Southwire to Invest More Than $256 Million in Starkville Expansion, Creating 128 Jobs
Southwire, one of North America's largest wire and cable producers, is expanding its operations in Starkville with a corporate investment of more than $256 million, a project expected to create 128 jobs, the Mississippi Development Authority announced Monday.
The expansion adds approximately 380,000 square feet to the location's footprint, along with manufacturing machinery and related equipment to meet growing market demand. Construction is expected to begin in late 2026, with the expanded operations expected to reach full capacity in 2028.
The project is part of Southwire's companywide commitment of more than two billion dollars in modernization efforts across its locations. Founded in 1950, the company serves a range of electrical infrastructure markets.
The Mississippi Development Authority is providing assistance through the Mississippi Flexible Tax Incentive, or MFLEX, program. The city of Starkville and Oktibbeha County are also assisting with the project.
“Southwire's quarter-of-a-billion-dollar investment and the nearly 130 jobs it will create are another example of the incredible momentum we're seeing across Mississippi,” said Gov. Tate Reeves. “This is another big win for Starkville and Mississippi.”
“Companies don't make investments of this size unless the conditions are right,” said MDA Executive Director Bill Cork, who pointed to speed to market, reliable infrastructure, a skilled workforce and a competitive cost of doing business as advantages the state offers manufacturers.
Southwire President and CEO Ganesh Ramaswamy said the expansion is part of the company's long-term strategy to modernize its operations, adding that “Starkville has been an important part of Southwire's story for decades.” Rohan Kelkar, the company's executive vice president for power and industrial, said the added capacity is needed to meet demand driven by electrification, market growth and the rapid expansion of data centers.
Starkville Mayor Lynn Spruill said the expansion will be the largest single economic development project the city has seen, bringing “over 100 high-paying jobs and increased value to our city.” Oktibbeha County Board of Supervisors President Marvell Howard said the investment “says a lot about the confidence they have in Oktibbeha County,” and Golden Triangle Development LINK CEO Meryl Fisackerly credited collaboration on workforce and infrastructure readiness for the company's continued investment in the region.