Business Facilities - December 2007 - (Page 33)

By Ellen James ith the people, resources, and determination to accomplish anything, Mississippi has demonstrated its ability to compete for business investment. The state’s pro-business leadership, attractive incentives, and a workforce that has been characterized as skilled, productive, and dedicated by some of the world’s most respected companies come together to create an environment where businesses can thrive. Mississippi’s business climate is among the friendliest in the nation, accentuated by business taxes that are 26% below the national average. With a “can-do” attitude and proven track record of delivering on time and under budget, Mississippi provides businesses the foundation to be more competitive. In addition, the state has plenty of customized incentives and financing programs to meet the needs A S P E C I A L A D V E RT I S I N G S E C T I O N O F B U S I N E S S FA C I L I T I E S W of each unique project. Thanks to the Momentum Mississippi Incentive Program, which was passed in 2005, over 7,500 jobs have been created by companies taking advantage of incentives offered through various Momentum Mississippi programs, including the Ace Fund Program, the Development Infrastructure Program, the Existing Industry Loan Program, the Incubator/R&D Loan Program, the Job Protection Act, and the Advantage Jobs program. On top of incentives, Mississippi has a labor force of 1.3 million reliable workers, with a low 3% absenteeism rate and only a 5% turnover rate. This reliability and stability help ensure the success of any business located in the state. In addition, labor costs in Mississippi are among the lowest in the nation, which help hold down the overall cost of doing business in the state. The state has also customized its workforce training programs by joining forces with the local community colleges and other institutions. The state boasts a total of eight public universities, 13 private colleges and universities, and 15 community colleges. The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) is a leader in the area of polymer science, with one of the top programs in the nation. The premier Polymer Research Institute includes one of the most advanced rapid prototyping systems in the world. In addition, the University of Mississippi offers a pultrusion technology program, and Mississippi State University (MSU) has a wood products laboratory that provides training for the plastics/polymer industry. Moreover, MSU also operates the Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems and its satellite facility in Canton, MS, near the Nissan plant. BUSINESS FACILITIES 33

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Business Facilities - December 2007 Contents First Word Snapshots Metro Spotlight: Albuquerque, New Mexico Corporate Moves: North Carolina 2007 Ecomonic Development Deal of the Year Awards State of the Year Seeking Supply Chain Solutions Mississippi Means Business Corporate Moves: South Carolina Biomedical Momentum in Florida's High Tech Corridor Trends in Offshoring Metro Spotlight: Stillwater, OK Metro Spotlight: Atlanta, GA Advertiser Information 2007 Salary Survey

Business Facilities - December 2007

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