FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 10th, 2022
HATTIESBURG, Mississippi – Governor Tate Reeves announced today that the I-59 Supply Chain Park located along I-59 at the Hattiesburg-Laurel Regional Airport was awarded a $3.4M grant from the Mississippi Development Authority’s Site Development Grant – Select Sites Program. This grant money will be used to further develop the I-59 Supply Chain Park to make the area more attractive for distribution and logistics projects. The improvements to the Park will include sanitary sewer system capacity upgrades, grading, building pad preparation, and building out intersection modifications to Terminal Drive.
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The I-59 Supply Chain Park is a part of an interlocal agreement between Forrest County and Jones County. For several years the counties have partnered together in an effort to make the Park more developable to attract new companies to the area. The counties came to an agreement to equally share the development costs and also share the general tax revenue generated from the developments in the Park. This strategic partnership between the two counties positions the Park for continued growth and regional success.
To date, Ashley Furniture, NoTrax, and Flowers Bakery are currently located in the Park, with a FedEx Ground facility currently under construction. The grant money awarded will allow for the I-59 Supply Chain Park to make additional improvements to further prepare the site for new development opportunities. These improvements along with efforts made by local officials will allow the I-59 Supply Chain Park to become a logistics hub for the Gulf South region.
The success of the I-59 Supply Chain Park is a result of collaboration between both the Forrest County Board of Supervisors and the Jones County Board of Supervisors and the Hattiesburg- Laurel Regional Airport Authority. These efforts would also not be possible without support from local utility allies including Cooperative Energy, Dixie Electric Power Association, and Spire Energy. The Area Development Partnership and Economic Development Authority of Jones County serve as joint project leads for economic development projects in the Park. Each of these key partners has worked closely together over the years to develop the I-59 Supply Chain Park into what it is today.
With the grant money awarded from the Site Development Grant – Select Sites Program, continued site development will take place at the I-59 Supply Chain Park, which will further prepare the Park for new economic development projects.
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The Hattiesburg-Laurel Regional Airport (PIB) serves a ten-county region from its convenient location just off Interstate 59 between Hattiesburg and Laurel and is South Mississippi’s gateway to the world. The Airport offers both commercial and general aviation services. In addition, the Airport offers an attractive on-site Business Park.
The Economic Development Authority of Jones County (EDA) is a public-private partnership. Established by a special act of Mississippi Legislature in 1983, the leadership of EDA is provided by a twenty-two member volunteer Board of Directors. Thirteen board members are appointed directly by the county, cities, and towns within Jones County, Mississippi. Nine board members are elected by the membership, with nominations received annually. Ten board members serve on the Executive Committee. An Advisory Committee composed of twenty business and civic leaders meets with the Board of Directors monthly to provide counsel and expertise.
The Area Development Partnership (ADP) serves as the regional Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development organization in Greater Hattiesburg, MS. The ADP’s mission is to stimulate economic growth and enhance the well-being and quality of life for all area citizens. For more information, contact the ADP at 601.296.7500 or visit www.theadp.com
ADP Contact: Todd Jackson
Executive Vice President
Area Development Partnership
t.jackson@theadp.com
601.606.6479
HLRA Contact: Tom Heanue
Executive Director
Hattiesburg-Laurel Regional Airport
tom.heanue@flypib.com
601.545.3111
EDA of Jones County Contact: Ross Tucker
President & CEO
Economic Development Authority of Jones County
rosst@edajones.com
601.842.9771
