Historic Investment: $1.2B Investment by Entergy Breaks All Records in Warren County

Vicksburg, Miss. (VDN)— The Vicksburg Warren Economic Development Partnership announced today that Entergy Mississippi will construct a new $1.2 billion Advanced Power Station (Power Plant) on the grounds of the former Baxter Wilson Steam Electric Station. The new power plant will be a 754-megawatt combined-cycle combustion turbine facility which will be built over the next several years generating significant economic impact to the region including 581 jobs (560 construction and 21 operations related jobs). 

The new plant is part of ‘Superpower Mississippi”, the largest grid update in the Entergy’s history, which makes distribution improvements, adds new generation and prioritizes keeping customers’ rates affordable while building an all-of-the-above generation mix that makes the electric grid more reliable and efficient. 

“Vicksburg is one of the four original cities we began serving in 1923 and we’re proud to continue our legacy here with the Vicksburg Advanced Power Station. We’re building new natural gas plants in our service area for the first time in more than 50 years. The upgrades  are not only important to keeping bills affordable for our customers, but also to making sure we have the capacity to promote economic development, recruit new and higher paying jobs, and power residential, commercial, industrial and technology growth for Mississippi’s future. Replacing older plants has been in our long-term resource plan for several years, but we’re taking advantage of the economic growth happening in our region to bring modern generation technology online sooner, while minimizing the rate impact to customers’ bills,” said Haley Fisackerly, President & CEO, Entergy Mississippi.

Kelle Barfield, president of the Warren County Board of Supervisors, said, “The contribution of Entergy’s newest power plant goes far beyond generating electricity. Reliable, affordable electricity is important to existing customers but it is crucial in recruiting new business and industry to Warren County. The plant will also return vital revenues to the tax base for the county, which helps support county services for all residents.”

Vicksburg’s Mayor, Willis Thompson stated, “”Entergy’s investment in this new power plant sets a record for capital investment in the City of Vicksburg. We are excited about our long-term partnership with Entergy and what this project means for the future of our community. The economic impact will be tremendous, and the additional power capacity will further strengthen our ability to attract new jobs and investment to the region.”

Pablo Diaz, President & CEO of the Vicksburg Warren Economic Development Partnership added, “We are extremely excited to celebrate this great project for our community with Entergy today. The benefits to Vicksburg and Warren County will be felt for generations to come, not only through increased tax revenues for the City and County, but also through the creation of good paying jobs and the large economic impact that the construction phase will have on our small and medium size businesses. 

As work continues on the new port project along U.S. Highway 61 South, the new power plant will rise alongside it- giving our community a unique strategic edge that can only help in attracting the next major project to Vicksburg and Warren County.”