ndustries found in Mississippi make impressions around the globe. Whether it's aerospace or automotive, plastics or steel, world-renowned companies are calling Mississippi home. The maritime industry, a powerhouse along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, is thriving too. Shipyards in the Gulf Coast region account for more than half of U.S. industry sales. From defense-based shipbuilding to the manufacturing of super-yachts fit for a king, Mississippi is home to some of the largest organizations in the business.
   The state's prime location, offering access to both the Gulf Coast and Mississippi River, has played a key role in the site selection process for some of the leading names in the industry. Two ports along the coast provide deep-water access to worldwide commerce – the Port of Pascagoula ranking in the top 20 ports in the U.S. for exports to foreign countries and the Port of Gulfport, the third busiest container port on the Gulf of Mexico. Situated on 204 acres with approximately 6,000 feet of berthing space, over 2.3 million tons of assorted goods such as fruit, paper, steel and aluminum are shipped through the Port of Gulfport each year.
   Trinity Yachts, centrally located in Gulfport, Miss., is one of the world's choice manufacturers of custom super-yachts taking advantage of Mississippi's location and access to important waterways. Housed on 38 acres of waterfront property, Trinity Yachts conducts all aspects of yacht-building in its facility. The designing, engineering, constructing and delivery of yachts up to 400 feet in length take place from the Gulfport facility year-round.
   Situated along the sparkling waters of the Gulf of Mexico, Jackson County is home to one of the Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding's three primary shipyards that produce more military class vessels than any other shipyard in the world. Aside from location and access to major waterways, the strong military presence is an asset to many shipbuilders locating to the area, as Pascagoula is home to Supervisor of Shipbuilding Pascagoula, a component of the Naval Sea Systems Command.
   Northrop Grumman continues to expand and modernize its Mississippi facilities, further strengthening its investment to the state. It has designated its Gulfport, Miss., operation as the composite manufacturing center of excellence. Together, the facilities produce U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard ships. The company is Mississippi's largest private employer with more than 11,700 workers, with a direct payroll of its Mississippi shipyards exceeding $425 million. In the last two years, Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding spent $200 million in subcontracting through Mississippi companies.
   V.T. Halter Marine, Inc., a subsidiary of Vision Technologies Systems, Inc., is another industry leader that has chosen the Mississippi Gulf Coast as its home. Specializing in Commercial, Defense and Energy Shipbuilding, V.T. Halter Marine is a full-service shipbuilding company with modern design, engineering, shipbuilding, program management and logistics resources. As a result, the organization constructs some of the world's most respected maritime products. From Pascagoula, Miss., V.T. Halter Marine has delivered over 3,000 vessels to commercial and government entities in 29 countries on five continents. V.T. Halter Marine's clientele includes Navies, Coast Guards, Special Operations Forces, National Energy Companies, Port Authorities and more.
   Rolls-Royce Naval Marine, one of the largest warship propeller manufacturers in the country, has a manufacturing facility in Jackson County, Miss. Being situated near Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding is an asset for the organization, but according to Rolls-Royce Executive Vice President Michael Ryan, Mississippi's workforce is a primary factor in the company's location. "We're not here because the state government offered us incentives, but because of the quality of the workforce. Everybody here wants to do a good job and our turnover is extremely low," said Ryan. "The willingness of the economic development team to strike the right deal while encouraging companies to settle in Mississippi is impressive. Their enthusiasm for working with Rolls Royce was fun to watch."
   Mississippi's 1.3 million-strong workforce has a low 3 percent absenteeism rate and only a 5 percent turnover rate. The state also has the fifth highest per capita of manufacturing workers in the country. Fifteen community colleges situated throughout the state provide workforce training.
   In addition, Mississippi's business climate is as hospitable as the residents of the state. Various programs provide income tax credits for job creation, investment, retraining of employees and research and development.
   Known to be one of the best in the U.S., the Mississippi Coast Foreign Trade Zone offers advantages for shipbuilders. It consists of more than 5,500 acres of industrial, port and airport properties.
   Mississippi's Maritime Industry benefits from the state's business climate, its mild weather, its workforce and its maritime research facilities.
   Trinity Yachts. Northrop Grumman. V.T. Halter Marine, Inc. Rolls-Royce Naval Marine. Find out what these trusted businesses have discovered for themselves. There is no better time to invest in Mississippi. For more information, visit www.mississippi.org or call 800.360.3323.