Advanced
Manufacturing
A skilled workforce and a business-friendly climate keeps the manufacturing momentum growing in Rankin County, Mississippi.
Rankin County and the Jackson, Mississippi MSA have a long history as a choice destination for domestic and global manufacturing companies. From automotive to aerospace, agribusiness and consumer goods, advanced manufacturers in Rankin County and the Jackson Metro make and distribute products and enhance the lives of people around the nation and globe.
Manufacturing companies in Mississippi continue to grow and expand due to the state’s business friendly climate. The state, local governments and area partners offer a variety of business incentives and resources to support the needs of the manufacturing industry. Mississippi’s success is related to a pro-business climate, low taxes, a skilled and growing workforce, access to incentives and resources, strong existing infrastructure and ideal geographic location – with more than 60% of major population centers within a one day’s drive.
The state benefits combined with Rankin County’s regional assets, including an educated and available labor force and steadily growing population, make us the perfect location for the manufacturing industry and ensures businesses are able to thrive.
Advanced Manufacturing Industry Call-Out Stats
10,000+
Rankin County’s high concentration of manufacturing operations accounts for over 30% of Jackson, MS MSA’s manufacturers
2.8%
125 manufacturing operations in Rankin County
14.4%
Nearly 400 manufacturing operations in the Jackson, MS MSA
Top Advanced Manufacturing industry growth over the past decade
- Poultry Processing
- Light Truck and Utility Vehicle Manufacturing
- Switchgear and Switchboard Apparatus Manufacturing
| Top 5 Manufacturing Occupations in the MSA | Employment | Average Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Team Assemblers | 3,064 | $36,500 |
| Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters & Trimmers | 1,194 | $28,000 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, & Material Movers, Hand | 856 | $32,300 |
| First-line Supervisors of Production & Operating Workers | 798 | $63,000 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers & Brazers | 645 | $40,200 |
Manufacturing Industry Stats
While Rankin County’s manufacturing industry employs 4,257 individuals, there is still a high concentration of manufacturing employees living in the greater region (6,136). This demonstrates a local talent pool of people willing to commute out of the county for work, giving employers the advantage of locating within the region and offering competitive wages.
| Employment | Employment Growth (Past 10 Years) | Average Annual Wage | Average Annual Wage Growth (Past 10 Years) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rankin County | 4,257 | 0.8% | $61348 | 3.2% |
| Jackson, MS MSA | 19,954 | 1.3% | $60,598 | 2.8% |
| Rankin County Laborshed (45-Min Drive Time) | 28,460 | 0.5% | $50,876 | 2.4% |
| Mississippi | 148,245 | 0.7% | $54,817 | 2.6% |
Talent Pipeline
700
With workforce training programs in place with regional colleges and universities awarding nearly 700 manufacturing degrees and certificates each year, companies are ensured their labor demands are met.
Five higher education institutions within the Jackson, MS MSA are issuing nearly 700 manufacturing awards annually in key programs such as:
- Manufacturing Engineering Technology/Technician
- Welding Technology/Welder
- Electromechanical Technologies/Technician
- Engine Machinist
- Truck and Bus Driver/Commercial Vehicle Operator and Instructor
- Industrial Technology/Technician
A Skilled and Robust Workforce
Rankin County offers a workforce made up of individuals who are educated, skilled and eager to work. We are able to meet both the current and future labor demands of the manufacturing industry. With over 28,000 employed in Manufacturing, the industry has experienced a 0.5% annual increase in employment over the past 10 years in the region.
Rankin County is steadily growing and boasts an annual population growth that outpaces the state and national averages. The county has 200.2 people per square mile, compared to 63.4 in Mississippi, reflecting a highly concentrated pool of potential employees.
| Rankin County | Jackson, MS MSA | Mississippi | USA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population Growth Rate | 0.9% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.6% |
| People per Square Mile | 200.2 | 110.0 | 63.4 | 92.9 |
Strategic Advantages
According to 2021 rankings from Area Development Magazine, among the nation Mississippi ranks
NO.
5
Speed of Permitting
NO.
7
Overall Cost of Doing Business
NO.
8
Business Incentives Programs
NO.
8
Cooperative & Responsive State Government
NO.
10
Favorable Regulatory Environment
No Sales Tax on Raw Materials or Electricity
While Mississippi boasts energy costs approximately 15% below the national average, according to EIA (2020), businesses classified by the Department of Revenue as agricultural or manufacturing may apply for a full exemption on sales tax on electricity and raw materials used in the manufacturing process.
Low Union Rates
Mississippi is a right-to-work state with the third-lowest union membership rate in the nation. This combined with low manufacturing union rates in the Rankin County Laborshed (7.8%), compared to the state (9.1%) and nation (8.4%), makes the region an aggressive manufacturing competitor.
Low Turnover Rates
Our region’s low turnover rates in manufacturing (5.7%), compared to the state’s 6.5% turnover, offer a location where companies experience the bottom-line advantages of reduced hiring and training costs.
Manufacturing Investment Tax Credit
Existing manufacturers that have operated in the state for two or more years may be eligible for investment tax credits which could be applied to the company’s state income tax liability. Existing companies must invest $1 million or more in buildings and/or equipment to qualify.
The Entergy Advantage
Entergy provides reliable electric power at very competitive rates and extensive support for existing and locating new businesses. Additionally, Entergy’s economic development rider can provide a 1-cent-per-kwh discount on electricity use for up to five years. The rider is applicable for eligible companies considering processing, manufacturing or distribution operations that meet the minimum requirement of the program.
[Mississippi] put training in the back seat, but Mississippi helps to put training in the front seat and helps to drive employee development and allows up to have a trained workforce.
Darryl Jenkins, Talent Acquisition Manager, Continental Tire