Anduril’s Road to Mississippi and the Establishment of the Mississippi Solid Rocket Complex
The Stone County Economic Development Partnership (SCEDP) has been selected as the first-ever recipient of Cooperative Energy’s SPARK Award for their extraordinary work on the ‘Mississippi Miracle’: Anduril’s Road to Mississippi and the establishment of the Mississippi Solid Rocket Complex in Stone County.
The SPARK Award, which recognizes exceptional achievements in economic development in Mississippi, has been awarded to SCEDP for their outstanding dedication, innovation, and impact in bringing Anduril Industries to Stone County. The ‘Mississippi Miracle’ began when SCEDP leaders learned that a group of entrepreneurs was searching the country for a site to establish a solid rocket motor production facility. Through swift action and strategic collaboration, SCEDP successfully attracted the start-up company Adranos (at the time) to a vacated industrial site in McHenry, Mississippi.
In September 2020, Adranos announced a $525,000 corporate investment and plans to create 20 new jobs on the 640-acre, seven-building complex formerly occupied by General Dynamics. Less than a year later, the company announced plans to increase testing operations, invest $1.35 million, and hire an additional 25 employees. The Stone County location was soon formally named the “Mississippi Solid Rocket Complex.”
In 2023, following the acquisition of Adranos by Anduril Industries, the Mississippi Solid Rocket Complex was poised for growth. To assist, the SCEDP purchased the property from the Stone County School District, making it only one of a few times in history that the sale of 16th section land was allowed by the State of Mississippi for the execution of a significant economic development project.
“If you look solely at the acquisition of a premier defense contractor to Mississippi, there’s much to celebrate in terms of how Stone County Economic Development Partnership positioned its resources to attract the company to Stone County,” said Layla Essary, SCEDP Executive Director. “But that’s just part of the story. SCEDP made history when it purchased industrial property from the school district for the purpose of securing an economic development project. The project has had a tremendous impact on the local economy and the quality of life of all residents in Stone County.”
Through funding with the State of Mississippi, Anduril Industries recently announced a $75 million expansion of the Mississippi Solid Rocket Complex, which will increase the facility’s annual production capacity from 600 to over 6,000 tactical-scale solid rocket motors. This investment is expected to create more than 60 highly-skilled jobs in Stone County by 2025, contributing significantly to the region’s economic growth and technological advancement. The expansion includes the renovation of 92,000 square feet of factory space and the integration of advanced robotics and modular manufacturing systems.
The current construction phase is already boosting the Stone County economy through the sourcing of supplies, equipment, and human capital. Workforce development initiatives are being developed to help with the future growth of the company.
SCEDP’s success in securing this project not only highlights their exceptional capabilities but also sets a benchmark for future economic development efforts in the region. Stone County is now proudly identified as a player in the aerospace/defense sector both in Mississippi and beyond.
For more information contact the Stone County Economic Development Partnership at 115 Hatten Avenue, Wiggins, Mississippi 39577, visit www.StoneCounty.com, call 601-928-5418 or email SCEDP@StoneCounty.com.
