Reeves is asking lawmakers to appropriate $350 million in state funds for the development of an electric vehicle battery factory in Marshall County. According to the governor, the project will create 2,000 jobs paying an average salary of $66,000.
"Economic development is a team sport. It's not partisan, doesn't matter what part of the state it is," Reeves said. "This is going to change lives for thousands and thousands of people in north Mississippi, in Marshall County and beyond. And that's something I hope we can all get behind over the next couple of days."
If the legislature approves the deal, $175 million in state money will go towards improving infrastructure around the site where the factory will be located, the Chickasaw Trails Industrial Park. Another $175 million will go directly to the businesses behind the project, according to Reeves.
Both Speaker of the House Jason White and Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann said they expect the deal to pass in their respective chambers without issue.
"I think this is probably a start of what's going to continue to be more and more development in the state of Mississippi because we have the best place in the country to bring your business," Hosemann said... "If you're going to invest somewhere, you ought to come talk to the governor.”
Legislative Democrats, while applauding the jobs the project would bring, say it reflects a larger issue with major economic development projects in the state. Derrick Simmons, the Senate minority leader represents a district in the Mississippi Delta
"Here's another economic development project east of Highway 55," Simmons said. "Until we can get leadership in this state, and also the Mississippi Development Authority to start being very intentional in investments west of highway 55, Mississippi is going to stay at the bottom. We need to move Mississippi up by improving all parts of the state of Mississippi."
The special session will begin on Thursday, and Reeves says he will not name the companies involved in the project before the deal receives legislative approval. The Daily Memphian reports that it is a joint venture between PACCAR, Daimler Truck Holdings and Cummins Truck Holdings.
