Groundwork for the Future

First conceptions for the park began in the late 1990's. In 1997, consulting firm Holman and Associates completed a study that found existing industrial sites inadequate to meet the growth needs of the emerging technology corridor.

A taskforce that included Mississippi Power Company, Jones County Economic Development Authority and Howard Industries, set out to investigate possible sites and funding for a major technology/industrial park. In late 1998 a consensus emerged for the site ultimately chosen. With a solid concept and an ideal site in place, the practical work of making the park a reality began in earnest.

The next three years saw a number of legal and financial obstacles overcome. Legislation soon paved the way for the purchase of the land owned by the Mississippi Department of Mental Health. In 2000, the first funding source was secured when a $5 million MBIA loan received approval.

After the official groundbreaking for the site later that year, partners for the technology park used 2001 and the early part of 2002 to secure more of the financial resources needed. Their efforts resulted in a 1.5 million-dollar grant from the USEDA, $4 million in funding for the Advanced Technology Center approved by the Mississippi Legislature, and a $920,000 federal grant for infrastructure secured with the help of U.S. Rep. Chip Pickering.

The basic infrastructure construction that began in 2002 has been completed. The Jones County Junior College Advanced Technology Center is now open, and Howard Industries five-story office tower opened in 2007.