Mississippi Wins Three National Awards for Economic Development Accomplishments

JACKSON, MS - The state of Mississippi has been honored with a Gold Shovel Award by Area Development magazine. The national award honors Mississippi’s historic accomplishments in economic development throughout 2024. Additionally, Area Development named the $10 billion Amazon Web Services project as one of its Non-Manufacturing Projects of the Year, and the $1.9 billion Amplify Cell Technologies project as one of its Manufacturing Projects of the Year.

“Mississippi is making history, and the nation is taking notice,” said Governor Tate Reeves. “These awards are another testament to the special things happening across our state, like record-breaking private sector investment and the creation of thousands of high-paying jobs. From technology to manufacturing to aerospace, companies are choosing Mississippi because they know we deliver results. We’re building a stronger economy and proving that Mississippi’s momentum is real.”

The Shovel Awards are presented to “states that stand out for their ability to attract high-impact economic development projects.” Area Development’s top projects are “based on job creation, capital investment, diversity of industry, and each state’s overall economic strategy.” Based on the projects submitted by the Mississippi Development Authority, Mississippi won a Gold Shovel Award in the “under 3 million population” category.

Mississippi’s top job creation and/or investment projects contributing to winning a Gold Shovel Award include:

• Amazon Web Services: $10 billion investment, 1,000 jobs
• Amplify Cell Technologies: $1.9 billion investment, 2,000 jobs
• PCC Gulf Chem: $540 million investment, 84 jobs
• Liebherr: $238.4 million investment, 342 jobs
• Koch Foods: $145.5 million investment, 128 jobs
• Ashley Furniture: $79.4 million investment, 525 jobs
• Anduril Industries: $75 million investment, 60 jobs
• Aurora Flight Sciences: $43.8 million investment, 63 jobs
• Gulf State Canners: $40.8 million investment, 19 jobs
• Owl’s Head Alloys: $29.2 million investment, 68 jobs
• Rosedale Distilling Company: $23.1 million investment, 57 jobs
• Superior Optical Lab: $12.4 million investment, 188 jobs

“Under Governor Reeves’ leadership, Mississippi has become an economic development force to be reckoned with,” said MDA Executive Director Bill Cork. “Private-sector investment has skyrocketed to record levels, and Mississippi has raced to the front of the pack in technological innovation, paving the way for the dawn of the ‘Digital Delta.’ On top of that, Mississippi’s Power Play initiative is about to make this state a leader in American energy. This all means more jobs, more economic wins, and more national recognition.”

Area Development is a leading economic development publication covering site selection and facility planning. To view a complete list of the 2024 Shovel Award winners, visit: 20th Annual Area Development Gold and Silver Shovel Awards - Area Development.