Workforce Training Center opens

Marshall County and many partners gathered in Chickasaw Trail Industrial Park last week to cut the blue ribbon, officially opening the Workforce Training Center.

Close to 75 visitors and dignitaries were part of the June 21 celebration that included speeches, a ribbon-cutting and lunch.

The event was coordinated so that local, state and federal agencies and elected officials could participate.

George Zinn III, president of the Marshall County Board of Supervisors, presided over the welcoming ceremony.

He said Marshall County is attracting business and creating hundreds of jobs.

“This facility is important because it will help us to train a workforce for these jobs,” he said.

The facility cost about $4.2 million with about $3.1 million of that funneled through the Appalachian Regional Commission for construction.

The 38,000-square-foot facility will be operated for the most part by staffing with Northwest Mississippi Community College.

Zinn said the facility will be open to any business or industry in Marshall County that wants to train people for skilled jobs that are at a premium in this area.

Capital investment in the park has just exceeded $1 billion. Unemployment in the county sits at 6.3 percent, which Zinn said was a debatable figure.

“Any able-bodied individual can find a job in Marshall County,” he said.

He credited the success of industrial expansion to the vision of the board of supervisors, but quickly spread credit for its success to many partners.

“There are many spokes in this wheel, but it is fitting to recognize this board for this vision,” he said.

IDA executive director Justin Hall recognized all players present for their role in the success of the project.

First to be thanked were the supervisors, whose goal is to provide a job for everyone in the county. He recognized the IDA board members for their involvement and leadership.

“It’s exciting,” he said. “We’re moving so fast this day, we often don’t get a chance to enjoy what we are doing.”

Hall recognized NWCC president Michael J. Heindl, who, with college staff, is playing a major role in getting the project launched.

“There is not a meeting we go to that we do not have a workforce development person there,” he said.

He acknowledged the late Sen. Thad Cochran, who helped get the funding for the project along with local and state legislators, ARC and Mike Armour, the Mississippi Development Authority, Tennessee Valley Authority, North Mississippi IDA, Northeast Mississippi Planning and Development District, Three Rivers Planning and Development District, Accelerate Mississippi, the Delta Regional Authority and local utility providers.

Gov. Tate Reeves acknowledged the same partners.

“What I see more than anything else, is when Mississippi works together, Mississippi succeeds,” he said. “When the workforce has skills to succeed, we will win, and win big.

“If you can get up there and drive a forklift, you can get a J.O.B. that’s paying good, strong wages.”

People today are choosing where to live and then where they will work, he said.

Investment in Mississippi over the last 10 years is approximately $900 billion compared with $115 billion last year, he said.

“We are so excited to be located in this phenomenal facility,” Heindl said. “This will impact new business coming in. We have a great story to tell, and we want to show to business and industry what we are able to do.”

Some of the offerings available now are welding, machining, computer, electrical, forklift, customized OSHA training, WIN Job Center services, and adult education leading to a high school diploma.

“Special thanks to Larry Hall (county administrator),” Heindl said. “This is definitely not a pipe dream. It is a dream realized.”

The workforce training center is located at 4700 Cayce Road, Byhalia. For information call the center at 662-851-4190.