Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant and officers from Edison Chouest Offshore (ECO) introduced Monday the corporate is finding shipbuilding operations on the Port of Gulfport in Gulfport, MS, representing a $68 million company funding that may create 1,000 full-time jobs.

ECO’s new Gulfport operations, TopShip, LLC, shall be positioned on the Port of Gulfport’s new inland port on Seaway Road. The firm shall be working on the former Huntington Ingalls Composite Facility, which was acquired by the Port in March 2015.

“Edison Chouest Offshore has been successfully producing quality vessels for decades, and through its business affiliate TopShip, 1,000 Mississippians on the Gulf Coast will have the opportunity to continue that tradition of quality,” Gov. Bryant commented. “Mississippi has a proven track record in the shipbuilding industry, and we are proud to welcome TopShip to the state.”

“I would like to personally thank Governor Phil Bryant, MDA Executive Director Glenn McCullough, State Port Authority Executive Director Jonathan Daniels and their staffs for the warm welcome and assistance they have extended to TopShip. We are indeed excited about the opportunities to grow TopShip in a business friendly state, one where we can reach out into the community to recruit various skill sets, developing a quality workforce that will allow TopShip not only to compete locally, but also globally,” mentioned Edison Chouest Offshore President and CEO Gary Chouest. “With the help of the state of Mississippi, we will modify our TopShip facility to become one of the safest and most efficient shipyards in the nation, building Chouest pride for our employees. The strategic location of TopShip will allow us to take advantage of the deepwater Port of Gulfport and their future expansion plans. Born in Mississippi, I am back home.”

On Feb. 5, the Mississippi Legislature voted on an incentive package deal in help of the undertaking. Lawmakers authorised $11 million by means of the Mississippi Major Economic Impact Authority – $10 million in discretionary grants and $1 million for workforce coaching. The Port of Gulfport, by means of its restoration price range, can be offering $25 million in Katrina-CDBG funds for infrastructure enhancements. The metropolis of Gulfport and Harrison County are offering private property tax abatements in help of the undertaking.

“The governor’s change in vision has allowed the Port of Gulfport flexibility to further expand and acquire the Huntington Ingalls facility. This has allowed MDA to put together an incentive package, bringing TopShip, LLC to the Port and creating a significant number of jobs for coastal residents,” mentioned Jonathan Daniels, Mississippi State Port Authority govt director and CEO. “Secondarily, TopShip’s operations on Seaway Road will link seamlessly with our modernized, deep-water draft facility, creating expanded cargo opportunities and leading to additional job creation.”