< Previous8 MISSISSIPPI DEVELOPMENT GUIDE •In January, the annual Site Selectors Survey of Site Selection magazine rated Mississippi as having the seventh best business climate in the U.S. •Area Development magazine in 2024 ranked Mississippi No. 6 in Favorable Regulatory Environment and No. 8 in Site Readiness Programs. •Mississippi placed sixth in total number of National Career Readiness Certificates in 2024 and showed 14.47% improvement from 2023. •The State Tax Competitiveness Index placed Mississippi No. 6 in the nation in 2025 in corporate tax rates. •Business Facilities rated Mississippi No. 7 in 2024 for Best Corporate Tax Climate. Even as Gov. Reeves trumpeted these accomplishments, he made it clear that he was not done working to improve Mississippi’s standing. “Our goal is not statistics. Not dollars invested. Not even jobs created,” he said in his State of the State Address. “Our goal is families. We want Mississippi to be the best place in America to raise a family, to keep a family together, and to have your kids raise your grandkids. That is why we do it. But to make that possible, Mississippi must be the best state to build and grow a business.” Toward that end, Reeves delivered on one of his biggest promises when he signed into law a bill eliminating Mississippi’s individual income tax on March 27. Titled the “Build Up Mississippi Act,” House Bill 1 cuts the individual income tax rate to 3.0% by 2030, followed by future annual decreases until the rate falls to zero. Reeves also signed a bill that lowers taxes on groceries from 7% to 5%. “I have been immensely impressed with the efforts undertaken in Mississippi to improve their economic development competitiveness.” — Courtney Dunbar, Director of Site Selection, Burns & McDonnellMISSISSIPPI DEVELOPMENT GUIDE 9 $32 BILLION Impressing the Site Selectors “This is more than a policy victory,” Reeves said. “This is a transformation. From my days as lieutenant governor to my first campaign for this office – and every legislative session since – I have made this my mission. Because I believe in a simple idea: that government should take less so that you can keep more. That our people should be rewarded for hard work, not punished. And that Mississippi has the potential to be a magnet for opportunity, for investment, for talent – and for families looking to build a better life.” Influential site selectors took note. Courtney Dunbar, director of site selection for Burns & McDonnell in Omaha, said, “I have been immensely impressed with the efforts undertaken in Mississippi to improve their economic development competitiveness.” She cited the improvement in site readiness programs, educational attainment, and the eventual elimination of the personal income tax. Dunbar called these measures “notable changes” that “favorably impact employers and their workforce across the state,” adding, “This almost guarantees increased economic development opportunity in the coming years.” Reeves says he’s just getting started. “By staying true to our fiscally conservative principles, we’ve sent a message to America and the world that Mississippi is open for business,” he said. “We have what it takes to get your products to market, and we will always get the job done. That’s why since 2020, we have created tens of thousands of new jobs and an economy that works better for every Mississippian. The results have been felt across our state from North Mississippi to our Gulf Coast and everywhere in between. Make no mistake, something special is happening here and it’s something we should all celebrate.” Since the start of 2020, Mississippi has landed over $32 BILLION in new capital investment projects. Source: MDA10 MISSISSIPPI DEVELOPMENT GUIDE pend just 10 minutes listening to Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves explain his core philosophy for governing, and you quickly learn that he has several bedrock principles: lower taxes for citizens and businesses; remove barriers to workforce entry; raise academic standards; measure progress; hold leaders accountable; invest in site development; and work constantly to expedite speed to market for expanding companies. By adhering to these tenets, Reeves has remade the Mississippi school system and the Mississippi economy in just fi ve years. Recently, we caught up with the governor to ask him how he did it. Now that you have eliminated the personal income tax, what effect do you expect this new law to have on Mississippi? GOV. REEVES: This is a historic moment for Mississippi. Eliminating the personal income tax is truly a gamechanger for our state. It will result in a competitive advantage when competing for new economic development projects, and it will help us attract new private capital investment and additional residents. Eliminating Mississippi’s income tax puts us in a rare class of elite, competitive states. There are only a handful of states in the country that do not tax income. Mississippi is now one of them. Everyone keeps talking about the Mississippi Miracle and your state’s turnaround in public education attainment. How did Mississippi achieve this? GOV. REEVES: Mississippi is not making news — we’re making history. Our nation-leading education gains are just the latest example. In fact, our fourth- and eighth-grade NAEP scores are so good that even Vice President J.D. Vance talked about it on social media. While some states lowered