Mississippi Power Propels Program awards more than $215,000 to local economic development agencies across southeast Mississippi

Gulfport, Miss. – Mississippi Power's Economic Development department is awarding more than $215,000 to local economic development organizations across the company’s southeast Mississippi service territory. Now in its third year, the Propels Program has played a pivotal role in advancing projects focused on marketing, strategic planning and site development improvements for both current and future locations.

“The Propels Program’s continued success is a testament to our company’s commitment to fostering economic growth in the areas we serve,” said Mississippi Power Economic Development Director Brian Useforge. “Our company’s partnerships with local communities are critical in positioning southeast Mississippi as a prime location for economic development, and we will continue empowering our communities to attract new opportunities and compete in the economic landscape.”

Since its inception in 2023, the program has approved funding for nearly 40 projects, amounting to more than $1,000,000.

The program’s 2025 awardees include:

• Greene County: $15,000 for an economic development strategic plan.
• Jones County: $14,500 for an industrial site marketing plan.
• Pearl River County: $50,000 for wetlands mitigation and $15,000 to complete plans to bring natural gas to an industrial park.
• Lauderdale County: $50,000 for environmental and survey work for an industrial site.
• Marion County: $50,000 for the construction of an entrance road to an industrial site.
• George County: $23,125 to go toward additional ground survey reports for an industrial site.

“The Propels Program continues to drive substantial progress across southeast Mississippi, empowering communities to become more proactive and competitive in attracting economic development opportunities,” said Mississippi Power Economic Development Manager Melissa Morel.

In addition, completed projects include conceptual road design plans for the University of Southern Mississippi Innovation and Commercialization Park, a master plan for the Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport site, due diligence reports for an industrial site in Greene County and a project to improve drainage and wastewater lines at the Pearl River County Industrial Park.

"Mississippi Power's Propels Program has allowed Pearl River County to further stretch our local site development resources and implement creative solutions to develop an economically competitive industrial site,” said Lindsay Ward, economic development director of the Pearl River County Economic Development District. “Through the support of the Propels Program, we’ve taken a massive leap forward in our efforts to recruit new industry to our region. We have also been able to strategically align transportation infrastructure, seek solutions regarding non-electrical utility issues and invest further in our site development efforts.”

Now in its 100th year of service, Mississippi Power, a subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), produces safe, reliable and affordable energy for more than 192,000 customers in 23 southeast Mississippi counties. Mississippi Power is proud to be an industry leader in safety and reliability. The company was recognized in 2024 by the Southeastern Electric Exchange for the Top Safety Performance in its generation category. For outstanding storm response, the company has also been honored by the Edison Electric Institute multiple times with an Emergency Response Award. Visit our website at mississippipower.com, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

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