Access to transportation is easy and fast in Starkville and Oktibbeha County with an in-town general aviation airport, nearby regional airport, four-lane highway in Starkville and nearby access to two interstates, access to a port on the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway, and a rail line going through town.

Airports

• George M. Bryan Field – general aviation airport in Starkville
• Golden Triangle Regional Airport – 17 miles from Starkville, cargo service available
• 2 international airports within 170 miles of Starkville
• Mississippi Air Cargo Logistics Center – 124 miles from Starkville

Highways

• I-55 is 65 miles from Starkville
• I-22 is 90 miles from Starkville
• MS Hwy 12, 25 and 389 in Starkville
• US Hwy 82 (four-lane) in Starkville
• US 45 is 10 miles from Starkville

Ports

• Lowndes County Port (Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway): 25 miles from Starkville

Railways

• Kansas City Southern Railway – in Starkville

Distance to Major Markets

Starkville and Oktibbeha County have easy access to major markets via the interstate and highway system, railways, and airports.

Utilities

Several utilities service the Oktibbeha County area including the City of Starkville, 4-County Electric Power Association, Atmos Energy, and AT&T.

This park is a  joint venture between City of Starkville and Oktibbeha County with support from Mississippi State University. Located adjacent to the University and accessible by Highway 82, this available land is perfect for technology and research businesses.

• 78 acres of vacant land
• Adjacent to Hwy 82
• Adjacent to Kansas City Southern Rail
• Adjacent to Mississippi State University
• View an aerial photo

See more available land and properties.

The Greater Starkville Development Partnership offers incentives to both existing and relocating businesses that increase employment in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi. These incentives are available in addition to the Industry Incentives offered by the State of Mississippi.

Business Incentive Program

Business Incentives may be awarded  to new industries and to existing industries based on increased employment and only upon approval of the appropriate bodies (city and/or county) after determination that it will benefit the citizens of Oktibbeha County, Mississippi.  No Business Incentive shall be effective and no payment made until a written contract has been executed by the Greater Starkville Development Partnership and the employer. Availability of funds and other resources for this purpose will be considered before a Business Incentive is awarded.

Amount of Potential Incentive Based on Job Creation

• minimum $13.85/hour = $300/employee
• $13.86 to $14.50/hour = $400/employee
• $14.51 to $20.00/hour = $800/employee
• $20.01 and over/hour = $1,000/employee

Incentive May Be Available As:

• Land at a free or reduced cost (depending on availability)
• Tax abatements as approved by local taxing entities
• City and/or County permitting at a free or reduced cost
• Site preparation costs
• Utility infrastructure
• Local Road Work
• Environmental Studies
• Subsidized rent
• Temporary office space
• Other such beneficial items as the company sees appropriate

The company requesting incentives may choose from the above list to best suit their needs and long term plans for business.

Time Frame

Generally a two year period, but shall be confirmed by the appropriate bodies and set forth in the written contract.

The schedule for Business Incentives shall apply regardless of the amount of capital investment in the company; however, the Partnership may take into consideration the amount of capital investment and approve a different Business Incentive based thereon.

Maximum Amount

$100,000.00 per company per contract unless an exception is made by the Greater Starkville Development Partnership.

“Claw Back” Provision

“Claw back” provisions shall be included in the contract providing for reimbursement of a prorated amount of the Business Incentive for net jobs that are not maintained for 24 months after payment.

The development of environmentally and economically sustainable energy sources specific to the Southeast region of the nation is the focus for the Energy Institute at Mississippi State University. Examples of  research being done in Starkville include biofuel research, shale oil extraction, green energy sources, wind power, power grid reliability, switch blade grass as an energy source, biofuel catalyst research, solar and nuclear energy.  These fields are growing in importance. Locating your company with close proximity to the Energy Institute can help your business develop on the leading edge of the appropriate technology.

Institute for Clean Energy Technology – Mississippi State University

With a staff of over 50 professional and support personnel, the ICE-T has worked on multiple projects in the state of Mississippi and in the states of Montana and South Carolina, and Washington DC.

Facilities

• 55,000-square foot building
• Plasma torch facility
• Combustion test facility

Services

• Continuous emission monitors (CEMs)
• Process monitors (PMs)
• Air pollution control systems (APCS)
• Partitioning studies

Current Research

• Biofuel research
• Shale oil extraction
• Green energy sources
• Wind power
• Power grid reliability
• Switch blade grass as an energy source
• Biofuel catalyst research
• Solar and nuclear energy

Sustainable Energy Research Center – Mississippi State University

www.serc.msstate.edu

Researchers from several MSU departments and other research-oriented programs and centers collaborate to develop educational programs and research targeting the development of environmentally and economically sustainable energy sources in the Southeastern United States. Current research focuses on feedstocks, bio-oil, biocrude, syngas, and engine testing.

