastal Mississippi only saw a decrease of 15.5%. Additionally, Coastal Mississippi’s occupancy only decreased by 9.9%, compared to the national average decrease of 33.3. We recently spoke with Milton Segarra, CEO of Coastal Mississippi, about the region’s robust tourism sector and what comes next as the region heals from the pandemic’s eff ects. What might people be surprised to learn about the Coastal Mississippi area? Segarra: As travelers seek to discover new experiences, cultures, lifestyles, cuisine and places, regularly using terms such as “hidden gem,” “undiscovered,” and “unexpected,” Coastal Mississippi — The Secret Coast is perfectly poised to surprise and delight as a region that off ers all the relaxation, adventure, space to roam, and variety that travelers want without the overexposure that they don’t. The Secret Coast’s temperate climate, along with its astounding natural beauty and rich, unique culture, makes for the perfect year-round destination. There is an incredible amount to do, see and experience across Coastal Mississippi’s 12 beautiful coastal communities: from outdoor activities, such as kayaking, boating, fi shing and hiking, to a wide variety of attractions, museums, festivals, world-class gaming and championship golf courses. When it comes to food, this is the place to be! From quaint coastal seafood spots to fi ne dining, we’ve got it all. In short, Coastal DESPITE TOURISM SLOW DOWN, COASTAL MISSISSIPPI CONTINUES TO DRAW A CROWD. Coastal Mississippi’s Banner Year T OU R I S M Biloxi’s MGM Park is home to the Double-A Biloxi Shuckers baseball team. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE MISSISSIPPI DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY W by S AVA N N A H K I NG76 M I S S I S S I P P I DE V E L OP M E NT G U I DE Mississippi checks all the boxes: great food, great weather, great prices, great people, and a great way of life. How has the region’s tourism sector fared since the start of the pandemic? Segarra: Tourism is the lifeblood of Mississippi’s tri-county coastal region. While the impact of COVID-19 has inarguably been indelible, Coastal Mississippi has nonetheless seen successes and growth in the past year. Mississippi was the top travel spending market in the U.S. in 2020, and Coastal Mississippi accounts for one-third of the state’s tourism employees, expenditures and taxes. This places Coastal Mississippi as one of the highest performing destinations in the nation last year. Thanks to state leadership and unwavering dedication displayed by the Coastal Delegation, Coastal Mississippi was awarded $3.4 million from the Tourism Recovery Fund, providing the tools and resources needed to drive visitor de- mand and fuel recovery for the community. Ad- ditionally, Coastal Mississippi will be receiving a $2 million CARES Act Recovery Assistance Grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration. These valuable resources will help support and further the strategic redevelopment and revitaliza- tion of the region in response to the damaging impacts left by the coronavirus pandemic. With continued prioritization of the health and safety of the tourism and hospitality industry, Coastal Mississippi is confi dent that this grant will provide a strong return on investment, leading to an increase in visitors and economic activity along The Secret Coast. In collaboration with community leaders, industry professionals, health care partners and research initiatives, Coastal Mississippi created the Coastal Mississippi Recovery Plan to con- tinue the momentum built prior to COVID-19 and ensure a strong economic future. This plan is based on the following framework: Consumer sentiment and intent to travel; The readiness of the destination for tourism; Input from partners and stakeholders, and Industry and competi- tive analysis. Are visitors starting to return for vacations and/or conferences and events? Segarra: Coastal Mississippi is perfectly poised to welcome visitors to a destination with an abundance of safe, enjoyable adventures, small coastal communities off ering unique experiences, plenty of space to roam, and Southern hospitality at its fi nest. In fact, our research shows that intent to visit Coastal Mississippi ranks higher than Pensacola, Gulf Shores/Orange Beach, Baton Rouge and Lake Charles over the next 18 months. The Beau Rivage Resort and Casino in Biloxi PHOTO COURTESY OF THE MISSISSIPPI DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY SOURCE: MISSISSIPPI DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITYby S AVA N N A H K I NG 1. Aff ordability: Mississippi off ers the lowest cost of living out of all 50 states. According to U.S. News & World Report, the state’s average cost of living index is 84.10. The U.S. average cost of living index is 100. Housing is aff ordable as well, with an average price of $252,725. 2. Higher Education: Mississippi is home to some of the best public universities in the country, including four renowned research institutions, one medical school and several public- private research and development partnerships across the state. Mississippi’s 15 community and junior colleges provide the state’s workforce with a wide variety of education and training programs. TO THE HOSPITALITY STATETO THE HOSPITALITY STATE SEVEN REASONS LIFE IS BETTER IN MISSISSIPPI. Barnett Reservoir in Ridgeland is a popular waterway for boaters and kayakers. ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF MISSISSIPPI DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Q U A L I T Y O F L I F E M I S S I S S I P P I DE V E L OP M E N T G U I DE 77Next >