As a crossroads of the South, Mississippi’s unparalleled logistics capabilities and central location make it a vital hub for transportation and commerce in the U.S. Via a comprehensive multimodal network of rail, highway, port and air, thousands of companies rely on Mississippi to move and store their products. Walmart, Sephora, Dollar General, Kellogg’s, Williams Sonoma and most recently Coca-Cola are among the many recognizable brands that have chosen to locate warehousing and distribution operations in the Magnolia State.
In February, Coca-Cola Bottling Company United broke ground on a new sales and distribution center in McComb. Backed by a $15 million investment, the company has selected a 12-acre site at Gateway Industrial Park off of Interstate 55.
The new McComb Coca-Cola Bottling Company facility is expected to be completed in 2025 and will employ 70 employees in the region. This location will serve as a hub to distribute products to customers and other Coca-Cola operations throughout southern Mississippi and parts of Louisiana.
During the groundbreaking ceremony, Rocky Weigand, director of Coca-Cola UNITED’s Gulf States Division, which includes McComb Coca-Cola and five other sales centers in Mississippi and Louisiana, said the new construction demonstrates the company’s long-term commitment to the city of McComb, Pike County and surrounding areas.
“For 122 years, our business has prospered on a strong foundation of family, service and community,” said Weigand “We’ve had significant growth over the past few years and this new construction shows our optimism for this market and the state of Mississippi for the future.”
A Dominant Force in Distribution
In 2022, Mississippi’s freight system moved 486 million tons of freight, valued at $329 billion. This impact is expected to dramatically increase in the coming years. “America’s Rolling Warehouses: Opportunities and Challenges with the Nation’s Freight Delivery System,” a report released by TRIP, a national transportation research nonprofit, estimates that freight moved annually by trucks in Mississippi is expected to increase 61% by weight and 118% by value from 2022 to 2050, the largest projected increase in the U.S.
In addition to outlining Mississippi’s growing dominance, the report detailed many of the challenges the logistics industry is currently facing. Although the volume and value of shipped goods have reached unprecedented levels, traffic congestion is driving up the cost of freight transportation and diminishing the economic competitiveness and efficiency of businesses that rely on dependable and affordable shipping.
Recognizing this issue, the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) has spared no time or expense on initiating projects to mitigate the obstacles companies are facing. In 2023, the agency received record levels of funding, nearly $2 billion, to improve the state’s infrastructure, including several capacity projects throughout the state.
Highway improvements underway in Lauderdale County.
Photo courtesy of the Mississippi Department of Transportation
Improvements All Around
In northern Mississippi, the eagerly awaited Corridor V project, officially designated as State Route 76, has opened to traffic in Itawamba County. The final segment of this $97 million initiative, connecting State Route 25 and State Route 23, was completed this year. This marks a crucial enhancement in the tri-state supply chain for auto manufacturers.
Additionally, Benton County will see a new roundabout at the intersection of U.S. 72 and State Route 7. Designed to accommodate wide loads, including semi-trailers, the roundabout will reduce conflict points, lower motorists’ speeds, and ultimately decrease severe and fatal crashes. This $7.8 million project is slated for completion in June 2024.
In western Mississippi, progress continues at the U.S. 82 Greenville Bypass, a new roadway running nine miles from State Route 1 to Leland in Washington County. The $137 million project is expected to be completed in 2025 and play a major role in growing the region’s economy.
“Every community in and around Washington County will benefit from this project with a safer roadway and the industry it will bring in right next to the Mississippi River,” said Mississippi Transportation Commission Chairman Willie Simmons in a statement. “From the standpoint of connectivity and economic development, it’s going to do great things for the Mississippi Delta region.”
In southern Mississippi, a significant $212.6 million project has commenced. State Route 57 is being widened from two to four lanes and a new alignment is under construction. The project is designed to reduce congestion and increase the roadway’s capacity.
While extensive, these projects encompass only a handful of the ongoing improvements MDOT is currently facilitating.