Tax Incentives for the Clean Energy Industry

Mississippi Clean Energy Initiative Program

• Manufacturers of components or systems for the production of clean, renewable, or alternative energy
• Includes solar, nuclear, and wind, energy and hydro-electricity
• Exemption from state income and franchise taxes for a period of 10 years
• Exemption from sales tax to build or expand an energy-production plant
• A minimum $50 million investment and creation of 250 full-time jobs is required
• Learn about this program and who qualifies

Other Mississippi Tax Incentives

Mississippi offers many tax incentives to businesses relocating or expanding in the state. View a listing of available tax incentives.

Skilled Available Workforce

Mississippi State University

Located in Starkville, Mississippi State University graduates are trained in the fields important to the clean energy technology industry.  Our access to experienced alumni is unprecedented.  We can help you find the ideal, experienced candidate for your company through the MSU Carreer Center.

Follow this link to enrollment and degrees conferred at Mississippi State University. 

Workforce Training

Center for Manufacturing Technology Excellence – East Mississippi Community College

Located in Mayhew at the Golden Triangle Campus, 12 miles east of  Starkville, the Center offers industry-driven training to create technically proficient workers. The facility includes two computer labs, a 70-seat auditorium, 2 classrooms, and a commons area which can be used for trade shows or conferences.

Mississippi State University captures a unique balance of world class research in animal and public health. By partnering in research with private sector companies they work to develop new products, processes and technologies for human and animal health care. Creating a home for your company in Starkville allows direct access to this innovative platform for biomedical research and development.

Institute for Genomics, Biocomputing, and Biotechnology – Mississippi State University

The Institute focuses on improving the security of health, food, fuel, the environment and the economy of Mississippi and the United States. Focusing on economically important species, research into the function and expression of genes is performed and several open-source online resources, including gene databases, tools, and educational resources, have been created. These include the

• Bovine gene atlas
• Bird base
• Chicken gene nomenclature
• Host-pathogen interaction database
• Corn fungal resistance associated sequences database

College of Veterinary Medicine – Mississippi State University

One of only 28 fully accredited veterinary medicine colleges in the U.S., the College of Veterinary Medicine has 90 faculty members involved in teaching and research. The college offers degrees in Veterinary Medical Technology at the bachelor’s level, in Veterinary Medicine at the professional level, in Veterinary Medical Science at the masters, and doctoral levels, and in Environmental Toxicology at the doctoral level.  Degree specialties include infectious diseases, toxicology, pharmacology, pathology and production medicine.

Training

The college assists graduates through the internship or residency programs which finds placements in clinical and paraclinical programs throughout the country and residencies at MSU. Externships in public and corporate practice are available in the fields of food supply veterinary medicine and public practice. Additionally, MSU has partnered with USDA APHIS Veterinary Services to provide hands-on training in public veterinary practice.

Research

The College of Veterinary Medicine has 3 departments:  Basic Sciences, Clinical Sciences, and Pathobiology and Population Medicine.  Research programs focus on  agroterrorism, bioterrorism, environmental safety, animal diseases, human diseases, food safety, new or emerging disease pathogens and other veterinary issues.

Biomedical Research Center

Research at the center is conducted in partnership with major biomedical and pharmaceutical firms, focusing on the evaluation and testing of new human health products and technology. Facilities and equipment at the center include

• Computerized Digital Imaging
• Direct Digital Radiology
• ACUCAM
• Florida Probe for measuring gingival pocket depths
• Peritron for evaluating crevicular fluids

Services and faculty expertise are available by contacting the center’s director.

Summer Research Experience

Funded through the NIH, this twelve-week program exposes students to biomedical research.

Employment

Potential employers may post job announcements on the CVM’s career services website.

Skilled Available Workforce

Mississippi State University

Located in Starkville, Mississippi State University graduates are trained in the fields important to the biomedical  industry.  Our access to experienced alumni is unprecedented.  We can help you find the ideal, experienced candidate for your company through the MSU Carreer Center.

Follow this link to enrollment and degrees conferred at Mississippi State University. 

Workforce Training

Center for Manufacturing Technology Excellence – East Mississippi Community College

Located in Mayhew at the Golden Triangle Campus, 12 miles east of  Starkville, the Center offers industry-driven training to create technically proficient workers. The facility includes two computer labs, a 70-seat auditorium, 2 classrooms, and a commons area which can be used for trade shows or conferences.

Tax Incentives Relevant to the Biomedical Research Industry

Research and Development Skills Tax Credit

• $1,000/employee/year
• Up to 5 years
• Reduces income tax liability
• For any position requiring research or development skills
• No minimum number of positions created to qualify
• Learn about this program and who qualifies

Other Mississippi Tax Incentives

Mississippi offers many tax incentives to businesses relocating or expanding in the state. View a listing of available tax incentives.