Electronics DC Highlights
Other Mississippi Projects

Southaven, a northwest Mississippi suburb of Memphis, is the choice of Montreal-based Future Electronics for a new 250,000-sq.-ft. (21,400-sq.-m.) regional distribution center. The facility will be in the DeSoto Center Business Park. While the privately held, low-key company has released few details about the project, it reportedly chose Southaven after looking at several locations in the metro Memphis area. The $45-million facility will employ more than 200.
        Founded in 1968, Future Electronics distributes electronic components for companies such as Tyco and operates in 35 countries and employs 5,000.
        In Ecru, Ashley Furniture has expanded for the eighth time since the company located there in 1994. The company spent $10 million to build a 300,000-sq.-ft. (28,000-sq.-m.) distribution center, which will eventually employ 500. Ashley built the distribution center in Mississippi, rather than at its headquarters in Arcadia, Wis., when Wisconsin's Dept. of Natural Resources declined to grant a waiver to allow the company to build on wetlands property it owns. One of the largest furniture manufacturers in the U.S., the company makes products for the bedroom, living room and dining room.
        Another recent expansion is in Hernando in DeSoto County where Kawneer Co., part of Alcoa, spent $16 million to expand its facility and create 250 new jobs. The plant manufactures aluminum windows and door frames for the residential and commercial building trade.