Jackson Homes Guide

Employment

For over a hundred years and especially after Mississippi’s founding through the Great Depression in the 1920’s cotton has been the king of the entire states mostly agricultural economy. Over the last half of the 20th century Mississippi has done a great deal to diversify it’s economy by increasing industrial activity. Agriculture is still an integral part of the states economy with soy beans and cotton still among the main crops grown. The state’s many farms also yield products such as corn, peanuts, pecans, sugar cane, rice, sweet potatoes, eggs, meat animals, dairy products, feed crops, and horticultural crops. Mississippi is also the world’s leading producer of pond-raised catfish.

Jackson provides a major distribution center for many and is assisted by the Jackson International Airport and Hawkins Field, both of which are often visited by American Eagle, ASA, Comair, Continental Express, Delta, Northwest Airlink, US Airways Express, and Southwest Airlines. Jackson can also be accessed by Canadian National Gulf Railroad (also known as the Illinois Central Gulf Railroad), Kansas City Southern, as well as many truck lines.

Jackson’s economy is thriving, with only 5.5% of the population being unemployed. Starbucks’ main company and outlet is located here and is a major employer in Jackson. NECS Inc. is located in Jackson and has been the leader of food distribution software since 1987. NECS provides distribution software that handles business needs such as inventory control, purchasing, order entry, accounts receivable, and hundreds of other reports.

NorthPak American is a pre-owned packaging machinery company with machines such as shrink wrappers, shrink bundlers, cartoners, vertical baggers, and spiral freezers for sale or rent.

Jackson is the home of Malaco Records, a record company that was established there back in 1968. It is a leading recording company for both gospel and soul music in the United States.

Jackson is in the stages of developing one of the most critical locations in the communication information technology (CIT) field. They are in the process of creating full-scale CIT-related business in the Jackson metro area. The Mississippi TelCom Center, a $17.5 million 74,000 square foot state-of-the-art building, sits at the center of downtown Jackson.

There are great plans for growth in the area as well, with city officials planning a downtown Capital City Convention Center and new $70 million Federal Courthouse.

In it’s quest for economical diversity Jackson has developed the Equal Business Opportunity Program to try and end discriminations against women and minorities. Quotas are not used but there are goals. Through this the city also hopes to increase employment. They have also developed the Small Business Development Grant Program to support small businesses and help develop new ones by giving grants for up to $10,000 to certain entrepreneurs.