Located in the fastest-growing region in the U.S., Mississippi is poised for business growth. A strong network of transportation and trade resources make this state the gateway to all major U.S., Canadian and Latin American markets.
In 2019, Mississippi had more than $767 million in new capital investment, creating 4,786 jobs from new or expanding companies. Mississippi exported nearly $11.6 billion to 178 countries in 2018, representing approximately 60,000 direct jobs and 110,000 indirect jobs in the state.
In 2019, CNBC ranked Mississippi as the No. 1 state for the lowest cost of living and No. 6 for cost of doing business. Area Development Magazine ranked Mississippi No. 5 for the best business incentives and No. 4 in the U.S. for speed of permitting.
According to the Mississippi Development Authority, nearly 800 miles of commercially navigable waterways give Mississippi businesses economical and efficient access to national and international markets. Three navigable waterways—the Mississippi River to the west, the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway to the east and the Gulf of Mexico to the south—give Mississippi a unique transportation advantage.
Twenty-eight rail systems—including five Class 1 rail lines—serve Mississippi with 2,541 miles of track. The roadway system includes six interstate highways covering 698 miles and 14 federal highways, positioning Mississippi within a day’s drive of 55 percent of U.S. businesses and major population centers.
Mississippi is home to eight public universities, four of which boast full-service research and development centers, according to the Mississippi Development Authority.