Gov. Phil Bryant touted a $100 million investment by defense contractor Raytheon in Scott County for creating the type of high tech jobs “we are looking for here in Mississippi.”
The expansion of the Raytheon plant in Forest is expected to create about 50 jobs during the next five years.
The new construction will “serve as a hub for test, integration and production of s-band radars, which include the U.S. Navy’s next generation SPY-6 Air and Missile Defense Radar program,” according to a news release from the governor’s office.
The governor made the announcement Thursday afternoon during a news conference at the state Capitol.
The state is investing $3 million in site development for Raytheon and providing $1 million for work force training. Scott County also is providing assistance by allowing the company to pay a fee in lieu of taxes for a number of years.
“This exciting new investment, which expands Raytheon’s presence in our state, is evidence that Mississippi is the place where innovative global leaders can achieve their goals,” said Mississippi Development Authority Executive Director Glenn McCullough Jr.
Raytheon is based in Massachusetts.