Economic growth continues in county

Economic development in Marshall County isn’t slowing down.

“Where we are now, and where we’re going, it’s pretty incredible,” said Justin Hall, executive director of the Industrial Development Authority. “There’s a lot of growth opportunity.”

Spec buildings, either already under construction or set to begin, will add 3 million square feet of available space in the Chickasaw Trail Industrial Park. These are investments by private developers.

“That’s a big number,” Hall said. “By getting buildings ready to go, we’re getting ahead of the game.” Each building will be anywhere from 500,000 to a million square feet — plenty large enough for manufacturing or warehousing. And all are right around the busy and getting busier I269 corridor in the northwest corner Marshall County.

“The market is still really strong,” Hall said. “The inquiries for manufacturing and warehousing space keep coming.”

It all began in 2007 when Excel built a warehouse in the park. Then came Asics, Rockwool and Volvo, and that was just the start of an economic development explosion.

“We were off to the races,” he said.

The continued growth of the Chickasaw Trail area is not the only big news economic development wise in Marshall County. The Springs Industrial Park at Holly Springs, adjacent to I-22, is in the works.

“There’s a lot of interest there as well,” Hall said. “We’re focusing on product development ­ getting sites ready. That’s the key to being highly competitive on fast-moving projects.”

The county is working with the city, through the use of grant funds, to extend sewer lines to the park as well as construct an entrance road into the park. Plus, the county is working with the Appalachian Regional Commission and the Mississippi Development Authority on grants to assist with clearing and upgrading property for pad-ready sites.

“We will be moving forward with rough grading the sites,” Hall said. “We want to get sites cleared and ready to go for potential clients.”

Marshall County, he said, isn’t sitting still. It’s moving forward, with everyone working together.

“We have a unique opportunity with two attractive industrial parks,” Hall said.

“Plus, we have rail service available in the parks with two different rail providers ­ BNSF at Springs and Norfolk Southern at Chickasaw Trail.

“The Springs Industrial Park is the only BNSF certified premier site in the entire southeastern United States. That’s a pretty big deal.”

The large range of existing industries and warehouses in Marshall County continue to look for employees. This week’s Profile Section of The South Reporter includes a full page of help wanted ads compiled by the IDA.

“There are career opportunities all across the board ­ from entry level to engineering and other highly-skilled professional positions,” Hall said. “If you want to work in the industrial trade sector, there ought to be a good job for you right here at home.”

He also pointed out that the diverse group of long-time industries in the county continues to grow.

“There have been a lot of expansions the last few years with our existing industries,” Hall said. “There are great opportunities all the way around for those looking for work.”

In connection with that, Marshall County will be hosting a Governor’s Job Fair at the new Workforce Training Center in the Chickasaw Trail Industrial Park on Thursday, March 31.

“We have a lot of local industries already registered,” he said. “This is what the Workforce Center was set up for. This will be a huge event.”

It is actually a re-entry job fair, focused on those with prior records wanting to get back into the workforce. But at the same time, it’s for anyone who is unemployed or anyone who is perhaps looking for a new job.

“It’s open to the public, and there will be a diverse group of industries and business there,” Hall said. “There will be something for everybody — entry-level positions and up. You can certainly stay in Marshall County and have a good job.”