Cooperative Energy Economic Development

Before a site can compete, it has to be ready. In Marion County, a $900,000 investment is helping move the MS-98 Industry Plex closer to that goal - supporting site clearing, a wastewater capacity study, and master planning for the remaining property. These are the kinds of steps that often happen long before a project is announced, but they’re critical. They help answer key questions early, reduce uncertainty for companies, and position a site to move faster when opportunity comes. Learn more about MS-98 Industry Plex today: cooperativeenergy.giswebtechguru.com/?sorting=featu…

Hope you had a wonderful Easter from Cooperative Energy Economic Development! Our team enjoyed time with family and loved ones, and we hope you did too.

At the Jackson County Aviation Technology Park, Northrop Grumman operates a 105,000-square-foot Unmanned Systems Center in a setting built for aviation-related business. The park offers direct runway access, permitted sites, ramp space, and the ability to taxi aircraft from runway to facility - all within close reach of Highway 63 and Interstate 10. That kind of infrastructure changes the conversation for aerospace companies. It means less friction, more flexibility, and a site designed around how the industry actually operates. Learn more about what Jackson County Aviation Technology Park has to offer: cooperativeenergy.com/property/jacks…

Economic growth doesn’t start with a ribbon cutting; it starts with preparation. In 2025, Cooperative Energy and its Member cooperatives awarded $135,000 in Cooperative Competes grants to support projects across Mississippi that strengthen site readiness, workforce insight, marketing, and infrastructure planning. These investments help communities reduce risk, improve competitiveness, and be ready when new opportunities arise. From industrial site development to data tools and regional marketing, each grant helps position communities for long-term job creation and investment, especially in rural areas working to build momentum.

When companies search for a new location, time matters just as much as cost. Through programs like SiteInvest and Cooperative Competes, Cooperative Energy helps communities do the work before a company ever starts evaluating locations - completing due diligence, strengthening infrastructure, and preparing sites so projects can move faster once interest begins. That early preparation can mean the difference between a site that’s considered, and a site that’s chosen.

More than a million Mississippians rely on Cooperative Energy every day! For businesses considering a new location, that reach means proven infrastructure, established partnerships, and communities already built to support growth. Reliable power at this scale doesn’t just keep the lights on. It helps companies move faster, plan with confidence, and invest for the long term. That’s the kind of foundation that turns a site into a smart business decision.

When companies evaluate a new location, reliable power isn’t a bonus. It’s a requirement. From early site evaluations to full-scale operations, a strong and diverse energy mix gives businesses the confidence to invest, expand, and grow. Cooperative Energy delivers that reliability through a balanced portfolio of natural gas, solar, nuclear, and additional renewable sources, ensuring communities are ready long before the first shovel hits the ground. For companies choosing Mississippi, dependable power is part of the “why.”

🚀@thomas_mcelroy recently joined the Mississippi Aerospace Ecosystem Delegation for a strategic visit to Long Beach, California, and of course, he brought his selfie game with him! The trip was organized by @SaraWDoss with @MSETtweets and the @ADAM_aerodef to connect with leading aerospace and defense companies. The delegation had the amazing opportunity to tour innovative companies, including Anduril Industries, Relativity Space, Rocket Lab, SpaceX, and Vast. @MyPRVEPA is proud to serve Anduril here at home, and it was exciting to see this level of innovation up close, especially with several of these companies maintaining a presence in Mississippi. Such a cool trip! Maybe one day he'll get to take a selfie from outer space!

In case you missed it: Governor Reeves announced a $100 million investment to support site development efforts that will help sustain Mississippi’s record-breaking economic development momentum. Of those funds, $4.4 million will be invested within Cooperative Energy members’ service territory to help support infrastructure improvements, site readiness, and long-term planning that position our communities to compete for future growth. bit.ly/4bRLjuH

Congratulations to Grenada and Montgomery counties on their new three-year regional economic development partnership. This collaboration will strengthen long-term planning, support site and infrastructure development, and create new opportunities for business growth and job creation across the region. Read more here: bit.ly/4bJSzbL

We had an incredible time at our Women in Economic Development 9th Annual Appreciation Event in Jackson. From strengthening our executive presence with @MandiStanleyCSP to learning smart skin care tips with Heather Darby, this event was truly special. The conversations were thoughtful, the connections were genuine, and the time to network and recharge was exactly what we all needed. Thank you to every amazing woman who joined us, and for our time together. We are already looking forward to next year!

Behind every investment-ready site is a group of people willing to do the hard work early. Through Cooperative Energy’s SiteInvest program, our team doesn’t just review industrial properties. We take responsibility for them. That means walking sites, asking tough questions, and evaluating what works, what doesn’t, and what needs improvement before a company ever sees the property. It’s about reducing risk, building confidence, and helping communities put their best foot forward. That's why we partnered with a world-renowned engineering firm. When a site earns a SiteInvest designation, it’s because real people stood behind the work and were willing to put their name on it.

Two years ago, we saw a challenge: great sites were missing opportunities simply because they weren’t fully ready. That's why we created SiteInvest. A program designed to help sites complete early due diligence, earn a Premier designation, and stand out among other sites in the state. Ready sites create real opportunities for our member territories!

New year, new look! Our revamped website is officially live, designed to better connect sites, partners, and opportunities across Mississippi! Take a look: cooperativeenergy.com/economic-devel…

When communities grow, it’s rarely by accident. It happens because people plan, prepare, and stay committed for the long term. That's how we were able to distribute $135,000 in Cooperative Competes funds in 2025, because our member communities prepared and laid the groundwork to make their sites more marketable so that they were ready when the next project came along. Our role isn't just about power. It’s about helping communities create the conditions that make businesses confident enough to choose Mississippi and confident enough to stay.

We hosted our first Cooperative Competes programming of 2026, focused on how global geopolitics and trade decisions can shape local and regional development. Geopolitical expert Charlie Smith shared insights on what to watch in the months ahead and how international strategy and policy shifts may influence economic growth, infrastructure, and community development closer to home. With more than 12 years of experience in geopolitics, international strategy, and business development, Charlie provided a valuable perspective for communities navigating an increasingly connected global economy. Thank you to everyone who joined, and we look forward to continuing the conversation through future Cooperative Competes programming!

A big congratulations to our partners, @ADPHattiesburg and @JonesCountyEDA, on the opening of the Amazon Last Mile facility at the I-59 Supply Chain Park. This milestone marks another step forward in the park’s evolution into a true, integrated supply chain hub.` Shout-out to our Member cooperative, Dixie Electric, for serving this site and helping keep operations moving.

Not all heroes wear capes! After Winter Storm Fern brought freezing temperatures, ice, and hazardous conditions across Mississippi, linemen from our Member cooperatives have responded to widespread power outages affecting communities large and small, and Cooperative Energy is helping to keep the power flowing. We hope everyone affected is staying safe and warm during this challenging weather. We are sincerely grateful to these linemen for their dedication, professionalism, and willingness to serve others during difficult conditions, and we thank them for the critical role they play in keeping Mississippi powered and connected.

In 2025, Cooperative Energy and its 11 Member cooperatives awarded $135,000 in Cooperative Competes grants to help our communities prepare industrial sites, complete critical studies, and invest in workforce initiatives. From Lamar County completing environmental due diligence and site preparation at the Lamar County Industrial Park to the Area Development Partnership and @JonesCountyEDA advancing site readiness and environmental study updates at the I-59 Supply Chain Park, these grants are laying the groundwork for new investment and job creation. Read the full article here ➡️ cooperativeenergy.com/cooperative-en…