The advanced manufacturing sector in Mississippi is a growing and important part of the state’s economy and our nation’s security. According to the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA), the state is home to a variety of advanced manufacturing companies, which employ more than 140,000 people. These companies produce a wide range of products, including aerospace and defense, automotive, chemicals, and textiles.

The shipbuilding industry in Mississippi is a significant contributor to the state’s economy. Around 70% of the U.S. Navy’s fleet of warships are manufactured here by Huntington Ingalls located in Pascagoula. The Ingalls Shipbuilding division of Huntington Ingalls Industries, located in Pascagoula, is the largest employer in Jackson County and one of the largest private employers in the state with around 11,000 employees.

The aerospace industry in Mississippi is particularly strong, with major companies such as Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and Northrop Grumman operating facilities in the state. In 2022Q3, the state’s aerospace industry had 17 manufacturing establishments and employed over 1,100 people.

The automotive industry in Mississippi is also growing, with the state becoming a hub for the production of commercial tires and smaller vehicles. In 2022, Nissan announced that it would invest $500 million in its Canton, Mississippi plant, which will begin manufacturing two new electric cars there beginning in 2025.

Overall, Mississippi’s advanced manufacturing sector is a major contributor to the state’s economy and is expected to continue to grow in the coming years.