The Mississippi Development Authority said Thursday that General Atomics will invest $87 million to build a 200,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Shannon that it says will create 125 jobs.
General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems said the facility will expand production of advanced weapons systems, including Vektrex, a maneuvering 155-mm precision-guided munition, and other precision-strike programs. The company said the expansion will boost its manufacturing capacity for defense and national security customers.
Gov. Tate Reeves praised the announcement, saying, “General Atomics has chosen Mississippi again, and it’s another great win for the people of our state. This $87 million investment and the 125 jobs it will create are further proof that Mississippi is not just part of America’s defense industrial base, we’re essential to it.” Scott Forney, president of General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems, said the investment strengthens the nation’s defense industrial base and supports long-term defense readiness.
The Mississippi Development Authority said the state will provide assistance with site preparation and construction costs and support the project through the Mississippi Flexible Tax Incentive, or MFLEX, program. Lee County is also assisting with the project, which the agency said is expected to be completed in 2028.
General Atomics, based in San Diego, established its Electromagnetic Systems Group Manufacturing Center of Excellence in Shannon in 2005. In March, the company announced a separate $25 million investment to update and expand its advanced weapons production line with new, fully automated computer numerical control machines, the company said.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