standards, Mississippi did the by RON STARNER Cutting taxes, improving education and funding sites rebuilt Mississippi. How a Governor Engineered a State TURNAROUND INTERVIEW WITH THE GOVERNOR Gov. Tate Reeves spoke recently at SelectUSA. Photos courtesy of the Office of the Governor of MississippiMISSISSIPPI DEVELOPMENT GUIDE 11 complete opposite. When we passed the Literacy-Based Promotion Act in 2013, we said we’re not passing kids who aren’t ready, just to appease adults and make the coalition of the status quo feel better. Instead, we said that by the fourth grade, Mississippi students shouldn’t be learning to read, they need to be reading to learn. We took a lot of heat in 2013 for passing the Act, but it was the right thing to do. And that made the Mississippi Miracle possible. We also focused on phonics- based learning. Mississippi was ahead of the curve, and it paid off. We deployed literacy coaches to help teach the teachers on reading best practices. This was also huge for our state and made a tremendously positive impact. Site readiness has become a major issue in economic development. How is Mississippi competing with other states in this regard? GOV. REEVES: A few years ago, when I talked to business leaders from around the country, they asked about financial incentives. Today, I typically get two questions. They ask me about the quality of our workforce and about speed to market for their products. Now first, our workforce is fantastic. I believe it’s what is winning Mississippi so many great economic projects. Second, the key to winning the speed to market pitch is actively developing major sites across the state. One of my top priorities is to continue investing in project- ready sites across our state. We have to invest more to remain competitive and win new business. Project-ready sites are the lifeblood of economic development, and Mississippi will continue winning new business as long as they are available. By investing more toward site development, we will continue sending a message to the world that Mississippi is open for business. We’ve focused on site development, investing over $178 million in more than 70 sites across the state and adjacent to important labor and infrastructure connections. In November 2024, I announced over $110 million in new investment, which will primarily go toward developing more project-ready sites across the state. What is Mississippi’s Power Play — and how do you plan to position Mississippi as a leader in the energy economy? GOV. REEVES: I was proud to announce a new initiative: Mississippi’s Power Play. Its goal is to make Mississippi a leader in American energy. I want to tear down red tape, stimulate investment, and make Mississippi a model state for energy policy and investment. I want to see faster permitting, reduced financial risk, and strategic investment. Everything, and I mean everything, is on the table. Through Mississippi’s Power Play, we have the opportunity to: •Attract billions in new private sector investment. •Collaborate with our educational institutions to create curricula focused on energy technology and innovation. •Support startups and engage the community. •Research and develop advanced energy technology. •And collaborate with industry- leading technology companies to implement advanced energy solutions in Mississippi.12 MISSISSIPPI DEVELOPMENT GUIDE I was also proud to host a summit in Jackson with 28 energy CEOs and senior executives for a robust discussion about the future of energy in our state. This includes experts in the fields of: •Petroleum •Nuclear •Natural gas •Major and regional utility providers •Energy cooperatives •Private equity and venture capital •Energy infrastructure •State and federal government partners The goal of the summit was to better understand the barriers that may hinder the rapid planning and construction of new-generation and transmission-capacity projects, to learn how Mississippi’s utilities can take advantage of opportunities to promote innovation in grid management, energy efficiency, and the deployment of next-generation, AI-powered solutions, and how sources of energy and their deliveries should be integrated, balanced and — of course — prioritized in and for our state. Mississippi’s manufacturing sector saw the nation’s eighth highest increase in GDP in 2024. To what factors do you attribute that growth? GOV. REEVES: In Mississippi, we build stuff — real stuff — and we’re incredibly proud of our manufacturers. While some states gave up on manufacturing 20 years ago, Mississippi stood behind this important industry and the great work they do to fuel our economy. We’ve invested millions toward workforce development and in project-ready sites across our state. That’s made a massive difference. Manufacturers know Mississippians will get the job done. And they know that they can quickly relocate their operations to one of our many project-ready sites. Again, speed to market is key, and Mississippi is knocking it out of the park in that regard. When you took office as governor, it was your intent to follow a certain economic plan to promote growth and prosperity. Are there certain governing principles that you live by? GOV. REEVES: From Day One, I’ve made economic development and speed to market a priority. And that’s why 2024 — on so many levels — marks the most successful year in Mississippi history. We broke record after record