State of Mississippi recognized with Silver Shovel Award

The state of Mississippi was recently given Silver Shovel Award in recognition of the state’s economic development successes in 2020. The recognition, given by Area Development magazine touts at the state’s vigilance to seek new job creation and investment during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The awards are presented to state economic development agencies which use innovative policies, infrastructure improvements, process and promotions to attract new employers and create new jobs.

“Gov. Tate Reeves is working hard to advance a business environment that fosters innovation and growth, therefore making Mississippi one of the best places for business,” said MDA Executive Director John Rounsaville.

The top 2020 project for Mississippi is Amazon’s new fulfillment center in Madison County which is creating 1,000 full-time jobs. Other projects which contributed to Mississippi’s success in winning a Silver Shovel award were:

• Navistar Defense – 500 jobs, $8.7 million investment
• IG Design Group – 300 jobs, $57.4 million investment
• Material Bank – 300 jobs, $14.5 million investment
• Gulf Ship – 200 jobs, $6.7 million investment
• Loss Prevention Services – 200 jobs, $3 million investment
• Mission Forest Products – 130 jobs, $160 million investment
• Associated Wholesale Grocers – 79 jobs, $300 million investment
• Calgon Carbon – 38 jobs, $185 million investment
• Kimberly Clark – 33 jobs, $140 million investment

“Area Development is a widely respected publication, and for Mississippi to be honored with a Shovel Award by the area Development team is a remarkable achievement – especially to be honored for our hard work during 2020,” Gov. Tate Reeves said. “My administration and economic developers throughout the state never once stopped working for the people during the pandemic, and this award will serve as a constant reminder that Mississippi plays to win, even in the most challenging of economic times.”