The Affordability of Manufactured Housing in Mississippi
A core element in meeting supply and demand across state Mississippi’s housing landscape looks markedly different from most of the nation—and new data shows just how much. Manufactured homes account for 14% of all housing units in Mississippi, totaling roughly 189,600 homes statewide, according to a national analysis from StorageCafe. That gives the state the […]
New Economic Navigator Targets State
Delta Compass focuses on utilizing opportunity When Justin Burch looks over the Mississippi Delta, he sees two disconnects: a region rich in assets; and fertile farmland starved of the coordinated investment and strategic alignment needed to unlock its robust potential for economic growth. As CEO and board president of Delta Compass, Burch […]
Rochelle Hicks: Ambassador of Hospitality
Leading the way for the state’s official marketing organization As Rochelle Hicks traverses the famous bridges connecting Vidalia, Louisiana, and Natchez, Mississippi, she straddles two places she calls home. Growing up in Vidalia while attending Adams County Christian School in Natchez, then later moving to Natchez during high school, Hicks developed an early understanding […]
The Benefits of Amazon Investments
Data centers are creating manufacturing boom across the state Steven Rankin was running a one-truck portable restroom company when Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) announced its $10 billion Madison County project in January 2025. Today, Mighty Fresh—the company Rankin started just five years ago after selling Rankin Rentals—staffs both Amazon sites seven days a week, has expanded […]
How Three Southern States Quietly Built an Automotive Alliance
The untold story of MAGNET’s formation and what it means for Mississippi’s manufacturing future While governors made headlines announcing the Mississippi-Alabama-Georgia Network for Evolving Transportation (MAGNET) pact last August, the real story began three years earlier in quiet university offices and research labs across the Deep South. The initiative didn’t emerge from state capitols or […]
When Will Mississippi Get Rate Relief?
State juggling concerns over inflation while addressing the need for capital to sustain and continue development wins The Federal Reserve’s December 10 decision to cut rates by 0.25% marked a critical juncture for Mississippi businesses and homebuyers who have weathered elevated borrowing costs reshaping the state’s economic landscape. American economist Stephen Miran dissented, preferring […]
Building Cybersecurity Resilience
State and local organizations are helping businesses navigate digital threats Cybersecurity threats are hitting Mississippi businesses hard, with ransomware attacks, phishing schemes, and system breaches becoming increasingly common across the state. The impact can be devastating – lost sales, halted production, exposed client data, and recovery costs that can reach thousands of dollars. “Your whole […]
Mississippi Businesses Navigate a New Frontier with Technology
AI integration is being carefully implemented across the state C Spire stands as a testament to what Mississippi companies can achieve with artificial intelligence (AI). The telecommunications provider has integrated AI across customer service, network optimization, and operations, delivering substantial efficiency gains and cost savings. What distinguishes C Spire’s success is its investment in workforce […]
Meet Kevin Heard, Lead Deployment Technician, Amazon Web Services
Mississippi athletic standout returns to his roots to “coach” team members at AWS data centers Kevin Heard’s ability to jump over cars is legendary. So is his time as a professional football player. These days, he’s building a legacy in the Amazon Web Services (AWS) landscape. A Eupora native, Heard became a standout football […]
Tax Reform Legislation Tops 2025 Legislative Session Successes
Wine, seafood, e-cigarettes also factor into big picture The most significant tax reform legislation in state history was the marquee business event of the 2025 legislative session. Tax reforms, spelled out in the “Build Up Mississippi Act,” House Bill 1, and in concurrence with the 2022 income tax reform legislation, makes several significant changes to […]