Jackson County, Mississippi
Strength
Our strength is built on the diversification of our business and industry.
View Our Economic Dashboard
$80,129
Average
Manufacturing Wage
68,000+
Jackson County
Labor Force
40%
More Residents with
Transferable Skills
Jackson County, Mississippi
Strength in
Location
- Operated by Jackson County Port Authority
- Only county with two-deep water ports of 42 feet
- CSX (class one) and Mississippi Export Railroad (short line) with connections to Canadian National (CN), Norfolk Southern (NS) and the Kansas City Southern (KCS)
- Trent Lott International Airport and adjoining aerospace park
- Close proximity to I-59, I-10, and I-65
- Located approximately 26 miles from Gulfport Biloxi International Airport and approximately 42 miles from Mobile Regional Airport
- Map View:
- Jackson County Map
- Workforce Commuting Map
Why Jackson County, Mississippi?
- Home to engaged corporate partners, including flagships of industry Ingalls Shipbuilding, Bollinger, Chevron, Rolls Royce, and Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems
- Jackson County has unmatched workforce credentials, including 4 U.S. Department of Labor-approved apprenticeship programs, and is home to top-performing Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
- Cohesive local leadership among the county and 4 different municipalities
- Robust public education offerings from pre-K through university
- A labor force of 68,000+
- Forward-thinking JCEDF board and executive leaders
- Economic development that balances industry with nature
- Vibrant downtowns, miles of coastline, and outdoor activities
- Diverse economic opportunities in tourism, healthcare, manufacturing, and more
Passion, Purpose, Paycheck (P3)
Jackson County is dedicated to ensuring that every high school student has the opportunity to develop a post-graduation program that leads to employed, enrollment, enlistment. Watch our P3 testimonials below.
Strength in
Industry
A few major employers:
- Chevron Pascagoula Refinery
- Ingalls Shipbuilding
- Bollinger Shipyards
- Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems
- ST Engineering Halter Marine and Offshore, Inc
- Rolls Royce Naval Marine
- Robust supplier community such as Jamestown Metal and Precision Products
- A diverse collection of advanced manufacturers
Aerospace
Northrop Grumman conducts both manufacturing and final assembly of manned and unmanned platforms including F-35 subassembly and Unmanned High Altitude Long Range Endurance (HALE) platforms at its Jackson County facility. These cutting-edge aerospace system careers support the United States and its global allies.
Shipbuilding
Shipbuilding is Jackson County’s premiere industry cluster, as Ingalls Shipbuilding (a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries) and Halter Marine (a subsidiary of ST Engineering) have operations here. With 11,500 employees, Ingalls is the largest manufacturing employer in Mississippi and a major contributor to the economic growth of Jackson County. Ingalls builds more classes of ships than any other shipyard in America. Ingalls is the builder-of-record for the Aegis DDG 51 class guided missile destroyers, LHA 6 class large deck amphibious ships, National Security Cutters for the U.S. Coast Guard and the sole builder of the Navy’s fleet of San Antonio (LPD 17) class amphibious assault ships. Halter Marine, Inc. is a subsidiary of ST Engineering. It specializes in ship design and construction and serves both public and private clients, including the United States Department of Defense. Halter Marine is a modern and progressive shipbuilder that uses cutting-edge technologies to design and build the world’s highest-quality maritime products. The U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Navy have awarded the contract for the Coast Guard’s next-generation heavy icebreaker to Halter Marine.
Other related companies include STEHMO, an affiliate of Halter Marine, which provides services to ships, drilling rigs, and other marine vessels, and Rolls Royce Naval Marine, which manufactures propellers and propulsion components for Naval surface combatants and submarines.
Research + Development
Research and development in Jackson County includes activities related to innovating and offering new products and/or services to improve existing offerings. Mississippi State University’s R&D of unmanned aerial systems and agriculture food systems are present in the county at various locations. Additionally, MSU plans to construct the Northern Gulf Aquatic Food Research Center at Sunplex Light Industrial Park for further R&D and technology transfer opportunities. The University of Southern Mississippi – Gulf Coast Research Laboratory (GCRL) is a marine/coastal research and education enterprise located in Ocean Springs. The GCRL focuses on sustainable coastal and marine resources, the development of new marine technologies, and the education of future scientists and citizens. In addition to these public universities, there are also private sector-led R&D activities happening within the county, including at RespirTek Environmental Laboratory, an accredited environmental and biotechnology testing laboratory.
Advanced Manufacturing
Advanced manufacturing is an established, high-growth sector in Jackson County. Decades of manufacturing expertise, one of the state’s best workforce delivery systems, and highly competitive incentives have long positioned Jackson County at the epicenter of the U.S. manufacturing renaissance. Advances in manufacturing have enabled our economy to continuously improve as new technologies and innovations increase productivity and enable new products. Companies like American Baitworks Co., a polymer injection company; Superior Optical, a specialty eyeglasses manufacturer for the U.S. Veterans Affairs system; Ferson Technologies, an optical glass lens, coatings, and components manufacturer; Sulphur Operations Support, a manufacturer of proprietary sulfur protection systems; and Wade Tile, a granite countertop manufacturer, are located in Jackson County’s Sunplex Light Industrial Park.
Chemicals, Oil + Gas
The Chevron Pascagoula Refinery, the company’s largest wholly-owned refinery, located on the Port of Pascagoula processes gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, chemicals, and premium base oil. Jackson County’s existing assets including rail and deep-water port access offer tremendous opportunities for companies manufacturing products or delivering services to the energy industry.
Strength In
Environmental Sustainability
Jackson County has STRENGTH in sustainability. We take pride in balancing our environmental assets with our industrial assets to help sustain and maintain the beauty of our natural environment.
In The Media
Get Social
With tax season in full swing, did you know that Jackson County has the 4th highest average income tax return payment in the state? This highlights the benefits that our residents receive, positively impacting the growth of the local Jackson County economy.
Congratulations to the Mississippi Export Railroad Company as they recently accepted Railway Age’s 2024 Short Line of the Year Award at the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association Annual Conference in Kansas City, Missouri. The company's achievement reflects their commitment to growth, demonstrated through initiatives such as turning around aging infrastructure, boosting industrial development, and forming strong partnerships with both current and new customers. Read more at www.railwayage.com/freight/short-lines-regionals/mse-wle-eirr-accept-railway-age-awards/
Singing River Healthcare Academy has been named Apprenticeship Ambassadors by the US Department of Labor! ![]()
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Singing River Healthcare Academy is all about empowering talent and fostering diversity in Registered Apprenticeship. Join them as they make waves in the healthcare workforce, shaping a brighter future for industries and individuals alike! ![]()
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➡️ To learn more about this initiative, visit singingriverhealthsystem.com/careers/healthcareacademy/![]()
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➡️ To learn more about Singing River Healthcare Academy, visit their Life page: SingingRiver.info/LI-HCA
