Dawn of the ‘Digital Delta’ era: Mississippi Wins Gold Shovel Award for economic development successes

JACKSON, Miss. (VDN) — Mississippi’s rise as a national player in the tech and industrial economy was recognized this week with a 2024 Gold Shovel Award from Area Development magazine. The honor acknowledges the state’s major economic wins—including multibillion-dollar investments from Amazon Web Services and Amplify Cell Technologies—that are fueling what officials now call the state’s “Digital Delta” era.

The national award honors Mississippi’s success in attracting major investments and creating thousands of new jobs across multiple sectors. The state was recognized in the “under 3 million population” category based on high-impact projects submitted by the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA).

“Mississippi is making history, and the nation is taking notice,” said Gov. Tate Reeves. “These awards are another testament to the special things happening across our state, like record-breaking private sector investment and the creation of thousands of high-paying jobs.”

Area Development also named Amazon Web Services’ $10 billion project in the state as one of its Top Non-Manufacturing Projects of the Year, and Amplify Cell Technologies’ $1.9 billion project as one of its Top Manufacturing Projects of the Year.

The Gold Shovel Award honors states for outstanding economic strategy and success in areas such as job creation, capital investment, and industry diversity. Mississippi’s qualifying projects included:

• Amazon Web Services – $10B investment, 1,000 jobs
• Amplify Cell Technologies – $1.9B investment, 2,000 jobs
• PCC Gulf Chem – $540M investment, 84 jobs
• Liebherr – $238.4M investment, 342 jobs
• Koch Foods – $145.5M investment, 128 jobs
• Ashley Furniture – $79.4M investment, 525 jobs
• Anduril Industries – $75M investment, 60 jobs
• Aurora Flight Sciences – $43.8M investment, 63 jobs
• Gulf State Canners – $40.8M investment, 19 jobs
• Owl’s Head Alloys – $29.2M investment, 68 jobs
• Rosedale Distilling Company – $23.1M investment, 57 jobs
• Superior Optical Lab – $12.4M investment, 188 jobs

“Under Governor Reeves’ leadership, Mississippi has become an economic development force to be reckoned with,” said MDA Executive Director Bill Cork. “Private-sector investment has skyrocketed to record levels, and Mississippi has raced to the front of the pack in technological innovation, paving the way for the dawn of the ‘Digital Delta.’”

Cork also highlighted the state’s Power Play initiative, which aims to position Mississippi as a national leader in energy development.

Area Development is a leading publication focused on site selection and facility planning. For a full list of the 2024 Gold and Silver Shovel Award recipients, visit Area Development’s website.