Governor Tate Reeves welcomed the investment, saying: “This is another fantastic investment in Mississippians and the future of our workforce. This state-of-the-art facility will be another great asset in preparing our residents for the high-paying, high-tech jobs of the next 50 years. It will serve as a launchpad for the careers of the future, and I’m excited to witness the dividends it will pay. Thank you to Northrop Grumman for investing in Mississippi and her people. It’s another great day for Northeast Mississippi Community College and our state.”
The lab, partly funded by a Northrop Grumman Foundation grant, is designed to support NEMCC’s mission of developing tomorrow’s workforce. It will serve as an epicentre for advanced manufacturing training, giving students access to real-world environments that simulate industry requirements.
Tom Jones, corporate vice president and president of Aeronautics Systems at Northrop Grumman, underlined the project’s dual benefit: “The Northrop Grumman Aerospace Lab at Northeast Mississippi Community College is a win-win for our company and for the state. This cutting-edge facility will provide a highly trained pipeline to the technical workforce that will help enhance prosperity in Mississippi.”
Ricky Ford, president of NEMCC, expressed appreciation for the partnership, stating: “Gratitude is not a big enough word to express our appreciation to Northrop Grumman for their generous contribution in building our aerospace technician lab at Northeast Mississippi Community College’s Corinth campus. This partnership will open doors to countless educational and employment opportunities for the students and citizens of Northeast Mississippi. Together, we are shaping a brighter future for our community.”
Northrop Grumman’s long-standing presence in Mississippi includes innovation in naval navigation suites, command and control solutions, and the manufacture of spacecraft and aircraft components. With over 800 employees and more than 730,000 square feet of manufacturing space in the state, alongside nearly 100 suppliers, the company continues to drive economic growth while supporting national security needs.
