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Starkville

Southwire Broke Ground on Starkville Facility Expansion

The $256 million project will add 380,000 square feet to the local manufacturing site.

Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Manufacturing

Large spools of heavy industrial electrical cable resting in a gravel yard at a manufacturing facility.
Southwire has officially launched a $256 million expansion of its Starkville, Mississippi facility to boost production capacity for power infrastructure components. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Southwire has officially begun a $256 million expansion at its long-standing Starkville plant. The project aims to significantly increase production capacity for electrical wire and cable to meet growing demand from power infrastructure projects.

Why it matters

This expansion addresses the rising demand for electricity and infrastructure components across the region. It also brings 139 new jobs to the local economy, offering an average salary of $63,000 per year.

The expansion includes a 380,000-square-foot addition to the existing production site. It is expected to boost monthly cable production by 300 percent, reaching a target of 15 to 20 million pounds.

The players

Southwire

This is a 76-year-old manufacturer of wire and cable products that serves the energy and construction sectors.

Mississippi Development Authority

This state agency provides economic assistance and tax incentives to promote industrial growth across Mississippi.

The details

Southwire plans to install new assembly equipment and renovate its current facility, which the company has operated since 1989. The investment is supported by a fee-in-lieu property tax exemption agreement, marking the first of its kind in Oktibbeha County.

Timeline

  1. Southwire acquired the Starkville plant in 1989.

  2. The expansion project was officially announced in August 2026.

  3. The groundbreaking ceremony took place on October 1, 2026.

  4. Project completion is expected by January 2028.

Market Landscape

This investment highlights the increasing industrial focus on infrastructure and grid modernization across the region. By leveraging state incentives, the company is positioning itself to capture a larger share of the power generation market against domestic competitors.

Residents can expect 139 new job openings, providing opportunities in manufacturing, distribution, and engineering with an average salary of $63,000. These positions represent a direct increase in the local labor market demand within the Starkville area.

The takeaway

This project underscores the region's pivot toward high-demand infrastructure manufacturing. Job seekers in the Golden Triangle should monitor the company for upcoming recruitment phases as the facility upgrades progress.

Further reading

For more information on local industrial growth, visit Starkville Manufacturing.

Source note: This article includes information reported by The Commercial Dispatch.

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