Mississippi 12th in U.S. for doing business in 2026

Mississippi 12th in U.S. For doing.

Key points

• Area Development, a national magazine specializing in economic development, has ranked Mississippi 12th in the nation overall for the Top States for Doing Business in 2026.
• Mississippi's latest rankings in Area Development additionally comes after Hitachi Energy's unveiled $528 million investment in Copiah County this month.
• Guest heavily favored to win re-election in Mississippi's 3rd Congressional District over Democrat, Libertarian challengers.
• The latest expansion project includes the construction of a new 200, 000-square-foot manufacturing facility that will expand production capabilities for the company's advanced weapons systems.
• General Atomics confirmed second expansion this year, bringing 125 more jobs to Shannon.

Mississippi 12th in U.S. For doing. Mississippi 12th in U.S. For doing business in 2026. By: Cass Rutledge – September 30, 2026.

Notably, the Magnolia State has attracted tens of billions of dollars in confirmed investments this year.

Area Development, a national magazine specializing in economic development, has ranked Mississippi 12th in the nation overall for the Top States for Doing Business in 2026. Mississippi was previously ranked 11th in the nation last year.

Georgia and Texas took the No. 1 and No. 2 spots, respectively. The states were ranked based on four categories. Each category was graded based on a number of subcategories.

In the Workforce, Talent, and Innovation category, Mississippi was rated No. 2 in the nation for Labor Cost Competitiveness. Alabama took the top spot in this category.

As for the Administration Responsiveness and Project Execution category, Mississippi was ranked No. 8 in Overall Speed to Market, No. 6 in Business Incentives Programs, No. 9 in Permitting and Development Predictability, and No. 6 in Regulatory Environment.

In the Cost, Tax and Long-Term Operating Risk category, Mississippi ranked No. 7 in Overall Cost of Doing Business and No. 9 in Energy Costs.

Governor Tate Reeves (R) touted the ranking in a Facebook post, saying "Mississippi has once again been named one of the top states in America for doing business. Conservative policies work."

Mississippi has attracted tens of billions of dollars in confirmed investments this year, including more than $20 billion from xAI's planned Southaven data center and another $12 billion in planned Amazon expansions.

Mississippi's latest rankings in Area Development additionally comes after Hitachi Energy's unveiled $528 million investment in Copiah County this month. It the firm described as its largest investment to date. Regarding the Author(s).

Cass Rutledge is a law student at the University of Mississippi. A native of Madison, Mississippi, he now resides in Oxford with his wife, Julie. Business Cass Rutledge September 18, 2026. Industrial Timber expanding its Ripley operations with $2.6 million investment.

Meanwhile, the independent furniture frame manufacturer and supplier additionally maintains operations in Pontotoc and Tupelo. This latest expansion in Mississippi will create 11 more jobs. More From This Author. News Cass Rutledge September 24, 2026.

Guest heavily favored to win re-election in Mississippi's 3rd Congressional District over Democrat, Libertarian challengers. News Cass Rutledge September 11, 2026. PEER points to reservations with MAGCOR, MDOC reporting. News Cass Rutledge September 8, 2026.

Fifth Circuit upholds dismissal of lawsuit against Jackson over lead contamination allegations. News Jeremy Pittari September 30, 2026. Mississippi's chronic absenteeism rate showing declines year over year. Business Frank Corder September 15, 2026. Hitachi Energy brings largest U.S. Investment to date to Mississippi.

While creating over 650 jobs, the $528 million expansion project in Copiah County will growth the company's production capacity and expand the range of small power transformers manufactured domestically. News Frank Corder September 10, 2026.

Notably, the latest expansion project includes the construction of a new 200, 000-square-foot manufacturing facility that will expand production capabilities for the company's advanced weapons systems. News Paul Wiseman, Associated Press September 30, 2026.

U.S. Economy grew a solid 2.2% in the second quarter, administration states, upgrading previous estimate. News Frank Corder September 30, 2026. Colom "blown away" by Democratic Socialist's Florida Senate campaign. News Frank Corder September 30, 2026.

MDA Executive Director Cork retires; Governor Reeves appoints Waldrop to lead economic development agency. Business Cass Rutledge September 25, 2026. A&W Custom Furniture expanding in Okolona, adding 20 jobs. Business Frank Corder September 24, 2026.

England-based SubSea Craft expanding operations, locating U.S. Facility on Mississippi Coast. Business Cass Rutledge September 23, 2026. Raybern Foods expansion in Shannon bringing 70 new jobs to area. Culture Susan Marquez September 30, 2026.

Jackson's own Cassandra Wilson, one of the most successful female jazz singers in modern history. Culture Alistair Begg September 30, 2026. Will He find fruit? Culture Frank Corder September 29, 2026. Mississippi Senators Wicker, Hyde-Smith back Protect College Sport Act. Opinion Roger Wicker September 28, 2026. Putin must be defeated. Opinion Sid Salter September 23, 2026.

Midterm elections in Mississippi shaping up as a familiar exercise in black-and-white. Opinion Bill Cork September 22, 2026. The states winning investment are the states ready to deliver.

For now, mississippi 12th in U.S. For doing business in 2026 remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.