and our economy roared. Billions of dollars were invested in our state, and thousands of jobs were created. Unemployment reached an all-time low, and Mississippi was top three in the nation for the fastest- growing economy and top four for the fastest-growing per-capita income in America. Since I’ve been governor, Mississippi has announced almost $35 billion in new private sector Gov. Reeves tours a plant in Mississippi.MISSISSIPPI DEVELOPMENT GUIDE 13 investment. Just last year, we finalized the single largest private sector investment in Mississippi history: the $10 billion Amazon Web Services project. In 2024, we also announced the single largest payroll commitment in state history — a $2 billion private sector investment by Accelera by Cummins, Daimler Trucks & Buses, and PACCAR that will create 2,000 jobs with an average annual salary of $66,000. That’s more than $130 million that will be paid out to Mississippians every single year. We also broke new ground on the largest private sector investment in the history of the Mississippi Delta — a $1.2 billion investment by Entergy to build the Delta Blues Advanced Power Station in Greenville. Once completed, this facility will generate enough energy to power 385,000 Mississippi homes. And just one month into 2025, we did it again. I was proud to help break ground on the new Compass Datacenters project: a $10 billion private sector investment for a new hyperscale data center in Meridian, which ties the AWS project for the largest project in the history of our state. The huge AWS win was called a game-changer by a lot of people. How has that win impacted your state since? GOV. REEVES: The $10 billion AWS project has had a remarkable ripple effect, and while it’s still under construction, thousands are already at work due to AWS choosing to locate in Mississippi. That project positioned Mississippi as a hub for cloud computing and machine learning, and others have taken notice — like Compass Datacenters, which is locating a data center complex in Meridian. The project will eventually mark $10 billion in new investments. And we have more exciting news coming down the pipeline. Yancey Engineered Solutions located in Batesville, where it will make aluminum and steel generator enclosures and fuel tanks to be used primarily by data centers. And Mississippi’s own Camgian — a software developer specializing in AI and machine learning — is expanding in Starkville. What is your message to CEOs and other business leaders who are watching this Mississippi renaissance from afar? GOV. REEVES: There’s never been a better time to invest private capital in Mississippi. We’ve done what it takes to build a strong workforce and improve speed to market for companies. Mississippi has what it takes to get your products to market, and our people will always get the job done, and done right. Let’s Break New Ground together. I encourage you to reach out to our team at the Mississippi Development Authority. “There’s never been a better time to invest private capital in Mississippi. We’ve done what it takes to build a strong workforce and improve speed to market for companies.” — Gov. Tate Reeves14 MISSISSIPPI DEVELOPMENT GUIDE hen your state lands a $10 billion data center investment in any year, it is considered a milestone achievement in economic development. When you land a deal that size in two consecutive years, it is considered monumental. That is exactly what happened in Mississippi, as the Amazon Web Services announcement of a $10 billion data center project in Madison County in 2024 was followed up early this year with a $10 billion data center investment announced by Compass Datacenters in Lauderdale County. The leader at the helm of this economic development work is Bill Cork, executive director of the Mississippi Development Authority. We recently caught up with Cork and asked him about these record-setting project wins and other endeavors underway at MDA. Under your leadership, Mississippi has improved its ranking in a number of key economic measures. Which of these performances do you believe tell the best story about your state’s economic progress in recent years? BILL CORK: Mississippi’s economic momentum is real, and our impressive numbers in recent years tell a compelling story. Under Gov. Tate Reeves’ leadership and in partnership with our local and private-sector stakeholders, we’ve made tremendous progress in creating a very pro- business environment where businesses want to invest and grow. One of the most compelling indicators of our success is the record-shattering level of new capital investment we’ve seen in recent years. In January 2024, we announced nearly $12 billion in new investments, and we kicked off 2025 much the same way as Compass Datacenters announced a $10 billion data center complex in East Mississippi. Since 2020, we’ve welcomed nearly $34 billion in new capital investments and more than 23,000 new jobs. These types of numbers, along with the thousands of jobs that go with them, draw the attention of global leaders potentially seeking a new location. They’re looking at Mississippi now, and they’re liking what they see. We have many MDA leader says the proof is in the projects and the good-paying jobs. by RON STARNER W ‘Mississippi’s Economic Momentum Is Real’ MDA LEADERSHIP INTERVIEW Bill Cork addresses the top economic development priorities for the State of Mississippi. Photo