Mississippi sheds rural image as it attracts global industry giants

More opportunities for investment in Arizona too, with its semiconductor space a key draw

- Sue-Ann Tan Business Correspondent

It is one of the poorest states in the US and remains largely rural, but it is putting in a concerted effort to draw international companies to invest in it.

One of the global companies that have heeded the call is Japanese car manufacturer Nissan.

Less than an hour outside Mississippi's capital, Jackson, is a Nissan plant that is set to become the multinational company's intelligent factory to support future electric vehicle (EV) production.

There are big plans for the plant's future in Mississippi, where it has been situated since 2003.

Nissan is not the only multinational corporation to land in the state. Toyota also has a plant in Mississippi, alongside other large manufacturers like Siemens Energy.

It is not just global firms, but also US tech giants that have landed in the state, which helps to develop a business ecosystem that can attract more foreign investments.

Most recently, Amazon Web Services announced plans to invest US$10 billion (S$12.9 billion) in Mississippi to build two data centre complexes, which the state hopes will eventually transform Jackson into the next tech hub of the American South.

With this announcement, the state also hopes to grow its tech industry alongside traditional manufacturing capabilities, life sciences, aerospace and defence, and forestry, said the Mississippi development authority's deputy chief economic development officer, Mr Christian Lockamy.

It joins other states, such as Arizona, that are offering more opportunities and incentives for global companies in a bid to draw foreign direct investment to its growing cities.