Industrial expansions mean more than 400 new jobs coming to south Mississippi

Gov. Phil Bryant announced this week a pair of Mississippi Power industrial customers are expanding their operations in Hattiesburg and Newton.

On Tuesday, Kohler Company announced plans to consolidate and relocate its North American gasoline engine manufacturing operations from Wisconsin to the Forrest County Industrial Park in Hattiesburg.

The company’s second facility at the park represents a $15 million capital investment. Kohler plans to hire approximately 250 additional workers in the next three years.

“Mississippi Power’s history with Kohler dates back to their original decision to locate a plant in Hattiesburg in 1996,” Economic Development Manager Steven Dick said. “They located in our spec building in the Forrest County Industrial Park. At the time, it’s what separated Hattiesburg’s offer from the other communities that were competing to land this plant.”

“Now, they’re expanding their operations in southeast Mississippi and we are thrilled to continue our almost quarter-century long relationship.”

At Tuesday’s expansion announcement, Forrest Co. Board of Supervisors President David Hogan reiterated the importance of the spec building 25 years ago. “We wouldn’t be in this situation at all,” said Hogan.

Assembly line equipment will begin arriving on-site in the next few months with production estimated to ramp up by the spring of 2020.

Economic Development Representative Charlie Beasley and Cathy Reeves, now retired from Marketing’s Major Accounts team, began working with the local plant manager in August 2018 on service needs and rate structures.

On Wednesday in Newton, ESCO unveiled plans to upgrade its production facility by investing $50 million and hire more than 150 additional employees by the end of the year.

ESCO’s Newton plant opened in the early 1970s. The company develops and manufactures products used in mining, infrastructure development, oil and gas and industrial applications.

“We approach every industrial customer with a strategic mindset to help them remain competitive and grow,” Major Accounts Manager Stacey Miles said. “We ensure that we use all potential solutions that will give them a competitive edge including Energy Services, Energy Efficiency programs and contract terms. This week was the culmination of continuous efforts that produced positive results and a long-term competitive advantage for our customers.”

Approximately 80 percent of the products manufactured in Newton are exported to global mining markets. Wednesday’s expansion announcement is expected to increase output capacity at this facility by one third.

“These expansions speak volumes about our strategic partnerships and the value that Mississippi Power brings to our customers,” Miles added.

Mississippi Power, a subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), produces safe, reliable and environmentally responsible energy for more than 187,000 customers in 23 southeast Mississippi counties. With nearly 160 megawatts of approved solar energy capacity, Mississippi Power is the largest partner in providing renewable energy in the state of Mississippi. Visit our website at mississippipower.com, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

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