A Hub for Industrial Excellence
The Golden Triangle is a powerful, low-risk location that supports high-capacity operations across Energy, Data Centers, Food Manufacturing, and Pulp & Paper industries.
The region’s success is built upon a foundation of strategic location, robust industrial infrastructure, and a deeply connected talent pipeline fueled by world-class academic and technical institutions.
Strategically located between Memphis, Birmingham, and Jackson—with access to highways, rail, and river ports—the Golden Triangle connects your products to over 80 million consumers within a one-day drive.
Energy Industry
The Golden Triangle serves as a regional hub for power generation and fuel resources, supported by existing natural gas and biomass delivery systems. The local workforce is experienced in industrial energy operations, providing a reliable foundation for producers and utilities exploring both traditional (natural gas, coal) and emerging (biomass, renewable fuels) power sources. MSU’s research capabilities in grid modeling and energy systems further enhance the region’s innovative capacity.
Data Centers
The region is emerging as a powerful, low-risk location for mission-critical IT infrastructure. Its advantages are tailored to the high demands of data centers: TVA’s reliable, competitive power and redundant, high-speed fiber connectivity with low latency to major Southeast metros (Atlanta, Dallas, Nashville). Critically, the location offers a low-risk environment with minimal seismic, hurricane, and flood activity, combined with access to IT, cyber, and power systems talent from MSU and EMCC.
Food Manufacturing
As a growing hub for food processing, packaging, and cold-chain logistics, the Golden Triangle connects agribusiness with advanced manufacturing. The industry benefits from abundant agricultural production, industrial-scale water and wastewater capacity, and a workforce skilled in processing and quality control. MSU’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, including its Food Science, Nutrition, and Health Promotion Department, provides essential R&D for food safety, processing efficiency, and product development.
Pulp & Paper Industry
The region is situated in the heart of one of the nation’s most productive wood-fiber supply regions, offering 7.8 million acres of privately owned timberland within a 75-mile radius. Pulp and paper manufacturers leverage the exceptional logistics network (Port Access, Rail, Highway) for bulk material transport, competitive utilities, and a specialized workforce. MSU’s College of Forest Resources, with programs like Sustainable Bioproducts and Chemical Engineering, ensures a long-term, sustainable supply and advanced technical support.
Transportation
Across all major industries, the Golden Triangle offers distinct, common advantages that facilitate growth and efficient operations:
Port Access on Tenn-Tom Waterway
The Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway offers low-cost barge shipping and direct access to the Gulf of Mexico, critical for global exports and bulk commodity transport.
Class-I Rail Service by Kansas City Southern
Kansas City Southern (KCS) rail service supports the bulk movement of raw materials (timber, fuel, grain) and finished products.
Highway Access
- U.S. Highways 45 and 82 provide fast access to key Southeastern interstates (I-20/59, I-55, I-22) for efficient distribution to markets and consumers.
- Efficient truck movements for raw fiber, chemicals, and product distribution.
Air Transportation via Golden Triangle Regional Airport
Provides daily routes to Atlanta’s International Airport and Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport for executive travel and business operations.
Industrial-Scale Utilities & Low Cost of Business
All industries requiring significant throughput, from massive data centers to large mills and processing plants, benefit from:
High-reliability Power
The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) provides stable, multi-feed, and redundant electrical pathways with competitive industrial rates.
Abundant Resources
Industrial-grade natural gas capacity and a plentiful water supply are available, vital for operations like food processing, energy generation, and pulp and paper production.
Pro-Business Climate & Incentives
The region and state offer competitive cost structures, including property and sales tax incentives, fast-track permitting, and assistance through the Golden Triangle Development LINK.
SKILLED
WORKFORCE
The Golden Triangle offers direct access to Mississippi State University, one of the nation’s leading research and land-grant universities providing a continuous supply of graduates in specialized fields like Electrical Engineering (power systems), Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science (cybersecurity/HPC), Food Science, and Forest Resources. MSU’s research centers (HPC², CAVS, MAFES) offer R&D collaboration in modeling, materials science, and food safety.
Local workforce development is supported by:
- East Mississippi Community College’s Workforce and Community Services Division provides hands-on, customized technical training, certifications, and workforce development in industrial maintenance, automation, electrical systems, and technician roles.
- State workforce programs provide no-cost customized training for new and expanding industries
SPECIALIZED
TRAINING
CONNECT WITH US
GTR LINK works closely with industry to support expansion, site selection, and workforce needs.