Video: Two Big Announcements Will Bring Hundreds Of Jobs To North Mississippi

[syndicaster id=’5793023′]

NORTHEAST MISS. – It was a big day for two Northeast Mississippi counties.
Two companies announced they will locate to the area, employing hundreds of workers by the end of this year.
Seattle-based Emerald Home Furnishings will open its doors in New Albany in January and create jobs.

The family owned operation has been making home furniture for 54 years.

CEO, David Beckmann, says several other states were in the running for new site but Mississippi’s workforce caught their eye.

“There is a trained and capable workforce in Mississippi that you don’t see in a lot of communities. ” said Beckmann.

The $2 million dollar investment will locate operations in the old Hickory Springs building.

“We can grow into this facility without having to renovate too quickly and there was also land so we’re able to get enough land that we feel will meet our current and future needs,” added Beckmann.

Emerald plans to hire 150 employees, which will be a big boost to New Albany’s economy.

“You’re talking about 150 people who are either under employed or not employed that may have an opportunity to work and that’s going to increase travel to new Albany; that’s going to increase gas stations around this area,” said Josh West with Three Rivers Planning Development.

A similar announcement brought more good news to Pontotoc.

Pride Mobility Products will locate in the former Genesis Furniture Facility.

It’s also a $2 million dollar project that will create 150 jobs.

The global company builds high-end, rehab power chairs.

It was location that brought the company to Pontotoc County.

“We’re going to feed our product within two days to areas that we really can’t reach from our exiter or our Las Vegas facility,” said Pride Mobility’s Senior Vice-President Michael Zablocky.

Pride Mobility has a distribution center set up in the facility and plans to begin manufacturing by December.

“We’re very excited to be in this area, this is a great location for us and they have a great workforce here and we’re looking forward to being part of the community,” added Zablocky.

The Mississippi Development Authority provided assistance in support of the projects, as well as TVA, Appalachain Regional Commission and Three Rivers Planning Development.