Miss. to build on economic strengths

Brent Christensen, Mississippi Development Authority’s executive director, foresees the state in 2015 to continue to build on its economic strengths. MDA expects the state to reap the rewards of several large projects that begin production in the coming year. MDA is targeting seven industries in the state for growth: aerospace, advanced manufacturing, agribusiness, automotive, energy, healthcare and shipbuilding sectors. McDermott International plans to locate a pipeline operation at the Port of Gulfport expected to create 100 jobs, in addition to longshoremen who will be employed while vessels are at port. McDermott represents the first major jobs announcement of the Port of Gulfport Restoration Project. (Source: Mississippi Business Journal, 12/30/14) Central Mississippi Note: Mississippi is also home to aerospace companies Rolls-Royce, Raytheon, SpaceX, GE Aviation (Batesville), Airbus Helicopters (Columbus), Northrop Grumman, Aurora Flight Sciences (Columbus), ATK’s Aerospace Structures (Iuka), Stark Aerospace (Columbus). Another major asset is the Stennis Space Center in Hancock County.