Conversions Tester 3

Data center buildout in Mississippi means a new tech workforce is needed. by kobee vance - Published on July 24, 2026 Thirty data centers are being built across Mississippi, creating jobs that need highly skilled workers. While construction has sparked concerns about water and electricity usage among local governments, the state is trying to find ways to meet the manufacturing and staffing needs for these multibillion-dollar investments. Kobee Vance 00:00 01:50 Several universities throughout Mississippi have existing programs dealing with massive data systems. But graduates don't always move to where data centers need them. That creates a geographic problem for attracting these businesses, said Accelerate Mississippi Executive Director Courtney Taylor. One solution, Taylor said, is working with communities, businesses and schools to create new talent pipelines in the communities that will need them. "Because all of this has to be led ultimately at the local level. Economic developers, education leaders, community leaders. And so we've worked really big picture to get our resources all pushing in the same direction as a small, rural state," said Taylor. Trey Smith, Director of Talent Solutions at Accelerate, added: "Each region has its own unique opportunities and its own unique challenges, and so that's where the talent solutions team works to coordinate all of these efforts to ensure there is a streamlined, efficient approach to tackling the workforce issue for those areas." Another major need for data centers is reliable sources of electronic manufacturing. Earlier this month, the company Jabil announced a new plant in north Mississippi hiring more than two thousand long-term employees. Bill Cork, Executive Director of the Mississippi Development Authority, says this positions the state as a major supplier in the age of AI. "That's not only data centers, but electric vehicles, advanced manufacturing, robotics, and all of the things that are running the digital economy and the electrified economy. When you've got a competitive advantage, it's great to see us winning the expansions that come along with this new transformational growth." Representatives from Amazon and Compass data centers told the legislative AI task force this month they plan to have at least 60 percent of staff positions filled by Mississippians and grow that percentage over time. Many of the planned data centers throughout the state will take years to become fully operational. And this month, Jackson became the first city in the state to temporarily ban data centers.

Jabil to open manufacturing facility in Marshall County. * Project expected to create approximately 2,200 jobs * Company investing more than $119 million Jackson, Miss. (July 7, 2026) - Jabil, a global engineering, supply chain and manufacturing solutions provider, plans to open a new production facility in Marshall County. The project represents a corporate investment of more than $119 million and will create approximately 2,200 jobs. Jabil's new location - an existing 1.5 million-square-foot facility the company is purchasing and renovating - will support customers in the data center infrastructure market. This project follows the September 2025 announcement that Jabil's healthcare division is investing approximately $70 million over three years to locate X-ray sterilization capabilities in Marshall County. The Mississippi Development Authority is providing assistance through the Mississippi Flexible Tax Incentive - or MFLEX - program. Marshall County, AccelerateMS and the Tennessee Valley Authority are assisting with the project, as well. Headquartered in St. Petersburg, Florida, Jabil's global reach spans more than 25 countries and 140,000 employees. For 60 years, the company has served the world's leading brands across a range of industries, including data center infrastructure, healthcare, robotics, automotive and transportation and energy. "Investments like this are why Mississippi has one of the hottest job markets in America. Jabil's investment of more than $119 million will create 2,200 good jobs in North Mississippi. That is a massive number of jobs and another massive win for our state. What makes this project even more impressive is that Jabil is expanding just nine months after announcing its first Marshall County location. Jabil would not be making this investment unless the company was confident that Mississippi and her people can deliver results. Manufacturing is thriving in Mississippi, and this investment is further proof of that." - Gov. Tate Reeves "Jabil's second location in Marshall County is a clear example of the state's ability to compete and win at this level. A 1.5-million-square-foot operation producing data center infrastructure isn't a marginal project. It's proof we are in the game for advanced manufacturing tied to global demand. These are the projects that build industrial capacity and secure our place in high-growth sectors." - Mississippi Development Authority Executive Director Bill Cork "Companies across the data center ecosystem are looking to build fast, and they're increasingly looking to build in the United States. We're proud to deliver the cutting-edge expertise and capabilities our customers need to scale with our new facility here in Marshall County." - Matt Crowley, Jabil Executive Vice President of Global Business Units, Intelligent Infrastructure "Jabil is a global leader in the manufacturing, engineering and technology sector. This project represents its second investment in Marshall County in less than 12 months. Jabil will bring tremendous economic benefits to Marshall County and will create wonderful career opportunities for our citizens. This investment is a result of a strong collaboration among our state and local partners. We appreciate the continued support and partnerships from the Mississippi Development Authority, Tennessee Valley Authority and Accelerate Mississippi." - Marshall County Board of Supervisors President George Zinn III "TVA and Northcentral EPA congratulate Jabil on its plans to expand operations in Marshall County. Working in partnership with Mississippi Development Authority and Marshall County Industrial Development Authority to support companies like Jabil furthers our shared commitment to fostering economic growth in the region. TVA is proud to support companies that contribute to the prosperity and vibrancy of our region, and we look forward to Jabil's continued business success here." - TVA Vice President of Economic Development Heidi Smith "Jabil's investment demonstrates what is possible when workforce development and economic development work hand in hand. Bringing 2,200 new jobs to Marshall County will require a coordinated effort to prepare talent and build strong career pipelines, and AccelerateMS is proud to support that work. We appreciate Jabil's continued confidence in Mississippi and look forward to helping ensure this project has a lasting impact on both the region's workforce and economy." - AccelerateMS Executive Director Dr. Courtney Taylor