courtesy of MDAMISSISSIPPI DEVELOPMENT GUIDE 15 more projects in the pipeline that drive home that point. We’ve also moved up signifi cantly in economic development rankings. We were recently ranked the second-fastest growing economy in the U.S. We’re seeing a major shift in perception as companies take note of our success and want to be part of it. That speaks volumes about where we’re headed. What were your big takeaways from the recent Mississippi Power Play conference? BILL CORK: The inaugural Power Play summit brought many key players in the energy sector together. One thing that we knew going in is that Mississippi is well-positioned to become an energy leader. We have the utilities. We have the expertise, and we have what companies with signifi cant energy needs seek. With billions of dollars in new investments and tens of thousands of jobs in the pipeline, largely from energy- intensive projects, there’s an urgent need to expand energy production. This is crucial to meet rapidly growing demand and avoid risking future business opportunities. The summit prompted the understanding that Mississippi can meet this need by focusing on a diversifi ed energy portfolio to grow capacity on the grid. This includes advancing technologies like small modular reactors and decarbonized power generation with carbon capture utilization and storage. It also involves working with the federal government to streamline regulations to fast-track projects — evidenced by the U.S. Department of Energy’s participation in the summit — and, critically, developing a workforce ready and able to support these advancements and secure Mississippi’s future. Where does the massive AWS project in Madison County stand? How does that project validate the work of MDA? BILL CORK: The AWS project in Madison County is moving full steam ahead. Thousands are employed in construction jobs for the project, and we’re seeing steady progress toward this initial $10 billion investment coming full circle. Buildings are ready to be “plugged in,” and we are incredibly excited to see this come together so quickly. AWS isn’t just a win for Madison County. This is a project everyone in the state should be proud of. Its progress sends a clear message to the world that Mississippi is open for business, and we can make sure companies go from investing money to making money in record time. Securing a hyperscale cloud data center of this magnitude validates the strategic work of MDA to position our state as a highly competitive destination for investment. This project positioned Mississippi as a hub for AI and machine learning, and now other similar companies are showing up to learn more about the “Mississippi Momentum” and what we can off er them. Compass Datacenters is building a massive hyperscale data center complex to support its future tenants’ cloud and AI/ML workloads. So not only does securing the AWS project validate our work on this one project, but it also validates the fact that our investments in infrastructure, workforce development and pro-business policies are paying off . AWS choosing Mississippi affi rms that we’re not just in the game, but we’re in it to win it — and we’re knocking it out of the park. We have a talented team of economic developers and partners who work countless hours to bring these types of wins to our communities, and seeing them go from a concept to something tangible always validates the work we do day in and day out. Which state policy changes in recent years have had the biggest impact on your state’s economic development success? BILL CORK: Several key policy changes have made a real diff erence in Mississippi’s economic development success, but one of the most impactful is still the creation of our universal MFLEX tax rebate program. MFLEX is now our marquis incentive and what most companies locating here prefer. It gives us the fl exibility to compete for major projects by allowing them to tailor the program to meet their specifi c needs. That’s a big reason we’ve landed some of the largest investments in state history over the past two years. Additionally, AccelerateMS, our state’s workforce development offi ce, has been a game-changer since it was formed. By aligning training programs with the needs of high- demand industries, we’re not only preparing Mississippians for better-paying jobs, but 16 MISSISSIPPI DEVELOPMENT GUIDE companies can confidently invest here knowing that they’ll find the talent they need. The state’s also made smart investments in infrastructure and has prioritized reducing red tape that can hinder economic growth. Our Site Development Grant Program helps locals in preparing shovel-ready sites at industrial parks throughout the state. Companies prioritize speed to market, and being able to turn dirt as soon as they choose their ideal location in Mississippi is just one way we can help them start making money even faster. These proactive steps taken by our Legislature — combined with policy changes designed to make doing business here as seamless as possible — have helped Mississippi become a more competitive, business-ready state, and the results speak for themselves. You recently rolled out MDA’s new branding campaign: “Let’s Break New Ground.” What are the principal aims of this new campaign? BILL CORK: “Let’s Break New Ground” captures both the literal and figurative momentum we’re seeing across Mississippi. On one hand, we’re