Hitachi Energy to invest $528 million in Copiah County, creating more than 650 jobs

Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves and Hitachi Energy CEO Andreas Schierenbeck stood alongside national and international energy officials at the G20 Energy Abundance Ministerial in Houston, Texas. During the event, Governor Reeves announced that Hitachi Energy would be investing in a new facility in Copiah County. 

“Mississippi’s momentum is growing stronger every day, and it is our people who are building the future of American energy infrastructure,” Reeves said. “This $528 million investment will create over 650 new jobs while expanding the domestic manufacturing capacity our country needs to meet growing demand. Mississippi is proud to play a leading role in powering America’s future.” 

Mississippi Development Authority Executive Director Bill Cork also attended the announcement and said the investment is vital for economic growth, both for Mississippi and nationwide.  

“At $528 million, Hitachi Energy's expansion is a massive addition to the investment taking place in Mississippi and puts Copiah County at the center of an industry that is increasingly critical to economic development,” Cork said.  

The new facility will be built in Copiah County’s Industrial Park in Gallman. According to a company press release, the new plant will be double the size of Hitachi Energy’s existing facility in Crystal Springs.  

Crystal Springs Mayor Steven Singleton said the new investment is expected to generate economic growth throughout both the city and the county.  

“As far as Crystal Springs, you're talking about people moving here, you're talkin' about subdivisions bein' developed, you're talkin' about people spending money in our town and around here,” Singleton said. “You're talkin about... Hitachi needing to buy different equipment and stuff that will open up some availability for people to bring new industry into our community.” 

Hitachi has an active facility in Crystal Springs that has been in operation for about 70 years and provides 475 jobs in the area currently. With the new facility expected to add hundreds of jobs, Singleton said the project could attract new residents and create and bring opportunities for new businesses to grow.  

Arthur Evan, Executive Director of the Copiah County Economic Development District, said this project has been a long time in the making. He added that the opportunities the new facility will bring could benefit the youth in Copiah County, providing jobs for them without having to move away. 

“I'm thinking about my seventh and eighth graders that when this plant will be open. They will probably be juniors and seniors graduating high school. And those that are not going on to college, and I hope they do. But those that are gonna get in the workforce, we got somewhere for them to go. And they do not have to leave Copiah County.” 

Nita Thompson helps her daughter run a small business, Sweet 16 Formals, in Crystal Springs. Thompson said that Hitachi Energy has played an active role in supporting the community over the years, both financially and by building relationships with local businesses.  

“They have really been good partners, and that's the kind of business you want in your community. Not just people who come in, take resources out, but bring resources in and put and invest in the community and its people,” Thompson said. “Hopefully, we can get some new businesses downtown and really build our downtown back up and really make Copiah, Crystal Springs, which is already a lovely little place to live even better.” 

Hitachi Energy is a global company that builds power transformers for homes and businesses, and has other facilities in Tennessee, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Construction is expected to start at the end of this year, and transformer production will start at the new facility in 2029.