Lawmakers in Mississippi will convene for a special session within the session to finalize a $10 billion economic development project in Madison County.
The special session will begin on Thursday at 9:30 a.m. Gov. Tate Reeves is calling on Republicans and Democrats in both chambers to appropriate $44 million to ensure the large data center sets up shop in central Mississippi. SuperTalk Mississippi News has confirmed that the company is likely Amazon Web Services.
“It’s truly a monumental day for Madison County, for metro Jackson, and for the state of Mississippi,” Reeves said, adding that this project will be the largest in state history. “It is truly a testament to the people of Mississippi that major companies are choosing our state for innovative jobs just like these. It is further proof that our state is doing what it needs to do to drive further economic growth and position Mississippi as a national leader in innovation.”
The $10 billion project, which could feature subsequent phases, will begin at two different locations in Madison County if terms are agreed on by lawmakers. On top of the $44 million in pure appropriations, the state is being asked to loan $215.1 million to the county, the vast majority of which will go to the extension of a sewer system.
The two hyperscale data center complexes will have sites outside of Canton at the Madison County Mega Site and on the Costas Property west of Tougaloo College and near County Line Road in Ridgeland. The salaries will hover at or above $66,000 for 1,000 plus jobs created with the two initial complexes aiming to open in 2027.
“I think $10 billion is the start. It is not the end of what this company and other companies are going to invest,” Reeves said. “I don’t think this company is going to stop investing in the Jackson metro after these two sites are full.”
As for tax breaks, Reeves explained that this project will receive similar preferences to those of other economic projects the state has brought in recently.
“The tax breaks that are included in this
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