breaking ground on transformative projects — from high-tech data centers to advanced, high- tech manufacturing facilities — in communities all across the state. These are major investments that are creating jobs, revitalizing regions and reshaping Mississippi’s economic landscape. But it’s also about “breaking new ground” in how we think, how we compete and how we tell Mississippi’s story. It’s aspirational. We’re challenging outdated perceptions and redefining what it means to do business here. With a renewed focus on innovation, workforce and partnership, Mississippi is stepping into a new era, and this campaign is our invitation to the world to be part of it. We’ve received great feedback since we launched the campaign at the beginning of this year, and we are just getting started. The Delta Blues Advanced Power Station in Greenville is the largest private sector investment ever in the history of the Delta region. What does this say about that region and its future economic potential? BILL CORK: Entergy Mississippi’s Delta Blues Advanced Power Station is going to be a game- changer for the Mississippi Delta. While this is certainly a historical investment for the entire region, it also is another step toward making all of Mississippi power-ready so we can continue attracting energy-intensive projects that are bringing amazing opportunities to the state. Companies often don’t consider the Mississippi Delta for new projects, but the region is full of untapped potential. Entergy Mississippi and our economic development partners have known this for decades. This new power station positions the region as a future leader in energy and economic development. It will be a foundation to building a bold future for the economic development of the region. We are excited about what’s to come for the Mississippi Delta. Do you foresee any major changes happening in Mississippi on the workforce development front this year or next? BILL CORK: Dr. Courtney Taylor and the team at AccelerateMS, the state’s workforce development organization, are doing amazing work every day. Yes, we anticipate significant advancements in Mississippi’s workforce development landscape over the coming year. Our focus remains on expanding access to high-quality training and employment opportunities for all Mississippians, with particular attention to those who have been traditionally underserved. One of the state’s key initiatives is the Mississippi Reconnect program, which was “Through AccelerateMS and initiatives like the Mississippi Partnership, the state is aligning workforce training with industry needs, and programs like Mississippi Reconnect offer short-term, paid training pathways for adults entering high-demand fields.” — Bill Cork, Executive Director, Mississippi Development AuthorityMISSISSIPPI DEVELOPMENT GUIDE 17 introduced by Gov. Reeves and our partners at AccelerateMS to reengage unemployed and underemployed Mississippians. The program offers short-term training — typically up to eight weeks — in high-demand sectors such as advanced manufacturing, healthcare, information technology and construction. Participants receive tuition coverage and earn an hourly wage during training. Upon completion of the program, they are much more equipped to secure good-paying jobs. Additionally, lawmakers are exploring the implementation of a One Door policy after seeing its success in other states. The goal is to integrate workforce development and social services so that individuals have a single point of access to the resources they need to achieve self-sufficiency. A task force has been established to study this policy and develop recommendations for its adoption in Mississippi. The state also is investing in career and technical education at the high school level through programs like EquipMS. By modernizing and enhancing CTE programs across the state, Mississippi is better preparing students for success in high-demand industries and post- secondary education pathways. Mississippi has always been committed to providing companies with an available pipeline of skilled workers, and on the flip side, providing Mississippians with good jobs. Gov. Reeves and the team at AccelerateMS are integral to the economic development success we are experiencing across the state, and policies like these keep companies investing here and bringing opportunities to our communities. How is your state faring these days in talent attraction, retention and development? BILL CORK: Mississippi is making meaningful strides in talent attraction, retention and development. Through AccelerateMS and initiatives like the Mississippi Partnership, the state is aligning workforce training with industry needs, and programs like Mississippi Reconnect offer short-term, paid training pathways for adults entering high-demand fields. The jobs people want are coming to Mississippi by the thousands, and we are optimistic our existing and future workforce will want to stay here to make good money and have families. Overall, Mississippi is proactively working to build a more resilient workforce, and it is a goal that truly does require all-hands-on-deck. But we are well on the way to making Mississippi the top destination for investment and for talent. Bill Cork, second from right, listens intently as Gov. Tate Reeves outlines his vision for energy infrastructure for the State of Mississippi. Photo courtesy of MDANext >