Fairbanks Morse Defense breaks ground on new naval manufacturing center in Pascagoula
PASCAGOULA, Miss. (WXXV)-A major expansion in Pascagoula could strengthen naval manufacturing here on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
A major investment in naval manufacturing is taking shape here on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Fairbanks Morse Defense is breaking ground on its third center of excellence at the Bird Johnson Facility in Pascagoula.
The new facility will expand manufacturing capabilities for advanced naval propulsion systems, including critical components for the U.S. Navy’s Virginia class submarine program. Jackson County Economic Development Foundation CEO/ Executive Director Mary Matha Henson said, “This is over a $60 million dollar investment; this means more high paying jobs in the defense manufacturing space. What this really means is that Jackson County continues to be the leader in defense manufacturing. Over 12,000 people work defense manufacturing in Jackson County. Today’s event only continues to solidify Jackson County’s competitiveness in defense manufacturing.”
The Pascagoula facility is the only privately owned U.S. foundry certified to make large scale Navy propellers.
The expansion will grow manufacturing capabilities while supporting the local economy. Fairbanks Morse Defense President Dan Rediger said, “We expect to be operational in 2028, it’s an 18-month build, machines are on order already and we’ll actually start recruitment early in the new year to start filling out our staff.”
Company leaders say the expansion is part of a larger effort to strengthen the nation’s naval industrial base and meet the needs of the U.S. Navy and its allies.
